What do you think?
Rate this book
C.T. Ferguson #1.5
The Confessional
A bloody corpse. A priest with the wrong history. A rookie PI trying to figure it all out.
A Gripping C.T. Ferguson Crime Novella.
Hacker-turned-private investigator C.T. Ferguson is new to the job. He's learning the ropes. He wants an easy case.
Instead he gets Ernie, a publicity-hungry blogger who injected himself into a murder case.
Near a Baltimore church, a man is found murdered, stabbed a dozen times in the chest. C.T. uncovers the victim's history of abuse by priests—including the one stationed at the church where his body was discovered.
He also learns of plans to build a new church . . . plans that could be threatened by a corpse turning up.
With the priest reluctant to talk about the past and enforcers hounding him, C.T. must sort through the reverend's and the victim's histories to figure out what happened.
You'll love this novella because it's a quick read that combines classic noir mystery with modern cyber intrigue.
Add it to your collection today!
A Gripping C.T. Ferguson Crime Novella.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2018
About the author
Tom Fowler
35 books107 followersTom Fowler was born and raised in Baltimore and still resides in Maryland. He is an unabashed homer for Baltimore sports teams. His full-time job is in the field of computer security.
At about age seven, polite young Tom wrote a "murder mystery" in which no one died. The story gave him the writing bug, however, and he's been putting pen to paper and fingers to keys ever since.
When not working or writing, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, sports, movies, and writing brief bios in the third person.
At about age seven, polite young Tom wrote a "murder mystery" in which no one died. The story gave him the writing bug, however, and he's been putting pen to paper and fingers to keys ever since.
When not working or writing, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, sports, movies, and writing brief bios in the third person.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 22, 2018
4.5* rounded up
I enjoyed the book, but I did find it slow paced and a little exaggerated in regards to the protagonist overcoming bruising bodyguards so much and that the author appeared to over egged the role of what a hacker does. I do feel that the author could have used the fact he has sources/ relatives in the police force
I enjoyed the book, but I did find it slow paced and a little exaggerated in regards to the protagonist overcoming bruising bodyguards so much and that the author appeared to over egged the role of what a hacker does. I do feel that the author could have used the fact he has sources/ relatives in the police force
January 15, 2020
A good read with interesting characters, good & bad, of different backgrounds and ages. Mixes years old scandal with more recent possibilities. The story flows well as C.T. uses his special skills along with more recent partially honed skills to help those who aren't in a financial position to get the help elsewhere. Because he's in a financial position to choose his cases he tries to choose wisely but that doesn't always work out.
This novella is just the right length between full length novels. Enjoy.
This novella is just the right length between full length novels. Enjoy.
October 24, 2019
C.T. Solves Another Case
Really enjoyed reading the novella, sometimes you want a quick read without staying up half the night to finish. C.T. finds himself saying yes to a pretty public defender when he had already turned down the accused murderer. His hacking skills once again give him an insight into who the murderer was, and his martial arts skills kept him unscathed. His lively sexy Gloria kept him happy too! Enjoy!
Really enjoyed reading the novella, sometimes you want a quick read without staying up half the night to finish. C.T. finds himself saying yes to a pretty public defender when he had already turned down the accused murderer. His hacking skills once again give him an insight into who the murderer was, and his martial arts skills kept him unscathed. His lively sexy Gloria kept him happy too! Enjoy!
May 4, 2023
The Confessional by Tom Fowler is a great story. It is one of the beginning books in the C. T. Ferguson series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this quick read that I got from the Hoopla APP. This story will keep you guessing who committed the murder until the very end. The PI's methods are rather unconventional and there are interesting concepts presented in the book. The plot and the characters are well developed. I highly recommend this book and series.
May 15, 2020
The Confessional
This is the second book I've read. I liked C. T. He is kind of an Asus and way smarter than me but I can follow. Interesting mystery. Each book gets a little more money so I have to decide if I want one book a month or four 99 cent ones. That's where I found the first one of his.
This is the second book I've read. I liked C. T. He is kind of an Asus and way smarter than me but I can follow. Interesting mystery. Each book gets a little more money so I have to decide if I want one book a month or four 99 cent ones. That's where I found the first one of his.
March 20, 2023
A very sad reality until Pope Francis decreed TOLERANCE ZERO.
On the 20220707, Pope Francis proclaimed TOLERANCE ZERO to the abusers of children and young people.
Not only to the Catholic Clergy, but also inside the family venue.
"This is shameful" Pope Francis added.
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo, Uruguay.
On the 20220707, Pope Francis proclaimed TOLERANCE ZERO to the abusers of children and young people.
Not only to the Catholic Clergy, but also inside the family venue.
"This is shameful" Pope Francis added.
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo, Uruguay.
March 28, 2021
What a read!
Fairly quick read but not to memorable. It does tie the longer novels together, filling in time gaps making the next one in the series more enjoyable. It helps us know CT better.
Fairly quick read but not to memorable. It does tie the longer novels together, filling in time gaps making the next one in the series more enjoyable. It helps us know CT better.
May 17, 2020
This was a short enjoyable read. On to "The Unknown Devil."
January 21, 2021
Enjoyable short story.
I just don't believe that the evidence is legal.
I just don't believe that the evidence is legal.
October 30, 2023
Quick And Quirky
C.T. Ferguson helps people with legal problems. In The Confessional he is on the tracks of a murderer. Check out the unusual way h gets evidence.
C.T. Ferguson helps people with legal problems. In The Confessional he is on the tracks of a murderer. Check out the unusual way h gets evidence.
July 23, 2019
This is where I started with Tom Fowler's work and I have to say I was hooked straight away. These books are great and I understand that the others are even better. Well I can't wait to read them! This story skips along quickly with the author not wasting a word that isn't needed and before you know it, it's over. I couldn't believe it wasn't longer when I think back to all that happens in the story. I like the main character too and am happy to find a character that isn't 'damaged' emotionally or hiding a deep dark secret he hopes won't get out. I like that and I like him and I also enjoy it when he gets into a fight. What can I say I read for the fantasy of it!
The basics are covered well, such as spelling etc, and the quick paced twisting story is great fun.
I recommend this to anyone who hasn't read any of Tom Fowler's work before and hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
Merged review:
This is where I started with Tom Fowlers work and I have to say I was hooked straight away. These books are great and I understand that the others are even better. Well I can't wait to read them! This story skips along quickly with the author not wasting a word that isn't needed and before you know it, it's over. I couldn't believe it wasn't longer when I think back to all that happens in the story. I like the main character too and am happy to find a character that isn't 'damaged' emotionally or hiding a deep dark secret he hopes won't get out. I like that and I like him and I also enjoy it when he gets into a fight. What can I say I read for the fantasy of it!
The basics are covered well, such as spelling etc, and the quick paced twisting story is great fun.
I recommend this to anyone who hasn't read any of Tom Fowlers work before and hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
The basics are covered well, such as spelling etc, and the quick paced twisting story is great fun.
I recommend this to anyone who hasn't read any of Tom Fowler's work before and hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
Merged review:
This is where I started with Tom Fowlers work and I have to say I was hooked straight away. These books are great and I understand that the others are even better. Well I can't wait to read them! This story skips along quickly with the author not wasting a word that isn't needed and before you know it, it's over. I couldn't believe it wasn't longer when I think back to all that happens in the story. I like the main character too and am happy to find a character that isn't 'damaged' emotionally or hiding a deep dark secret he hopes won't get out. I like that and I like him and I also enjoy it when he gets into a fight. What can I say I read for the fantasy of it!
The basics are covered well, such as spelling etc, and the quick paced twisting story is great fun.
I recommend this to anyone who hasn't read any of Tom Fowlers work before and hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
November 18, 2018
The Confessional by Tom Fowler
A CT Ferguson Novella
The story opens with a visit from a client who says he has confessed to a murder he didn't commit. Unsurprisingly he gets arrested for the murder he confessed to, and he wants to hire CT to prove he didn't do it.
This is a very topical story at the moment as the main theme is abuse within the church. The priest concerned was never openly accused or convicted, nothing was proven, but the murder victim posted about these events on his blog. Which still leaves the original question of who committed the murder.
Again, this book gives valuable information of a practical nature about phones, computers and their vulnerabilities in with the story, all of which will be of use to the average reader.
In the end CT, with the assistance of his cousin who is a detetive in the local police force, works out who the guilty party is, manages to prove it in front of witnesses in a unique, if slightly unethical and borderline legal, way and gets his client released from police custody.
An excellent novella and gives some early background to a detective who is different to those usually found in fiction. If you like non-fiction/reference books and prefer them to your average murder mystery/PI novel then I urge you to try reading this series. Think of them as a useful guide to keeping your computer/phone/network safe with a storyline thrown in as background.
A CT Ferguson Novella
The story opens with a visit from a client who says he has confessed to a murder he didn't commit. Unsurprisingly he gets arrested for the murder he confessed to, and he wants to hire CT to prove he didn't do it.
This is a very topical story at the moment as the main theme is abuse within the church. The priest concerned was never openly accused or convicted, nothing was proven, but the murder victim posted about these events on his blog. Which still leaves the original question of who committed the murder.
Again, this book gives valuable information of a practical nature about phones, computers and their vulnerabilities in with the story, all of which will be of use to the average reader.
In the end CT, with the assistance of his cousin who is a detetive in the local police force, works out who the guilty party is, manages to prove it in front of witnesses in a unique, if slightly unethical and borderline legal, way and gets his client released from police custody.
An excellent novella and gives some early background to a detective who is different to those usually found in fiction. If you like non-fiction/reference books and prefer them to your average murder mystery/PI novel then I urge you to try reading this series. Think of them as a useful guide to keeping your computer/phone/network safe with a storyline thrown in as background.
May 3, 2019
The Confessional is another C.T. Ferguson adventure. It is the first story in the new series, C,T. Ferguson Crime Novellas, written by Tom Fowler. For those who haven’t read any of the other C.T. Ferguson books, C.T. is a Private Investigator who works pro bono, a condition of his employment. His employer is his parents. I suggest that you read The Reluctant Detective to get the backstory of C.T, and his escapades.
In The Confessional, C.T is asked to investigate a murder. C.T.’s adventure starts from the first page. It is an excellent read. Since this is a novella, it doesn’t take long to read, maybe an afternoon. The story is current and could be in today’s news. The Confessional should be the next book that mystery readers purchase.
In The Confessional, C.T is asked to investigate a murder. C.T.’s adventure starts from the first page. It is an excellent read. Since this is a novella, it doesn’t take long to read, maybe an afternoon. The story is current and could be in today’s news. The Confessional should be the next book that mystery readers purchase.
May 24, 2019
C.T. wants no part of the case of a blogger who confessed to murder. A pretty Public Defender clarifies his view.
The protagonist runs a pro bono private investigator service. Using his hacking skills to uncover the real guilty party, he must now get the information out into the open in a way the legal system can use it. The story is interesting and holds the readers' attention but seems a little weak in telling how the hacking is accomplished, C.T.'s narrative makes it seem too easy or maybe it's because the equipment being hacked is old and unguarded. A light, interesting read. Recommended.
The protagonist runs a pro bono private investigator service. Using his hacking skills to uncover the real guilty party, he must now get the information out into the open in a way the legal system can use it. The story is interesting and holds the readers' attention but seems a little weak in telling how the hacking is accomplished, C.T.'s narrative makes it seem too easy or maybe it's because the equipment being hacked is old and unguarded. A light, interesting read. Recommended.
April 23, 2018
A murder mystery involving PI CT and his cousin police detective Rich. CT narrates in the first person and comes off as somewhat vain about his appearance. An altarboy abusing priest is part of the plot. CT has wealthy parents who allow him to do pro bono sleuthing. He and his girl friend have an active sex life but mention of their trysts ends discretely at the bedroom door. This text needs an editor’s touch and the formating displays poorly in black colour mode.
November 13, 2018
This is an entertaining mystery with Mr. Fowler's private detective, C.T. Ferguson, solving the case while maintaining his casual affair with a young lady that just might become more serious in the future. I enjoyed reading it and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good murder mystery. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given review.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given review.
January 19, 2019
The only thing wrong with this book is that it is too short! C.T. has quite a time investigating the case of a man so dumb that he falsely confessed to a murder in a blog. Mischief, sex, flirtation and help from the mob boss for Baltimore all appear and pass swiftly before the story is ended. The characters are interesting and with the exception of several goons, are quite human. The story is not demanding and is a quick, fun read.
January 11, 2020
Interesting read. These are well written mysteries with a great twist to each one. I think C.T. is a great character and they are all characters I enjoy.
February 16, 2019
A good short story that left me wanting to read more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews