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Michael Cassidy #3
Night Watch
"Fans of James R. Benn's "Billy Boyle" novels will appreciate this fast-paced, intense story" - Library Journal Starred Review
"David Taylor's writing is simply superb, perfectly capturing the noir atmosphere of the times, and sweeping the reader through the storyline until the final page. The originators of the genre, Hammett and Chandler, would have been well pleased." Jim Napier, Reviewing the Evidence
New York, 1956. A couple walking through Central Park on a fall evening are confronted by a hansom cab driver, only to kill him and casually walk away. Who are the couple and did they know the man?
A man commits suicide by throwing himself through a hotel window. His colleagues claim he was depressed - but is there more to it than that?
Before Detective Michael Cassidy even begins investigating these cases, he is threatened by an unknown man - the reasons for which are unclear.
Are all three incidents connected? If so, how, and will Cassidy live long enough to find out before his would-be assassin claims his life?
"David Taylor's writing is simply superb, perfectly capturing the noir atmosphere of the times, and sweeping the reader through the storyline until the final page. The originators of the genre, Hammett and Chandler, would have been well pleased." Jim Napier, Reviewing the Evidence
New York, 1956. A couple walking through Central Park on a fall evening are confronted by a hansom cab driver, only to kill him and casually walk away. Who are the couple and did they know the man?
A man commits suicide by throwing himself through a hotel window. His colleagues claim he was depressed - but is there more to it than that?
Before Detective Michael Cassidy even begins investigating these cases, he is threatened by an unknown man - the reasons for which are unclear.
Are all three incidents connected? If so, how, and will Cassidy live long enough to find out before his would-be assassin claims his life?
- GenresMystery
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2019
9 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
David C. Taylor
4 books37 followersDavid C. Taylor was born in New York City where he was allowed to roam the city as a free-range child. When finally pushed out into adulthood, he moved to Los Angeles and spent twenty two years writing for movies and television. He has written an off-Broadway musical, magazine columns, and short stories. His Michael Cassidy novels are noir mystery/thrillers set in New York City during the 1950's. "Night Life" was a finalist for Best Novel at the 2016 Edgar Awards and won the 2016 Nero Wolfe Award.
"L.A. Burning" is a contemporary story set against the Hollywood film industry.
"L.A. Burning" is a contemporary story set against the Hollywood film industry.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 8, 2019
Back in 2018 I met the author at the USC book fair and he had to hard sell me on reading his book I'm glad he did, because it turned out to be a very good book, true to the time 1950's New York very realistic, police and politico drama. Michael Cassidy is a New York police Detective he’s unusual on the force in that he comes from a wealthy background father is a successful Theater producer on Broadway and his Aunt is a behind the scenes power player in Washington DC being the widow of a powerful Senator. Michael Cassidy is the tough cool quick thinking street cop who is like a big sheep dog friendly but can be lethal especially when he see’s the strong victimizing the weak. The 1950’s offers a rich environment for exploring political themes of excess, intrigue, and skullduggery in this the third book of the series the plot revolves around the CIA, Nazi scientists, and LSD. The only complaint I have is when are we going to read about Fred Trump! I think avarice and graft was probably his middle name maybe we can also explore a bit of his KKK connection as well. Well something to look for in book four I guess. Four stars I always enjoy a good detective novel.
June 1, 2019
This was the first book I read by this author and when I started it, I didn't know it was number three in a series. I read the notes by the author in the back and discovered it, after I had read about 50 pages or so. That being said, I don't think I missed anything by reading this one first. It is set in the early 1950's in New York and talks about German scientists that are brought to the United States after WWII to work for the CIA. How some of them were Nazi's and had their records cleaned so the CIA could use them to discover new treatments in mind control.
This is a dark novel and I enjoyed every minute of it. Michael Cassidy is the policeman in this one and appears to be one of those guys that will never give up. He also is like a white knight in the sense that he takes the law into his own hands at times.
Michael Cassidy was a very interesting character and I loved reading his story. I think he is a bit of a loner though, because he can't seem to keep the girls he dates. I think it has a lot to do with his profession and how serious he is about his job.
I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars and will go back and read the rest of this series.
This is a dark novel and I enjoyed every minute of it. Michael Cassidy is the policeman in this one and appears to be one of those guys that will never give up. He also is like a white knight in the sense that he takes the law into his own hands at times.
Michael Cassidy was a very interesting character and I loved reading his story. I think he is a bit of a loner though, because he can't seem to keep the girls he dates. I think it has a lot to do with his profession and how serious he is about his job.
I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars and will go back and read the rest of this series.
August 5, 2019
New York City 1950s - Crime in Central Park, the aftermath of WWII when German scientists fled to the States, and a period when the CIA and FBI were less than straight every time. Detective Michael Cassidy has an overflowing plate as he is threatened and assigned cases. Noir. A slow pace. A solid, enjoyable read. Will make you want to go back and read the earlier Award winning entry in the series, Night Life.
June 10, 2019
Night Watch is the third novel in David C. Taylor’s mystery/thriller series set in New York City during the 1950's. The first, Night Life, was a finalist for Best Novel at the 2016 Edgar Awards and won the 2016 Nero Wolfe Award. Readers seeking a compelling, finely-honed series that is rooted in history and perfectly captures the immediacy of those deceptively placid times, simply cannot do better.
On a September morning in 1956, Michael Cassidy is having his share of problems. He’s suffering from nightmares dating back to the Second World War, and to make matters worse someone is trying to kill him, but not before tormenting him first. A detective in New York City’s Homicide Division, threats are not exactly new to Cassidy. But something about this one makes it unique: he narrowly escapes being pushed under a subway train, followed by a cryptic phone call promising that the incident wasn’t a simply a near-accident or a one-off: there will be others. The man is toying with Cassidy, taunting him and clearly enjoying it. Cassidy discusses the threat with his partner, Tony Orso, over breakfast, but they realise they have nothing to go on: it’s a matter of wait and see.
So Cassidy continues with his work, and it’s not long before the cauldron that is New York City spits out a new case to capture his attention. In the southern fringes of Central Park, near Columbus Circle, a body has been discovered. It is a middle-aged man, and he has been murdered. Although at first glance it seems like a simple mugging—the victim’s wallet is missing, and the autopsy reveals he’s been stabbed in the skull with a extremely thin, sharp blade penetrating his brain not once, but several times. On the face if it the victim is an unlikely target, a man who takes tourists around Central Park in his carriage. Not a wealthy man, then. Detective Michael Cassidy is handed the case, and his investigation will lead him to a complex conspiracy involving people in the highest echelons of political power, endangering his own life, and the lives of those around him.
David Taylor’s writing is simply superb, perfectly capturing the noir atmosphere of the times, and sweeping the reader through the storyline until the final page. The originators of the genre, Hammet and Chandler, would have been well pleased:
Cassidy hated the night watch. The worst of people seeped out during the night. They did things they would not do in daylight, as if darkness could hide their actions: children were thrown against the wall for not finishing dinner, women were beaten for changing the channel, rapists and muggers, stick-up artists, the perverted, and the weird, they all slid out of the shadows looking for prey. Cassidy remembered the Life magazine photographs of zebras and antelope gathered around a waterhole at night. The flash revealed the glowing eyes of predators waiting in the bushes—New York City after midnight.
As with Taylor’s earlier works in the series, Night Watch is firmly grounded in history, a note at the end documenting the factual basis for his story; and it is faithful in it’s details, right down to political campaign buttons of the day and Greenwich Village watering-holes that no longer exist, but did once, and are sorely missed. If you haven’t read his novels, what on earth are you waiting for?
________
Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer and novelist based in Canada. Since 2005 his book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers and on multiple websites. His crime novel Legacy was published in 2017, and the next in the series, Ridley’s War, is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2019.
On a September morning in 1956, Michael Cassidy is having his share of problems. He’s suffering from nightmares dating back to the Second World War, and to make matters worse someone is trying to kill him, but not before tormenting him first. A detective in New York City’s Homicide Division, threats are not exactly new to Cassidy. But something about this one makes it unique: he narrowly escapes being pushed under a subway train, followed by a cryptic phone call promising that the incident wasn’t a simply a near-accident or a one-off: there will be others. The man is toying with Cassidy, taunting him and clearly enjoying it. Cassidy discusses the threat with his partner, Tony Orso, over breakfast, but they realise they have nothing to go on: it’s a matter of wait and see.
So Cassidy continues with his work, and it’s not long before the cauldron that is New York City spits out a new case to capture his attention. In the southern fringes of Central Park, near Columbus Circle, a body has been discovered. It is a middle-aged man, and he has been murdered. Although at first glance it seems like a simple mugging—the victim’s wallet is missing, and the autopsy reveals he’s been stabbed in the skull with a extremely thin, sharp blade penetrating his brain not once, but several times. On the face if it the victim is an unlikely target, a man who takes tourists around Central Park in his carriage. Not a wealthy man, then. Detective Michael Cassidy is handed the case, and his investigation will lead him to a complex conspiracy involving people in the highest echelons of political power, endangering his own life, and the lives of those around him.
David Taylor’s writing is simply superb, perfectly capturing the noir atmosphere of the times, and sweeping the reader through the storyline until the final page. The originators of the genre, Hammet and Chandler, would have been well pleased:
Cassidy hated the night watch. The worst of people seeped out during the night. They did things they would not do in daylight, as if darkness could hide their actions: children were thrown against the wall for not finishing dinner, women were beaten for changing the channel, rapists and muggers, stick-up artists, the perverted, and the weird, they all slid out of the shadows looking for prey. Cassidy remembered the Life magazine photographs of zebras and antelope gathered around a waterhole at night. The flash revealed the glowing eyes of predators waiting in the bushes—New York City after midnight.
As with Taylor’s earlier works in the series, Night Watch is firmly grounded in history, a note at the end documenting the factual basis for his story; and it is faithful in it’s details, right down to political campaign buttons of the day and Greenwich Village watering-holes that no longer exist, but did once, and are sorely missed. If you haven’t read his novels, what on earth are you waiting for?
________
Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer and novelist based in Canada. Since 2005 his book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers and on multiple websites. His crime novel Legacy was published in 2017, and the next in the series, Ridley’s War, is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2019.
June 9, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Night Watch is the third book in the Michael Cassidy thriller series by David C. Taylor. Released 1st May 2019 by Severn House, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
This is a noir thriller set in 1956 New York City. The book resonates with period detail and atmosphere. The author is a masterful storyteller, and this book was a seriously enjoyable read. Though it's the third in the series, it works quite well as a standalone. I enjoyed it and had no trouble keeping up with the plotting or characters. I definitely intend to go back and read the previous books, however, especially prior to the next book(s) in the series.
The author compares quite favorably to Chandler, Ellroy, Cain, Spillane and the rest of them and readers looking for an authentic 1950s gritty noir experience will enjoy this series. Happily Mr. Taylor is still relatively young and prolific, we're lucky to enjoy his stories, hopefully for a very long time to come.
Five stars. Especially recommended for fans of thriller noir/gritty police procedurals.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Night Watch is the third book in the Michael Cassidy thriller series by David C. Taylor. Released 1st May 2019 by Severn House, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
This is a noir thriller set in 1956 New York City. The book resonates with period detail and atmosphere. The author is a masterful storyteller, and this book was a seriously enjoyable read. Though it's the third in the series, it works quite well as a standalone. I enjoyed it and had no trouble keeping up with the plotting or characters. I definitely intend to go back and read the previous books, however, especially prior to the next book(s) in the series.
The author compares quite favorably to Chandler, Ellroy, Cain, Spillane and the rest of them and readers looking for an authentic 1950s gritty noir experience will enjoy this series. Happily Mr. Taylor is still relatively young and prolific, we're lucky to enjoy his stories, hopefully for a very long time to come.
Five stars. Especially recommended for fans of thriller noir/gritty police procedurals.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 1, 2019
This fascinating thriller is deeply disturbing on several counts. First, it brings up an important but ignoble part of US history - the use of Nazi agents and scientists on the grounds that it was better to have them working against Russia. Second, it reminds readers of the ruthlessness of the early CIA, and the willingness to experiment on our own in hopes of developing new weapons and new ways of extracting information from foreign agents.
What starts as the apparently meaningless murder of a hansom cab driver leads Detective Michael Cassidy into the dangerous world of spies. All the while, someone is playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Michael - showing just how close to death he is at any moment.
The novel is good, but dense, and difficult to face at times. The action progresses slowly, which can put off the reader. It does, however, speed up towards the end. I was left with a good impression, but it might be hard for some readers to stick through the first third. This novel can definitely be considered noir, and will appeal to fans of the genre.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Night Watch from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-- Crittermom
What starts as the apparently meaningless murder of a hansom cab driver leads Detective Michael Cassidy into the dangerous world of spies. All the while, someone is playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Michael - showing just how close to death he is at any moment.
The novel is good, but dense, and difficult to face at times. The action progresses slowly, which can put off the reader. It does, however, speed up towards the end. I was left with a good impression, but it might be hard for some readers to stick through the first third. This novel can definitely be considered noir, and will appeal to fans of the genre.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Night Watch from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-- Crittermom
May 30, 2019
This new book, the third in the Michael Cassidy thriller series, may be the best yet. Michael is a fully developed character who has gained hard-won maturity from the earlier books, so that as a reader you love every moment you spend with him as he confronts a dizzying string of deadly events in New York City as a would-be killer stalks the detective himself. David C. Taylor creates an atmosphere that is so New York, drenched in details, dives, deaths, and delights that make every page a rich tapestry of the city and its denizens. The pace, suspense, and intrigue only build as the novel unfolds. A truly seasoned work by an accomplished master writer.
July 8, 2022
A good ,pacy read set in 1950's USA . A time when many ex -Nazi scientists were working for the Government to ensure at least parity with the communists of the USSR . At the same time , former Jewish in-mates of the death camps were actively seeking their torturers in search of revenge and justice . When these come together , murder and cover-up automatically follow . Although this is number 3 in a series , it reads well as a stand-alone .
November 7, 2024
Autumn in New York
We of a certain age can hear Sinatra murmuring as this atmospheric novel begins, setting the stage for an in depth trip back to the 1950s. I am sad that this ends the trilogy of the best noir novels in that genre. The author’s ability to create a movie in the mind’s eye of the reader is to be applauded. Sure wish the Cassidy books were a quartet.
We of a certain age can hear Sinatra murmuring as this atmospheric novel begins, setting the stage for an in depth trip back to the 1950s. I am sad that this ends the trilogy of the best noir novels in that genre. The author’s ability to create a movie in the mind’s eye of the reader is to be applauded. Sure wish the Cassidy books were a quartet.
September 8, 2019
Excellent; Continuing character: Michael Cassidy; chronologically between the prior two stories, Cassidy and friends/relatives get entangled with former Nazis working for the CIA on mind altering drugs, and the bodies begin to pile up
August 8, 2019
2 1/2 Far from as good as the first 2 in the series
June 13, 2019
Night Watch
I loved this book. Fast paced, smart, sexy and exciting. The story is tight and has no holes. The characters are well drawn and compelling. This is a book the deserves to be read and savored.
I loved this book. Fast paced, smart, sexy and exciting. The story is tight and has no holes. The characters are well drawn and compelling. This is a book the deserves to be read and savored.
May 23, 2019
The third entry in the series is a gem. Michael Cassidy is a cop prowling the mean streets of New York City circa 1956. This time around he's hunting down former Nazi's who have come to America and are willing to commit murder to hide their pasts. Brillantly written and full of memorable characters, this is a great read!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews