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FBI agent Marsha O'Shea #1
Odessa on the Delaware
A mob enforcer taking control. A journalist murdered due to dangerous secrets. An investigator whose dedication to justice could cost her life.Philadelphia. Marsha O’Shea is eager to reclaim her mojo. So when the dedicated FBI agent receives intel on a Russian gangster consolidating power throughout the city, she digs deep into covert plans threatening to fill the streets with bullet-ridden terror. But she’s devastated when her investigation leads to the torturous death of a crime-beat reporter with evidence.Shocked to hear the victim’s best friend is accused of the murder, O’Shea channels her guilt into clearing his name and slamming the real perp behind bars. But as the body count unforgivingly climbs, the furious fed’s determination to protect her beloved home puts her on a ruthless mobster’s hit list.Will uncovering the truth land her six feet under?Odessa on the Delaware is the action-packed first book in the FBI Agent Marsha O' Shea crime fiction series. If you like determined heroes, constant twists and turns, and realistic police procedurals, then you’ll love real-life-investigator John A. Hoda’s high-octane thriller.Buy Odessa on the Delaware for the ultimate showdown today!
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2019
About the author
John A. Hoda
24 books41 followersJohn A. Hoda (1954-) has good stories and tells them well. He is a former police officer and insurance fraud investigator. He is a licensed private investigator. He blogs, YouTubes and podcasts at All things investigative.
My Favorite Detective Stories is podcast every Tuesday.
He is a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan. A lifetime athlete, he has run marathons, played semi-pro football and adult softball. He has produced, directed, written and acted in amateur theater in New Haven, Ct where he resides. John has written articles in PI Magazine and is the creator of the DVD: The Ultimate Guide to Taking Statements. His cases have headlined in The Philadelphia Inquirer and New Haven Register.
View the Book Trailer on YouTube: Phantasy Baseball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqnmR9...
Visit his website at www.phantasybaseballnovel.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 3, 2023
Add one dead reporter, a drunk war vet, Russian mobsters, FBI agent Marsha O'Shea, and plenty of action to a Philadelphia backdrop, and you've got one heck of an engaging read. Written by a former police officer and private investigator lends authenticity to the addictive storyline. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
September 26, 2025
When long time crime boss, Old Man, suffers a stroke, mob enforcer Vlad sees this as his chance to move into the Old Man’s position. He strong arms the leaders of the various facets of the syndicate by carrying out hits on major players of opposing mobs, including some of his own. By making it appear other gangs are carrying out these crimes, he figures he can offer protection that will make himself and those loyal to him the ultimate in power.
One of Old Man’s closest associates leaks video footage to reporter Stew Menke, hoping to end Vlad’s attempt. This of course puts Stew in danger, and it isn’t long before Vlad takes him out of the way in hopes of getting the evidence in his own possession. Unfortunately for Vlad, Stew had already passed off the evidence to Sully, good friend and mentee, but also a homeless former vet struggling with alcohol addiction.
FBI agent Marsha O’Shea comes from a family of police officers, and seeks justice for Stew, whose telephone message was half listened to and ignored by her.
After blood erupts all over town, another of Old Man’s associates comes to Sully with a proposition…I’ll protect you and help you remove Vlad from the picture. But Sully needs a back up plan, so he reaches out to O’Shea, hoping to get the evidence to proper authorities to ensure that he and his family are safe.
Vlad always seems to be a step ahead of Sully and O’Shea, and it doesn’t take a genius to discover that someone inside the police department is on the take.
Marsha has her work cut out for her in trying to capture Stew’s killer AND keep Sully safe!
My rating: 3.5 stars/5.0
One of Old Man’s closest associates leaks video footage to reporter Stew Menke, hoping to end Vlad’s attempt. This of course puts Stew in danger, and it isn’t long before Vlad takes him out of the way in hopes of getting the evidence in his own possession. Unfortunately for Vlad, Stew had already passed off the evidence to Sully, good friend and mentee, but also a homeless former vet struggling with alcohol addiction.
FBI agent Marsha O’Shea comes from a family of police officers, and seeks justice for Stew, whose telephone message was half listened to and ignored by her.
After blood erupts all over town, another of Old Man’s associates comes to Sully with a proposition…I’ll protect you and help you remove Vlad from the picture. But Sully needs a back up plan, so he reaches out to O’Shea, hoping to get the evidence to proper authorities to ensure that he and his family are safe.
Vlad always seems to be a step ahead of Sully and O’Shea, and it doesn’t take a genius to discover that someone inside the police department is on the take.
Marsha has her work cut out for her in trying to capture Stew’s killer AND keep Sully safe!
My rating: 3.5 stars/5.0
January 31, 2025
Mafia and Murder Did it involve a Cover up?
This is an excellent read written by the author John Hoda. The scenes are very vivid and with an amazing description. The characters have depth. You are brought right into the action.
This is about the police department, the FBI and a Russian Mob. To find out if a cover up happens or if it involves anyone else. You need to read this book.
I give it 10/10 mice paws. Run and get your copy now!
This is an excellent read written by the author John Hoda. The scenes are very vivid and with an amazing description. The characters have depth. You are brought right into the action.
This is about the police department, the FBI and a Russian Mob. To find out if a cover up happens or if it involves anyone else. You need to read this book.
I give it 10/10 mice paws. Run and get your copy now!
October 31, 2021
Compelling
Great story but I had to take away points because of the proofreader. Some of the plot points were easy to guess early but was still a good read. Already have the next in the series queued up for tomorrow.
Great story but I had to take away points because of the proofreader. Some of the plot points were easy to guess early but was still a good read. Already have the next in the series queued up for tomorrow.
March 31, 2024
A great book to read and enjoy.
This book is about a FBI agent that was going after bad people and everything started to go strange . The author did a good job with the book , keeping wanting more, well done.
This book is about a FBI agent that was going after bad people and everything started to go strange . The author did a good job with the book , keeping wanting more, well done.
May 17, 2019
A fast paced thriller with great characters - I look forward to the next in the series!
March 21, 2021
Couldn’t even finish it. Really hard to read and not be confused. 2nd Marsha O’Shea book was better, but, sadly, not a hone run.
March 29, 2021
What a story
Great plot with a lot of shooting and killing. Be prepared. Well put together story with some interesting and unusual twists. But
Great plot with a lot of shooting and killing. Be prepared. Well put together story with some interesting and unusual twists. But
April 1, 2021
Outside the lines
A reporter is killed, a drunken vet is in the crosshairs, and the mobs are at each other's throats. FBI Agent Marsha O'Shea Has a hunch and bad feeling about the cops so called slam dunk and can't let it rest. Must she burn bridges to catch the real killer?
A reporter is killed, a drunken vet is in the crosshairs, and the mobs are at each other's throats. FBI Agent Marsha O'Shea Has a hunch and bad feeling about the cops so called slam dunk and can't let it rest. Must she burn bridges to catch the real killer?
August 19, 2021
Page turner with many twists and turns and good bad guys
Great character development, loved the plot being played out and figuring out the bad good guys. Book 2 will be interesting
Great character development, loved the plot being played out and figuring out the bad good guys. Book 2 will be interesting
November 7, 2021
Just not very good. Has author ever actually been in Philadelphia, Bensalem, or Upper Merion ?
December 30, 2022
Excellent crime novel with the realism you'd expect from an author who is a former law enforcement officer. Full review to come shortly.
January 27, 2024
New author, new characters, looks to be
a good new ride. Ready for book 2.
a good new ride. Ready for book 2.
February 5, 2025
Fascinating characters. Fast action. Flawless prose. I highly recommend Odessa on the Delaware.
July 15, 2025
What an exhilerating read! Loved this book! Has you wondering what is going to happen and to whom. Might have some really good surprises too. I’m on to the next book as I need more of Marsha O’Shea now.
November 3, 2025
Pretty good yarn. Talk about entangling alliances this one has several. Decent characters and dialogue. It was also nice reading about an area that I used to call home.
November 30, 2021
This is the 1st story that I have read by this author. The story is set in Philadelphia and is about a Russian moob organization. The story begins with the leader dying. One of the remaining members has set his sight on replacing the head man. He devises a series of events which will cause problems with oter mobs in the city plus his own. His method is to kill individuals and make it look like someone else did it.
With all of the events happening, Marsha believes that they are all apart of something bigger. The stakes even get higher when a crime writer is murdered and a homeless person has been identified as the killer. The evidence in the cases seem to be sort of cut and dry, but Marsha believes they are wrong.
When she finally is able to get her hands around what was going on and makes plans for an arrest, things don't happen like she thought.
To discover all of the events that the Russian individual did and what surprise Marsha discovered when she went to make the arrest, then you must read this book.
With all of the events happening, Marsha believes that they are all apart of something bigger. The stakes even get higher when a crime writer is murdered and a homeless person has been identified as the killer. The evidence in the cases seem to be sort of cut and dry, but Marsha believes they are wrong.
When she finally is able to get her hands around what was going on and makes plans for an arrest, things don't happen like she thought.
To discover all of the events that the Russian individual did and what surprise Marsha discovered when she went to make the arrest, then you must read this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews