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Watch Your Back
When local radio personality Bronson Melville is accused of murder, the crime appears to be one of passion. The case should be open and shut. But as Detective Gage Tipson soon discovers, this homicide is just one piece in a diabolical puzzle that will test his instincts to their limit. As Gage struggle sto uncover the evidence that will bring down the suspect once and for all, he finds his efforts frustrated at every turn by the ruthless interference of Melville's big-shot attorney.
When a second body is discovered, the shocking identity of the victim strikes dangerously close to home, and Gage's investigation gets personal. With his theories turned upside down, Gage is back to the drawing board—but this time, with the assistance of a beautiful woman as intent on finding the truth as he is. Time is running out as Gage tracks the twisted trial of a murderer who will not hesitate to kill again . . .
When a second body is discovered, the shocking identity of the victim strikes dangerously close to home, and Gage's investigation gets personal. With his theories turned upside down, Gage is back to the drawing board—but this time, with the assistance of a beautiful woman as intent on finding the truth as he is. Time is running out as Gage tracks the twisted trial of a murderer who will not hesitate to kill again . . .
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2019
54 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Clair M. Poulson
55 books298 followersClair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.
He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.
In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.
Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.
Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.
He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.
In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.
Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.
Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 27, 2020
I listened to the audiobook from Deseret Bookshelf to take a break from all the romances I've been reading. As usual Clair Poulson's book had me interested from the start. A man is murdered, the murderer is found and put in jail without bail, then accused's defense attorney starts defaming the arresting officer--Detective Gage Tipton, a witness goes missing and then the defense attorney's secretary (who Det. Gage Tipton is dating) can't be found. That's just the beginning.
The plot really held my interest. As soon as I thought Gage had figured everything out, something else would happen. When a missing person was found, I was relieved, but not for long. How did the bad guy(s) know what the police were doing? Was there a mole? There was so much going on. Once I figured out who the main bad guy was I needed to know why they did it.
I wouldn't call this a romantic-suspense because the romance isn't the main part of the story. I don't read this author's books for romance, I read them for the suspense, and this one had a lot of suspense.
I didn't particularly like the narrator but I still enjoyed the story.
The plot really held my interest. As soon as I thought Gage had figured everything out, something else would happen. When a missing person was found, I was relieved, but not for long. How did the bad guy(s) know what the police were doing? Was there a mole? There was so much going on. Once I figured out who the main bad guy was I needed to know why they did it.
I wouldn't call this a romantic-suspense because the romance isn't the main part of the story. I don't read this author's books for romance, I read them for the suspense, and this one had a lot of suspense.
I didn't particularly like the narrator but I still enjoyed the story.
March 13, 2019
Clair Poulson is one of my very favorite clean suspense authors. He really just has a way with writing suspense novels. And his characters are so great!
This one is told from the perspective of Gage Tipton, the detective assigned to the case. I loved Gage’s character. He was smart and able to do whatever was needed to figure out this case. Everything from quick thinking to scuba diving.
I loved the way this book has crazy situation after crazy situation. They all seemed like coincidences, but they all kind of interconnect. Everything to the woman Gage is dating to someone seeing some men at night on the lake. Wow, the plot of this one really kept me guessing!
There are so many characters in this one, and they’re all great! I loved them all, except for the bad guys of course.
This is one suspense book you won’t want to put down! Make sure to get your own copy!
This one is told from the perspective of Gage Tipton, the detective assigned to the case. I loved Gage’s character. He was smart and able to do whatever was needed to figure out this case. Everything from quick thinking to scuba diving.
I loved the way this book has crazy situation after crazy situation. They all seemed like coincidences, but they all kind of interconnect. Everything to the woman Gage is dating to someone seeing some men at night on the lake. Wow, the plot of this one really kept me guessing!
There are so many characters in this one, and they’re all great! I loved them all, except for the bad guys of course.
This is one suspense book you won’t want to put down! Make sure to get your own copy!
April 20, 2019
What a fun book! Murder, missing person, false accusations, another murder, and more-
Can you figure it out before the book ends? I recommend anything written by Clair M Poulson!
Can you figure it out before the book ends? I recommend anything written by Clair M Poulson!
April 12, 2021
I enjoy reading books by this author because they are good, clean, who-done-it mysteries. This story involved murder victims, missing witnesses, kidnapped girlfriend who was also the appointed lawyer for accused victims, a dishonest attorney, and the hero police officer. A good read but not the best book I've read from this author.
March 4, 2019
Watch Your Back is an exciting book to read. Main character Detective Gage Tipton was my favorite in the novel. Though he had so many things riding against him, including the bad guys going after him and his potential love interest, Gage just doesn't get a break that often. The thing I loved most about this novel is that it plays out in your mind like an action movie. The criminals in the book always stay a step ahead of everyone else that keeps the readers on edge. The "BAD" guys in this novel are very bad reminiscent of the mafia.
I devoured this book over a single weekend reading it as often as I could. It was a hard one to put down, so I suggest you put aside a good amount of time to sit down and read this novel. It would be a great book to listen to on Audible. Clair Poulson has written so many great novels in the past, but I would put this up there as one of his very best. I loved it! With so much action and intrigue, this thriller will keep you jumping and pacing until the final dramatic end.
I devoured this book over a single weekend reading it as often as I could. It was a hard one to put down, so I suggest you put aside a good amount of time to sit down and read this novel. It would be a great book to listen to on Audible. Clair Poulson has written so many great novels in the past, but I would put this up there as one of his very best. I loved it! With so much action and intrigue, this thriller will keep you jumping and pacing until the final dramatic end.
April 28, 2019
Overall this was a pretty good book but the romance in it was way too cheesy and there were also a lot of cheesy religious references that I thought distracted from the story. There was a fair bit of action and peril that kept my attention so I enjoyed the read overall but I have read better books by this author.
May 26, 2019
Not my go to author for romance, but a great mystery/suspense writer with just a touch of romance from a guys point of view. I think men will really enjoy them... and most women. These are LDS based but not preachy. No swearing. No sex. Yeah!
February 8, 2020
When local radio personality Bronson Melville is accused of murder, the crime appears to be one of passion. The case should be open and shut. But as Detective Gage Tipton soon discovers this homicide is just one piece in a diabolical puzzle that will test his instincts to their limit. As Gage struggled to uncover evidence that will bring down the suspect once and for all, he finds his efforts frustrated at every turn by the ruthless interference of Melville's big-shot attorney.
When a second body is discovered,the shocking identity of the victim strikes dangerously close to home, and Gage's investigation gets personal. With his theories turned upside down, Gage is back to the drawing board but this time, with the assistance of a beautiful woman as intent on finding the truth as he is. Time is running out as Gage tracks the twisted trail of a murderer who will not hesitate to kill again.
Clair M. Poulson is a local author and I have read many of his books. This one did not disappoint me.
When a second body is discovered,the shocking identity of the victim strikes dangerously close to home, and Gage's investigation gets personal. With his theories turned upside down, Gage is back to the drawing board but this time, with the assistance of a beautiful woman as intent on finding the truth as he is. Time is running out as Gage tracks the twisted trail of a murderer who will not hesitate to kill again.
Clair M. Poulson is a local author and I have read many of his books. This one did not disappoint me.
May 23, 2019
This book was just OK for me. I would maybe even only give it 2.5 stars I didn’t love the narrator, because I listen to it on Deseret book shelf, but it was OK. Didn’t love the story. I have liked Clair Poulson‘s books better as I have read other ones. The story was a little bit flat to me. But it could’ve been the narrator? Not sure. The love part of the story also left me wanting as well. I didn’t feel like it was very well written, this one. So, dang it!
January 20, 2020
When a local radio host is arrested for murder, his brother and their friends are outraged. His attorney downplays the charge and accuses the arresting officer of being incompetent. When the attorney finds that his legal secretary is dating Detective Tipton, he becomes enraged, and a "simple"murder case becomes a complex case, with more death and finger pointing.
I enjoyed this story and the suspense that goes with the work of this author.
I enjoyed this story and the suspense that goes with the work of this author.
January 1, 2022
People might wonder why I keep reading the author’s books when I only give most of them 3 stars but I do appreciate the lack of bad language and immorality being glamorized like most other murder thrillers. If the author could just cut out the ultra cheesy romance maybe? Their dialogue comes across like moody middle schoolers while throwing in some old fashioned words. But not a bad read
August 2, 2020
This is a 2.5 star read for me. I was instantly drawn into the action of the story, but the continual kidnapping of various characters got a bit tiring. The amount of information Gage shared with individuals not involved in the investigation also bothered me. The detectives I know don't share information with the average individual about an ongoing investigation.
August 10, 2019
I loved the criminal mystery part. You can tell the author has a good knowledge of this subject area. Also liked that it is as clean as a whistle. I thought it was a little cheesy...okay REALLY cheesy. Too cheesy for my taste 😋
March 19, 2019
Another fun page-turner! I didn't particular like some of the main characters but it was a good read.
September 16, 2022
this book just drug on…
what started out as a good plot soon became riddled with all sorts of characters that were all tied together in this large scale multi-state case (which the fbi weirdly never became involved in).
after the death of almost every single “bad guy” and the fact that every “good guy” got off i completely lost interest. the story was too clean and coincidental. it became very predictable as the story moved along.
the main plot consists of gage working on an investigation while sharing the intimate details of it with everyone in the whole damn book. phone call after phone call after phone call, the way that something happened and then everyone had to be filled in got so old. not to mention a real officer would never be able to act like this during and investigation or do his work on this manner in such a span of small time.
my biggest gripe with this book was all the religious bullshit. like we get it, the author is morman. but really they had to pray over everything, bring up the bom constantly, talk about wards, churches, and bishops… it got old very quick.
if a person was in danger there would never be exceptions made just for the main character to go to church. everything in this was based around religion and how god saved them in all these aspects and how all the good people in this book were all morman and scuba divers (which is a rare hobby).
won’t ever be reading another one of the books published by this author. i was trying to read a suspense novel not have religion shoved down my throat every other page.
what started out as a good plot soon became riddled with all sorts of characters that were all tied together in this large scale multi-state case (which the fbi weirdly never became involved in).
after the death of almost every single “bad guy” and the fact that every “good guy” got off i completely lost interest. the story was too clean and coincidental. it became very predictable as the story moved along.
the main plot consists of gage working on an investigation while sharing the intimate details of it with everyone in the whole damn book. phone call after phone call after phone call, the way that something happened and then everyone had to be filled in got so old. not to mention a real officer would never be able to act like this during and investigation or do his work on this manner in such a span of small time.
my biggest gripe with this book was all the religious bullshit. like we get it, the author is morman. but really they had to pray over everything, bring up the bom constantly, talk about wards, churches, and bishops… it got old very quick.
if a person was in danger there would never be exceptions made just for the main character to go to church. everything in this was based around religion and how god saved them in all these aspects and how all the good people in this book were all morman and scuba divers (which is a rare hobby).
won’t ever be reading another one of the books published by this author. i was trying to read a suspense novel not have religion shoved down my throat every other page.
June 21, 2023
A good clean book., which are hard to find, but it wasn’t a favorite. The story line was fine, the police departments seemed more incompetent than I’d expect and the relationships felt rushed and shallow but I did finish listening. Just when I thought I was near the end….I realized I was only half way through so more to the story was a good thing for me.
April 26, 2019
I liked the characters, and the action was good, but there were so many holes in the plot. I don’t know many things about law enforcement, but I know enough that the FBI would have been heavily involved in this case, so putting into the hands of a young cop was really unrealistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2020
Note to self: Reading books by this author kills brain cells.
I wanted to like it. I'd painfully read another of his books and hoped this experience would be better. I'm kind of mad at myself for wasting my time. I should have quit...but I struggle not finishing what I start. Lesson learned.
I wanted to like it. I'd painfully read another of his books and hoped this experience would be better. I'm kind of mad at myself for wasting my time. I should have quit...but I struggle not finishing what I start. Lesson learned.
February 23, 2024
Exciting, suspenseful and driven. Kept me coming back and had a hard time putting it down. I’m still getting used to the overt LDS content and references, not bad just not something I am used to. Some loose ends that I don’t feel were resolved but very enjoyable otherwise.
April 18, 2019
A quick read with twists and turns and a little romance.
April 20, 2019
3.5 stars
May 1, 2019
Great read
May 7, 2019
Poorly written!
June 21, 2019
Easy read. Religious inference. Clean no sexually explicit events.
February 16, 2020
Lots of death
July 2, 2020
Predictable detective story. I didn't care for the reader of the audio book.
July 9, 2020
Fun car listen during an 11-hour drive.
August 7, 2020
perfect read in every way.
August 8, 2020
This book freaked me out! I do like murder suspense books, but this one is very creepy.
I am not going to visit Lake Powell in UT very soon!
I am not going to visit Lake Powell in UT very soon!
March 12, 2021
Fast moving suspense/mystery with an interesting scuba driving in Lake Powell twist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews