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Charlie Crawford Mystery #8
Palm Beach Bedlam
When a woman plunges to her death from the penthouse of a Palm Beach hotel, Detective Charlie Crawford rushes to the scene. Arriving at the hotel, one thing is clear: she definitely did not jump.
A few days later, Crawford catches a break: seems there was a wild party at the hotel the night of the woman's murder. Among the celebrants was a billionaire about to go on trial for trysts with underage girls on his Caribbean private island.
And one of his accusers? The woman who got thrown from the penthouse.
Sin, scandal, and murder from the author who, as Kirkus Reviews said, always delivers an “entertaining and amusing ride."
A few days later, Crawford catches a break: seems there was a wild party at the hotel the night of the woman's murder. Among the celebrants was a billionaire about to go on trial for trysts with underage girls on his Caribbean private island.
And one of his accusers? The woman who got thrown from the penthouse.
Sin, scandal, and murder from the author who, as Kirkus Reviews said, always delivers an “entertaining and amusing ride."
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2019
1600 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Tom Turner
16 books91 followersA native New Englander, Tom Turner ran a bar in Vermont after college, then moved to New York and spent time as an award-winning copywriter at several Manhattan advertising agencies.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 22, 2021
Falling Apart!
Charlie Crawford is hanging in there. He’s very fond of both Rose and Dominica and he doesn’t want to make a choice.
But he doesn’t have to choose now. He has a murder to solve. It seems someone has thrown a woman out of a penthouse window.
Is it because she intends to reveal all the details of the sexual abuse she endured as a teenager in West Palm Beach?
The rich men are all happily rich, living the “life of Riley.” Schmoozing and boozing while the young women are left to deal with the trauma of their abuse.
Charlie is determined to find the murderer and he doesn’t stop ‘till he zeros in on his target.
Score another one for Charlie Crawford.
Charlie Crawford is hanging in there. He’s very fond of both Rose and Dominica and he doesn’t want to make a choice.
But he doesn’t have to choose now. He has a murder to solve. It seems someone has thrown a woman out of a penthouse window.
Is it because she intends to reveal all the details of the sexual abuse she endured as a teenager in West Palm Beach?
The rich men are all happily rich, living the “life of Riley.” Schmoozing and boozing while the young women are left to deal with the trauma of their abuse.
Charlie is determined to find the murderer and he doesn’t stop ‘till he zeros in on his target.
Score another one for Charlie Crawford.
March 7, 2022
An extreme page turner I couldn't put down. When a woman plunges to her death from the penthouse of a Palm Beach hotel, Detective Charlie Crawford rushes to the scene. Arriving at the hotel, one thing is clear: she definitely did not jump.
A few days later, Crawford catches a break: seems there was a wild party at the hotel the night of the woman's murder. Among the celebrants was a billionaire about to go on trial for trysts with underage girls on his Caribbean private island.
And one of his accusers? The woman who got thrown from the penthouse.
A few days later, Crawford catches a break: seems there was a wild party at the hotel the night of the woman's murder. Among the celebrants was a billionaire about to go on trial for trysts with underage girls on his Caribbean private island.
And one of his accusers? The woman who got thrown from the penthouse.
August 16, 2019
A pretty decent book in the series. I don't think this is a spectacular series but I do like the characters which is why I continue reading it. I guessed the killer fairly easily and quickly...just had to wait for the 'why' he or she committed the crimes.
April 17, 2022
I liked it in a sense that it was entertaining, but generally I like a whodunit better when there's a more accurate sense of what actually goes on in an investigation. A detective tramping around a murder scene before the scene is fully documented and evidence gathered by the crime scene techs? No. Removing evidence and just putting it in his pocket? Another no, and is actually the "no" that got a fair amount of evidence thrown out when an FBI agent at the Ruby Ridge crime scene did just that. Searches without warrants? Allowed sometimes, but those circumstances are very limited. And lastly, traveling all over the place and outside of their jurisdiction to gather more evidence without a warrant nor consulting with those whose jurisdiction it is? Pretty big no-no. All of these things tended to make the story very unrealistic to me. The only time I saw a warrant even being mentioned it was of the "fishing expedition" kind. A judge would never issue a warrant so police can just go in and look around to see if they can find some evidence.
I had the perpetrator made very early in the book as well. Someone injects himself into the investigation is usually doing so because he's the perpetrator. Last but not least, no detective in their right mind would let a reporter do so. The usual comment when reporters ask for info on ongoing investigations is, "No comment." Or, if being a bit more formal, "We cannot comment on an active investigation." Besides, it's the department PR person who handles the reporters, not a detective.
I had the perpetrator made very early in the book as well. Someone injects himself into the investigation is usually doing so because he's the perpetrator. Last but not least, no detective in their right mind would let a reporter do so. The usual comment when reporters ask for info on ongoing investigations is, "No comment." Or, if being a bit more formal, "We cannot comment on an active investigation." Besides, it's the department PR person who handles the reporters, not a detective.
February 16, 2021
Palm Beach Bedlam - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Bedlam is a good description of the dramatic, (and occasionally humorous or romantic) events that take place in the stupendous Tom Turner's excellent Palm Beach Bedlam, with the 'usual suspects' - PBPD Homicide Detectives Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott, the lovely Dominica and Rose, Chief Norman Routledge and their colleagues in the force, who all play their parts.
Two linked but separate, violent murders take place; witnesses are few, but suspects for once are on the plentiful side by comparison and the pressure is on Charlie and Ott from above, to solve them as soon as possible, so that Palm Beach's reputation doesn't suffer as a result.
The search for clues and enough evidence to lead to a conviction, means much mileage needs to be travelled and in some cases risks taken, such as Ott and Dominica's unofficial speed record competition. As often before, Rose helps out too, by giving Charlie the low-down on people, gossip, events and properties in her own inimitable manner.
You'll thrill to the danger, car chases, confrontations, secrets revealed (not always intentionally) and downright lies, as the detective duo close the net on perpetrators' crimes past and present, in an unputdownable crime-thriller, Palm Beach Bedlam, part of the Charlie Crawford Palm Beach Mysteries Series, that grows exponentially better and better as it continues.
Get it soon - and tell all your friends!
Bedlam is a good description of the dramatic, (and occasionally humorous or romantic) events that take place in the stupendous Tom Turner's excellent Palm Beach Bedlam, with the 'usual suspects' - PBPD Homicide Detectives Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott, the lovely Dominica and Rose, Chief Norman Routledge and their colleagues in the force, who all play their parts.
Two linked but separate, violent murders take place; witnesses are few, but suspects for once are on the plentiful side by comparison and the pressure is on Charlie and Ott from above, to solve them as soon as possible, so that Palm Beach's reputation doesn't suffer as a result.
The search for clues and enough evidence to lead to a conviction, means much mileage needs to be travelled and in some cases risks taken, such as Ott and Dominica's unofficial speed record competition. As often before, Rose helps out too, by giving Charlie the low-down on people, gossip, events and properties in her own inimitable manner.
You'll thrill to the danger, car chases, confrontations, secrets revealed (not always intentionally) and downright lies, as the detective duo close the net on perpetrators' crimes past and present, in an unputdownable crime-thriller, Palm Beach Bedlam, part of the Charlie Crawford Palm Beach Mysteries Series, that grows exponentially better and better as it continues.
Get it soon - and tell all your friends!
May 27, 2019
KU borrow.
It’s not very often I find a series that keeps my interest beyond the first 4-5 books; they become more of a boring ‘cookie-cutter’ formula and I lose interest in the characters. BUT… Tom Turner has managed to keep his stories fresh, his characters likable, and the ‘who-done-it’ undiscoverable to the end. I love thrillers, mysteries, and especially those that give me a chuckle here and there. Turner does that for me. Here are 2 characters that work; a pair that is quite different but seems to complement each other: Charlie Crawford, tall, handsome in a GQ (except for the wardrobe) sort of way, college lacrosse player, and Mort Ott, shorter, a little heavy, balding badly, bull in a china shop, NASCAR fan. It seems that in the Florida town of billionaires, there’s quite an undercurrent of lust, betrayal and downright nasty behavior. Tom Turner’s writing is pretty clean (I did find a couple of typos/discrepancies), well laid out in that it doesn’t leave you wondering what you missed that took you into the next scenario. Keep ‘em coming, Tom Turner!
It’s not very often I find a series that keeps my interest beyond the first 4-5 books; they become more of a boring ‘cookie-cutter’ formula and I lose interest in the characters. BUT… Tom Turner has managed to keep his stories fresh, his characters likable, and the ‘who-done-it’ undiscoverable to the end. I love thrillers, mysteries, and especially those that give me a chuckle here and there. Turner does that for me. Here are 2 characters that work; a pair that is quite different but seems to complement each other: Charlie Crawford, tall, handsome in a GQ (except for the wardrobe) sort of way, college lacrosse player, and Mort Ott, shorter, a little heavy, balding badly, bull in a china shop, NASCAR fan. It seems that in the Florida town of billionaires, there’s quite an undercurrent of lust, betrayal and downright nasty behavior. Tom Turner’s writing is pretty clean (I did find a couple of typos/discrepancies), well laid out in that it doesn’t leave you wondering what you missed that took you into the next scenario. Keep ‘em coming, Tom Turner!
September 26, 2019
Charlie Crawford and his partner, Mort Ott, are assigned to investigate the murder of a woman who was the victim of a human trafficking scheme when she was a teenager. She's been tossed off the pent house level of a Palm Beach hotel, having had her tongue cut out.
The primary suspect is the man who organized the human trafficking scheme. He's having his birthday party at the same hotel where the victim died. Charlie and Mort investigate him - and all the friends of his who were at the party.
It was an okay read, but I just wasn't that engaged. I will say that the twist at the end was redemptive.
The primary suspect is the man who organized the human trafficking scheme. He's having his birthday party at the same hotel where the victim died. Charlie and Mort investigate him - and all the friends of his who were at the party.
It was an okay read, but I just wasn't that engaged. I will say that the twist at the end was redemptive.
February 11, 2020
A woman falls to her death from the penthouse of the Palm Beach Hotel.
Detective Crawford is on the case.
It seems she was about to give an interview about a local guy into the sex trade.
Funny enough there was a birthday party at the hotel the same night for the billionaire about to go on trial for his involvement with underage girls.
To Charlie and his partner, Ott, this seems like just too much of a coincidence.
A good detective novel with some amusing bits and lots of twists and turns.
Detective Crawford is on the case.
It seems she was about to give an interview about a local guy into the sex trade.
Funny enough there was a birthday party at the hotel the same night for the billionaire about to go on trial for his involvement with underage girls.
To Charlie and his partner, Ott, this seems like just too much of a coincidence.
A good detective novel with some amusing bits and lots of twists and turns.
September 1, 2019
This series just keeps getting better and better. The plots are great, the characters are wonderful, I live the idea of someone being named Mort, who did that to a kid, and the constant play of money vs being a "normal person" keeps the books real.
It's a fun, fast, but totally satisfying experience. I'm checking back to make sure I haven't missed any in the series, but alas, I'm pretty sure I've read them all.
ENJOY!
It's a fun, fast, but totally satisfying experience. I'm checking back to make sure I haven't missed any in the series, but alas, I'm pretty sure I've read them all.
ENJOY!
September 11, 2019
This is a decently written book although the central detectives are a bit too stereotypical. The story is interesting and up to date, even references #metoo. However, I figured out who did it after about twenty minutes of reading and spent the rest of the book going through all the red herrings waiting for it to surface. A little disappointing and dinged on the rating for that since it is basically a "whodunit."
September 20, 2019
(2 1/2). This is my second or third venture into the Charlie Crawford franchise and this is as enjoyable as the others. A fun, mostly mindless romp though South Florida, with a few minor twists and turns that keep us engaged along with the very likable Detective Crawford. Homicide is the game and Charlie is the gamekeeper. An easy read, this one is pretty good all the way through. Nice stuff.
September 27, 2019
At last, the end
A good mystery but ever so long. I thought Charlie and Ott would never bring the case to an end. The main characters were likeable as well as tge supporting characters. The villains acted out their rolls well. The language was clean and the lead characters stayed out of bed. This book proved that you can have an exciting story with no sex, gory violence, or no gutter language. Thank you Mr. Turner
A good mystery but ever so long. I thought Charlie and Ott would never bring the case to an end. The main characters were likeable as well as tge supporting characters. The villains acted out their rolls well. The language was clean and the lead characters stayed out of bed. This book proved that you can have an exciting story with no sex, gory violence, or no gutter language. Thank you Mr. Turner
October 22, 2019
Why does Palm Beach get all the good stories?
Not really, but it does get more than it's fair share I would say. This novel, Palm Beach Bedlam, is a great example of what I mean. Great story with a good plot. Characters are believable and are perfect for the story. All in all... I simply need to say "Go out, get this book and READ IT!! I swear to you that you won't regret it.He##... You are definitely gonna enjoy it!!!!!
Not really, but it does get more than it's fair share I would say. This novel, Palm Beach Bedlam, is a great example of what I mean. Great story with a good plot. Characters are believable and are perfect for the story. All in all... I simply need to say "Go out, get this book and READ IT!! I swear to you that you won't regret it.He##... You are definitely gonna enjoy it!!!!!
November 13, 2019
Another satisfying Charlie Crawford mystery in the Palm Beach series. As usual Charlie and Mort are presented with dead bodies and a raft of suspects, all of whom have a plausible reason for the killings. CSO Dominica assists and also returns to Charlie’s bed and real estate professional Rose returns as well with a new boyfriend. An easy read, well thought out and mystifying to the end. Keep ‘em coming!
May 6, 2021
This was a much better than average procedural. Charlie and Ott, his partner, are Palm Beach Homicide Detectives with great solve records. A woman goes off the terrace of her penthouse suite at a boutique hotel. They begin investigating and each stage of the investigation leads them further into a morass of colorful, cynical and well plotted characters. It was fun reading. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
September 2, 2019
I've read several books in the Charlie and Ott series, thoroughly enjoyed each. Their characters are great, solving murders with a little humor along the way. Not super ego detectives which actually makes them seem real. Had it figured out about halfway but still the twists and revealing some crazy secrets kept it interesting. An enjoyable reading experience.
September 29, 2019
I love this series! I say this every time a review one of the books in this series but it true. This is a great detective series. There is a great cast of characters that play well off of one another. You have murder, mystery, action and romance all rolled into each book. I highly recommend this book and this series.
May 24, 2020
Charlie and Otto stumped for a while
A good story with plenty of twists and turns along with a little travel and field trips for change of scenery. With a terrific villain who I did not figure out for a while this one kept you engaged all the way to the end. I can’t wait for more Charlie Crawford stories
A good story with plenty of twists and turns along with a little travel and field trips for change of scenery. With a terrific villain who I did not figure out for a while this one kept you engaged all the way to the end. I can’t wait for more Charlie Crawford stories
October 23, 2020
Comfortable Old Friends
For the latest entry into the series it was formulaic and predictable. But and this is a big but I still love Det. Charlie Crawford and company. They're old friends who I enjoy visiting.When they come back around I'll be sure to drop in and see how everyone's doing.
For the latest entry into the series it was formulaic and predictable. But and this is a big but I still love Det. Charlie Crawford and company. They're old friends who I enjoy visiting.When they come back around I'll be sure to drop in and see how everyone's doing.
May 18, 2019
Another Hit
I really enjoy the Charlie Crawford stories and this one is especially titillating. The characters interact easily with one another and the ongoing drama makes for good entertainment. Looking forward to another adventure.
I really enjoy the Charlie Crawford stories and this one is especially titillating. The characters interact easily with one another and the ongoing drama makes for good entertainment. Looking forward to another adventure.
May 19, 2019
I’m a resident of Palm Beach. The characters a little too real for comfort 😜. The environs are totally real and I want to meet the person who can deduce “who done it” before reading 85% Tom is a great story teller
May 30, 2019
Another great stkry
Not sure how the author does it but this book kept me reading till it was fun wished the characters are the best and a!says memorable guess I'll Che k out the new book ...thanks again
Not sure how the author does it but this book kept me reading till it was fun wished the characters are the best and a!says memorable guess I'll Che k out the new book ...thanks again
September 10, 2019
Interesting detective story with unconventional characters
Great detective book with an interesting turnout.
I especially enjoyed having to go back to familiar characters all while seeing the limitations and political plays of the police task force.
Great detective book with an interesting turnout.
I especially enjoyed having to go back to familiar characters all while seeing the limitations and political plays of the police task force.
September 12, 2019
Palm Beach Bedlam
Very interesting and entertaining storyline about murder and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Believable characters that the reader can imagine are real and really living out the story.
Very interesting and entertaining storyline about murder and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Believable characters that the reader can imagine are real and really living out the story.
September 14, 2019
Entertaining
I like Tom Turner's books that have an old time Elmore Leonard feel. Set in and around Palm Beach, the geography and habitat are accurate. The book is a quick, entertaining read with enough twists to make it interesting.
I like Tom Turner's books that have an old time Elmore Leonard feel. Set in and around Palm Beach, the geography and habitat are accurate. The book is a quick, entertaining read with enough twists to make it interesting.
September 16, 2019
"Great page-turning read"
At last! A thriller that delivers what it promised. Irreverent. Action-packed. Humorous. A cast of wide-ranging characters that ring true whichever side of the law they're on. This was an enjoyable read.
At last! A thriller that delivers what it promised. Irreverent. Action-packed. Humorous. A cast of wide-ranging characters that ring true whichever side of the law they're on. This was an enjoyable read.
September 21, 2019
Police Procedural with Twists
Almost all police procedurals are written with a twist at the end-this one is original and kept my interest. The detectives are realistic and developed and the criminals are interesting. I will read further in this series.
Almost all police procedurals are written with a twist at the end-this one is original and kept my interest. The detectives are realistic and developed and the criminals are interesting. I will read further in this series.
October 27, 2019
Another enjoyable Palm Beach tale
Turner has got Palm Beach down pat......the personalities are all too true to life. Having lived there for over 25 years, I enjoy knowing the places he mentions, accurately by the way.
Turner has got Palm Beach down pat......the personalities are all too true to life. Having lived there for over 25 years, I enjoy knowing the places he mentions, accurately by the way.
December 3, 2019
Another enjoyable Palm Beach mystery
This is the last in this enjoyable series so far and now I will have to wait for another. This isn't my favorite but the plot is good. There is less humor and fewer observations about the rich and uber rich, but still enjoyable.
This is the last in this enjoyable series so far and now I will have to wait for another. This isn't my favorite but the plot is good. There is less humor and fewer observations about the rich and uber rich, but still enjoyable.
December 5, 2019
Another Winner!
Charlie Crawford is on the case again and this tale really is bedlam. A story that could have come right from recent headlines, there were plenty of twists and a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to the next one!
Charlie Crawford is on the case again and this tale really is bedlam. A story that could have come right from recent headlines, there were plenty of twists and a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews