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Michael O'Higgins #1
Last Ferry Home
"No one writes about the heart of darkness like Kent Harrington" -Michael Connelly
Since his wife's death at sea, San Francisco Police Detective Michael O'Higgins has been paralyzed by grief and shame - unable to care for their teenaged daughter, who saw her mother swept away, and unable to deal with the daily requirements of his job. Almost a year after his wife's death, O'Higgins takes a ferry ride as part of his therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. On the boat, he meets a charming Indian successful young husband, two lovely daughters, and a kind, beautiful wife and mother.
O'Higgins has no idea that he will meet this woman again on his first day back after bereavement leave, when he and his partner are called to a Nob Hill mansion to investigate a homicide. The victim is the handsome man O'Higgins met on the ferry, and his wife, Asha Chaundhry, is the obvious suspect.
Asha Chaundhry becomes the center of O'Higgins' investigation. The victim's father, a prominent Indian politician and business tycoon, is anxious to keep his son's death out of the public eye, and to have the investigation resolved as quickly as possible. As O'Higgins digs into the Chaundhrys' business and political dealings, he becomes convinced of Asha's innocence, while her father-in-law seeks to isolate her from friends and defenders, even sending her children back to extended family in India. Increasingly desperate, Asha turns to O'Higgins for comfort, in a way that threatens both his recovery and his career.
LAST FERRY HOME is a riveting novel of grief, obsession, recovery and passion from acclaimed author Kent Harrington, as well as a gripping portrait of a man torn apart by loss, but looking for something, anyone, to believe in.
Since his wife's death at sea, San Francisco Police Detective Michael O'Higgins has been paralyzed by grief and shame - unable to care for their teenaged daughter, who saw her mother swept away, and unable to deal with the daily requirements of his job. Almost a year after his wife's death, O'Higgins takes a ferry ride as part of his therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. On the boat, he meets a charming Indian successful young husband, two lovely daughters, and a kind, beautiful wife and mother.
O'Higgins has no idea that he will meet this woman again on his first day back after bereavement leave, when he and his partner are called to a Nob Hill mansion to investigate a homicide. The victim is the handsome man O'Higgins met on the ferry, and his wife, Asha Chaundhry, is the obvious suspect.
Asha Chaundhry becomes the center of O'Higgins' investigation. The victim's father, a prominent Indian politician and business tycoon, is anxious to keep his son's death out of the public eye, and to have the investigation resolved as quickly as possible. As O'Higgins digs into the Chaundhrys' business and political dealings, he becomes convinced of Asha's innocence, while her father-in-law seeks to isolate her from friends and defenders, even sending her children back to extended family in India. Increasingly desperate, Asha turns to O'Higgins for comfort, in a way that threatens both his recovery and his career.
LAST FERRY HOME is a riveting novel of grief, obsession, recovery and passion from acclaimed author Kent Harrington, as well as a gripping portrait of a man torn apart by loss, but looking for something, anyone, to believe in.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2018
20 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Kent Harrington
25 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Kent Harrington is a 4th generation San Franciscan, born to an Irish-Jewish father and Guatemalan mother. His early education was spent at the Palo Alto Military Academy, where he was sent at an early age. He attended San Francisco State University and received a degree in Spanish Literature. After living both in Spain and Latin America, he returned to the Bay Area and began his career as a novelist supporting himself as a teacher, carpenter, factory worker and life insurance salesman.
His first published work was the well-received noir thriller Dark Ride published in 1997. Booklist’s review wrote: “This is as noir as it gets.” His follow-up noir thriller Dia De Los Muertos is now considered a modern crime classic. Amazon’s editorial review says: “If "American noir" were in the dictionary, you might find Kent Harrington's picture in place of the definition.”
Other works include Red Jungle, set in Guatemala, and The Good Physician. Both novels were compared to Graham Greene and John le Carré’s work. Red Jungle was selected as one of the “10 best crime novels” of the year by Booklist.
Kent Harrington is the author of seven novels, the latest, The Rat Machine, will be published by Market Street Books in 2013. He lives in Northern California with his wife.
Kent Harrington is a 4th generation San Franciscan, born to an Irish-Jewish father and Guatemalan mother. His early education was spent at the Palo Alto Military Academy, where he was sent at an early age. He attended San Francisco State University and received a degree in Spanish Literature. After living both in Spain and Latin America, he returned to the Bay Area and began his career as a novelist supporting himself as a teacher, carpenter, factory worker and life insurance salesman.
His first published work was the well-received noir thriller Dark Ride published in 1997. Booklist’s review wrote: “This is as noir as it gets.” His follow-up noir thriller Dia De Los Muertos is now considered a modern crime classic. Amazon’s editorial review says: “If "American noir" were in the dictionary, you might find Kent Harrington's picture in place of the definition.”
Other works include Red Jungle, set in Guatemala, and The Good Physician. Both novels were compared to Graham Greene and John le Carré’s work. Red Jungle was selected as one of the “10 best crime novels” of the year by Booklist.
Kent Harrington is the author of seven novels, the latest, The Rat Machine, will be published by Market Street Books in 2013. He lives in Northern California with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 10, 2018
This is a great crime novel with a badly damaged protagonist at its core. A year ago, San Francisco homicide detective Michael O'Higgins lost his wife in a tragic boating accident. He blames himself for the accident and in the months since, he has basically been unable to function. He's sent his daughter off to live with relatives; he's on a stress leave from his job, and he's seeing a young psychiatrist who is trying her best but who seems unable to help him.
Since the accident, O'Higgins has been deathly afraid of the water and, as part of the therapy, his psychiatrist encourages him to take a ferry ride. He is barely able to function on the ferry, but is comforted by an Indian family that he meets on the vessel. Shortly thereafter, he tentatively returns to work, only to land a very high-profile case. A woman arrrives at her very expensive home on Nob Hill to discover that her wealthy husband and the family's nanny have been brutally murdered. On arriving at the scene, O'Higgins is stunned to discover that the male victim is the Indian man who had been so kind to him on the ferry.
Early on, the evidence points to the victim's wife, Asha, a beautiful young woman whose marriage to the victim had been arranged. The operating theory is that Asha discovered the her husband and the nanny were having an affair and that she killed them both in a fit of jealous rage. This accusation is supported by Asha's father-in-law, an extremely wealthy and very well-connected Indian politician who has been living briefly with the family.
The Powers That Be, both in the U.S. and in India, want this case resolved as expeditiously as possible and insist that O'Higgins and his partner make the case against Asha. But O'Higgins is not convinced that she's guilty and he is strongly drawn to the woman for reasons that he cannot explain. Thus he pushes back against his bosses and his own partner in an effort to ensure that justice is actually done in the case.
It's a riveting story, beautifully written with very well-drawn and sympathetic characters. O'Higgins's struggle to recover and to put his life back into some sort of order is as compelling as the murder investigation itself, and if he fails in one effort, he will almost certainly fail at the other. This is a book that should appeal to large numbers of crime fiction fans, and it's one of the best novels I've read thus far this year.
Since the accident, O'Higgins has been deathly afraid of the water and, as part of the therapy, his psychiatrist encourages him to take a ferry ride. He is barely able to function on the ferry, but is comforted by an Indian family that he meets on the vessel. Shortly thereafter, he tentatively returns to work, only to land a very high-profile case. A woman arrrives at her very expensive home on Nob Hill to discover that her wealthy husband and the family's nanny have been brutally murdered. On arriving at the scene, O'Higgins is stunned to discover that the male victim is the Indian man who had been so kind to him on the ferry.
Early on, the evidence points to the victim's wife, Asha, a beautiful young woman whose marriage to the victim had been arranged. The operating theory is that Asha discovered the her husband and the nanny were having an affair and that she killed them both in a fit of jealous rage. This accusation is supported by Asha's father-in-law, an extremely wealthy and very well-connected Indian politician who has been living briefly with the family.
The Powers That Be, both in the U.S. and in India, want this case resolved as expeditiously as possible and insist that O'Higgins and his partner make the case against Asha. But O'Higgins is not convinced that she's guilty and he is strongly drawn to the woman for reasons that he cannot explain. Thus he pushes back against his bosses and his own partner in an effort to ensure that justice is actually done in the case.
It's a riveting story, beautifully written with very well-drawn and sympathetic characters. O'Higgins's struggle to recover and to put his life back into some sort of order is as compelling as the murder investigation itself, and if he fails in one effort, he will almost certainly fail at the other. This is a book that should appeal to large numbers of crime fiction fans, and it's one of the best novels I've read thus far this year.
May 10, 2018
While it starts out as a police procedural with a damaged cop (recently deceased wife), as the story progresses there are elements of spy novels with a surprising meditation on love, death and choices. The double murder investigation assigned to the main character is of an Indian billionaire and the nanny. An appreciation of Indian culture and Hinduism add depth and interest to this well written mystery novel. Recommended!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest.
May 22, 2018
Tipped off to this one by a Goodreads friend - thanx James! This novel was like a punch to the gut for me since I started my financial services career in San Francisco 36 years ago and took my first sailing lesson on a 40 footer in San Francisco Bay. So it it not hard for me to imagine the well sketched scenes of the sailing accident in which the protagonist loses his wife but manages to save his daughter. Heck, the story gives me nightmares so I can imagine how he feels!
Actually, I was surprised to learn a major life lesson, even this late - I'll be "plenty two" in September. I've always tended to feel that if life gives you a drubbing, pick yourself up, brush yourself off and move on. Not that easy. The lady shrink trying to help him get his life back on track says it best - "I thought that your wife's death...was just a moment in life's continuum, something you could pass by finally, then then go on with your life. I didn't get it. Loss, what it means; that it changes you forever, that it marks you. Nothing in my training taught me that simple thing about life. Now I understand. It bashes you, there's dents and nothing can make things perfect again."
The descriptions of the city and Marin county are spot on, the nature scenes provide a great sense of place. The crime aspect is a bit simplistic and predictable in places but with the occasional surprise twist.
Definitely a worthy read - I'll be checking out more of Kent's work.
Actually, I was surprised to learn a major life lesson, even this late - I'll be "plenty two" in September. I've always tended to feel that if life gives you a drubbing, pick yourself up, brush yourself off and move on. Not that easy. The lady shrink trying to help him get his life back on track says it best - "I thought that your wife's death...was just a moment in life's continuum, something you could pass by finally, then then go on with your life. I didn't get it. Loss, what it means; that it changes you forever, that it marks you. Nothing in my training taught me that simple thing about life. Now I understand. It bashes you, there's dents and nothing can make things perfect again."
The descriptions of the city and Marin county are spot on, the nature scenes provide a great sense of place. The crime aspect is a bit simplistic and predictable in places but with the occasional surprise twist.
Definitely a worthy read - I'll be checking out more of Kent's work.
December 11, 2020
Another well written novel by Kent Harrington. In the "Last Ferry Home" you will find all the elements you would expect in a Detective story seeking to uncover the perpetrators and motive for the double homicide of a wealthy international and politically connected member of the India business establishment and his Nanny. The scene takes place in the San Francisco area. To say more would only
diminish the surprises that lie ahead in this page turner of unexpected events, relationships and excitement.
diminish the surprises that lie ahead in this page turner of unexpected events, relationships and excitement.
Read
March 11, 2018This is a hard book to classify. It's part police procedural, your standard "whodunnit." It's part a guide on how to survive what you think you won't ever be able to move past (Michael still isn't over his wife's sudden death, although that's something you never really move past; he's just starting to surface when he returns to work and immediately gets assigned this double murder case) and it's part international intrigue. It's a lot to pack into a book that's under 300 pages, and Kent Harrington does a great job of making sure nothing feels rushed or thrown in.
In general, I'm someone who wants long books; shorter stories seem to be over way too soon. This book feels longer than it is (in the good way, in the Cormac McCarthy way).
I was fascinated by the international intrigue and the glimpse into Indian life and the Hindu religion. It's not a culture I'm very familiar with, and I wish the book had gone a bit more deeply into that (although I understand that it wouldn't really have fit in, so I understand why it was left out).
I definitely need to read some of Kent Harrington's backlist; this book is good and I definitely want to read more.
In general, I'm someone who wants long books; shorter stories seem to be over way too soon. This book feels longer than it is (in the good way, in the Cormac McCarthy way).
I was fascinated by the international intrigue and the glimpse into Indian life and the Hindu religion. It's not a culture I'm very familiar with, and I wish the book had gone a bit more deeply into that (although I understand that it wouldn't really have fit in, so I understand why it was left out).
I definitely need to read some of Kent Harrington's backlist; this book is good and I definitely want to read more.
February 3, 2021
Well-crafted story, hope the series continues.
January 19, 2019
Reviewed for Library Journal, 2/15/2018
Michael O'Higgins is a cop in crisis. Less than a year ago, he witnessed his wife's tragic death and is finding it impossible to cope. Even after months of counseling, he still cannot recount the details of that ill-fated day. Desperate for normalcy, he returns to work as a San Francisco homicide detective and catches a double murder case—the savage slaying of a husband and nanny from a wealthy and well-connected Indian family. Remarkably, O'Higgins had met them only one week before on the ferry. He was immediately attracted to the wife, Asha, and she is now the prime suspect. The case quickly morphs into an international incident involving the Indian government, and O'Higgins begins to fear for Asha's safety and sanity. VERDICT While sometimes bordering on the clichéd, this latest from Harrington (The Good Physician) nevertheless delivers quite a punch. The alternating time lines keep readers on their toes and do a stellar job of creating a sense of impending doom. The author also fleshes out several minor characters and story lines with depth and color that add greatly to this noir tale.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph, MI
Michael O'Higgins is a cop in crisis. Less than a year ago, he witnessed his wife's tragic death and is finding it impossible to cope. Even after months of counseling, he still cannot recount the details of that ill-fated day. Desperate for normalcy, he returns to work as a San Francisco homicide detective and catches a double murder case—the savage slaying of a husband and nanny from a wealthy and well-connected Indian family. Remarkably, O'Higgins had met them only one week before on the ferry. He was immediately attracted to the wife, Asha, and she is now the prime suspect. The case quickly morphs into an international incident involving the Indian government, and O'Higgins begins to fear for Asha's safety and sanity. VERDICT While sometimes bordering on the clichéd, this latest from Harrington (The Good Physician) nevertheless delivers quite a punch. The alternating time lines keep readers on their toes and do a stellar job of creating a sense of impending doom. The author also fleshes out several minor characters and story lines with depth and color that add greatly to this noir tale.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph, MI
March 12, 2018
The Last Ferry Home by Kent Harrington was a little too predictable for me. While the book had some stretches of excitement and edge of the seat moments, the majority of it was slow and expected. It seemed obvious from the beginning who committed the crime and even the ending seemed to be pretty well scripted. I thought the story building of the main character was interesting but didn’t really play much into the overall story.
Thanks to Polis and Kent Harrington for providing me with an advanced reading copy
Thanks to Polis and Kent Harrington for providing me with an advanced reading copy
June 7, 2018
A lot of people liked this book. I did not. One thing the author does in this book that I hate is that he goes back in forth in time. I like a straight forward time line. Then a lot of what he says doesn't make a lot of sense. It would have been a one star rateed bok, but it was the last book I had to read so I finished it and I usually reserve one star for books I cannot finish.
July 3, 2018
This book is filled with illogical procedures, stilted dialogue, and events that simply don't make sense. A billionaire who takes Uber? Billionaires have private cars. A few sentences literally are nonsensical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2018
This is an amazing thriller written with compassion and integrity. It tells the story of a double murder....a very high profile double murder...and clearly illustrates how the well connected can skew an investigation to suit their needs.
The main character, Michael O'Higgins, is one of the detectives on the case. He is a tortured man, having just come back to work after months of leave following the death of his wife in a tragic accident. His story is the mainstay of the book for me. A veteran of the war in Iraq, he wades through his guilt about his wife's death with little direction, despite his ongoing therapy. But though his mind is troubled, he has an inner strength that will not give up.
Asha's husband, Rishi, was murdered in their home, along with her nanny. All Indian nationals, the high profile family is splashed all over the media in the US as well as their homeland and Michael (along with his partner) is pressured to resolve the case quickly.
I loved this book! The characters were exceptionally well developed and the storylines intricately interwoven. It is a carefully crafted tale of one man's journey from despair to healing; of his determination to do the right thing, whether that appeases the powers that be or not.
It's gripping, emotional and the insights into Hindu culture were fascinating. Highly recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The main character, Michael O'Higgins, is one of the detectives on the case. He is a tortured man, having just come back to work after months of leave following the death of his wife in a tragic accident. His story is the mainstay of the book for me. A veteran of the war in Iraq, he wades through his guilt about his wife's death with little direction, despite his ongoing therapy. But though his mind is troubled, he has an inner strength that will not give up.
Asha's husband, Rishi, was murdered in their home, along with her nanny. All Indian nationals, the high profile family is splashed all over the media in the US as well as their homeland and Michael (along with his partner) is pressured to resolve the case quickly.
I loved this book! The characters were exceptionally well developed and the storylines intricately interwoven. It is a carefully crafted tale of one man's journey from despair to healing; of his determination to do the right thing, whether that appeases the powers that be or not.
It's gripping, emotional and the insights into Hindu culture were fascinating. Highly recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 25, 2021
2.5 stars actually. The main problem with this book is, none of the characters or situations were even remotely believable. Ya, I know, it's fiction; but it takes place in a real city (well, SF is becoming ever further removed from reality, but still), using real locations, and it involves what appears to be real life detective work. But, c'mon, do you really think billionaires go to Safeway, by themselves without security, to shop for dinner, and them come home to cook it? Do you think billionaire prime ministers of huge countries go traipsing about largely on their own, meeting up with lowly city detectives, and personally killing people they don't want around? Even the interaction with the shrink was beyond belief. Also, the writing struck me as facile, stilted, and disjointed at times. And there were a number of truly silly typos that should have been caught by even a cursory review. Truly second rate stuff overall.
December 25, 2018
i should have taken those low star reviews on amazon more seriously bit i gave it to the 5 star reviews. the writing was horrific. the main character was not likeable. not even sure why i finished except this one i did pay for.
July 31, 2018
Fast paced with great character development. Power and money are the basis for this story. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews