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Brady Coyne #15
Cutter's Run
Attorney Brady Coyne is on his way back home to Boston from his usual weekend commute to bucolic Garrison, Maine, when he gives Charolotte Gillespie a ride home from taking her sick dog to the veterinarian. But Brady suspects the soft-spoken African-American woman has personal reasons for choosing to live way off the beaten track in an isolated hunting shack, especially when he notices swastika graffiti on her property and learns her dog was poisoned.
And when Charlotte sends him a cryptic letter requesting his legal services, only to disappear days later, leaving no clue as to her whereabouts--except more spray-painted swastikas on her land--Brady knows something's very wrong. Now he's taken on a case for an invisible client, in a town where gossip flows freely, but truth is locked away behind closed doors and blank stares.
Suddenly, the quaint little New England hamlet doesn't seem quite so friendly anymore. And as Brady follows the trail that brought Charlotte to Garrison months earlier, someone who may now be guilty of double-homicide is following close on his heels--someone who's prepared to silence him for good.
And when Charlotte sends him a cryptic letter requesting his legal services, only to disappear days later, leaving no clue as to her whereabouts--except more spray-painted swastikas on her land--Brady knows something's very wrong. Now he's taken on a case for an invisible client, in a town where gossip flows freely, but truth is locked away behind closed doors and blank stares.
Suddenly, the quaint little New England hamlet doesn't seem quite so friendly anymore. And as Brady follows the trail that brought Charlotte to Garrison months earlier, someone who may now be guilty of double-homicide is following close on his heels--someone who's prepared to silence him for good.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 15, 1998
30 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
William G. Tapply
79 books89 followersWilliam G. Tapply (1940–2009) was an American author best known for writing legal thrillers. A lifelong New Englander, he graduated from Amherst and Harvard before going on to teach social studies at Lexington High School. He published his first novel, Death at Charity’s Point, in 1984. A story of death and betrayal among Boston Brahmins, it introduced crusading lawyer Brady Coyne, a fishing enthusiast whom Tapply would follow through twenty-five more novels, including Follow the Sharks, The Vulgar Boatman, and the posthumously published Outwitting Trolls.
Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.
Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 28, 2018
The fifteenth entry in the Brady Coyne series finds the Boston lawyer visiting his girlfriend, Alex Shaw, at her home in Maine. Alex has taken a leave of absence from her job as a reporter in Boston and has rented a home out in the Maine woods while she writes a book. Brady is driving up to spend most weekends with her there, but it's not clear what this separation bodes for the future of the relationship.
While driving back to Alex's home from the tiny town nearby, Brady happens upon a middle-aged African-American woman named Charlotte Gillespie walking along the road, carrying her very sick dog in the direction of town. Brady gives the woman a lift to the vet's where the vet tells them that the dog has gotten into some sort of poison. The vet will keep the dog for the time being, and Brady gives Charlotte a ride back to the primitive cabin that she has rented out in the woods.
On arriving there, Brady sees that the woman has posted a "No Hunting" sign at the entrance to the property that she is renting. He also sees that someone has spray-painted a swastika over the sign. Charlotte dismisses the act as vandalism, but clearly she's troubled about something, although she initially rebuffs Brady's concern.
Any reader of crime fiction will understand, of course, that the poisoning of Charlotte's poor dog and the appearance of swastikas, portend very ominous developments in the immediate future. Sure enough, the dog dies and someone makes off with its body. Then Charlotte disappears and Brady feels compelled to investigate. Pretty soon he's up to his neck in trouble and danger in a place where the great scenic beauty conceals some pretty dastardly deeds.
William G. Tapply, who also wrote articles for a variety of outdoors magazines like Field and Stream, is especially good at describing the setting here, and also introduces a number of interesting supporting characters. All in all, this is another very good entry in an excellent regional mystery series.
While driving back to Alex's home from the tiny town nearby, Brady happens upon a middle-aged African-American woman named Charlotte Gillespie walking along the road, carrying her very sick dog in the direction of town. Brady gives the woman a lift to the vet's where the vet tells them that the dog has gotten into some sort of poison. The vet will keep the dog for the time being, and Brady gives Charlotte a ride back to the primitive cabin that she has rented out in the woods.
On arriving there, Brady sees that the woman has posted a "No Hunting" sign at the entrance to the property that she is renting. He also sees that someone has spray-painted a swastika over the sign. Charlotte dismisses the act as vandalism, but clearly she's troubled about something, although she initially rebuffs Brady's concern.
Any reader of crime fiction will understand, of course, that the poisoning of Charlotte's poor dog and the appearance of swastikas, portend very ominous developments in the immediate future. Sure enough, the dog dies and someone makes off with its body. Then Charlotte disappears and Brady feels compelled to investigate. Pretty soon he's up to his neck in trouble and danger in a place where the great scenic beauty conceals some pretty dastardly deeds.
William G. Tapply, who also wrote articles for a variety of outdoors magazines like Field and Stream, is especially good at describing the setting here, and also introduces a number of interesting supporting characters. All in all, this is another very good entry in an excellent regional mystery series.
July 6, 2011
Enjoyed this, as usual. Love the way Tapply writes. You really get to know his characters. This was another Brady Coyne murder mystery, with some tough personal realizations folded in.
March 16, 2015
Great story. What a man. He is so smart and funny.
March 23, 2017
March 2017 I liked the premise but it made the main racist into an anti-social jerk whereas there were probably a number of more subtle rural racists in Maine in the 90's to model. As for Brady's concept of commitment , it sucks. The poisoning of the dog in the first scene was an important thread throughout the story. I recommend this story.
February 10, 2018
I see that I am behind with this series-this one is number 15! I will have to visit the others because this “who dun it” has many twists and turns-LOVED it.
May 12, 2010
Anyone who cut some of their genre eyeteeth on the excellent books about the fishing, hunting, and crime-solving (in that order of preference) Boston lawyer Brady Coyne will be delighted to hear that William G. Tapply has brought him back for another mystery that combines expert entertainment with some serious social issues.
Sharing a house in Maine with his "virtual spouse," writer Alexandria Shaw, Coyne gives a tough, independent African American woman named Charlotte Gillespie a lift and an offer of help finding the person who poisoned her dog. When Charlotte disappears and red swastikas are painted on her house and on Coyne's car, he--and we--know that something nasty is going on. The complicated plot involves a connection to the KKK and a bunch of deer-hunting, conniving computer scientists, and along the way Coyne gets to fish in several heartbreakingly beautiful locations. Other Coyne books include the equally satisfying Close to the Bone. --Dick Adler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Brady Coyne is a Boston lawyer with a noisy disposition. In this latest mystery, Brady finds himself in western Maine investigating swastikas and a dead dog and a missing woman. Though this is good fun, reader John Michalski is no Mainer. His Maine accent, which he insists on giving nearly everyone in the book, is painfully flawed. He didn't do his homework either when it comes to place names; they are butchered. A real example of the wrong reader ruining a book.
Sharing a house in Maine with his "virtual spouse," writer Alexandria Shaw, Coyne gives a tough, independent African American woman named Charlotte Gillespie a lift and an offer of help finding the person who poisoned her dog. When Charlotte disappears and red swastikas are painted on her house and on Coyne's car, he--and we--know that something nasty is going on. The complicated plot involves a connection to the KKK and a bunch of deer-hunting, conniving computer scientists, and along the way Coyne gets to fish in several heartbreakingly beautiful locations. Other Coyne books include the equally satisfying Close to the Bone. --Dick Adler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Brady Coyne is a Boston lawyer with a noisy disposition. In this latest mystery, Brady finds himself in western Maine investigating swastikas and a dead dog and a missing woman. Though this is good fun, reader John Michalski is no Mainer. His Maine accent, which he insists on giving nearly everyone in the book, is painfully flawed. He didn't do his homework either when it comes to place names; they are butchered. A real example of the wrong reader ruining a book.
February 6, 2016
#15 in the Boston attorney Brady Coyne series.
Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - Boston lawyer Brady Coyne, in rural Maine for the weekend to visit his "virtual spouse" Alex, stops and offers Charlotte Gillespie, a middle-aged black woman, a ride. In short order, someone poisons her dog and paints swastikas on her cabin door. Then Charlotte disappears. Brady explores the obvious: wanna-be Klansmen and skinheads. Brady eventually realizes it may have been Charlotte's past and not her present--as an unwelcome resident in an unfriendly town--that resulted in her disappearance. Brady also realizes his relationship with Alex may not be as rock solid as he thought.
Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - Boston lawyer Brady Coyne, in rural Maine for the weekend to visit his "virtual spouse" Alex, stops and offers Charlotte Gillespie, a middle-aged black woman, a ride. In short order, someone poisons her dog and paints swastikas on her cabin door. Then Charlotte disappears. Brady explores the obvious: wanna-be Klansmen and skinheads. Brady eventually realizes it may have been Charlotte's past and not her present--as an unwelcome resident in an unfriendly town--that resulted in her disappearance. Brady also realizes his relationship with Alex may not be as rock solid as he thought.
August 16, 2009
Outstanding; Continuing character: Brady Coyne; while visiting his girlfriend in Maine, Brady helps a black woman whose dog has been poisoned and later gts pulled into things further when the woman goes missing.
January 1, 2014
This was a quick and interesting read. Read it in one day.
October 17, 2017
Classic Brady Coyne, such a quick, enjoyable read...always
May 29, 2018
This is one of the better Brady Coynes...they're all pretty good.
May 14, 2017
Going back and reading what I have left behind through the years- one of my favorite authors.
Always a treat .
Always a treat .
January 18, 2021
(3 1/2). I have read every Brady Coyne book except one, because for some reason the library didn’t have it. This is the best of the bunch. The first 2/3 or more of this book are really wonderful. A tight story, a great setting, everything falling nicely into place. A whodunit that really has you scratching your head. The finale does not come off quite as smoothly. Some good action, twists, turns, reveals, more than the usual Brady adventure, but a little disjointed in nature. Either way, Brady is still terrific. I look forward to my next indulgence in his exploits. Good stuff.
July 4, 2021
I have liked all the Brady Coyne books, but I thought this one was really strong - paying his normal weekend visit to Maine to stay with his partner Alexandria (see previous book, although you do not have to have read it to appreciate this one) he gives a lift to the vet to a woman carrying a sick dog. A tightly knit plot runs on from there to a gripping conclusion to the mystery and impacts on his personal position. Looking forward to the next one.
August 26, 2023
This is the first time I’ve read any of the Brady Coyne series and I enjoyed it. Definitely not great literature but engaging and I liked the author’s sense of humor. I’m planning on reading another in the series.
July 16, 2024
It's been a while since I ready a Brady Coyne book. I bought this book a few years ago, and it sat on the bookshelf with a lot of friends until I brought it to the beach. Read it in 2 days. I loved it.
July 19, 2024
I may have read this 26 years ago but if so, I don't remember a bit of it. So, it is like finding a brand-new author. And since it takes place in the times before wide-spread cell phone use, actual investigating had to happen to figure things out. Excellent!
March 18, 2019
Alas, poor Brady. Every time I think he's finally found The One, something comes along to prove me wrong...once again. At least he's ready for a permanent relationship; keep looking, lad!
August 4, 2020
Kind of a Hallmark Movie book combined with a who dunnit mystery. A nice easy read where all the threads get tied up at the end. And, the main character likes to fly fish. What more can I say.
November 5, 2022
see private notes
April 22, 2024
Another good Brady Coyne mystery. The books are somewhat dated but still hold up. They seem to get stronger as you get deeper into the series. I highly recommend this seriew.
October 13, 2021
Reading this 25-book set in order, we continue to really enjoy Tapply’s quick-reading stories starring nice-guy lawyer (often turned detective) Brady Coyne. In this 15th episode, “Cutter’s Run”, Brady is on his usual weekend commute from Boston to Maine, to visit his current love interest Alex, a journalist who has moved there temporarily to write a book. Much of the tale revolved around the angst of their relationship, which to us was a little tiring and indeed resolved somewhat predictably.
Meanwhile, Brady gives a woman walking along holding a dog a lift to see a vet; and shortly thereafter the dog dies, and the woman disappears, both under cloudy circumstances. Brady decides to stay in Maine to check it out, and what follows is a variety of nefarious events, including two deaths, that our sleuth in residence eventually helps bring to a solution.
We weren’t necessarily enthralled with this tale, not that there was that much wrong with it. However, it did not strike us as all that creative; and the use of fascist symbols to spark Brady’s outrage seemed out of place. Undeterred, we march forward to the next tale about a now favorite character, wondering if he will ever get his love life straightened out!
Meanwhile, Brady gives a woman walking along holding a dog a lift to see a vet; and shortly thereafter the dog dies, and the woman disappears, both under cloudy circumstances. Brady decides to stay in Maine to check it out, and what follows is a variety of nefarious events, including two deaths, that our sleuth in residence eventually helps bring to a solution.
We weren’t necessarily enthralled with this tale, not that there was that much wrong with it. However, it did not strike us as all that creative; and the use of fascist symbols to spark Brady’s outrage seemed out of place. Undeterred, we march forward to the next tale about a now favorite character, wondering if he will ever get his love life straightened out!
January 14, 2015
I thought I was going to settle in comfortably with this book (I enjoyed the initial scenes in the Maine countryside), and I was optimistic that I had discovered a new series. But I found that I couldn't really buy into Brady Coyne and more than half the book is about him; the mystery takes a second seat. I can't quite put my finger on the problem, except that he seems a bit too formulaic: amateur sleuth constructed from parts found in movies or other books?
This is the first book I've read about Brady, and perhaps entering the series at book 15 is not a good idea.
This is the first book I've read about Brady, and perhaps entering the series at book 15 is not a good idea.
July 1, 2013
good story
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews