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C.T. Ferguson #1 - 3
Private Investigator Mysteries: The Reluctant Detective / The Unknown Devil / The Unknown Devil
For C.T.’s first case, he wanted an easy one.
Instead, he got Alice.
Instead, he got Alice.
C.T. Ferguson spent years as a hacker. He lived in Hong Kong and helped Americans and dissidents evade the Chinese government. Then they found him, threw him in jail, and eventually kicked him out. In Baltimore, C.T. sets himself up as a private investigator.
Then Alice walked in. C.T.’s career took off, and his life would never be the same.
Crossing paths with budding loan sharks, gangsters, and a human trafficking ring, C.T. must use his digital and physical skills to stay one step ahead. As each case tests him in new and challenging ways, he wonders if his luck will run out.
The C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mysteries is a bundle of three novels from this binge-worthy series. If you like your crime thrillers served with wry humor and a jolt of cyber suspense, you’ll want to stay up late reading this box set.
Get it today.
682 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2018
71 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Tom Fowler
35 books102 followersTom Fowler was born and raised in Baltimore and still resides in Maryland. He is an unabashed homer for Baltimore sports teams. His full-time job is in the field of computer security.
At about age seven, polite young Tom wrote a "murder mystery" in which no one died. The story gave him the writing bug, however, and he's been putting pen to paper and fingers to keys ever since.
When not working or writing, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, sports, movies, and writing brief bios in the third person.
At about age seven, polite young Tom wrote a "murder mystery" in which no one died. The story gave him the writing bug, however, and he's been putting pen to paper and fingers to keys ever since.
When not working or writing, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, sports, movies, and writing brief bios in the third person.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 7, 2023
The C.T. Ferguson Series:
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 - Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 - Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 - I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author's talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 - This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Inside Cut #7 - Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler's end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience is easy to beat. The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The Next Girl #8 - C. T. is back again with new storylines that move at a fast pace through the frustrations, the investigations and the pain of his newest case. Well thought out and vividly told, this is a difficult story to put down. The new characters run the gamut while the old do their jobs. It is easy to figure out the who and the why, but it is still an interesting, intriguing read. 5*
Dead Cat Bounce #11 - I missed a few books in this series but it was easy to get back in the groove. While I think some of the previous books were better, which may be due to the missing books gap, this story is still a good read. Interesting. Good storylines and good characters. TJ is a good addition to the mix. It was easy to finish the book without interruptions. 4*
Don't Say Her Name, C.T. Ferguson #12 - This is one of my favorite characters and series. There is plenty of interesting characters, an interesting writing style and interesting story lines. It is best to start with the first book since there is a continuous building of new onto the old, BUT it is not necessary. Fortunately, Fowler does not rehash the past in great detail in his books, he keeps the present book interesting. There is action, romance and humor. Language is mostly clean; a very minimum on the vulgar, which is character-related. The romance is clean without the stupid arguments and ridiculous mind sets that other authors add for drama, but mischievous and adult dialog between the two lovers. There is the mysterious disappearance of a client's father but C.T. has to figure out the who of why he and his family are targets. Another in one sitting read. 5*
Night Comes Down, C.T. Ferguson #13 - Interesting. I like that this book is about hacking and revenge. Well written with interesting story lines, a good blending of old and new, along with some intense bits made this another hard to put down read. 5*
Concrete Angels, #14 - Pretty interesting with a bigger role in the narration and duties for TJ. The good story lines kept me involved in the book and some of the characters are doozies. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel - This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues - This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 - Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 - Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 - I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author's talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 - This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Inside Cut #7 - Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler's end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience is easy to beat. The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The Next Girl #8 - C. T. is back again with new storylines that move at a fast pace through the frustrations, the investigations and the pain of his newest case. Well thought out and vividly told, this is a difficult story to put down. The new characters run the gamut while the old do their jobs. It is easy to figure out the who and the why, but it is still an interesting, intriguing read. 5*
Dead Cat Bounce #11 - I missed a few books in this series but it was easy to get back in the groove. While I think some of the previous books were better, which may be due to the missing books gap, this story is still a good read. Interesting. Good storylines and good characters. TJ is a good addition to the mix. It was easy to finish the book without interruptions. 4*
Don't Say Her Name, C.T. Ferguson #12 - This is one of my favorite characters and series. There is plenty of interesting characters, an interesting writing style and interesting story lines. It is best to start with the first book since there is a continuous building of new onto the old, BUT it is not necessary. Fortunately, Fowler does not rehash the past in great detail in his books, he keeps the present book interesting. There is action, romance and humor. Language is mostly clean; a very minimum on the vulgar, which is character-related. The romance is clean without the stupid arguments and ridiculous mind sets that other authors add for drama, but mischievous and adult dialog between the two lovers. There is the mysterious disappearance of a client's father but C.T. has to figure out the who of why he and his family are targets. Another in one sitting read. 5*
Night Comes Down, C.T. Ferguson #13 - Interesting. I like that this book is about hacking and revenge. Well written with interesting story lines, a good blending of old and new, along with some intense bits made this another hard to put down read. 5*
Concrete Angels, #14 - Pretty interesting with a bigger role in the narration and duties for TJ. The good story lines kept me involved in the book and some of the characters are doozies. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel - This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues - This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
April 24, 2019
I really like Tom Fowler’s C.T. Ferguson. I read and own the individual books. I think it is a great idea to combine the first three books. It gives the reader a chance to get a great deal on the books. They are also available through Kindle Unlimited. Here are my reviews of the individual books:
The Reluctant Detective: A C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mystery (The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels Book 1) I am an avid fan of Tom Fowler's C.T .Ferguson. He is a computer hacker turned Private Investigator. Although he isn't the most competent PI, he usually solves whatever puzzles his clients ask him to figure out. In this episode, C.T. takes on his first and last cheating spouse case. He figures that this is an easy case and shouldn't take more than a day or two. Needless to say, nothing turns out the way he thought it would. I recommend The Reluctant Detective to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with lots of twists and turns.
The Unknown Devil: A C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mystery (The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels Book 2)This is the second book in Tom Fowler's C.T. Ferguson P.I series. In this adventure, C.T. is hired by a sixteen year old boy, Brian Sellers, to find his brother, Chris. Chris is a brilliant computer programmer. and hasn't been home for a couple of days. So, the adventure begins... I really enjoyed this book. It draws you into the story from the start. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good twisty story with a lot of action.
The Workers of Iniquity: A C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mystery (The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels Book 3) C.T. is back. The Workers of Iniquity is the third book that stars C.T Ferguson P. I. Being a P.I. has its pros and cons. The Pros: C.T. has the freedom to choose his cases and work when he decides. The Cons: C.T. has to take the cases his Mom wants, since she is providing the paycheck. C.T. does not take missing or cheating spouse cases. He learned the hard way on his first case - The Reluctant Detective. Unfortunately, he has to take this one because Mom says so. Boy is he in for a shock! Surprisingly, the case of the missing husband evolves into...... Guess, you'll have read it. The story grabs your attention from the beginning. The plot is well written and the characters are very life-like. I recommend The Workers of Iniquity to all mystery readers. Especially those who enjoy a good, fast moving ,adventurous mystery that has plenty of sarcastic humor
The Reluctant Detective: A C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mystery (The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels Book 1) I am an avid fan of Tom Fowler's C.T .Ferguson. He is a computer hacker turned Private Investigator. Although he isn't the most competent PI, he usually solves whatever puzzles his clients ask him to figure out. In this episode, C.T. takes on his first and last cheating spouse case. He figures that this is an easy case and shouldn't take more than a day or two. Needless to say, nothing turns out the way he thought it would. I recommend The Reluctant Detective to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with lots of twists and turns.
The Unknown Devil: A C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mystery (The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels Book 2)This is the second book in Tom Fowler's C.T. Ferguson P.I series. In this adventure, C.T. is hired by a sixteen year old boy, Brian Sellers, to find his brother, Chris. Chris is a brilliant computer programmer. and hasn't been home for a couple of days. So, the adventure begins... I really enjoyed this book. It draws you into the story from the start. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good twisty story with a lot of action.
The Workers of Iniquity: A C.T. Ferguson Private Investigator Mystery (The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels Book 3) C.T. is back. The Workers of Iniquity is the third book that stars C.T Ferguson P. I. Being a P.I. has its pros and cons. The Pros: C.T. has the freedom to choose his cases and work when he decides. The Cons: C.T. has to take the cases his Mom wants, since she is providing the paycheck. C.T. does not take missing or cheating spouse cases. He learned the hard way on his first case - The Reluctant Detective. Unfortunately, he has to take this one because Mom says so. Boy is he in for a shock! Surprisingly, the case of the missing husband evolves into...... Guess, you'll have read it. The story grabs your attention from the beginning. The plot is well written and the characters are very life-like. I recommend The Workers of Iniquity to all mystery readers. Especially those who enjoy a good, fast moving ,adventurous mystery that has plenty of sarcastic humor
March 24, 2019
CT Ferguson is a better man that he thinks he is - sometimes better
than he means to be.
His growth from a spoiled rich boy who squandered some trust monies,
to a hacker who used his funds to help people work against the Chinese
in Hong Kong, shifts and develops as he returns to the US.
His wealthy parents agree to under-write his expenses and give him
cash rewards as long as he helps people.
Thinking to put his computer skills to work, with maybe an occasional
assist from youthful martial arts interests, he becomes a PI - and a
fairly humorous ad placed by his father on his behalf makes him free
help for people who need it.
CT discovers that apparently easy cases are much more complicated than
he though - and that a lot of people want or need help, whether they
can afford it or not.
Working with his ex military, cop cousin, who is more a brother, a
network of society and Family connections, CT develops a network that
often comes through for those in serious need - and it comes at the
cost of his safety, and sometimes his peace of mind.
If you like edge of your seat action, and coloring outside the lines
inquiries for hurting people who need help, these is a great series,
and a super package of awesome books - currently on Kindle Unlimited.
than he means to be.
His growth from a spoiled rich boy who squandered some trust monies,
to a hacker who used his funds to help people work against the Chinese
in Hong Kong, shifts and develops as he returns to the US.
His wealthy parents agree to under-write his expenses and give him
cash rewards as long as he helps people.
Thinking to put his computer skills to work, with maybe an occasional
assist from youthful martial arts interests, he becomes a PI - and a
fairly humorous ad placed by his father on his behalf makes him free
help for people who need it.
CT discovers that apparently easy cases are much more complicated than
he though - and that a lot of people want or need help, whether they
can afford it or not.
Working with his ex military, cop cousin, who is more a brother, a
network of society and Family connections, CT develops a network that
often comes through for those in serious need - and it comes at the
cost of his safety, and sometimes his peace of mind.
If you like edge of your seat action, and coloring outside the lines
inquiries for hurting people who need help, these is a great series,
and a super package of awesome books - currently on Kindle Unlimited.
March 30, 2019
Hacker turned PI whose services are free!
Yes, this is a very unique protagonist with equally original ideas regarding the rules he is supposed to follow. Unlike most private investigators, C.T. is a trust fund baby and is as comfortable sharing a meal with the city’s mob boss as he is mingling with socialites at fancy galas. He’s a talented hacker who is a bit fuzzy when it comes to the letter of the law, preferring to interpret the spirit of it in his own unique way instead. Martial arts training means he can handle himself in a fight, and there are some very well written fight scenes in the books. There is no unnecessary gore, or foul language and sex is kept strictly off-camera.
Gloria, his high-society friend-with-benefits, adds a feminine touch. We see her grow as a person and in her relationship with C.T. as the series progresses. There are other interesting secondary characters, including his police detective cousin, and plenty of action, twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. I really enjoy the author’s writing style. This is one of my favourite series.
Yes, this is a very unique protagonist with equally original ideas regarding the rules he is supposed to follow. Unlike most private investigators, C.T. is a trust fund baby and is as comfortable sharing a meal with the city’s mob boss as he is mingling with socialites at fancy galas. He’s a talented hacker who is a bit fuzzy when it comes to the letter of the law, preferring to interpret the spirit of it in his own unique way instead. Martial arts training means he can handle himself in a fight, and there are some very well written fight scenes in the books. There is no unnecessary gore, or foul language and sex is kept strictly off-camera.
Gloria, his high-society friend-with-benefits, adds a feminine touch. We see her grow as a person and in her relationship with C.T. as the series progresses. There are other interesting secondary characters, including his police detective cousin, and plenty of action, twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. I really enjoy the author’s writing style. This is one of my favourite series.
February 23, 2020
The C.T. Ferguson Series:
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 - Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 - Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 - I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author's talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 - This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Inside Cut #7 - Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler's end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience is easy to beat. The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The Next Girl #8 - C. T. is back again with new storylines that move at a fast pace through the frustrations, the investigations and the pain of his newest case. Well thought out and vividly told, this is a difficult story to put down. The new characters run the gamut while the old do their jobs. It is easy to figure out the who and the why, but it is still an interesting, intriguing read. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel - This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues - This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 - Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 - Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 - I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author's talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 - This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Inside Cut #7 - Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler's end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience is easy to beat. The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The Next Girl #8 - C. T. is back again with new storylines that move at a fast pace through the frustrations, the investigations and the pain of his newest case. Well thought out and vividly told, this is a difficult story to put down. The new characters run the gamut while the old do their jobs. It is easy to figure out the who and the why, but it is still an interesting, intriguing read. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel - This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues - This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
April 23, 2019
Enjoy reading good PI books, then this C.T. Ferguson collection by Tom Fowler is a must read. I was hooked in the beginning of book 1, ‘The Reluctant Detective’, met CT and discovered my favorite PI. CT is the best created and developed PI out there. He’s from a wealthy background, has skills to hack computers, spent time in a foreign jail, and lost his trust fund. All this played a role in making him an intriguing PI with sleuthing skills to solve cases, pro bono only. It helps at times, to have a cousin on the police force and someone from the opposite side of the law, family friend, Tony. CT mainly has to rely on himself and his marital arts training to keep mob goons at bay. Mr Fowler’s descriptive writing puts readers in the action to wince with his blow by blow accounts, add witty humor and a little romance and this PI series is nonstop reading at its best! Best to is there’s no waiting for the next book, go right into ‘The Unknown Devil’ and ‘Workers of Iniquity’. There is no chance for boredom and this series is so worth it!
April 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this collection of the first three full length novels about the hacker turned private investigator, C. T. Ferguson.
C. T. is a very interesting character, very full of himself and very opinionated, when he is more or less forced into his role as a P.I. he actually finds that helping people is very rewarding, and that he enjoys the job.
There are some excellent secondary characters, his girlfriend, his cousin Rich (a genuine police detective) and several others, all of whom serve to bring the stories to light.
The plots of the books are all different and original and have some very exciting action passages. What more can you ask of an action/detective series?
I received an advance copy of this book, but this honest review is based on my honest opinions.
C. T. is a very interesting character, very full of himself and very opinionated, when he is more or less forced into his role as a P.I. he actually finds that helping people is very rewarding, and that he enjoys the job.
There are some excellent secondary characters, his girlfriend, his cousin Rich (a genuine police detective) and several others, all of whom serve to bring the stories to light.
The plots of the books are all different and original and have some very exciting action passages. What more can you ask of an action/detective series?
I received an advance copy of this book, but this honest review is based on my honest opinions.
July 23, 2019
The C.T. Ferguson series is one of my favourites. C.T. himself is a fun character to read. He's a good hearted guy forced to become a P.I. but he's clearly good at it. Over the series you get to see how well he does and how much he enjoys the work. There's plenty of action, thrills and hard hitting investigation in each story. C.T. blurs the line between legal and maybe 'not-quite-so-legal' and he doesn't care. He'll do what he has to do to get the job done. I enjoy his wit and one liners and the fact he'll take on just about anyone if he's pushed. Getting these books as a set means you don't need worry about whether they work alone, which they do by the way, but rather you get an absolute bargain for some truly great investigative thrillers. Highly, highly recommended.
February 27, 2020
The C.T. Ferguson Series:
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 - Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 - Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 - I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author's talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 - This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Inside Cut #7 - Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler's end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience is easy to beat. The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The Next Girl #8 - C. T. is back again with new storylines that move at a fast pace through the frustrations, the investigations and the pain of his newest case. Well thought out and vividly told, this is a difficult story to put down. The new characters run the gamut while the old do their jobs. It is easy to figure out the who and the why, but it is still an interesting, intriguing read. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel - This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues - This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 - Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 - Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 - I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author's talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 - This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Inside Cut #7 - Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler's end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience is easy to beat. The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The Next Girl #8 - C. T. is back again with new storylines that move at a fast pace through the frustrations, the investigations and the pain of his newest case. Well thought out and vividly told, this is a difficult story to put down. The new characters run the gamut while the old do their jobs. It is easy to figure out the who and the why, but it is still an interesting, intriguing read. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel - This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues - This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
January 3, 2022
OK
I have gotten hooked on the John Tyler series only to find out about this one. CJ has some likable characteristics and some not so likable. The reason for 3 stars instead of more is simply bc I feel that there is too much emphasis on food, restaurants, picking up food, where they are going to meet (coffee shops etc) and the fact that he spent 19 days in a Chinese prison in mentioned repeatedly. His parents had to have spent a lot of money to get him out after only 19 days. The other thing is that 2 of the stories in have so far been based on sex trafficking. IDK if I am going to go further with this guy but if so I sure hope he comes up with other scenarios besides kidnapping young girls and raping them.
I have gotten hooked on the John Tyler series only to find out about this one. CJ has some likable characteristics and some not so likable. The reason for 3 stars instead of more is simply bc I feel that there is too much emphasis on food, restaurants, picking up food, where they are going to meet (coffee shops etc) and the fact that he spent 19 days in a Chinese prison in mentioned repeatedly. His parents had to have spent a lot of money to get him out after only 19 days. The other thing is that 2 of the stories in have so far been based on sex trafficking. IDK if I am going to go further with this guy but if so I sure hope he comes up with other scenarios besides kidnapping young girls and raping them.
March 24, 2019
These are the first three stories about C.T. Ferguson. He is a computer hacker who got caught while living in Hong Kong and working against the Chinese government. They found him, put him in jail, then kicked him out and he landed in Baltimore. There C.T. started his private investigative business. He deals with many unsavory characters. There is humor, there are thrilling adventures, there is just about everything you could want in a great story in this box set. I have read each story separately. Give them a try! I highly recommend them to any mystery lover.
April 6, 2019
I really like this series. C.T is spoiled and a reluctant hero but that is what makes this such a good series. He got into trouble and ran through his inheritance and now he works for his parents foundation.He helps people in return for his paycheck and unfortunately for him he cares. Turns out he is good at helping others. These stories move fast so keep up. There are twists and turns on every page. I received an advanced reader copy in return for my honest review.
May 4, 2021
A fabulous start to the series.
C T Ferguson Private Investigator series was a real insight into the life of a hacker. Some real action and great PI work by CT. Spending time in a China, CT honed his hacking skills before getting caught and landing in prison. His mum and dad are finding him to help people, he chose Private Investigating. An enjoyable start to the series. Highly recommend.
C T Ferguson Private Investigator series was a real insight into the life of a hacker. Some real action and great PI work by CT. Spending time in a China, CT honed his hacking skills before getting caught and landing in prison. His mum and dad are finding him to help people, he chose Private Investigating. An enjoyable start to the series. Highly recommend.
March 27, 2019
CT at his best and the author knows how to write to keep a reader on the end of suspense. Humor, sarcasm and plenty of action. However I think the author goes to far in describing the various routes in Baltimore. I could say the same about CT meal solections but some of them are good:)
Read
May 20, 2020I bought these books to see how C,T, got started being a PI. Like the books, like the plots. How does he solve the case when he just wants to do everything on his computer - the modern way. Then he finds out he has to get out in the world and meet up with the bad guys or good guys.
July 1, 2021
A different style of murder mystery
The thugs, the girls, the fast cars, these books have it all, including a computer hacker.
An easy and enjoyable read.
The thugs, the girls, the fast cars, these books have it all, including a computer hacker.
An easy and enjoyable read.
January 11, 2020
Great series. Fun, exciting, mysterious. The main character is truly adorable. Well worth the time to read.
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