The Evil Men Do

Detective P. T. Marsh #2

by John McMahon

The author of The Good Detective delivers a gripping and atmospheric new novel in which a cop takes on a harrowing new case and confronts old personal demons. What if the one good thing you did in your life doomed you to die?

A hard-nosed real estate baron is dead, and detectives P.T. Marsh and Remy Morgan learn there's a long list of suspects. Mason Falls, Georgia, may be a small town, but Ennis Fultz had filled it with professional rivals, angry neighbors, and a wronged ex-wife. And when Marsh realizes that this potential murder might be the least of his troubles, he begins to see what happens when ordinary people become capable of evil. As Marsh and Morgan dig into the case, it becomes clear that Fultz's death was not an isolated case of revenge. It may be part of a dark web of crimes connected to an accident that up-ended Marsh's life a couple years earlier--and that now threatens the life of a young child. Marsh veers dangerously off track as his search for clues becomes personal..and brings him to a place where a man's good deeds turn out to be more dangerous than his worst crimes.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Detective

368 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2020

About the author

John McMahon is the author of THE GOOD DETECTIVE and THE EVIL MEN DO, both featuring Georgia detective P.T. Marsh.

The New York Times Book Review called McMahon “one of those rare writers who seems to have sprung out of nowhere” and whose debut novel is “pretty much perfect.”

In his role as an ad agency creative director, he has won a Gold Clio for his work on Fiat, and he’s written a Super Bowl spot for Alfa Romeo.

He currently lives in Southern California with his family and two rescue animals.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy the thrill of a new series. John McMahon’s follow-up novel in the Detective P.T. Marsh series keeps the tension high. The murder of a local real estate magnate has some odd clues left for Marsh and his partner. While the case in confusing, it is a peppering of something else that pulls Marsh into the middle of it all. Might there be something that could help solve the death of Marsh’s wife and son? Only time and dedication will tell for Marsh in this strong second novel.

When a well-connection real estate tycoon is found dead at home, Detectives P.T. Marsh and Remy Morgan ponder who could want to do Enniz Fultz dead. While Mason Falls, Georgia might be a small community, the victim made sure to fill it with his greatest enemies and an offended ex-wife. Marsh and Morgan begin peeling truths back, only to discover how troubling things could be and how long the suspect list will soon become.

After the murder investigation reveals that someone killed Enniz Fultz by replacing his oxygen tank with one of nitrogen, it would appear the killer wanted to use subtlety to their advantage. However, there may be a larger issue with this crime, especially when Marsh can draw parallels between the murder and an automobile accident that changed his life. Marsh cannot help but wonder if he might finally get answers to what happened to his wife and son, who drowned when their car plunged into the water.

Racing to make sense of it all, Marsh worries that he may have uncovered a dangerous plot that could up-end everything he holds dear. At present, a young girl’s life could hang in the balance after a freak accident as well. Marsh and Morgan put all the pieces together and discover some startling truths and a chilling admission that turns the case on its head. McMahon delivers an electrifying story that leaves the reader rushing to hold onto anything within arm’s reach!

John McMahon crossed my radar earlier this year with a great psych thriller. I wanted to explore some of his other work, locating this police procedural series. McMahon delivers a great novel that matches the series debut, exploring police work in Georgia, using a well-executed narrative. The story finds added momentum and keep the reader engaged. Characters add to the story and show some definite development. Plot points keep the reader wondering, while presenting twists to fuel a mystery that kept me flipping pages. Onwards with this series!

Kudos, Mr. McMahon, as you never fail to impress.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Repix Pix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entretenido pero peor que el primero.

[Javir11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

7,5/10

Segunda entrega de esta saga, que en general me ha entretenido bastante, algo similar a lo que pasó con el anterior libro, aunque este segundo me ha gustado un poco menos, de hecho ha estado cerca de quedarse en tres estrellas.

Como comenté en su día es más de lo mismo en este tipo de historias, personaje protagonista atormentado cuya única vía de escape es su trabajo policial. Secundarios que cumplen bastante bien y una trama con bastantes vaivenes para tenerte agarrado.

¿Qué hace diferente entonces a esta saga de muchas otras? La verdad es que nada, salvo quizás el hecho, al menos en mi caso, de que se lee muy bien, es bastante ligera en general y su estilo es muy agradable para el lector, por lo que te enganchas con facilidad. Ayuda también que por ahora sean libros de menos de 400 páginas.

Seguiré con la saga mientras la traduzcan.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book in John McMahon's police procedural series set in Mason Falls, Georgia, Homicide Detectives P.T. Marsh and Remy Morgan are ordered to do a welfare check on a real estate baron who failed to show up for his monthly bridge game. They find the back door forced and the old man dead in his bed. The autopsy points to murder. There is no shortage of clues or suspects but all lead to dead ends.

A secondary plot, told in italicized chapters to set it apart, deals with a car accident involving a mother, father and child. The child saw the driver who forced their car off the road and realizes now he's out to finish what he started. I kept wondering what this had to do with the detectives' murder investigation but eventually that becomes clear.

Very intriguing mystery that kept me guessing. P.T. is the typical flawed detective of crime fiction. He is dealing with an alcohol problem after the accidental death of his wife and son. He still has so many questions about what happened that day and carries a load of guilt. Sometimes he allows rage to take over his better judgment. His partner Remy is smart and level-headed and tries to keep him in line.

This series is quite entertaining. I do believe there is one more that I will be checking out soon.

[3 no 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Evil Men Do” opens with the story of a little girl who knows things because she is a good listener and a good observer. Consequently, she easily notices the vehicle that had been following them, a Toyota truck.

McMahon switches to a first person narrative by detective P. T. Marsh. March gives readers matter of fact descriptions, factual and precise, as if writing a report. Details are complete from the blinds covering the windows to his approach from the left, waiting for his partner. Countering these clinical observations is his additional narrative in a different tone, more personal, more emotional, more hesitant, and more tragic. Readers get to know Marsh well. He is haunted by perceived mistakes in the past, and feels guilty for things not done. Nonetheless, he is dedicated to his job and to the law.

Geography unique to Georgia adds to the atmosphere. Weedy green kudzu climbs out of the Georgia mist, covering the pine trees like an old sock. The skies are an odd mix of grays and purples; maybe it is pollution from Atlanta, or maybe rain is on its way.

Detective Marsh and partner, Remy Morgan are compelling characters. Their job is to find the evidence, line up the pieces, and fit them together into a story of the crime. In this case, they find too many pieces that do not fit; perhaps there is more than one puzzle involved in this story. Events from the past also creep into the narrative. A prior death, a lawsuit, a possible payout to family of the dead, and the possible inappropriate use of force by PT all hang like dark clouds over the investigation. When readers discover the identity of the little girl, things change rapidly and dramatically. The case gets bigger not smaller.


I received a review copy of “The Evil Men Do” from John McMahon and G.P. Putnam's Sons. McMahon created a story full of evil men, but there is good in it too, a goodness that flourishes and survives regardless of circumstance

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This #2 in a police procedural series was just as engaging as the first. I’m loving the characters, the twisty plots and sub-plots, and the writing. Another page turner from a new favorite author. I know it’s not great literature, but 4 stars rounded to 5 reflects my total immersion and enjoyment.

[Amanda up North · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our guy P.T. sure gets himself into a pickle a lot, and I'm here for it.
Action packed and engrossing, I flew through book two of the series, only putting it down a couple of times out of utter necessity. Wish I could dive right into the third book, but I'll have to wait a few days to get a copy. 4+ stars.
I'm hooked on this author.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Evil Men Do by John McMahon is a very highly recommended procedural.

Homicide detective P.T. Marsh and his partner Remy Morgan are investigating a suspicious death in Mason Falls, Georgia. Ennis Fultz is a ruthless real estate magnate who has made more than one enemy in his career. It appears that Fultz's oxygen tank may have been tampered with, but the suspects are many, including business associates, rivals, neighbors, and an ex-wife. As Marsh and Morgan investigate the death, it begins to become clear to Marsh that Fultz's death appears to be a part of a much larger set of crimes.

At the same time he is investigating Fultz's death, Marsh is looking at clues that may point to something much more personal, especially after an accident that almost kills his father-in-law. His father-in-law's accident may be related to another accident, one that killed his wife and son. Marsh begins to expand his investigation beyond departmental approval.

The Evil Men Do is a great, skillfully written procedural. McMahon does an excellent job developing the plot in this gripping and atmospheric procedural. While following Marsh as he uncovers clues and follows lead, his character is also revealed. And Marsh is a well-developed character, an emotionally wounded man who is dealing with many personal demons that intrude into his thoughts and the investigation. The expanding investigation and Marsh's insight into what he discovers is riveting to read and I was totally engrossed in the whole narrative.

While this is the second book in the P.T. Marsh series I had no problem following along the continuing story from the first novel, The Good Detective. There was enough information provided in the plot to follow Marsh's thought process during the investigation and the ties to the current case. I haven't read the first book, but plan to because I enjoyed The Evil Men Do so much.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/0...

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the opening chapters and thought I'd finally found a new series, even though this is book 2. But frankly, what happened from about not-quite midway through until the end discourages me from reading book 1. It's as if the author lost steam and raced through scenes that might have been less interesting to write, and then, toward the finale, sped up in a different way that seemed to also cram things in. I found some of the plot bits forced and some padding with too much detail that made me skim pages of info that could have been touched on rather than elaborated upon. Lots of readers like this book and reading is, of course, personal. This series just isn't for me. I didn't find the main character engaging and I guess I like my detectives a bit tougher, with more confidence, and not so meandering.

[Gregory Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t remember the last time I read a good detective story that kept me in suspense. This one didn’t do it for me either. I can’t deal with self loathing protagonists who can’t stay out of their own way and sabotage their lives. The link to locating his wife’s killer was quite a leap and unrealistic.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Mason Falls, Georgia, Detective P.T. Marsh and his partner Remy are summoned from the gun range to do a welfare check on one of their chief's friends and find Ennis Fultz dead. At first, it appears to be natural causes but doesn't turn out that way.

I read the first P.T. Marsh book The Good Detective about a year and a half ago. I liked that one and this one too. This is a good traditional mystery with compelling characters as the cops try to find out who killed Fultz. I was happy to see Marsh in a much better place this time. He stopped drinking, has a good relationship with medical examiner Sarah, and doesn't mope over his dead wife and child. Then the fat hits the fire. After several changes in life toward the end, I'm not sure where the author will take this story now - except for the one unresolved issue.

[Chris Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.T. Is a troubled but skilled detective. These stories do a terrific job of tying story lines together.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking forward to the return of P.T. Marsh since I read the last sentence of the last page of THE GOOD DETECTIVE, John McMahon’s debut novel that introduced Marsh to the world of crime fiction. A homicide detective with the Mason Falls, Georgia police department, Marsh is a tragic figure who is still emotionally reeling from the loss of his wife and son in a hit-and-run incident. THE EVIL MEN DO answers some questions regarding what occurred on that fateful night when Marsh lost everything while raising others in the manner of the best genre fiction.

The book begins with a wellness check that quickly escalates into a homicide investigation. Ennis Fultz is a local real estate impresario. He has a few friends and many enemies as a result of his almost uncanny ability to pocket a wide range of arcane information and utilize it at an opportune time several months or years down the road. One of those few friends happens to be the mayor and the acting chief of police in Mason Falls. When Fultz fails to show up or otherwise check in at the weekly card game he normally has with those individuals, Marsh and his law enforcement partner, Remy Morgan, are dispatched to Fultz’s home to see what’s what. The “what,” of course, is his body. It is determined in short order that Fultz is a murder victim.

Marsh and Morgan do not lack for suspects. They include the ex-wife of the deceased, a number of very unhappy individuals with whom he had transacted business, and a mysterious woman who was recorded as being in the area of his home at the approximate time of his death. Marsh and Morgan spend a good deal of the story acquiring and eliminating suspects. Marsh, however, is on a slow but steady professional and personal downward spiral due to his familial tragedies, as well as a prior on-duty incident that resulted in the death of a criminal.

When someone else near to him is seriously injured and hovers near death, Marsh pulls out all the stops and finds that there is a potential connection between a current investigation and the deaths of his family members. He crosses a couple of lines and finds himself going rogue as a result. He appears almost certain to lose his home and his job, with seemingly no way out. Among his few remaining assets are his tenacity and the loyalty of his friends. But even those may not be enough.

Meanwhile, a series of short connective vignettes presenting a young girl in successive dangers --- all of them seemingly unconnected to the main plot --- are interspersed throughout the narrative until they ultimately link up with what has been occurring in the primary narrative in a surprising manner.

THE EVIL MEN DO meets and exceeds the promise of THE GOOD DETECTIVE, establishing that the superior plotting and writing chops McMahon exhibited in his debut outing were no fluke. He assures readers in his Acknowledgements that Marsh will return. While this book is complete in itself, there are enough unanswered questions left hanging to provide more than enough fodder for another installment of this highly readable and enjoyable series.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really glad that G.P. Putnam's sons and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to try this for me new author. I love small town police stories and this is one of those. I actually bought the first one to be able to read them in order and that was lucky. You should always try to read series in order otherwise you will miss stuff. This is a dark story that evolves through the books and the setting and plot is different from many although there are similarities with other mysteries. I actually recommend that you try it out.

[Ed Mckeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one. I loved McMahon's first PT Marsh, but there was something about this that skewed my feelings about the main character, and I think McMahon sometimes reached for easy solutions to transition his plot. Here's an example from page 260. PT is looking for evidence in his father-in-law's house because he needs to transfer some old photos, and he writes this: "I fished through the kitchen drawers and found an old smart-phone that Marvin used before his current one. The I read a quick blog on how to blank the phone. I began the process of taking Marvin's info and downloading it to the old phone." It just seemed to facile to me, and it wasn't the only instance. Ah well, maybe next time around.

[Kat Walter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a series, but mine ends at number two. I really resent a book written in larger print with huge margins to fill the required pages for a novel. The writing is disjointed and the editing is not great. Really wanted to like these, but, sadly, I just don’t. Fell short of the mark.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

My first experience with P.T. Marsh was gripping and this one was even more so.

Swarmy Ennis Fultz is dead and he left plenty of suspects behind. A very observant little girl plays a major role and P.T. uncovers more evil than he ever could have imagined. The deeper he digs veers him in a direction that appears to be personal. A direction that could cost him his job and maybe even his life.

Mr. McMahon has created complicated characters and puts them in complex situations. I ended my review of The Good Detective saying John McMahon is now an author to watch, and I was right. I thought P.T. Marsh had turned a corner. He did but as far as I thought. He is still hurting and raw. He is smart, determined, and flawed and still trying to come to grips with the loss of his wife and son in a freaky hit and run accident. P.T. is also embroiled in a civil suit along with the police department for excessive use of force on a previous case. He doesn’t believe he did anything wrong and that could come back to bite him financially. He is trying to stay sober and do his job but it isn’t easy. His partner, Detective Remy Morgan, an African American woman is getting frustrated with P.T. but hopes when push comes to shove he has her back. P.T. has started a relationship with Medical Examiner Sarah Raines but he is clearly still in mourning. He tries to hold tight to the relationship with his father-in-law but something always seems to get in the way.

So much happens within the covers of this book. The author has cleverly plotted this story with several tentacles all entwined together. The book opens with “The little girl knew things.” but transitions to P.T.’s life quickly in Chapter 2. We continue to have visits from the little girl between many of the chapters. This process really drew me in from the start. Soon, it truly became impossible to put the book down. P.T. was continually pulled in several directions. Sometimes he followed the clues in a logical manner but sometimes he goes off on tangents that were dangerous for both him and his partner.

McMahon has delivered a compelling story that will have readers glued to the pages. I wanted P.T. to succeed, get the answers he needs and catch the bad guys, but sometimes I wanted to reach into the pages and grab him to protect him from some of his risky decisions.

The Evil Men Do is a riveting gritty suspense-filled thriller. P.T. Marsh is a character you become invested in quickly. His life is a wild ride that doesn’t let go. All the strings are not wrapped up at the conclusion of this book either so readers are left excitedly waiting for book #3. Well done, Mr. McMahon! This was a PERFECT ESCAPE!

[Kim Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book I have read by this author and come to find out it is book 2 of a trilogy. The first book is “The Good Detective” which I gave 4 stars because I have found that the second book is usually better. Yes, this book is better! Thank goodness the third book came out in June so have that ordered.

Got to give the author props cause I had a question about something-I literally missed one little sentence that explained it. He answered me back within hours and cleared it up for me. Gotta love an author that will take the time to do that.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really remember the first book as i read it so long ago.
This book was an improvement on that one. A real page turner.

P.T. is moving on w/his life which is good.

Connelly is the best at police procedurals b/c his narrative is precise & detailed. This was a police procedural as well but a more relaxed format. It's more a summary/concise details.
An interesting case w/lots of suspects & clues that created a puzzle.

I like P.T. & Remy.
It had short chapters, moved at a fast pace and kept me on the edge of suspense.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a series, and Detective P.T. Marsh grew on me (and I liked him plenty in the first book). He’s on the force in Mason Falls, Georgia, with Remy, his Black female partner. A local real estate mogul is found dead, and once it’s established he was murdered, there’s oodles of suspects: this man made enemies everywhere he went. And while working the case, Marsh uncovers a connection to the death of his wife and son the previous year—maybe not the auto accident it’s assumed to have been?

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a flawed and damaged leading man. And P.T. does not disappoint! Book #2 was as good as the first.

[Angelator · Rating 3 out of 5]

P.T. solves the murder of his wife and son.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lovedddd this book. It’s the 2nd book of the series. The author added some refreshers from the first book (death of family). He found their killer but ended the book as a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to read the final book in the series.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I just finished this book, but I can’t even remember what it was about or the point. Ugh.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in series. This was better than his 1st. Hope he comes out with #3.

[Nancy McFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved The Good Detective, fasten your seat belt… this one is going to blow your mind! Once again, McMahon has woven a riveting, true detective story, one that is fast-paced and edge of your seat good! P.T. Marsh has a knack for finding connections where no one else can and before you know it several violent crimes are all interwoven and once again Marsh is operating under the radar without department approval. We can only hope that his personal desire for answers and revenge won’t take him past the point of no return. McMahon’s characters are rich and smart, and dark and dangerous. P. T. Marsh is a great detective, but he is never one to let the rules get in the way of catching the bad guys. This is a must read!

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3). I am sure you will enjoy spending a short time with P.T. Morgan (I almost dare you to put down this book). Another of those wonderful, flawed but totally engaging protagonists we seem to have around these days. He likes to “check all the boxes,” and that takes us all over the place all the time. A great pleasure. P.T. Has a myriad of skeletons in his closet, a good partner for his daily detective role and canine companion to lean on for comfort and guidance. We get a great story that twists and turns all the way to the finish. A really fun ride. Good stuff.

[Tom Stadler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, but had trouble with a number of plot points, I don't think any police department would be too threatened by a wrongful death suit involving a felon killed while assaulting an officer. Also why does their first suspect flee, launder legitimate money, but then basically disappear from the plot. Why does this detective always feel it necessary to go off on his own, not communicate honestly with fellow officers, and assume his chief is against him and doesn't need to be informed or obeyed.

[Manray9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haven't I read this 27 times before?

And it's Hoppin' John, not Hoppin' Johns -- and nobody would eat it with a Moonpie.