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Paradox Murder Mystery #1
Death Trap
Steve Wilson, a recently retired senior auditor at one of our nation’s largest banks travels to Maine to unwind, enjoy the coastal scenery and write a murder mystery novel. Little did he know his curiosity about a deserted lobster boat, a dead lobsterman and three missing photos would put his own life in danger.
231 pages, ebook
Published November 14, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 8, 2025
This was really mediocre. The first person passive present tense was strange, and the descriptions were weak - a mystery must have detailed descriptions. The lead character doesn't really do much to solve the mystery, he just gathers clues randomly and then presents them to others who figure it out. The secondary characters move in and out of the shadows, There was one crucial interaction that was skipped.
Ah well.
Ah well.
May 13, 2019
Decent story
I would have given this 5 stars and I hesitated at 4. However, in spite of awkward conversational flow and semi-outline format, I found both the story and the characters interesting. It certainly kept me reading to the end. I’m looking forward to Thayer’s 2nd book in the series. More when I’ve finished it.
I would have given this 5 stars and I hesitated at 4. However, in spite of awkward conversational flow and semi-outline format, I found both the story and the characters interesting. It certainly kept me reading to the end. I’m looking forward to Thayer’s 2nd book in the series. More when I’ve finished it.
August 22, 2019
Not well written, more like a treatise than a novel
I skimmed it to finish, but was way ahead of the story line in figuring it out. The author writes technical pieces and has not figured out how to write fiction. Stilted conversations and action sequences. Too bad an editor wasn't used.
I skimmed it to finish, but was way ahead of the story line in figuring it out. The author writes technical pieces and has not figured out how to write fiction. Stilted conversations and action sequences. Too bad an editor wasn't used.
January 21, 2020
Interesting but...
This novel had an interesting premise but unfortunately, in my opinion, it was stilted reading. It felt more like I was reading a report than a murder mystery. I will give this author another try.
This novel had an interesting premise but unfortunately, in my opinion, it was stilted reading. It felt more like I was reading a report than a murder mystery. I will give this author another try.
August 12, 2019
Not a style I like, sounded too much like a report on lobstering and a travel brochure for Maine. Did a lot of skimming.
November 15, 2019
Awesome first book!!
I loved this book which happened to be the author's first foray into fiction.
It was intriguing from the beginning and kept you involved throughout. The characters were well developed and enjoyable to be around. Loved the gossip sections at the cafe and on the deck at Fisherman's.
I loved this book which happened to be the author's first foray into fiction.
It was intriguing from the beginning and kept you involved throughout. The characters were well developed and enjoyable to be around. Loved the gossip sections at the cafe and on the deck at Fisherman's.
May 7, 2020
Death Trap
Very interesting and entertaining storyline about a retiree who goes to Maine planning to spend several weeks relaxing and writing his first novel. His plans did not include becoming involved in a murder investigation but he does.
Very interesting and entertaining storyline about a retiree who goes to Maine planning to spend several weeks relaxing and writing his first novel. His plans did not include becoming involved in a murder investigation but he does.
May 15, 2019
Great story
This was a good start for the author and made for a good experience. Easy and fast read. Look for more
This was a good start for the author and made for a good experience. Easy and fast read. Look for more
March 17, 2020
Couldn't put it down
Mr Thayer is an excellent writer whose clues and innuendos kept me guessing until the very end. I look forward to the next book.
Mr Thayer is an excellent writer whose clues and innuendos kept me guessing until the very end. I look forward to the next book.
May 15, 2019
Pretty boring
Kept waiting for Ito get interesting but it never did. Could have told the whole story in about 5 chapters. No plot to speak of Just a lot of rambling.
Kept waiting for Ito get interesting but it never did. Could have told the whole story in about 5 chapters. No plot to speak of Just a lot of rambling.
March 3, 2020
Good but lacks suspense
I didn't like that this book isn't written from first person point of view. The story line was fine but lacked a feeling of the reader being involved.
I didn't like that this book isn't written from first person point of view. The story line was fine but lacked a feeling of the reader being involved.
August 14, 2019
Good premise, but flat
I like first person mysteries, but this book stayed too internal. The “show don’t tell” concept was missing, and I felt I was reading ABOUT a story rather than experiencing it.
I like first person mysteries, but this book stayed too internal. The “show don’t tell” concept was missing, and I felt I was reading ABOUT a story rather than experiencing it.
June 23, 2019
Good book
This was a good book. It has interesting characters. I am looking forward to the next one. Keep em coming
This was a good book. It has interesting characters. I am looking forward to the next one. Keep em coming
June 12, 2020
This book has an interesting plot line, good descriptions of the various scenes, and intriguing characters. Unfortunately, it reads like a series of tourist advertising brochures interrupted by text from a murder mystery. For example information on a setting may be in the present tense followed by dialog in the past tense.
June 2, 2021
How it all began.
I was not able to read your books in order. I started with number 4.
Your stand alone style of writing led me from one book until I was able to read all . Here's hoping number 5 is coming out soon.
I was not able to read your books in order. I started with number 4.
Your stand alone style of writing led me from one book until I was able to read all . Here's hoping number 5 is coming out soon.
July 11, 2022
After bank auditor Steve Wilson takes early retirement, he travels to Stone Harbor, Maine, for an extended vacation. His plan is to work on a mystery novel about a money laundering case while contemplating what to do with the rest of his life. But as he soaks in the atmosphere and culture of a lobster-fishing town in Maine, he sees another mystery unfolding that could involve drugs, more money laundering, and even murder. His curiosity draws him in, and he finds himself in a situation more dangerous than the financial investigations to which he is accustomed. Will life after retirement turn out to be exciting but short?
The author presents the story as a no-frills first-person account. Steve seems to be a man of relatively few words with an orderly approach to problem-solving. He enjoys life and has wide-ranging interests. As an affluent 55-year-old single man, it is not surprising that he draws favorable attention from two women over the course of his adventure. By the time the investigation is complete, he has some ideas about what he might do next.
The author presents the story as a no-frills first-person account. Steve seems to be a man of relatively few words with an orderly approach to problem-solving. He enjoys life and has wide-ranging interests. As an affluent 55-year-old single man, it is not surprising that he draws favorable attention from two women over the course of his adventure. By the time the investigation is complete, he has some ideas about what he might do next.
September 12, 2021
Turned out much better than I expected. With a very slow start this one warmed up quite nicely about half way through. Interesting and well defined characters helped to support the plot. Protagonist was a bit slow and clunkley in developing the suspense. I did download the next two entries in this series. Check it out.
June 27, 2025
fast read
This is a very different writing style, or as another reviewer called it a “dragnet” style and I have to agree. The story was interesting and I learned a lot about lobster fishing and the Maine area. The pictures added dimension to the story as did the history. O felt the characters were interesting but a bit two dimensional.
This is a very different writing style, or as another reviewer called it a “dragnet” style and I have to agree. The story was interesting and I learned a lot about lobster fishing and the Maine area. The pictures added dimension to the story as did the history. O felt the characters were interesting but a bit two dimensional.
November 9, 2022
A great quick read
I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put down. The writer relates so well that you can picture in you mind the places he is talking about . I plan on reading more books by this author and will recommend it to others.
I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book and found it hard to put down. The writer relates so well that you can picture in you mind the places he is talking about . I plan on reading more books by this author and will recommend it to others.
November 13, 2022
Very enjoyable novel.
Steve is a retired auditor who goes to a lobster fishing torn to relax and write his first novel. Hebe ones invoked with the people of the town when a lobsterman is found dead and his wife overdosed on drugs several days later. A totally interesting novel.
Steve is a retired auditor who goes to a lobster fishing torn to relax and write his first novel. Hebe ones invoked with the people of the town when a lobsterman is found dead and his wife overdosed on drugs several days later. A totally interesting novel.
February 10, 2023
Very one dimensional
A reasonable storyline but with an abrupt, unsatisfactory ending. It was also written in a very stilted fashion, which felt unnatural and did not ‘flow’. Sorry to say I would not try any other offerings from this author.
A reasonable storyline but with an abrupt, unsatisfactory ending. It was also written in a very stilted fashion, which felt unnatural and did not ‘flow’. Sorry to say I would not try any other offerings from this author.
August 27, 2025
A retired bank auditor goes to Maine to start writing his novel. A murder occurs, he is intrigued by all of the town gossip, and soon he is getting some unwanted attention, including some threats and roadside crashes.
I liked the storyline, but everything was too low key for me,
I liked the storyline, but everything was too low key for me,
July 1, 2021
Different! Recommend
I enjoyed reading this book and would tell you that it well worth a read. Well I hope you give it a try.
I enjoyed reading this book and would tell you that it well worth a read. Well I hope you give it a try.
November 26, 2021
Not a bad mystery, but written like a report, more like his former banker career!
August 25, 2022
A well edited mystery with many interesting characters.
December 29, 2022
Enjoyed it, a pleasant read
January 25, 2024
First book-kind of stuff
December 24, 2025
A mystery!
I enjoyed this story. This is a new author for me, I plan to read more of his books. The plot is involved with lots of twists to keep you reading.
I enjoyed this story. This is a new author for me, I plan to read more of his books. The plot is involved with lots of twists to keep you reading.
June 3, 2026
very enjoyable story
June 10, 2026
ENJOY SO MUCH
These books are so good. My third but you don't really have to read in order, it will help though. Thayer is a good writer, keeps me wanting to read!
These books are so good. My third but you don't really have to read in order, it will help though. Thayer is a good writer, keeps me wanting to read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews