What do you think?
Rate this book
Fair Game: A Jackson Flint mystery, Yellow Springs, Ohio
"Assured prose matches the credible plot. Fans of realistic PI fiction will look forward to the sequel." - Publishers Weekly
"Refreshingly honest and legitimate take on the Private Investigator novel." - Great Mysteries and Thrillers
"Cleverly crafted...wild climax... entertaining, compelling story" - Vick Mickunas, NPR's Book Nook
"A delight for anyone wishing to reimagine the hard-boiled mystery" - Underdog Cafe
She vanished twenty years ago, erased from her small town.
Now a mysterious teen looks like the missing woman. Someone is not telling the truth.
Jackson Flint reluctantly takes the case. He plunges into back alleys and empty warehouses, dark places where the homeless seek refuge from prying eyes. This is life on the fringe. Shelter and safety are elusive, and something worse lurks one step away.
Jackson's friend Brick brings muscle. Brick is a giant of a man and an ex-Marine with a bit of PTSD. Enter J'Leah, a young tech expert who can compete with the men any day.
The showdown may bring a family back together or shatter it forever.
Jackson Flint is everyone's new favorite detective series.
Small-town, private investigator mysteries with a gritty and quirky edge.
"Refreshingly honest and legitimate take on the Private Investigator novel." - Great Mysteries and Thrillers
"Cleverly crafted...wild climax... entertaining, compelling story" - Vick Mickunas, NPR's Book Nook
"A delight for anyone wishing to reimagine the hard-boiled mystery" - Underdog Cafe
She vanished twenty years ago, erased from her small town.
Now a mysterious teen looks like the missing woman. Someone is not telling the truth.
Jackson Flint reluctantly takes the case. He plunges into back alleys and empty warehouses, dark places where the homeless seek refuge from prying eyes. This is life on the fringe. Shelter and safety are elusive, and something worse lurks one step away.
Jackson's friend Brick brings muscle. Brick is a giant of a man and an ex-Marine with a bit of PTSD. Enter J'Leah, a young tech expert who can compete with the men any day.
The showdown may bring a family back together or shatter it forever.
Jackson Flint is everyone's new favorite detective series.
Small-town, private investigator mysteries with a gritty and quirky edge.
252 pages, Hardcover
Published June 26, 2020
29 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Scott Geisel
10 books9 followersScott Geisel writes the critically acclaimed Jackson Flint mystery series. He is also the author of the Appalachian noir and suspense novel Miller Knew, and other works.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 7, 2020
This is a nice gumshoe-local-detective novel. I rate books lower than others do, but this is a solid three star book- an enjoyable, neatly written detective story. However, I initially read it because for me it is LOCAL. Scott Geisel uses Yellow Springs as his locale, and the fun was doubled as I read and tracked in my mind's eye where the intrepid Jackson Flint was as he moved through town. I also appreciate that Jackson is a good guy, a loving father and a kind human being. Reading this during the turmoil of 2020 has been a nice escape from what's on the news.
August 8, 2020
This is a very good first novel and series opener. It does a good job of introducing the main character, the setting, telling a decent story with a little mystery and all of that.
Setting: Yellow Springs, Ohio is on the cover, as prominent as the protagonist, Jackson Flint, and it's obvious the author intended Yellow Springs (and Dayton) to be a co-lead character. Repeatedly, Flint and other characters mention their love for Yellow Springs, and author Geisel does a good job of presenting the appropriately quirky village to us.
Detective: Jackson Flint checks all the boxes for a series P.I. He's an ex-cop, work-out freak, gun expert, no frills, quirky and incongruously literate tough guy, with a friend on the other side of the color-line who is all that taken to the next level who is also uber loyal to our lead character and ready and available to join in the mayhem at a moment's notice. Geisel gives us a few glimpses into Jackson Flint's past, as a way of explaining small pieces of his backstory. And there is one piece that is sort of a tragic past.
Mystery: Enjoyable, but fairly transparent. Geisel doesn't provide many options for who the bad guy might be. He was not subtle in dropping hints, and there was little attempt at misdirection. The first two thirds of the book, as the mystery is laid out and Jackson hunts for the missing people, has enough suspense to keep the pages turning. As the strong suspicion of the evildoer's identity was turned to absolute certainty, the momentum slowed during the lead-up to the denouement and the revelation and defeat of the culprit was a little anti-climatic. Enjoyable, but a little punchless. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I remember reading Elvis Cole books and wondering how Robert Crais managed to be more over-the-top than The A-Team. Some series are barnburners and some are not. Some people like action-packed barnburners, and some like cozies.
I admit, I like my mystery series with some action and danger in them, and I admit that's a limiting flaw of mine. But it's what I want. Despite a couple of action scenes, this was more cozy than violent calamity. This was not as neutered as a Margaret Maron book, but it's not as punchy as a Spenser book either. Although, I'll say Jackson Flint probably manages to be even more of a perfect human than Spenser and Judge Knott combined.
Everything just seemed a little too perfect. The village of Yellow Springs. Jackson Flint being a brawny brainy sensitive Whitman+Shakespeare quoting, healthfood eating, perfect man of a single father. Really, his crap doesn't stink. I'll bet Yellow Springs doesn't even have a dump - they probably dump their stinky trash in a place appropriately somewhere else. And Brick is, in different ways and some similar ways, more perfect than Jackson. They're like the Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney of modern-day PIs.
In the end, I really enjoyed this first novel, series opener. Scott Geisel has a good way with words, a good way of presenting his characters, and an inviting way of spinning a tale. Despite the sheer unrealistic perfection of the regular characters and Yellow Springs, I liked being a part of their world for a couple of days. I'll be around for the next installment, and that's high praise from me. Geisel shows a lot of promise here. I'll be back when Jackson Flint comes back!
Setting: Yellow Springs, Ohio is on the cover, as prominent as the protagonist, Jackson Flint, and it's obvious the author intended Yellow Springs (and Dayton) to be a co-lead character. Repeatedly, Flint and other characters mention their love for Yellow Springs, and author Geisel does a good job of presenting the appropriately quirky village to us.
Detective: Jackson Flint checks all the boxes for a series P.I. He's an ex-cop, work-out freak, gun expert, no frills, quirky and incongruously literate tough guy, with a friend on the other side of the color-line who is all that taken to the next level who is also uber loyal to our lead character and ready and available to join in the mayhem at a moment's notice. Geisel gives us a few glimpses into Jackson Flint's past, as a way of explaining small pieces of his backstory. And there is one piece that is sort of a tragic past.
Mystery: Enjoyable, but fairly transparent. Geisel doesn't provide many options for who the bad guy might be. He was not subtle in dropping hints, and there was little attempt at misdirection. The first two thirds of the book, as the mystery is laid out and Jackson hunts for the missing people, has enough suspense to keep the pages turning. As the strong suspicion of the evildoer's identity was turned to absolute certainty, the momentum slowed during the lead-up to the denouement and the revelation and defeat of the culprit was a little anti-climatic. Enjoyable, but a little punchless. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I remember reading Elvis Cole books and wondering how Robert Crais managed to be more over-the-top than The A-Team. Some series are barnburners and some are not. Some people like action-packed barnburners, and some like cozies.
I admit, I like my mystery series with some action and danger in them, and I admit that's a limiting flaw of mine. But it's what I want. Despite a couple of action scenes, this was more cozy than violent calamity. This was not as neutered as a Margaret Maron book, but it's not as punchy as a Spenser book either. Although, I'll say Jackson Flint probably manages to be even more of a perfect human than Spenser and Judge Knott combined.
Everything just seemed a little too perfect. The village of Yellow Springs. Jackson Flint being a brawny brainy sensitive Whitman+Shakespeare quoting, healthfood eating, perfect man of a single father. Really, his crap doesn't stink. I'll bet Yellow Springs doesn't even have a dump - they probably dump their stinky trash in a place appropriately somewhere else. And Brick is, in different ways and some similar ways, more perfect than Jackson. They're like the Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney of modern-day PIs.
In the end, I really enjoyed this first novel, series opener. Scott Geisel has a good way with words, a good way of presenting his characters, and an inviting way of spinning a tale. Despite the sheer unrealistic perfection of the regular characters and Yellow Springs, I liked being a part of their world for a couple of days. I'll be around for the next installment, and that's high praise from me. Geisel shows a lot of promise here. I'll be back when Jackson Flint comes back!
September 28, 2020
I read this book because I live in a large Ohio city down the road from Yellow Springs and I enjoyed very much as the author spoke about all the local areas in YS.
I also very much enjoyed the way he spoke because he used phrases that I use daily. Very realistic.
I liked the story but the plot sagged in the middle of the book and I lost a bit of interest. The characters were well drawn and I really liked Brick and J’Leah. I will read any future books in this series.
I also very much enjoyed the way he spoke because he used phrases that I use daily. Very realistic.
I liked the story but the plot sagged in the middle of the book and I lost a bit of interest. The characters were well drawn and I really liked Brick and J’Leah. I will read any future books in this series.
August 31, 2020
An engaging, very readable book with likable, believable characters and a good mix of action and analysis as the mystery evolves. As a long-time Dayton resident, I ordered this book mostly out of curiosity, thinking it would be fun to read something set in Yellow Springs. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the writing. The opening chapter immediately grabbed my attention and the pace of the mystery and the final reveal was perfect. The portrayal of the quirky community is "spot on". Hints of deeper backstories for the main characters has me looking forward to many more installments of Jackson Flint adventures.
October 27, 2020
If you know and love Yellow Springs, this is a charming book. I enjoyed the diverse cast and the straightforward, cinematic style. I haven’t read many detective novels, but I think there is some room for improvement in regards to the twist ending/big reveal. Also it seemed like Jackson Flint could have had some more adversity/personal challenges/growth as a character. Despite some past trials, his life seemed kind of great and convenient.
September 25, 2021
3 and 1/2 stars.
Since I live close to funky, eclectic Yellow Springs, OH, I enjoyed the setting of this book as much as the diverse characters.
If there's a next Jackson Flint mystery, I hope Brick, Marzi and J'Leah are in it.
I agree with J'Leah, "I love Yellow Springs." I also liked that the cat was named after a fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jenkins. hahaha
Since I live close to funky, eclectic Yellow Springs, OH, I enjoyed the setting of this book as much as the diverse characters.
If there's a next Jackson Flint mystery, I hope Brick, Marzi and J'Leah are in it.
I agree with J'Leah, "I love Yellow Springs." I also liked that the cat was named after a fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jenkins. hahaha
June 1, 2025
his wife died, he has teen girl. he is pi
he was driving home in the rainy dark night and found a teen girl walking by herself. he offered a ride, offered to let her call his daughter to prove he was safe. she got in without calling
she took off when he stopped trying to figure out where to drop her off and he tried to find her but couldnt
the next day a lawyer comes to hire him. very mysterious. a rich lady in town wants him to find her daughter who went missing 20 yrs ago. her husband had hired someone 2 weeks before he died
the girl he picked up looked just like her daughter but he didnt mention it
there were 2 calls from a prof's office. he went and spoke to the prof and doesnt think he had anything to do with it. he staked it out and the girl he had picked up snuck in and called twice more. he followed her to a homeless encampment but they chased him off and he couldnt find her again
he is going to contact the pi that the husband had hired before he died
he got his friend brick, who he exercises by hauling car parts around and running up mountains with, to help him along with his friend a woman who just got out of the service
they tracked down the mom and then reunited her with the grandma who got a call from a kidnapper that wanted $2 million for the granddaughter
they did the drop with a phone for the money to be wired at a street fair. he found the girl in the car with the former pi who had set the whole thing up. after a chase the police came and questioned the ones they could find.
really good book and i would read the rest of the series!
he was driving home in the rainy dark night and found a teen girl walking by herself. he offered a ride, offered to let her call his daughter to prove he was safe. she got in without calling
she took off when he stopped trying to figure out where to drop her off and he tried to find her but couldnt
the next day a lawyer comes to hire him. very mysterious. a rich lady in town wants him to find her daughter who went missing 20 yrs ago. her husband had hired someone 2 weeks before he died
the girl he picked up looked just like her daughter but he didnt mention it
there were 2 calls from a prof's office. he went and spoke to the prof and doesnt think he had anything to do with it. he staked it out and the girl he had picked up snuck in and called twice more. he followed her to a homeless encampment but they chased him off and he couldnt find her again
he is going to contact the pi that the husband had hired before he died
he got his friend brick, who he exercises by hauling car parts around and running up mountains with, to help him along with his friend a woman who just got out of the service
they tracked down the mom and then reunited her with the grandma who got a call from a kidnapper that wanted $2 million for the granddaughter
they did the drop with a phone for the money to be wired at a street fair. he found the girl in the car with the former pi who had set the whole thing up. after a chase the police came and questioned the ones they could find.
really good book and i would read the rest of the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2022
Fair Game by Scott Geisel is a refreshingly honest and legitimate take on the Private Investigation novel. Rather than being placed in a large city, it is in Yellow Springs, Ohio, a small town in the Midwest of the United States. The unique location reveals a quaint village filled with everyday citizens having unique problems.
Jackson Flint is a local P.I. who picks up a distressed woman during an evening thunderstorm. The woman leaves, and Jackson is determined to find her and reunite her with her family. A lawyer contacts Jackson with a client who wants to find the missing woman.
Fair Game moves along rapidly while developing the personalities of the major and minor players. Readers will look forward to the second Jackson Flint novel.
Jackson Flint is a local P.I. who picks up a distressed woman during an evening thunderstorm. The woman leaves, and Jackson is determined to find her and reunite her with her family. A lawyer contacts Jackson with a client who wants to find the missing woman.
Fair Game moves along rapidly while developing the personalities of the major and minor players. Readers will look forward to the second Jackson Flint novel.
February 20, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The writing was solid, and the story kept me turning the pages. All the characters were wonderful - from the main character to his family, friends, and associates. Even the client and the people surrounding her were well developed and made me root for them. One of my favorite things about this novel was how lovingly it depicts Yellow Springs, Ohio. All the references to real places will be a delight for anyone from the area, but equally great is the fact that you don't have to be familiar with the places to be enamored with the village, because the author paints such a vivid picture of the setting. I recommend this book for fans of mysteries, small town tales, and/or good characterization.
September 9, 2021
I enjoyed this book set in a nearby small town. The main character, Jackson, was a likable, well written character and the sidekicks, Brick and J’liah were intriguing. I hope they are in the next book. The plot worked well with a few twists. I did think that there were too many setting descriptions. The author could save some for the next books. I will look for more.
June 24, 2024
Fair Game by Scott Geisel was a good story. It’s the first book in the Jackson Flint mystery series. A chance meeting of a girl in the rain led Jackson to multi-generational family mystery in a small Ohio town. Great characters, a good plot line, and some unforseen twists and turns made this a book that was hard to put down.
October 5, 2024
Good read
Makes you feel like you are in the story. Maybe watching from above as the story unfolds. Characters seem real as you would know them if you lived in a small town. Interesting development of the plot.
Makes you feel like you are in the story. Maybe watching from above as the story unfolds. Characters seem real as you would know them if you lived in a small town. Interesting development of the plot.
October 28, 2025
This was a fun adventure. The characters are well developed and interesting. I may have enjoyed the book too much since I, at one time, lived in Yellow Springs and can envision everything the author is including.
Looking forward to the next book!
Looking forward to the next book!
March 28, 2024
Lots of fun recognizing all the places in here. I'll check out more of the series also, the story was solid too.
June 2, 2025
Great book
I loved this book. Fast paced and hard to put down. I can't wait to read another book with some of the same characters.
I loved this book. Fast paced and hard to put down. I can't wait to read another book with some of the same characters.
December 20, 2025
Fair Game
Very good book with interesting characters! The story line was good. The type of book you can relax and enjoy!
Very good book with interesting characters! The story line was good. The type of book you can relax and enjoy!
April 9, 2021
This was a good book. I enjoyed the high action plot and the frustration the main character felt as he tried to put the pieces of this mystery together. My favorite aspect of this book are the little quirks Jackson Flint has and how prominent it pops up in the story telling. This book was well done for a debut novel. If you want a more modern, more personable Sherlock Holmes, then this is a great book for you! I hope this helps! Happy Reading, and Blessed Be.
Lily Ashtree
Lily Ashtree
February 15, 2021
I loved this book, mainly because it takes place in Yellow Springs. It was light, easy reading and really kept my attention.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews