Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Fishermen's Court

Rate this book
Finn Carroll is a failed artist living a marginal existence in his dead parents’ home. So why would a team of killers want to murder him and frame it as a suicide? Finn survives the encounter to discover the killers have left behind a “suicide note” detailing a dark incident from Finn’s past no one could possibly know about.

Finn escapes to Musqasset Island, his former home, to seek refuge with an old friend, but soon realizes he has trapped himself on the small island with the very people who want him dead—and with old debts that need to be paid. His only hope for survival, and redemption, is to figure out who’s trying to kill him and why they’ve waited eighteen years to act—no easy task in a raging nor’easter, where communications are shaky and relationships (and Finn’s mental state) are even shakier.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2019

200 people are currently reading
132 people want to read

About the author

Andrew Wolfendon

6 books8 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
108 (54%)
4 stars
68 (34%)
3 stars
18 (9%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Debjani Ghosh.
225 reviews18 followers
May 23, 2019
[Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Debjani Ghosh]

The pièce de résistance of Fishermen’s Court is its watertight plot. I could not find a single loophole in it. Wolfendon plunged me into action from page one, and the unrelenting, brisk pace resulted in taut suspense throughout the novel. Moreover, the author did not show his hand till the end resulting in a satisfying denouément. Seldom do thrillers have space for character development. However, Fishermen’s Court proves to be different here as well. Wolfendon, without any exaggeration, has brilliantly portrayed the metamorphosis of Finn from a dispirited, depressed man to a man with a purpose. The author has deftly dealt with the literary ploy of getting trapped on a remote island during a raging storm.

Fishermen’s Court is hugely atmospheric, thanks to the author’s vivid descriptions. Further, Wolfendon’s "delirious love affair with the English language" shines through in this novel. He has a word for every situation, every tool, and every emotion. The crisp sentences made it a breeze for me to read this novel.

If you want to read a suspenseful thriller with loads of action, just grab the Fishermen’s Court by Andrew Wolfendon and settle on a comfy sofa. You won't notice when the time has passed. It’s a promising debut; I will be watching out for more from Wolfendon.

My Blog
Profile Image for Michelle.
754 reviews41 followers
July 28, 2025
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. Once again I need to follow my own advice and to NOT judge a book by it's cover. Finn was one of the most flawed character I have ever read, but he was honestly lovable. The poor guy's life was crap. He was basically just existing in life till someone breaks into his house and tries to kill him. He has no idea why until he gets a chance to read the suicide note that the killers left behind. Now he must return to an Island off the coast of Maine that used to be his home until life went to shit there. He calls his college best friend who still lives on the island to tell him that something is up. Miles extends an invitation and Finn is off to the island.

This is such a well written murder mystery that was fast paced, fun, and packed full of action.
Profile Image for Justkeepreading.
1,871 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2019
A really well written book, that is thoughtful and thought provoking. Different and fresh from the other thrillers out there. This book is good if you want something fresh and new.
Profile Image for Michael Hartnett.
Author 5 books24 followers
June 24, 2019
A Memorable Thriller with Psychological Depth
For being mainly centered on the small, fictional Maine island of Musqasset, Andrew Wolfendon’s Fishermen’s Court covers a great deal of territory. Yes, on one level it is the story of the dolorous gentrification of the island, with the beloved Fish Pier lost and with it some of Musqasset’s soul. On another, it’s the story of friendship between the working class narrator Finn and the rich, ambitious Miles. On another, it’s a turbulent love story between Finn and Jeannie, stretching across two decades. And on yet another, it is smart, richly layered psychological thriller.
From the novel’s opening, forces are out to get Finn, and ultimately, he will uncover nefarious plots past and present. But along the way, we grope our way forward with the humorous, depressed, likable protagonist: Finn carries his low self-esteem and his demons with a raffish charm. When he returns to Musqasset after four years, he confronts residents who either turn a cold shoulder or want to do him bodily harm. The sordid tales Finn uncovers will not be spoiled here. Especially near the end, the novel is filled with terrific surprises and revelations (I muttered “wow” appreciatively a number of times while reading).
Wolfendon does a marvelous job of delineating the nuances of social classes, with their accompanying insecurities and entitlements. Furthermore, he deftly explores Finn’s complex psychological outlook, forged by a secretive family and traumatic experiences. The scenes where these issues arrive in high relief – particularly the encounters between Finn and Jeannie and the titular Fishermen’s Court – are particularly powerful and memorable. Simply put, Fishermen’s Court delivers as an exciting, psychological thriller that reveals much about Finn, Miles, and Jeannie and the small, bottomless island they inhabit.
Profile Image for S.A. Sutila.
11 reviews6 followers
April 9, 2021
Excellent and Entertaining Thriller

Within the first few pages I had to know how the story would end for this 1st Person psychological thriller. The book is very entertaining with sarcastic, dark, and intellectual humor. The main character, Finn, is chased to exhaustion while not knowing exactly why or who is out to kill him. The humor is woven into the story bringing comic-relief at the moment I wanted to cover my eyes while reading. Fishermen's Court is well written. With the dripping introduction of characters over time, the author added new suspects unable to completely cross anyone off the list until the very end. The story was plausible and layered the opposing forces [and motives] pulling and pushing on every small town in America: the generations of families who defend their hometown [and their local right to earn a living and keep the local way of life] against the outsiders who peddle investment and progress while attracted to the profit potential with seemingly good intentions. The main character finds out it is not safe to be in the middle of the battle for small-town America. I highly recommend reading Fishermen's Court.
Profile Image for Ileana Renfroe.
Author 45 books60 followers
January 7, 2023
Fishermen's Court is a great action-packed mystery novel you will definitely enjoy reading.

Finn Carroll is a failed artist living a marginal existence in his dead parents’ home. So why would a team of killers want to murder him and frame it as a suicide? Finn survives the encounter to discover the killers have left behind a “suicide note” detailing a dark incident from Finn’s past no one could possibly know about.
Profile Image for Deborah Hightower.
112 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for allowing me to review an advance copy of Fishermen's Court by Andrew Wolfendon. This was an action packed thriller that took off running from the start and held my interest throughout. Why would killers want to kill Finn Carroll? Finn's life is turned upside down as he tries to figure out who is after him. Great read you will not want to put down.
Profile Image for Jackie Hovorka.
Author 4 books27 followers
September 2, 2019
Finn Carroll was taken by surprise one day by some masked men who forced him to overdose on pills, but why? Finn does survive and later discovers that the killers wrote a suicide note talking about a mistake Finn made in his past. A mistake that Finn has no idea anything about. 

As Finn works to uncover this bizarre mystery, he begins to realize that he has no one he can trust to help him.

Wow, this story starts off strong! The writing pulls you in immediately. I loved how Finn wants to protect everyone else but himself. A case of fall on his own sword for a friend when that same friend still thinks he's delusional about everything that happened with the masked men. What a great way to show self-sacrifice and independence in such a screwed up situation. I felt for Finn through the entire story. I struggled with him, got aggravated with him, and even felt desperate as him in many of the scenes.

Murder mystery stories aren't usually my first choice, but I'm glad I read this one. It keeps you enthralled from page to page. The unique voice of Finn made me feel connected to this character from the beginning. He's pretty bad ass. I especially enjoyed that the story was written in first person point of view. It really added to the mystery and kept me wondering about what was really going on. First person POV was a perfect choice for this novel! 

I look forward to more from this author. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars!!!
Author 1 book1 follower
December 31, 2019
Loved it!

Wolfendon sets his hook on page two and runs with it to the last page. I got this on Christmas Eve and read it on Christmas Day. It’s been years since I’ve read a novel in a single day.

His wit and humor are ever present. I smiled often and laughed my butt off in a few places. Lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end.

This is written in first person, so you only know what he knows, and at the onset, that isn’t much. You learn what is going on as he does. This book is a thriller built on layers of mystery, suspense, and romance.

As an intellectual, Wolfendon uses this story to explore the many facets of friendship, social class, and love.

In the past two months, I’ve read novels by Lee Child, Crichton/Preston, and Karin Slaughter. These authors are no lightweights, and they were all good reads, but Fishermen’s Court was my favorite in this group.

This is a great read, and a rewarding surprise from a first novel from the new guy on the block. I’m waiting now for his next one. :-)
271 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2019
Finn Carroll’s world is falling apart – more than usual that is. Why do people want to kill him and make it look like suicide? He seeks help with his old friend Miles and heads out to Musqasset Island to stay with him at his holiday home. Stranded due to storms, Finn isn’t sure who to trust & why everyone is against him.

This was, on the whole, a good thriller. There is plenty of action, confusion, double dealing, issues with trust and a quick fling thrown in. The weather is, of course, stormy with plenty of rain and dark nights. The whole idea of being stuck on an island, in a storm and being unable to get away is hardly new and a bit cliched. However the idea of a closed community on the island was quite central to the book.

This was not a “wow” book for me. There were a few bits that didn’t work and I wasn’t too sure about the ending. However, I did enjoy it and feel that it holds it own as a slightly above average thriller.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
17 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2019
You've got to read this book. I couldn't believe the quality writing. The best I've seen in years, especially for a thriller. The plot is genius. The main characters, are well rounded and nuanced. I resorted to reading this thing while shaving! I can't say it is perfect but it is perfectly tight, and the mood he created was deliciously wicked and delightful. And he uses humor so bittingly cool, with words and phases that I would kill for as a writer. Yeah, I only wish I could write like this. I finished the book in three or maybe four sittings. And when I finished, sadly, I wondered how I could get my hands on something similar. I read up on Mr. Wolfendon, odds are he is probably too busy to write another one. The only one that came close to this was a novel by Edward Delaney, "Follow the Sun."
To Andrew Wolfendon, I tip my hat and thank you for a wonderful ride!
Profile Image for Sublime Book Review.
222 reviews17 followers
July 25, 2019
Overall Rating = 4.375
Storyline & Concept = 4.5
Writing & Delivery = 4.5
Cover Marketability = 4
Editorial = 4.5

“Fisherman’s Court is a complicated and manic book directly reflecting that main character, Finn Carroll. The storyline is confounding while completely compelling. The gritty unfolding circumstances put the self-deprecating, Finn in a position of self-examination amid the threat of unknown sadistic enemies all while taking a forced trip down memory and slap in the face reality lane. Misplaced blame feeds guilt and hides secrets in this twisty and twisted mystery.”
Sublime Line: “A confessional self-examination suspense-driven mystery that shows how personal past is always relevant to the personal future.”
1 review
July 10, 2019
The fast moving opening grabs you quickly and refuses to let go. Imagine being framed for something you kind of did by accident, something unintentional but caused catastrophic damage - but you had no idea - until the damaged party wants to enact deadly revenge?
While we're being guided around from one reveal to the next, we're set in a haunting, beautiful island world that Wolfendon has managed to paint with a dark and haunting palette.
The textures are rich, and the entire thing is a deep departure to another world. From the beginning of the story to the end, you're in a mesmerized trance. Highly recommend!
17 reviews
June 17, 2019
Fishermen's Court by Andrew Wolfendon .
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this e-book.
Well written fast paced thriller , the action started from the very beginning of the story .
Finn Carroll could'nt understand why two men wanted to kill him . He knew he must get right away immediately to stay alive , but where to go and what to do .
A terrifying story but I was unable to stop reading as wanted to know what was going to happen next, the ending was a real surprise .
Very good read . Recommend and give four stars .
4 reviews
July 12, 2019
A Truly Great Thriller!
Fishermen’s Court grabbed me from the first page with it’s humor And from there, I became intrigued with the protagonist, Finn, who grew more psychologically interesting and complex over the course of this thrilling story. The combination of a suspenseful mystery, a view of a New England coastal island in a cultural crisis, laugh-out-loud humor and the possible rekindling of an old romance, makes this one, an “ I can’t put it down “ read. Personally, I can’t wait for Andrew Wolfendon‘s next novel.
1 review
July 18, 2019
NOT YOUR AVERAGE THRILLER...

It is wonderful to find new voices in this genre. Wolfendon's book immediately grabs you with brief moments of gangster cruelty, then takes you on a complex and generational journey that is darkened by youthful culpability and entanglement. Current day island values and island people are well articulated, and the unraveling of the complete story does not insult the reader's intelligence - nor is it likely to be 100% of what you expect! I read this book cover to cover when I first opened it, and look forward to the author's future tales.
Profile Image for Solomon Petchers.
Author 4 books27 followers
July 8, 2019
Fisherman’s Court is Guilty of Being Incredible

Wolfendon’s novel is a compelling and never ending roller coaster of a man’s transformation into self realization. This journey wouldn’t be realized if he doesn’t escape death. This story had me from the get-go. I couldn’t put it down. Excitement. Romance. Redemption. What more can you ask for? Kudos!!
47 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2019
Fantastic Psychological Thriller

I loved this book. Is this guy crazy or not? You are never really sure as this story moves along. So many surprises along the way. I recommend this book to anyone who loves psychological thrillers. I couldn't put this book down. It never got boring!
549 reviews7 followers
August 8, 2019
Lots of twists and turns in this plot set on a Maine island. The depiction of fishermen's code of behavior in this old-fashioned, isolated way of life rang true. I liked the main character's voice. His clever humor in tight situations made the telling more enjoyable. Story did seem a little too long and dragged out, at times.
Profile Image for Catherine.
220 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2019
FC

I do not give 5 star reviews. I gave Wolfendon five! When I first picked this novel I could not understand why it was so long, now I wish it was longer. Humor, smart-ass humor is a favorite of mine and this was full of it. Loved the story, easy to follow even though it was a complicated plot. Great writing. Thank you so much for an enjoyable read. I'll be back!
33 reviews
January 2, 2020
Worth reading to the end

The story read like an amusement park ride - in a good way. Some of curves were long, so only four stars, but the ride was never boring. The myriad of details build in a way that keeps you unaware of how high the coaster has climbed then delivers a thrill ride with multiple twists, turns & loop d loops and a quick delivery back to the station.
1 review
July 10, 2019
A complex series of twists and turns resulting a tremendously satisfying read. Graciously laced with a fabulous amount of drama, humor, tension, and physiological elements. I loved it. Was bummed when I finished. Looking forward to many more from this gifted author.
24 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2019
Wonderful!

Loved this book! Twists and turns around every page. You think you have figured out who the bad guys are then you find out you’re wrong. Suspenseful, great characters, everything you want in a good mystery.
1 review
July 28, 2019
I loved this book! Great thriller that keeps you guessing to the very end. Terrific writing, great characters, quirky protagonist and a plot full of twists and turns. I stayed up all night to finish this one, and I didn't want it to end. Really looking forward to Andrew Wolfendon's next book!
1 review
Currently reading
August 8, 2019
Fulfilling!
I was looking for a good summer vacation read. I like psychological depth. I like a character who grows on you. I like lots of twists and turns and surprises. I like a good love story. I got everything I wanted in "Fishermen’s Court"!
Profile Image for Mattie Hyde.
86 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2019
So Cool

Let me just say that when you think you have it figured out...bazinga! I truly enjoyed reading this novel. Excellent writing, clever wit, roller coaster scenarios. True gem that I will read again in 10 years once I've forgotten who did it.
69 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2019
Fun and frustrating

I really liked Fisherman's Court. Although I was frustrated by some of the decisions Finn made. Then that's when I realized I was absolutely hooked into the story and started to feel it. Good story, good writing fun read.
13 reviews
January 5, 2021
I like this author’s style and recommend it for an enjoyable, fast read. The protagonist’s inner dialogue had me laughing out loud. My only criticism is that it gets somewhat repetitive in places, hammering home the protagonist’s neurosis.
Profile Image for Luke Swanson.
Author 15 books54 followers
February 1, 2022
Man, I've had good luck with small indie books lately.
I LOVED this book. It's one of my favorite thrillers I've read in a while. Equal parts psychological and immediate, with witty narration and great characters. Highly highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.