Jump: A Sam McGowan Adventure

by Tim Maleeny

When the most hated landlord in San Francisco takes an unexpected jump off the roof of his own building, it isn’t too hard to find suspects. But the police want to call it a suicide, since both the Mayor and press are complaining about the dismal closure rate for homicide investigations. But ex-cop Sam McGowan knows it was murder. He also knows that anyone living on the top floor of the building should be a suspect, including himself. So Sam decides to get to know his neighbors.A lonely jazz singer more than willing to confess to any crime, past or present; Two young women paying for graduate school by operating a website that reveals a lot more than their SAT scores; The B-movie producer with a swollen prostate and shrinking bank balance; And the brothers at the end of the hall, who just quit their day jobs to sell marijuana for the Mexican mob.The only thing they have in common is a general agreement that their dead landlord got what he deserved—and that one of them is probably responsible. As more bodies surface and alliances shift, Sam finds himself jumping back and forth between his old life as a cop and his new one as a murder suspect, unable to decide where he really belongs.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Tim Maleeny is the bestselling author of the award-winning Cape Weathers mysteries, including STEALING THE DRAGON, a novel about the Chinese Triads that was named a Killer Book of the Year by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

Publishers Weekly said his series “engages the reader without insisting that it be taken too seriously, with writing that will resonate with Elmore Leonard fans.”

His latest is a global art heist called HANGING THE DEVIL, which Library Journal praises for its "relentlessly fast-paced plot and delightful dry humor" in a starred review. San Francisco Magazine calls it "a riveting thriller you won't be able to put down, guaranteed."

Tim's standalone comedic thriller JUMP was described as "a perfectly blended cocktail of escapism" by Publishers Weekly and was named Best Mystery of the Year by Foreword Magazine.

Tim won the prestigious Macavity Award for his short fiction, which appears in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen, and several major anthologies, including Thriller 2, Uncage Me, Fear, and Death Do Us Part.

Crimespree Magazine said “Maleeny gives readers a fresh and fast take that enthralls,” and Bookreporter called him “one of the new princes of detective fiction.” A member of the International Thriller Writers, Sisters In Crime, and Mystery Writers of America, Tim currently lives and writes in New York City.

Reviews

[Harle Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was originally going to give this book three stars until I finished it. All throughout the book it seemed like a mediocre whodunit type of story, but the last ten pages or so really changed my opinion about the book overall. A good, easy read.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Minimal imagery, weak character development, rambling dialogue that is both witless and silly, and an unrealistic plot told with a childish prose that is often interrupted with pretentious word choice. One star is a compliment. Complete waste of ink, paper and a Sunday afternoon.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read with a few twists.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

San Francisco based mystery with the bad landlord found skewered on the penguin fountain in the courtyard.

This hits several of my like buttons.

[Elle Frias · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was hard to continue but I think I was going through a book burn out. Had a good plot line. I would recommend reading but not a re-read for me.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterically funny, irreverent, and a well- plotted mystery. Really enjoyed it!

[Larry Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner and easy for old people to follow!❤️

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 out of 5 stars Great new series..., March 20, 2009

This review is from: Jump (Hardcover)
I picked this up as an advance reading copy and started it while bored at work one day -- and wow, am I glad I did. I didn't expect to immediately become engrossed in the story and interested in the characters. What a bunch of misfits to fall in love with!

This is a fast paced mystery/thriller about a retired cop sort of investigating the murder (swan dive off the roof) of his landlord, along with a motley crew of other tenants in his building. Sam's neighbors are anything but ordinary!

I think any fan of a good whodunit will appreciate the humor and the plot development in this new novel by a very gifted writer! I hope there are more to come in this series about Sam McGowan.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads a little like Donald Westlake and Ed McBain, the characters are all real characters, including the first deceased. The dialogue is believable as is the progress of the story.

This could easily make a good play or movie because so much of the action takes place in one location. It would adapt quickly. The use of San Francisco as a backdrop is perfect.

Lee Child endorsed an earlier novel by Mr. Maleeny, so I guess I have found another author to follow.



Caution: this should be rated R for violence, language and sexual situations.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after I finished Shadow Country as a sort of palate cleanser and I have to say it did the trick. I'm not a murder mystery afficianado and usually read only one or two a year but this was fun. Maleeny is not P.D. James--the writing is not as elegant or cerebral--but there's lot of action and his characters are considerably more attractive and sympathetic . He's also very funny and I laughed out loud at his wit and wry sense of humor.

[CindyLulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A usual list of suspects living on the same floor of a condo building lead to an unusual climax and ending! Love the humor and unexpected turns to this caper; Mr. Maleeny uses transitions beautifully; taking you from one character to the next. You don't get lost and it doesn't get mundane. I may not like all the characters that live on the 2nd floor, but couldn't help myself wondering what was going to happen next. This mystery enthusiast was pleasantly surprise to find this gem.

[Jim A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was cross referenced to me by Amazon due to my enjoyment of Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey. Maleeny incorporates the same type of wacky characters. From the dope dealing brothers to the soft porn queens as well as other residents of the apartment building, the characters will keep you reading and wondering what laugh is on the next page.

If you are the type of reader who enjoys laughing while reading, this book is for you.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a landlord takes an unexpected jump off the roof of his building, the police want to call it a suicide, since the Mayor and press are complaining about the closure rate for homicide investigations. Ex-cop Sam McGowan knows it was murder and knows that anyone living on the top floor of the building should be a suspect. As more bodies surface, Sam finds himself jumping back and forth between his old life as a cop and his new one as a murder suspect. A pretty good murder mystery.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired policeman Sam McGowan is suspicious when his hated landlord commits suicide. All his neighbors on the top floor of the San Francisco building had problems with the man. As he gets to know the tenants, he finds that some of them are involved in dealings with a Mexican drug lord who has a grudge against Sam. Fast-moving, bloody, and fun.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closed room drama set in San Francisco apartment complex: landlord dies from fall. Did he jump or was he pushed? Tenant cum retired police officer interviews his fellow tenants and learns more than he anticipated. . . .Clever and fairly light with nice weaving together of story lines. Uses SF landmarks throughout the story. Wry humor as opposed to LOL.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ex-cop Sam McGowan has a mystery to solve in his own apartment building when his landlord jumps to his death. An eclectic group of neighbors, many with motive, provide distraction and humor as Sam tangles with an old nemesis, drug lord Zorro, in his search for the truth. Great beach read, especially after running out of Stephanie Plum novels.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stuff from an author new to me. The San Francisco setting is close to home and the characters are quirky. They mystery itself is pretty predicatable but the the overall experience is fine. I read this in pre-pub--the publication date is actually June 2009.

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about a San Francisco apartment building where the hated landlord "jumped" to his death - or did he?? In an Agatha Christie-like way, the various residents of one floor come together to solve the crime.

[Tbirdplanstoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Even head me laughing out loud at times. Absolutely love Jerome, the dumb pothead brother. Good stuff. I had the whodunnit figured out at the beginning of the book, but not all of the details, so getting through and figuring those out was fun :)

[Jen Talty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Maleeny is one of my favorite authors. His writing style is full of humor, yet very deep. Jump is fast, furious and FUN! It is an old fashioned murder mystery but better. This is a book not to be missed.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delight.... fast moving mystery with wonderfully unexpected spots of laughter throughout the book. There was a slight essence of Harlen Coben. Enjoyed it immensely. Will look for others by Mr Maleeny.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good and funny mystery. Enjoyed it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best opening chapters ever.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing, funny and clever. Contemporary references keep the plot fresh and great sense of place. Villans you hate to love, and love to hate. Don't miss this fun, fast read.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is very well intoduced to the reader i recomend it

[Jennifer Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pure sugar. If you're looking for a few hours of escapism and a chuckle or two in mystery format, this one is as good as any and better than most.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tightly plotted mystery with a sense of humor. Evocative of Carl Hiaasen in its treatment of the villains, I laughed out loud more than once.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the opportunity to laugh!