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Jack McMorrow Mystery #6
Cover Story
When the mayor of New York City is murdered, Maine reporter Jack McMorrow returns to his hometown to investigate big city corruption and crime, but his chance for the story of a lifetime could be jeopardized when he becomes a suspect in the mayor's assassination. Reprint.
371 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 25, 2019
Jack McMorrow was a veteran reporter for the New York Times before he made a significant change and left the big city for life in the woods of Maine. Now he's back, briefly, to interview about a job as a stringer for the Times, working from Maine. It's supposed to be a quick trip--in and out overnight--but Jack takes the time to have a drink with an old friend named Butch Casey. Casey is an ex-cop whose wife was brutally murdered. Jack covered the story for the Times, and Casey has never gotten over the loss. He's also never forgiven the D.A., John Fiore, who failed to prosecute the case aggressively.
Jack and Casey have a couple of drinks and when they go their separate ways, Casey seems to be in good spirits. But the next morning, before Jack can get out of town and back to Maine, the cops are at his hotel room door. Casey has been arrested for murdering Fiore, who is now a very popular mayor, and the cops want to know if Jack was involved.
Before long, the city is in an uproar over the death of a beloved mayor and the press is all over Jack, speculating about his involvement in all of this. Beyond that, Jack discovers that, before allegedly stabbing the mayor to death, Casey left an envelope for Jack with the hotel desk. In it are papers regarding an investigation that Casey was making on his own and that he now begs Jack to pursue.
Jack feels an obligation to his long-time friend, but it quickly becomes apparent that some very powerful and dangerous people do not want Jack poking into their affairs. As readers of this very good series learned a long time ago, Jack McMorrow does not scare easily and he can be extremely stubborn when on the trail of a good story, especially one that involves an injustice that needs to be made right. In this case, though, Jack may have taken on more than he can handle and the odds that he will survive long enough to make it back home to Maine are not looking good.
This is another very good story from Gerry Boyle, who seems to know New York City as well as he clearly knows the backwoods of Maine. The tension is palpable from beginning to end and once the action ramps up, it's impossible to put this book down. A very good read.
Jack and Casey have a couple of drinks and when they go their separate ways, Casey seems to be in good spirits. But the next morning, before Jack can get out of town and back to Maine, the cops are at his hotel room door. Casey has been arrested for murdering Fiore, who is now a very popular mayor, and the cops want to know if Jack was involved.
Before long, the city is in an uproar over the death of a beloved mayor and the press is all over Jack, speculating about his involvement in all of this. Beyond that, Jack discovers that, before allegedly stabbing the mayor to death, Casey left an envelope for Jack with the hotel desk. In it are papers regarding an investigation that Casey was making on his own and that he now begs Jack to pursue.
Jack feels an obligation to his long-time friend, but it quickly becomes apparent that some very powerful and dangerous people do not want Jack poking into their affairs. As readers of this very good series learned a long time ago, Jack McMorrow does not scare easily and he can be extremely stubborn when on the trail of a good story, especially one that involves an injustice that needs to be made right. In this case, though, Jack may have taken on more than he can handle and the odds that he will survive long enough to make it back home to Maine are not looking good.
This is another very good story from Gerry Boyle, who seems to know New York City as well as he clearly knows the backwoods of Maine. The tension is palpable from beginning to end and once the action ramps up, it's impossible to put this book down. A very good read.
September 5, 2020
Jack is back in NYC, but supposed to be only visiting this time. He thinks he's going back to Maine soon, but a good friend has been framed for murder and only Jack is sure that it is a frame. Up against the NYPD and the political machine, it is tough to ferret out the proof that will stand up in court. Plenty of plot twists and red herrings to keep the suspense going!
Michael A. Smith is the narrator who brings the characters to life.
Michael A. Smith is the narrator who brings the characters to life.
December 28, 2015
Not my favorite Boyle/McMorrow mystery, but pretty good overall.
The story base is taut and exciting...Jack returns to New York City to pursue pieces of his disgraced and distinguished career as a top New York Times reporter, only to find himself enmeshed in a horrible tale of graft and greed for power, lured into it by childhood friend/cop/survivor of his wife's murder, only to find that he's been manipulated by Butch Casey.
Boyle's gift for staccato dialogue and hardcore violence is evident.
The story base is taut and exciting...Jack returns to New York City to pursue pieces of his disgraced and distinguished career as a top New York Times reporter, only to find himself enmeshed in a horrible tale of graft and greed for power, lured into it by childhood friend/cop/survivor of his wife's murder, only to find that he's been manipulated by Butch Casey.
Boyle's gift for staccato dialogue and hardcore violence is evident.
July 16, 2020
(2 1/2). I have a read a couple of the prior Jack McMorrow stories, enjoyed them, and this one was no exception. Although only written 20 years ago, this has a decidedly “classic” almost noir feel to it. McMorrow is a very engaging protagonist. He does come off as exceedingly foolhardy at times, but that only endears us to him even more. I really want to know how he is able to drive around New York City in the freestyle manner that is described here so many times. The plot is a little single minded but certainly entertaining. Good stuff.
July 28, 2019
One of my least favorite of Jack McMorrow books. Characters got a bit confusing, glad I was reading not listening, so I could go back and reread here and there. I missed Maine, but was glad to finally get the back story of why he left the Times. Will he and Roxanne ever spend time together? It seems the last few books they are always apart... Enjoyed it despite my few criticisms. Looking forward to reading the next one.
February 19, 2008
I picked up this book since Boyle is doing a reading for WPL next week. A mystery in NYC solved by a guy from Maine. I really like Boyle's style of writing. And I loved the sense of his familiarity with Maine, but also that the story took place in NYC. Couldn't put it down.
November 21, 2022
When am I going to learn to not listen to the audiobooks? The basic narration is okay but once he does ”voices” it all becomes bizarre. Every female sounds ridiculous. What should have been NYC accents sounded like Mainers. Why did the Times Editor always lose her g’s, as in doin’ and writin’? And the only woman who sounded normal was Christina because it appears a woman read those parts.
The story itself was decent. Jack was out of his quiet life in Prosperity, enjoying New York City. Meeting up with an old friend from childhood sets him on a crazy search for clues to help that friend out. He runs into police, bad guys, an old flame, and an assortment of good and bad people. It’s a wild ride.
The story itself was decent. Jack was out of his quiet life in Prosperity, enjoying New York City. Meeting up with an old friend from childhood sets him on a crazy search for clues to help that friend out. He runs into police, bad guys, an old flame, and an assortment of good and bad people. It’s a wild ride.
October 28, 2020
Jack’s visit in NYC is interrupted when a friend is being framed for murdered. Can he find the proof needed to stand up in court, against the politics and police that maybe setting him up. Good flowing mystery and with good narration by Michael. Given audio for my voluntary review
February 28, 2021
Effective ending
Somewhat confusing start but ended well. I like McMorrow and crew but the mystery part of the story could be cleaner.
Somewhat confusing start but ended well. I like McMorrow and crew but the mystery part of the story could be cleaner.
April 13, 2021
More 3.5. Well done on several fronts: journalism, politics, police, and the grinding down of the little guy. And importantly? I got it out of here once finished! Sharing with a local LFL.
October 15, 2023
Another fine crime tale, and Jack is a sincere person. One of the best series I've stumbled on to. And I owe that to James, for re-reading the series.
July 5, 2012
Jack McMorrow, ex-journalist for the Times and retired Detective Butch Casey have been friends since childhood, although they haven't seen each other since the murder of Casey's wife ten years ago. When McMorrow is in New York on business with the Times, he accepts an invitation to meet with Casey for old times' sake.
Later that night, the popular mayor, Fiore, is found murdered in a hotel bathroom, stabbed to death. Casey's fingerprints are all over the weapon and he is arrested. McMorrow can hardly believe it, he knew that Casey was upset because the mayor had let his wife's killer go, Fiore had been the DA at the time, but McMorrow didn't think he was capable of murder.
Digging deeper into the crimes of ten years ago, McMorrow discovers that the mayor had more enemies than grains of sand on a beach and he wasn't as perfect as everyone was making him out to be. Determined to get to the bottom of things and clear his friend's name McMorrow is pursued by the press, by the police and by others who seem determined to kill him.
The plot is fast and pacy with lots of dialogue and interaction between characters and it was difficult to put the book down. New York under Mayor Fiore is painted as this wonderful Utopia, but McMorrow can see the worms underneath, things haven't so much changed as been brushed under the carpet and the holes start to show.
And who really did kill the mayor? Well, you'll just have to read and find out. You won't be disappointed.
Later that night, the popular mayor, Fiore, is found murdered in a hotel bathroom, stabbed to death. Casey's fingerprints are all over the weapon and he is arrested. McMorrow can hardly believe it, he knew that Casey was upset because the mayor had let his wife's killer go, Fiore had been the DA at the time, but McMorrow didn't think he was capable of murder.
Digging deeper into the crimes of ten years ago, McMorrow discovers that the mayor had more enemies than grains of sand on a beach and he wasn't as perfect as everyone was making him out to be. Determined to get to the bottom of things and clear his friend's name McMorrow is pursued by the press, by the police and by others who seem determined to kill him.
The plot is fast and pacy with lots of dialogue and interaction between characters and it was difficult to put the book down. New York under Mayor Fiore is painted as this wonderful Utopia, but McMorrow can see the worms underneath, things haven't so much changed as been brushed under the carpet and the holes start to show.
And who really did kill the mayor? Well, you'll just have to read and find out. You won't be disappointed.
February 15, 2013
Language!Jack McMorrow is up to his neck in another mystery. His long time friend and excop, Butch Casey, asked him to come to Boston for a visit and says he has something to tell Jack. They talk and that night the friend is arrested for shooting the beloved mayor, John Fiore, right after he left Jack. Jack doesn't think he did it and Butch swears he is innocent and gives Jack a folder of crimes that were committed and tells him to finish figuring out the scandal that he thinks is lurking in the articles.
July 2, 2016
Great mix of urban (New York City, and more than just Manhattan) and the fourth estate. The reporter's perspective for crime investigation and resolving, tied in with police work and upper bureaucracy for the city kept the pace steady, captivating. A good read.
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October 10, 2010RABCK to my DIL's teacher.
March 3, 2012
Not one of my favorites of Gerry Boyle but it was still pretty good.
October 13, 2014
Exciting thriller about a journalist fired from NY Times then moves to Maine. Visits NYC for job and meets old friend who is then accused of killing the mayor.
NYC corruption, fast moving, good.
NYC corruption, fast moving, good.
March 25, 2015
I love Gerry Boyle's books and in my opinion, this was his best. The characters are real, the scenes in NY are vivid and accurate, and the plot is great.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews