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Detective Gagon #1
Handsome
ASIN moved from less recent edition
Being handsome has its advantages and affords him easy access into people’s homes. They quickly learn you can not judge a book by its cover when they pay the ultimate price with their lives. He didn’t ask to look the way he does, nor to lose his loving mother at such a young age. Dealing with unwanted memories, he will find a way to erase his past by cleansing the city as he sees fit.
Detective Marcy Gagon, finds at times her relationship with the lead coroner, Krista Jones, a harder case to crack than the one she’s trying to solve. She feels alone in the hunt for a man whom she believes is a serial killer. The Chief of Police refuses to entertain the possibility that Toronto has yet another serial killer until she can bring him solid proof. But when another couple are killed within 24 hours of the last, Marcy gets the push she needs, and new leads come pouring in. Fully engulfed in her job, she also learns a deeper secret to her girlfriend’s past that only strengthens their bond. Hot on the heels of a killer, Marcy must somehow bring his reign of terror to an end without letting her personal life interfere.
Being handsome has its advantages and affords him easy access into people’s homes. They quickly learn you can not judge a book by its cover when they pay the ultimate price with their lives. He didn’t ask to look the way he does, nor to lose his loving mother at such a young age. Dealing with unwanted memories, he will find a way to erase his past by cleansing the city as he sees fit.
Detective Marcy Gagon, finds at times her relationship with the lead coroner, Krista Jones, a harder case to crack than the one she’s trying to solve. She feels alone in the hunt for a man whom she believes is a serial killer. The Chief of Police refuses to entertain the possibility that Toronto has yet another serial killer until she can bring him solid proof. But when another couple are killed within 24 hours of the last, Marcy gets the push she needs, and new leads come pouring in. Fully engulfed in her job, she also learns a deeper secret to her girlfriend’s past that only strengthens their bond. Hot on the heels of a killer, Marcy must somehow bring his reign of terror to an end without letting her personal life interfere.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2020
15 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Jacobs
35 books116 followersTheresa believes in magic, fairies, dragons, and ghosts. Yet she trusts science and thinks aliens know too much.
Though she still works full-time, she has published ten books in five years, has been included in many anthologies and has a short film available online.
She champions all things creative because art, in any form, saves our souls.
Though she still works full-time, she has published ten books in five years, has been included in many anthologies and has a short film available online.
She champions all things creative because art, in any form, saves our souls.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 3, 2021
BOOK BLURB: Being handsome has its advantages and affords him easy access into people’s homes. They quickly learn you can not judge a book by its cover when they pay the ultimate price with their lives.
Detective Marcy Gagon and her team are charged with investigating an unusual murder. And it won't be the last couple that are found killed in the same way.
Marcy believes a serial killer is at work, yet the Chief of Police wants solid evidence sufficient to back her belief. Working closely with the coroner, Krista Jones, she hopes to find this proof before any more people are killed.
It's a fast-paced race to bring the killer to justice .... and Marcy is smart and determined... but at what cost?
The reader learns who the killer is at the very beginning. It's the "why" that's so intriguing. There are snippets here and there that explain why he does what he does and what he wants to accomplish. It's nicely plotted with Marcy's private life blending with the professional. The characters are deftly drawn and work well together within the swirling non-stop action. The conclusion came fast and furious and was totally unsuspected.
Many thanks to the author / The Independent Book Review (FB) for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Detective Marcy Gagon and her team are charged with investigating an unusual murder. And it won't be the last couple that are found killed in the same way.
Marcy believes a serial killer is at work, yet the Chief of Police wants solid evidence sufficient to back her belief. Working closely with the coroner, Krista Jones, she hopes to find this proof before any more people are killed.
It's a fast-paced race to bring the killer to justice .... and Marcy is smart and determined... but at what cost?
The reader learns who the killer is at the very beginning. It's the "why" that's so intriguing. There are snippets here and there that explain why he does what he does and what he wants to accomplish. It's nicely plotted with Marcy's private life blending with the professional. The characters are deftly drawn and work well together within the swirling non-stop action. The conclusion came fast and furious and was totally unsuspected.
Many thanks to the author / The Independent Book Review (FB) for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 17, 2020
This is a really tense thriller that grabs you by the throat right away and doesn't let go. An intense ride, full of great descriptions and a complicated main character detective. It's the kind of book where the antagonist really carries it and you're consumed by his charm and his deception. A fun read and just dark enough!
December 12, 2020
Handsome is an intense and enjoyable read with a different feel in some ways from a typical mystery with a police detective as the main character. We as the reader know who the culprit is early on, but this tends to make for a more intense read because we also have a feel for just how messed up he is. I found it made me pull for Marcy (aka Detective Gagon) to figure out who he was and stop him even more than I typically would. But it is also apparent that the killer has some issues that while it couldn’t justify what he’s doing, at least makes you feel sorry for him. Trying to understand his past from the various clues that come out and pulling for Marcy to find him before he did more damage were the main feelings I was having as I read and tried to guess where the story was going next. I also found a subsidiary story thread, largely unrelated to the main one, of the clash between Marcy and her girlfriend over work and how much demand it should put on their time was an interesting one, mainly because it felt (correctly, it turns out) that there was more to it than was obvious at first glance. All in all an intense, engaging mystery.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
December 2, 2021
This is the book version of Criminal Minds. I promise, if you love CM like I do then this is definitely for you. It took me a bit to get into, but my mind is a little chaotic at times, so I blame that lol It has some gruesome scenes that made me say "Eww" a few times, but really clever, dark & gripping. I
Absolutely love the female detective. Passionate & strong.
Lgbtq rep - sapphic MC.
Potential Triggers: Death - murder - violence.
I'll never look at a pineapple again in the same way lol xo
Absolutely love the female detective. Passionate & strong.
Lgbtq rep - sapphic MC.
Potential Triggers: Death - murder - violence.
I'll never look at a pineapple again in the same way lol xo
September 18, 2020
A clever and intelligent take on the serial killer theme, loved it!
As an avid fan and reader of the serial killer genre, it takes a damned good story to impress me. Having said that, this is a cracking little novella that ticks all the right boxes for me. Not only do we have the classic deranged but otherwise 'seemingly' normal serial killer who exploits his charm and good looks to facilitate his crimes, but the story delves into the seedier side of the 'swinging' scene, providing a clever and intriguing insight into a world most are unaware of. The way the killer goes about selecting his victims is one of the most original I've come across and really caught me by surprise. Quite apart from the excellence of the writing and a damned good story, the author breaks away from the stereotype male detective and creates characters that are more reflective of a changing society ... the lead character, detective Marcy Gagon, is one that I certainly hope to be reading more of and her relationship with Krista and any future cases they might work on together. Although a relatively quick read, this is a story that punches well above its weight and keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end!
As an avid fan and reader of the serial killer genre, it takes a damned good story to impress me. Having said that, this is a cracking little novella that ticks all the right boxes for me. Not only do we have the classic deranged but otherwise 'seemingly' normal serial killer who exploits his charm and good looks to facilitate his crimes, but the story delves into the seedier side of the 'swinging' scene, providing a clever and intriguing insight into a world most are unaware of. The way the killer goes about selecting his victims is one of the most original I've come across and really caught me by surprise. Quite apart from the excellence of the writing and a damned good story, the author breaks away from the stereotype male detective and creates characters that are more reflective of a changing society ... the lead character, detective Marcy Gagon, is one that I certainly hope to be reading more of and her relationship with Krista and any future cases they might work on together. Although a relatively quick read, this is a story that punches well above its weight and keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end!
September 29, 2020
I loved this novella. I’m new to this author’s work, and if this is a fair example of how she writes, I am definitely in for the long haul! The story is original and clever, and so skilfully mapped out that although the handsome serial killer of the title is introduced early on, the plot is constantly unfolding and gradually builds towards the full horrific picture. As a psychotherapist, I’ve always been intrigued by the psychology behind the actions and wrong turnings we take, and ‘Handsome’ is a brilliant portrayal of how and why a mind can crack with such devastating and deadly repercussions. Marcy Gagon, the lesbian detective tracking down the handsome killer, is an interesting character in her own right, and her troubled relationship with Krista, the forensic pathologist, provides a fascinating backdrop. The denouement is satisfying, though not without some cost, and I finished the book hoping that the author will develop her central characters in subsequent stories. A real and unexpected gem of a read.
June 29, 2020
Handsome is a police thriller set in Toronto and revolving around Detective Gagon. In Handsome, Gagon is chasing down a serial killer with a particular group of targets. It had been a while since I'd read any non-horror so this made a refreshing change. Jacobs has put together a clever, fast-paced, and enjoyable book that any fans of police procedurals and serial killer thrillers are sure to enjoy.
July 8, 2020
An especially exciting cat and mouse police thriller, in which both cat and mouse are intriguing, unique characters in modern suspense fiction. A handsome mouse with a mommy complex who preys on kinky couples; and a lady cat who likes p-, well, she is trying to keep her same sex relationship afloat while dealing with the pressures of finding the serial killer before he strikes again. Riveting, exceptionally well-written thriller!
November 15, 2021
Great, fast paced thriller!
This is not my typical read but I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading by these authors, but I will definitely be reading their books again.Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.
This is not my typical read but I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading by these authors, but I will definitely be reading their books again.Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.
September 9, 2020
Enjoyable easy crime read
I quite enjoyed this game of cops and killer. Gagon is a solid character who is tough, relentless but also knows when to and for help. Will make for an interesting series.
I quite enjoyed this game of cops and killer. Gagon is a solid character who is tough, relentless but also knows when to and for help. Will make for an interesting series.
September 11, 2020
Good book
Very terrifying and kept my interest. It kept kept you guessing and wondering. I recommend this book. I didn't want to put it down.
Very terrifying and kept my interest. It kept kept you guessing and wondering. I recommend this book. I didn't want to put it down.
June 29, 2020
“Handsome is as handsome does”, so they say. Not this time! A serial killer uses his looks and his charm to get close to his victims – the women he’s convinced deserve to die.
On his case is the brilliantly-drawn Detective Marcy Gagon, so alive she steps off the page. Troubles with her partner, Krista, a Chief of Police who prefers not to admit Marcy could be right; there is a serial killer lose on the streets...
This is a book to read at one sitting, but not alone in the house at night!
On his case is the brilliantly-drawn Detective Marcy Gagon, so alive she steps off the page. Troubles with her partner, Krista, a Chief of Police who prefers not to admit Marcy could be right; there is a serial killer lose on the streets...
This is a book to read at one sitting, but not alone in the house at night!
August 12, 2021
Jacobs pens a breathtaking story in Handsome. I have read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed that story, but this may be my favorite (and the other one was grand as well). The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. There were two stories going on, and some underlining stories, and each one blended very well together. First, yes, there is a serial killer, and he happens to use his charm and good looks catch his prey. Then, we have Marcy, a detective, who is connected in more ways than one with Krista, the coroner. So, there's that, and the best of the entire story, is the entire story. The intertwining of plots and characters, make it so suspenseful that this reader savored every word on every page. Serial killers, lovers, detectives hot on the trail and an unpredictable ending, what a combination. I don't say this much, but, well, WOW! (If I used my favorite word, "nifty," I would not only be dating myself, but also not describing the story well enough). A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. This author has a great imagination and I'm glad it's being shared with stories. Handsome doesn't just describe the killer's looks, but the story itself. This read is more than just words on a page. Handsome is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
September 15, 2021
This was an enjoyable crime thriller. It's a smidge shorter than your average book, but there's no skimping anywhere…and the only thing that alerted me to the number of pages was that I finished the book sooner than I finish most, and I wondered how I'd managed that.
It's very neatly constructed and plotted. A serial killer, a particularly handsome one, is killing couples with a certain penchant, and Detective Marcy Gagon is the lead in the case. Her instincts are good, but her personal life and an uncooperative chief of police threaten to throw her off kilter.
There's a good balance of focus between personal and professional. It's an easy, smooth, effortless read without an overly complicated plot. The characters are credible and well portrayed. It's a book with a satisfying pace and ending.
I love seeing that '#1' after the subheading…'Detective Gagon Novel #1' because it means, hopefully, there will be a '#2'. I'll be all over that!
It's very neatly constructed and plotted. A serial killer, a particularly handsome one, is killing couples with a certain penchant, and Detective Marcy Gagon is the lead in the case. Her instincts are good, but her personal life and an uncooperative chief of police threaten to throw her off kilter.
There's a good balance of focus between personal and professional. It's an easy, smooth, effortless read without an overly complicated plot. The characters are credible and well portrayed. It's a book with a satisfying pace and ending.
I love seeing that '#1' after the subheading…'Detective Gagon Novel #1' because it means, hopefully, there will be a '#2'. I'll be all over that!
September 19, 2020
However an individual author treats a story, a cross-section of readers will want different things from the reading experience. Entertainment in any story is a given, but in a crime thriller, I hope to find a cracking pace, superb characterisation, natural dialogue, good imagery and accurate choreography. In this excellent tale, every box was ticked for me.
Crime thrillers may not be this author’s stock-in-trade genre, but I believe in her main character, Detective Marcy Gagon, she has created a likeable, believable cornerstone for ongoing adventures.
I highly recommend this tale to lovers of fast-paced crime thrillers. Kudos, Theresa Jacobs.
Crime thrillers may not be this author’s stock-in-trade genre, but I believe in her main character, Detective Marcy Gagon, she has created a likeable, believable cornerstone for ongoing adventures.
I highly recommend this tale to lovers of fast-paced crime thrillers. Kudos, Theresa Jacobs.
October 3, 2020
The hunt for a serial killer begins in Theresa Jacobs’ Handsome! A man with a twisted past is going on dates with women and leaving with more than just their number. Detective Marcy Gagon must contend with a boss that doesn’t believe her and a complicated relationship as she hunts down the killer before he can score another victim. Jacobs blends a gritty detective thriller with a heartfelt (and loveable) romance perfectly in this pulse-pounding thriller! I was hooked by the depth of the characters alone, not to mention the twisting police case. If you love a good detective thriller with great characters, come hunt a monster in Handsome!
June 29, 2020
“Handsome is as handsome does”, so they say. Not this time! A serial killer uses his looks and his charm to get close to his victims – the women he’s convinced deserve to die.
On his case is the brilliantly-drawn Detective Marcy Gagon, so alive she steps off the page. Troubles with her partner, Krista, a Chief of Police who prefers not to admit Marcy could be right; there is a serial killer lose on the streets...
This is a book to read at one sitting, but not alone in the house at night!
On his case is the brilliantly-drawn Detective Marcy Gagon, so alive she steps off the page. Troubles with her partner, Krista, a Chief of Police who prefers not to admit Marcy could be right; there is a serial killer lose on the streets...
This is a book to read at one sitting, but not alone in the house at night!
November 18, 2021
Oh ok
Wow this book completely took me by surprise I was expecting one thing when the book started and wasn't even close. The story flows really well and has exactly what you need to keep reading.
Wow this book completely took me by surprise I was expecting one thing when the book started and wasn't even close. The story flows really well and has exactly what you need to keep reading.
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July 23, 2022
Great police thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of action. The main character was really interesting. Would definitely read more from this author!
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of action. The main character was really interesting. Would definitely read more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews