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Harry Starke Genesis #1
Genesis
She was the one that got away. It was a dark and stormy night… No kidding, it really was.
I'd quit the police force only a couple of days earlier - that was back in 2008 - and I was on my way to a poker game at the Sorbonne when a shadow crossed in front of my car. It went by so fast I didn’t have time to stop. I hit the brakes hard and swerved into the mud at the side of the road.
I looked out through the deluge, but it was difficult to make out the figure coming towards the driver’s side window. Instinctively, my hand went for my gun and rested on the grip, but as the figure came closer I could see it was a girl. Her hair, dark, bobbed, was plastered to her head and face. The raccoon eye shadow smeared above her eyes had run in rivulets down her cheeks. She looked like one of the walking dead, but more than that she looked scared, really scared.
What the hell is she doing out here alone in this kind of weather? I wondered as I let go of my gun and rolled the window down a half-inch.
“Get in the back,” I yelled at her, and flipped the lock so she could open the door. And that's how it all began. Had I known what I was getting myself into I might have done differently… No, I wouldn’t. Anyway, that's how I became a private detective.
Start binge reading today!
I'd quit the police force only a couple of days earlier - that was back in 2008 - and I was on my way to a poker game at the Sorbonne when a shadow crossed in front of my car. It went by so fast I didn’t have time to stop. I hit the brakes hard and swerved into the mud at the side of the road.
I looked out through the deluge, but it was difficult to make out the figure coming towards the driver’s side window. Instinctively, my hand went for my gun and rested on the grip, but as the figure came closer I could see it was a girl. Her hair, dark, bobbed, was plastered to her head and face. The raccoon eye shadow smeared above her eyes had run in rivulets down her cheeks. She looked like one of the walking dead, but more than that she looked scared, really scared.
What the hell is she doing out here alone in this kind of weather? I wondered as I let go of my gun and rolled the window down a half-inch.
“Get in the back,” I yelled at her, and flipped the lock so she could open the door. And that's how it all began. Had I known what I was getting myself into I might have done differently… No, I wouldn’t. Anyway, that's how I became a private detective.
Start binge reading today!
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2019
490 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Blair Howard
291 books345 followersBlair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
November 13, 2021
Interesting characters, a good mystery and detective story
December 10, 2019
I received an electronic copy of Genesis, the first full novel in the Series of Harry Starke, from the author and Mic Bose at a discounted rate. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. The Harry Starke series now boasts 13 novels, so I have a LOT of catching up to do. If you enjoyed the PI novels of the '60s and '70s, you will want to read Harry Starke.
The Prequel to this series, simply titled Harry Starke, is an excellent basis for this series, but each novel is stand-alone so reading them all or reading them in order is not necessary. I have reviewed the prequel, as well on Goodreads and Amazon.
Genesis takes up about two months after Harry quits the Chatanooga, Tennessee police force. Harry is still debating his future. He doesn't need to have an income, but he is quickly finding life too boring for words without a 'job'.
Harry picks up, in a cold wet deluge, a young lady hitchhiking on a bad stretch of road, and drops her at the Sorbonne, a seedy downtown Chatanooga bar where Harry will be joining his currently unemployed pal Ronnie Hall for their illegal Wednesday night poker game. But the kid, Phoebe Marsh, joins the poker game rather than calling an Uber and seems to have very good luck. She pulls a couple of healthy pots from the underaged nerds playing poker with Ronnie and Harry. She is too long on a bathroom break, however, and while 'checking' on her, Harry sees her being dragged out the back door of the bar and tossed into a van. Maybe her luck wasn't all that good, after all.
Come to find out, Phoebe's father Frank Marsh was just sentenced to 15 years in prison for setting up a Ponzi scheme that separated many of the local movers and shakers from several hundred millions of dollars. Dollars that have completely disappeared. That puts the disappearance of Phoebe in a whole different light. Harry will try to find out who has her, though he is fairly sure the why comes down to revenge against her father, or acquiring from her father the location of the stolen millions. But detecting without the tools of the police is a much more difficult thing than Harry had anticipated. Even with the hastily scrawled note that Phoebe left on a bar napkin at the poker table, Harry finds his lack of access to police databases limiting his ability to find the girl. And as Phoebe remains missing, Harry finds he needs to involve his former police partner, sidekick, and lover, Lieutenant Kate Gazzara. If her new partner will stay out of the way, perhaps between the two of them they can rescue Phoebe.
And with the help of Ronnie and Tim Clark, one of the young hackers he met over poker chips, Harry is going to set himself up as a legal Private Investigator. If he can solve this first 'case'.
Author gift Mick Bose 99
Reviewed on Dec 10, 2019, on Goodreads, AmazonSmile, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available to review on Barnes&Noble or GooglePlay.
The Prequel to this series, simply titled Harry Starke, is an excellent basis for this series, but each novel is stand-alone so reading them all or reading them in order is not necessary. I have reviewed the prequel, as well on Goodreads and Amazon.
Genesis takes up about two months after Harry quits the Chatanooga, Tennessee police force. Harry is still debating his future. He doesn't need to have an income, but he is quickly finding life too boring for words without a 'job'.
Harry picks up, in a cold wet deluge, a young lady hitchhiking on a bad stretch of road, and drops her at the Sorbonne, a seedy downtown Chatanooga bar where Harry will be joining his currently unemployed pal Ronnie Hall for their illegal Wednesday night poker game. But the kid, Phoebe Marsh, joins the poker game rather than calling an Uber and seems to have very good luck. She pulls a couple of healthy pots from the underaged nerds playing poker with Ronnie and Harry. She is too long on a bathroom break, however, and while 'checking' on her, Harry sees her being dragged out the back door of the bar and tossed into a van. Maybe her luck wasn't all that good, after all.
Come to find out, Phoebe's father Frank Marsh was just sentenced to 15 years in prison for setting up a Ponzi scheme that separated many of the local movers and shakers from several hundred millions of dollars. Dollars that have completely disappeared. That puts the disappearance of Phoebe in a whole different light. Harry will try to find out who has her, though he is fairly sure the why comes down to revenge against her father, or acquiring from her father the location of the stolen millions. But detecting without the tools of the police is a much more difficult thing than Harry had anticipated. Even with the hastily scrawled note that Phoebe left on a bar napkin at the poker table, Harry finds his lack of access to police databases limiting his ability to find the girl. And as Phoebe remains missing, Harry finds he needs to involve his former police partner, sidekick, and lover, Lieutenant Kate Gazzara. If her new partner will stay out of the way, perhaps between the two of them they can rescue Phoebe.
And with the help of Ronnie and Tim Clark, one of the young hackers he met over poker chips, Harry is going to set himself up as a legal Private Investigator. If he can solve this first 'case'.
Author gift Mick Bose 99
Reviewed on Dec 10, 2019, on Goodreads, AmazonSmile, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available to review on Barnes&Noble or GooglePlay.
June 9, 2020
This was the introduction to how Harry Starke became a PI and gathered together his team. One rainy night about seven weeks after Harry retired from the Chattanooga Police Department he picked up a young woman who told him her car broke down and she needed a ride. He took her to a local bar where he was going to play poker and she was kidnapped from the bar. Harry’s first case was finding her. This was when he decided to become a PI and open his own office. He staffed it with friends and acquaintances who were of a similar mindset and proceeded from there. I did not read this sequentially and found it to be an excellent introduction to a great cast of characters. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
May 27, 2019
Genesis - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Genesis - the title of Blair Howard's series opener for Harry Starke the Early Years says it all - introduces the backstory to ex-cop, now PI Harry Starke and the occupants of his 'world' - clients, lovers, family, friends, enemies and all!
Only two months after leaving his former career in the PD, Harry already has an office, staff and a new - unexpected - client,who literally turned up out of the black (not blue in this case), on a dark, lonely, rainswept.road one night. After becoming a potential Sir Galahad to her helpless fair maiden in distress, Harry's even more roused to 'ride' to the rescue, after she's kidnapped right from under his nose!
As to what comes next, you'll have to buy Genesis, a sure to be bestseller and 5-star action mystery-thriller and find out for yourself - what are you waiting for?
Genesis - the title of Blair Howard's series opener for Harry Starke the Early Years says it all - introduces the backstory to ex-cop, now PI Harry Starke and the occupants of his 'world' - clients, lovers, family, friends, enemies and all!
Only two months after leaving his former career in the PD, Harry already has an office, staff and a new - unexpected - client,who literally turned up out of the black (not blue in this case), on a dark, lonely, rainswept.road one night. After becoming a potential Sir Galahad to her helpless fair maiden in distress, Harry's even more roused to 'ride' to the rescue, after she's kidnapped right from under his nose!
As to what comes next, you'll have to buy Genesis, a sure to be bestseller and 5-star action mystery-thriller and find out for yourself - what are you waiting for?
May 20, 2020
Good, easy quick read
January 25, 2023
This was a great way of getting to know how the whole franchise happened from Harry leaving the police force and the joining up with his team.
As always great narration from Tom Lennon
As always great narration from Tom Lennon
July 1, 2022
Trite and full of cliches
The narration was awful. The narrator used an Irish voice for that of a Jamaican woman. The stereotype of Blacks being gang members then not even reading the words that they spoke correctly, or as they were written, was pathetic. The storyline was fair and rather predictable.
The narration was awful. The narrator used an Irish voice for that of a Jamaican woman. The stereotype of Blacks being gang members then not even reading the words that they spoke correctly, or as they were written, was pathetic. The storyline was fair and rather predictable.
September 6, 2021
Harry had it too easy. Unlimited money to buy whatever he needed and the services of a hacker to obtain information without concern for legality. What’s the challenge in that? I think I’ll let the rest of the series get by me.
May 30, 2019
This is a book showing us the beginnings of the career of Harry Starke, from cop to private investigator. Having just quit his job as a police detective after over ten years, due to the politics of working in the modern force and the relationship he has with his captain. He gets a call one rainy evening, from a close friend, Ronnie, to come and make up the numbers for a poker game. He is quite reluctant due to the bad weather, but agrees to come. He ends up almost running over a young woman, hardly visible in the heavy rain. She is totally soaked through and looks scared out of her wits. He stops and tells her to get in the back and after not getting much out of her, arranges to drop her off at the bar he is going to, The Sorbonne. She is twenty one and called Phoebe Marsh, not that Harry recognizes the name, but Ronnie does. She just told Harry that her car had broken down, when he picked her up but nothing else.
She ends up joining Harry and his friend Ronnie at the poker game, where two younger looking men are sitting. She pulls out a bundle of soaking wet cash and starts to play. Halfway through the evening, she gets up to go to the bathroom and leaves her money and drink at the table, saying she’ll be back soon. Harry had noticed a large, hard looking man at the bar, looking over their way, but thought nothing of it. Phoebe was taking a long time re-doing her make-up and Harry went to check on her.
He checks the ladies bathroom and finds it empty and as he exits he hears the sound of the back fire exit door closing. On rushing through, he sees a figure, he presumes is Phoebe, being dragged into a vehicle by the large man he recognized from the bar. He is too late to get after her. Ronnie tells him that her father is Frank Marsh, who managed to steal millions, which have not been recovered nor found. It seems his daughter was bought by another criminal and she has been kidnapped to be held against her father, to apply pressure for the location of the money.
Harry can’t leave it alone. He had already helped her, only for her to be kidnapped right from under his nose. He uses his skills from his former job and his relationship with Kate Gazzara, his girlfriend and former work colleague, to gain information. After a run in with the police chief, Kate says he is now a P.I., so Harry needs to turn that into a reality. He asks Ronnie to help out with the business side of things and to find him an office near the court. He asks one of the young men, Tim, he played against in the poker game, to join him, after learning of his computer and hacking skills.
His chance meeting of a young woman in the doctor’s office, whose card payment has just been refused, has lost her job and ends up with him offering her a job in his office as well. Jacque is hired as his personal assistant and starts to organize getting all the furnishings and other materials needed for the office with Ronnie. Tim has his own list of computer equipment and will be setting up an office for himself with all his toys. His office gets set up within days and Harry has got himself a great team to work with.
Tim gives him some early assistance, using his hacking skills to trace some of the parties Harry wants to investigate. There are several murders with Harry ending up in the thick of it, and a bit of a beating as well. Harry is fighting against several different groups of criminals and the people he questions are not exactly working to give him the information he needs. We get to see how Harry works his first ‘real’ case as a P.I. and how his office team work with him to find Phoebe.
A great introduction to how Harry set up as a Private Investigator and also about the earlier part of his relationship with Kate. The way in which he chooses the people he wants to work with him are often just by being in the right place at the right time and using his gut feeling. He doesn’t need to work due to a trust fund and while he loved being a cop, there was just too much procedure, regulations and politics to follow. We now know why he started as a P.I. and what drove his decision.
This is Harry Starke The Early Years book 1, so I’m hoping there will be more books to follow. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and can’t wait to read more. Any Harry Starke or Kate Gazzara books I’ve read so far, have been great reads, with lots of action, always something happening between Harry and Kate, danger to be faced and sometimes injury occurs. All the characters are well thought out and rounded. The action is paced well, with believable situations happening and the solving of cases, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing as to how they solve the case. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
She ends up joining Harry and his friend Ronnie at the poker game, where two younger looking men are sitting. She pulls out a bundle of soaking wet cash and starts to play. Halfway through the evening, she gets up to go to the bathroom and leaves her money and drink at the table, saying she’ll be back soon. Harry had noticed a large, hard looking man at the bar, looking over their way, but thought nothing of it. Phoebe was taking a long time re-doing her make-up and Harry went to check on her.
He checks the ladies bathroom and finds it empty and as he exits he hears the sound of the back fire exit door closing. On rushing through, he sees a figure, he presumes is Phoebe, being dragged into a vehicle by the large man he recognized from the bar. He is too late to get after her. Ronnie tells him that her father is Frank Marsh, who managed to steal millions, which have not been recovered nor found. It seems his daughter was bought by another criminal and she has been kidnapped to be held against her father, to apply pressure for the location of the money.
Harry can’t leave it alone. He had already helped her, only for her to be kidnapped right from under his nose. He uses his skills from his former job and his relationship with Kate Gazzara, his girlfriend and former work colleague, to gain information. After a run in with the police chief, Kate says he is now a P.I., so Harry needs to turn that into a reality. He asks Ronnie to help out with the business side of things and to find him an office near the court. He asks one of the young men, Tim, he played against in the poker game, to join him, after learning of his computer and hacking skills.
His chance meeting of a young woman in the doctor’s office, whose card payment has just been refused, has lost her job and ends up with him offering her a job in his office as well. Jacque is hired as his personal assistant and starts to organize getting all the furnishings and other materials needed for the office with Ronnie. Tim has his own list of computer equipment and will be setting up an office for himself with all his toys. His office gets set up within days and Harry has got himself a great team to work with.
Tim gives him some early assistance, using his hacking skills to trace some of the parties Harry wants to investigate. There are several murders with Harry ending up in the thick of it, and a bit of a beating as well. Harry is fighting against several different groups of criminals and the people he questions are not exactly working to give him the information he needs. We get to see how Harry works his first ‘real’ case as a P.I. and how his office team work with him to find Phoebe.
A great introduction to how Harry set up as a Private Investigator and also about the earlier part of his relationship with Kate. The way in which he chooses the people he wants to work with him are often just by being in the right place at the right time and using his gut feeling. He doesn’t need to work due to a trust fund and while he loved being a cop, there was just too much procedure, regulations and politics to follow. We now know why he started as a P.I. and what drove his decision.
This is Harry Starke The Early Years book 1, so I’m hoping there will be more books to follow. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and can’t wait to read more. Any Harry Starke or Kate Gazzara books I’ve read so far, have been great reads, with lots of action, always something happening between Harry and Kate, danger to be faced and sometimes injury occurs. All the characters are well thought out and rounded. The action is paced well, with believable situations happening and the solving of cases, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing as to how they solve the case. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
May 26, 2019
The early years of Harry Starke is a must read!
Another good read and a very easy to read book taking you back to the early years giving you an insight into why and how Harry set up his PI company after leaving the police force but now semi retired or so he thought This like other Harry Starke thrillers is a very easy to read book . I recommend anyone who likes well written thrillers with a bit of humour and at an easy pace that makes enjoyable to read and keep you turning the pages to try this book
The storyline is about Harry setting up his PI Company after leaving the police force driving on a wet and windy night driving to an illegal card game Card game with his best friend Ronnie at The Sorbonne” On route he has a near miss with a young twenty-one year old girl called Phoebe and gives her a lift to his destination. Phoebe stays and joins in but halfway through the game she disappears after being taken by shady looking guy who was previously in the bar. It then turns out Phoebe is the daughter of Frank Marsh a guy who had just been sent to prison. Harry follows the leads behind the kidnapping but every time he either comes close to a lead everyone just clams up and warns Harry off. Not being Harry’s style as Harry likes a challenge he goes out to prove people wrong and find out the truth. With so many twists and turns and with men called Shady, another called Jojo James and a Duckie Eider who all are somehow involved this is an intriguing story where you need all your wits and skills to survive.
A well written book with lots of fun and thrills packed with twists and turns make this a light-hearted fun book to read that I would recommend you to read.
Another good read and a very easy to read book taking you back to the early years giving you an insight into why and how Harry set up his PI company after leaving the police force but now semi retired or so he thought This like other Harry Starke thrillers is a very easy to read book . I recommend anyone who likes well written thrillers with a bit of humour and at an easy pace that makes enjoyable to read and keep you turning the pages to try this book
The storyline is about Harry setting up his PI Company after leaving the police force driving on a wet and windy night driving to an illegal card game Card game with his best friend Ronnie at The Sorbonne” On route he has a near miss with a young twenty-one year old girl called Phoebe and gives her a lift to his destination. Phoebe stays and joins in but halfway through the game she disappears after being taken by shady looking guy who was previously in the bar. It then turns out Phoebe is the daughter of Frank Marsh a guy who had just been sent to prison. Harry follows the leads behind the kidnapping but every time he either comes close to a lead everyone just clams up and warns Harry off. Not being Harry’s style as Harry likes a challenge he goes out to prove people wrong and find out the truth. With so many twists and turns and with men called Shady, another called Jojo James and a Duckie Eider who all are somehow involved this is an intriguing story where you need all your wits and skills to survive.
A well written book with lots of fun and thrills packed with twists and turns make this a light-hearted fun book to read that I would recommend you to read.
November 6, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Before Pontius was a Pilate"
This newly created Private Investigator from the pen of Blair Howard is remarkable. His characterisation is superb and less so but still good, is that of all of the other protagonists. Harry is a very real person, not necessarily always likeable but with his own codes of conduct and loyalties and able to draw on help from friends, soon to become his staff, and his father, if needed. Formerly an homicide police officer, Harry'd resigned just two months before, tired of the poor relationship with his superior and because, quite simply, he didn't feel himself to be that much required attribute, a team player. And being wealthy in his own right, he didn't need to put up with the hassle. His ex partner and girlfriend of eight years, Kate, was still in the force, however, and their relationship continued.
Told in the first person, narrator Tom Lennon delivers an excellent performance, fully assuming Harry's personality in this already well characterised relating of the story, thus further infusing him with a very believable persona as well as also delivering distinctive voices for everyone else. The story is also well crafted as Harry tries to find a young woman to whom he had given a lift but who had seemingly been abducted shortly after from the sleazy nightclub to which he had driven her. There are enjoyable phrases throughout like the description of 'a mini tsunami' created by his windscreen wipers as he drives through the pouring rain. The whole was a joy to hear- a fast paced thriller with good story line, great characters and fine, in character narration.
"Before Pontius was a Pilate"
This newly created Private Investigator from the pen of Blair Howard is remarkable. His characterisation is superb and less so but still good, is that of all of the other protagonists. Harry is a very real person, not necessarily always likeable but with his own codes of conduct and loyalties and able to draw on help from friends, soon to become his staff, and his father, if needed. Formerly an homicide police officer, Harry'd resigned just two months before, tired of the poor relationship with his superior and because, quite simply, he didn't feel himself to be that much required attribute, a team player. And being wealthy in his own right, he didn't need to put up with the hassle. His ex partner and girlfriend of eight years, Kate, was still in the force, however, and their relationship continued.
Told in the first person, narrator Tom Lennon delivers an excellent performance, fully assuming Harry's personality in this already well characterised relating of the story, thus further infusing him with a very believable persona as well as also delivering distinctive voices for everyone else. The story is also well crafted as Harry tries to find a young woman to whom he had given a lift but who had seemingly been abducted shortly after from the sleazy nightclub to which he had driven her. There are enjoyable phrases throughout like the description of 'a mini tsunami' created by his windscreen wipers as he drives through the pouring rain. The whole was a joy to hear- a fast paced thriller with good story line, great characters and fine, in character narration.
July 1, 2020
Chattanooga, TN. The Sorbonne night club. Tim Clarke (17, hacker), Ronnie Hall (Harry’s BMF, card shark, London School of Economics MS; finance), Harry Starke (former DS Chattanooga PD Homicide, card shark, Fairleigh Dickinson MS; Forensic Psychology), & Phoebe Marsh (20, Frank’s daughter) were playing Texas Hold-um.
Phoebe won a huge pot & headed for the bathroom.
Harry went to check on her & outback he watched in horror as Phoebe was being shoved into a black van.
Denny’s. What did Harry find out from Stitch Tree (black kid)?
As they were leaving Stich (Lester’s son) was shot/killed.
Georgia Ave. Harry (narrator) loved his new Investigations office.
Henry Finkle received a call from Commissioner Lawton Eider.
What happened to Lawton Eider?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written crime thriller book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author (s); BookFunnel; Amazon Digital book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Phoebe won a huge pot & headed for the bathroom.
Harry went to check on her & outback he watched in horror as Phoebe was being shoved into a black van.
Denny’s. What did Harry find out from Stitch Tree (black kid)?
As they were leaving Stich (Lester’s son) was shot/killed.
Georgia Ave. Harry (narrator) loved his new Investigations office.
Henry Finkle received a call from Commissioner Lawton Eider.
What happened to Lawton Eider?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written crime thriller book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author (s); BookFunnel; Amazon Digital book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
June 3, 2019
Harry Starke Murder Mystery. American South complete with Dennys and I-HOP. The drive by shooting of the waitress was utterly predictable after her note to Harry was stolen and he should have done something to prevent it. I also wonder why he didn’t have JoJo picked up after the Goliath fainted at the sight of his own blood the first time.
The title Genesis refers to beginnings, the start of Harry’s PI Business. Harry, it transpires was a trust fund baby interested in results, not running a profit. He assembles a motley crew of assistants.
Ronnie his unemployed business partner hired to set up and run his office and business--licences, permits, etc., the boring stuff.
Tim Clarke, the 17-year-old computer geek college drop out hacker whom he authorizes to set up his dream network with equipment that can only be special ordered.
Jacque, the Jamaican gal he meets at his doctor’s office down on her luck, whom he hires on the spot to be his receptionist.
Remarkable what you can do when money is no object.
And I forgot his former partner Kate, a friend with benefits. None of these people teach Sunday School and the low lifes they investigate rate lower on the food chain.
I do with the author had hired a better editor though.
The title Genesis refers to beginnings, the start of Harry’s PI Business. Harry, it transpires was a trust fund baby interested in results, not running a profit. He assembles a motley crew of assistants.
Ronnie his unemployed business partner hired to set up and run his office and business--licences, permits, etc., the boring stuff.
Tim Clarke, the 17-year-old computer geek college drop out hacker whom he authorizes to set up his dream network with equipment that can only be special ordered.
Jacque, the Jamaican gal he meets at his doctor’s office down on her luck, whom he hires on the spot to be his receptionist.
Remarkable what you can do when money is no object.
And I forgot his former partner Kate, a friend with benefits. None of these people teach Sunday School and the low lifes they investigate rate lower on the food chain.
I do with the author had hired a better editor though.
April 18, 2022
.
.
As an ex, licensed, gun-toting private eye (35 years in Philadelphia) i found this laughable and absurd.
Oh, also, there is/are LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of extremely annoying “sipping,” and “sips,” and “sipped,” to make this even more ANNOYING, than just plain old “annoying” ever was.
I SIPPED, YOU SIP, SHE IS SIPPING...he sips…they sippered...etc….
Also, if it Looks Good and Feels Good— then it Must be Good!
Right?
After all, it’s just SKIN!!!
O!
M!
G!
To be a woman would be the absolute best thing—but no, no WAIT! WAIT!!
OH— TO BE A TRANS!!!
THAT WOOD BE BETTER!!!
I wish I was a trans and all my children were trans!! OMG! That wood be just the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—I wish I could give this P O S a MINUS 19,999 Stars!!!
In my HUMBLE, UNINFORMED, HUMILIATED, opinion:
this book stunk.
PEOPLE: WHAT DID YOU REALLY EXPECT FROM AN AUTHOR WHO SAYS THAT HE WAS “… a travel writer and professional photographer specializing in golf travel, vacation travel, and golf course photography….?”
.
.
.
.
As an ex, licensed, gun-toting private eye (35 years in Philadelphia) i found this laughable and absurd.
Oh, also, there is/are LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of extremely annoying “sipping,” and “sips,” and “sipped,” to make this even more ANNOYING, than just plain old “annoying” ever was.
I SIPPED, YOU SIP, SHE IS SIPPING...he sips…they sippered...etc….
Also, if it Looks Good and Feels Good— then it Must be Good!
Right?
After all, it’s just SKIN!!!
O!
M!
G!
To be a woman would be the absolute best thing—but no, no WAIT! WAIT!!
OH— TO BE A TRANS!!!
THAT WOOD BE BETTER!!!
I wish I was a trans and all my children were trans!! OMG! That wood be just the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—I wish I could give this P O S a MINUS 19,999 Stars!!!
In my HUMBLE, UNINFORMED, HUMILIATED, opinion:
this book stunk.
PEOPLE: WHAT DID YOU REALLY EXPECT FROM AN AUTHOR WHO SAYS THAT HE WAS “… a travel writer and professional photographer specializing in golf travel, vacation travel, and golf course photography….?”
.
.
.
November 12, 2021
What Does An Ex-cop Do For Fun Now?
How 'bout he goes full on Private Investigator (PI)? Harry Starke is an ex-cop now because he couldn't - no, wouldn't - put up with the office politics of the Police Department of Chattanooga. So, he leaves his partner, Kate Gazzara, to all that and kinda floats doing nothing much until one night at a poker game he watches a woman get taken. He finds a note and money she'd left behind at the poker game. He's now on a retainer (of sorts) so he's got his first case as a PI. But who would do this, and why? If he's nothing else, Harry is tenacious. And letting go what he's seen isn't who he is. This adventure grabbed me by the front of my shirt, shook me and would NOT let me go. I binge-read this because the story just wouldn't stop long enough for me to take a breath, let alone put down my Kindle. Starts, stops, quick turns left and right and enough (wrong) assumptions (of my own doing) kept my glued to the story - I just HAD to keep going, I just had to!
How 'bout he goes full on Private Investigator (PI)? Harry Starke is an ex-cop now because he couldn't - no, wouldn't - put up with the office politics of the Police Department of Chattanooga. So, he leaves his partner, Kate Gazzara, to all that and kinda floats doing nothing much until one night at a poker game he watches a woman get taken. He finds a note and money she'd left behind at the poker game. He's now on a retainer (of sorts) so he's got his first case as a PI. But who would do this, and why? If he's nothing else, Harry is tenacious. And letting go what he's seen isn't who he is. This adventure grabbed me by the front of my shirt, shook me and would NOT let me go. I binge-read this because the story just wouldn't stop long enough for me to take a breath, let alone put down my Kindle. Starts, stops, quick turns left and right and enough (wrong) assumptions (of my own doing) kept my glued to the story - I just HAD to keep going, I just had to!
October 9, 2019
Another great adventure with Harry Starke as he embarks on his new PI firm. He is lucky with the friends he has around him. He is driving down a dark rainy road when he sees a young woman going in opposite direction on the road. He stops and tells her to get in. She does and he drives her to the bar where he is meeting his friend, Ronnie, to play poker. Oddly enough she plays poker with them, had a healthy pot, goes to the restroom and doesn’t return. Harry sees her just as she is pushed into a van. The rest of the book is about how to find her, who is she, who took her, and why? He decides to investigate and he decides to establish his PI firm. Even Kate Gazarra, his former partner with the Chattanooga Police Department get in the act. It is an interesting mystery and very enjoyable to see how Harry picks his employees for his new firm. I received it as a gift from the author but the review is all mine. All Harry Starke and Kate Gazarra books are great.
November 20, 2020
So glad I discovered.this author! Outstanding!!!
Right from the beginning I became caught up in the story. At times it seems like a suspenseful, fast action movie it read so smoothly. At other times I felt I was reading a letter from a friend. I was so caught up in the excitement. Sitting on pins and needles as to what would happen next.
The characters? Oh you will love the characters! They are lively, brave, fearless and bound to do the right thing. Except for the thugs.....uhhhum....these you want to kick in the shins at the first chance but Harry does an incredible job taking care of the bad guys. Just when the tension is mounting Harry or one of his buds will say something funny. Love this series. Can’t wait to begin reading another of Harry’s adventures.
This book was given to me for an honest review. The thoughts are mine alone.
Right from the beginning I became caught up in the story. At times it seems like a suspenseful, fast action movie it read so smoothly. At other times I felt I was reading a letter from a friend. I was so caught up in the excitement. Sitting on pins and needles as to what would happen next.
The characters? Oh you will love the characters! They are lively, brave, fearless and bound to do the right thing. Except for the thugs.....uhhhum....these you want to kick in the shins at the first chance but Harry does an incredible job taking care of the bad guys. Just when the tension is mounting Harry or one of his buds will say something funny. Love this series. Can’t wait to begin reading another of Harry’s adventures.
This book was given to me for an honest review. The thoughts are mine alone.
July 4, 2021
Dynamite?
Really fast-paced, no fluff mystery. Couldn't put it down, and read it in one day!
Harry Starke is a tough, hard core, former very successful police detective who had it with the politics and red tape of bureaucracy. After witnessing a kidnapping and murder in the same evening, he decides to become a PI in Chattanooga, TN. I know all states have different rules about licensing private investigators, and don't know about Tennessee's laws, so the only part that was a bit far-fetched was how quickly he went from retired cop to PI. But the writing was succinct, and the story moved so fast, I decided to overlook that to see how it ended. I'll do a bit of digging, and may alter my review if I find the author didn't do his own research well enough. Otherwise, I'd have given it 5 stars.
Really fast-paced, no fluff mystery. Couldn't put it down, and read it in one day!
Harry Starke is a tough, hard core, former very successful police detective who had it with the politics and red tape of bureaucracy. After witnessing a kidnapping and murder in the same evening, he decides to become a PI in Chattanooga, TN. I know all states have different rules about licensing private investigators, and don't know about Tennessee's laws, so the only part that was a bit far-fetched was how quickly he went from retired cop to PI. But the writing was succinct, and the story moved so fast, I decided to overlook that to see how it ended. I'll do a bit of digging, and may alter my review if I find the author didn't do his own research well enough. Otherwise, I'd have given it 5 stars.
December 18, 2022
I loved everything about this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series. The story is well written and kept me wanting more. It's not easy to fivure out the "mystery" and it's a shocker in the end. I love Harry Starke and Kate. Harry was a detective with a great solve record but the red tape got to be too much and he quit. Kate is still a detective and they have a relationship still going on. I feel like I know them both and they seem to be made for each other. Harry accidentally finds himself involved in a case including a kidnapping and a few murders. He turns to Kate for help. While beginning his non official investigation, he decides to open a business and becomes a PI. It's a fun book to read, it's got mystery, murder, relationships and great characters. Read it, you won't be sorry.
October 21, 2023
Harry Starke has quit being a police detective and is unsure about what his next move will be. He picks up a young girl on a wet stormy night, she is kidnapped when they are in a cafe, and Harry sets out to find her. She's the daughter of a man put in prison because of a pyramid scheme where he cheated many men of millions of dollars. Those men want their money back -- is one of them the kidnapper? While trying to find the girl, Harry finds that he has no resources, so he decides to become a private investigator, hiring an assortment of talented people. After a series of adventures and deaths, he finally finds the girl.
I was looking for a new protagonist series and thought this one was interesting. The writing is good, the dialogs are interesting. I'm very satisfied and will be proceeding with the series.
I was looking for a new protagonist series and thought this one was interesting. The writing is good, the dialogs are interesting. I'm very satisfied and will be proceeding with the series.
August 29, 2019
I love Harry Starke. Having read the Harry Starke series, I really enjoyed this story looking at the beginning of Harry Starke Investigations, right after Harry left the Chattanooga PD. His relationship with Kate is still strong and we get to meet his employees as they all first come into the business. I liked the insight into Harry and his cohorts. The daughter of a master financial schemer, now in jail, is kidnapped while in the company of Harry and he takes it on as his mission to find the young woman. Another satisfying tale from Blair Howard. I highly recommend anything he writes. They are all entertaining and full of twists and turns. It is fun to watch the development of all the characters, as well.
May 26, 2019
I am a huge fan of the Harry Starke books, they are always great stories and very exciting with clever investigating.
This book deals with how Harry started as a private investigator and set up his team as the result of a kidnapping and murder that he gets involved in.
The story has loads of twists and turns and lots of great action passages, and beautifully sets up how Harry develops into the successful PI that we know from the previous books.
If you have read any of the books in the series, this is a fascinating look at how Harry started up, and is really a must-read.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
This book deals with how Harry started as a private investigator and set up his team as the result of a kidnapping and murder that he gets involved in.
The story has loads of twists and turns and lots of great action passages, and beautifully sets up how Harry develops into the successful PI that we know from the previous books.
If you have read any of the books in the series, this is a fascinating look at how Harry started up, and is really a must-read.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
May 29, 2019
GENESIS by Blair Howard tells the story of how Harry Starke Investigations started up as the business Harry began after he quit as a Chattanooga Police Department officer. It describes each person who becomes an integral part of that business and Harry’s life. I totally enjoyed the book and learning how each character was added to the story, some quirky, some criminal, all real. This is a great series!
In this story he also solves the abduction of a young woman who has sought his help. His process for finding answers to criminal activity is always impressive.
I received a free reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this story he also solves the abduction of a young woman who has sought his help. His process for finding answers to criminal activity is always impressive.
I received a free reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2019
I entered the world of Harry Starke and Kate Gazzara sometime during the past year and I’ve read the books in a helter skelter type fashion. This book was fascinating to me because it introduced characters in their early years and describes how Harry put together his PI business. I especially love Tim, the computer genius, and was surprised to find out how he and Harry met and see what he was like at seventeen. Of course, now I want to go back and reread some of the later books and see how the characters introduced in this one fit in throughout the series.
I loved reading this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat and thoroughly entertained.
I loved reading this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat and thoroughly entertained.
Read
June 10, 2019I will say that I am a firm Harry Starke fan. I have read books 1-9 with great enjoyment. Genesis takes you back to the beginning on how Harry started his PI business, how he came to employ his staff and all about his first case. As with his other Harry Starke books Genesis is extremely well written, easy to get into and keeps you on the edge of your seat with his story line. I read this book in one day, I just couldn't put it down. If, like you me, you are a fan you must put this book on your 'to read' list. I am looking forward to more 'early years' to find out how the relationships develop.
June 18, 2020
A detective who has finally had enough of the crap from his job and superiors quits and starts thinking about coming a PI. A chance encounter with a young girl who is kidnapped right in front of him takes him on his adventure without being a cop. With the help of his old partner (and current love interest) and friends he soon finds the path is a muddy one. Trying to get his business started, work on a case and keep himself together makes this first book in the series a fun and great place to start. An awesome cast of characters, non stop action and an extremely well written story line will keep you begging for more.
October 2, 2020
A grand story of Harry Starke. As is usual, Blaire Howard turns out another Harry Starke story. Harry is called out on a rainy night to, of all things ................ a poker game at the finest establishment in Chattanooga, The Sorbonne , really it is a dark, dank, noisy, seedy bar.
On the way he almost hits a hitchhiker, a soaked, young girl. Harry rescues her and take her with him to the bar where she joins the poker game.
After an extended trip to the restroom, Harry decides to go check on her and sees her dragged out the back door of the bar.
From there you can follow the story of the forming of The Harry Starke Detective Agency.
On the way he almost hits a hitchhiker, a soaked, young girl. Harry rescues her and take her with him to the bar where she joins the poker game.
After an extended trip to the restroom, Harry decides to go check on her and sees her dragged out the back door of the bar.
From there you can follow the story of the forming of The Harry Starke Detective Agency.
October 27, 2019
Blair Howard has given Harry Starke a new career in Genesis. I love how the character has evolved and grown with his relationship with Kate. Harry has a great heart and a little rough around the edge. I so enjoyed how he started his new career, and found staff to help him out, while helping them in return. Tom Lennon is magical bringing the characters to life in this book. He adds the right emotions and gives them distinguished voices. This is such a great beginning to a new series. There are some very surprising twists in this book, which I loved.
December 22, 2021
Excellent prequel. First in a trilogy of Harry Starke's "genesis" in transforming into a P.I. after leaving the Chattanooga P.D.. Along with Lt. Kate Gazzara (Who is still a sgt.), Harry sets up his office and hires his staff. I read this one in just over an hour or so. 122 Pages Kindle. Could not put it down. Have already started second trilogy book, "The Raven". This one is a must read in a must read series. I'd already read the first book in the iconic "Harry Starke" series when I found the genesis trilogy. Check it out !
February 16, 2024
quick read
Fast, easy read. Difficult for the author to start a new series and introduce all the characters in a believable way.
A couple of discrepancies (how he got his “scene of the crime” car back the next morning at his house by itself or his passionate night with Kate but later his father pointing out at he was dirty, bloody, and smelled from his night brawling with criminals that next morning) require you to suspend belief in reality.
I wanted a series like my favorite by Michael Connelly - Harry Bosch. This is not it.
Fast, easy read. Difficult for the author to start a new series and introduce all the characters in a believable way.
A couple of discrepancies (how he got his “scene of the crime” car back the next morning at his house by itself or his passionate night with Kate but later his father pointing out at he was dirty, bloody, and smelled from his night brawling with criminals that next morning) require you to suspend belief in reality.
I wanted a series like my favorite by Michael Connelly - Harry Bosch. This is not it.
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