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Marty Singer #8
Chasing the Pain
“If you’re reading this, then you haven’t heard from me in three weeks, maybe more. If that’s the case, call Marty Singer. He’ll know what to do.”
That’s the note Elizabeth Reynolds, ex-wife of friend and former US Marshal Karl Schovasa, hands retired cop Marty Singer. Schovasa’s missing after trying to guide a young addict away from being exploited by a fake rehab center, and all signs point to foul play. In a bid to save both of them, Marty heads south to Palm Beach to take on a cabal of crooks, con men, and drug dealers that operate at will up and down the East coast. They’re the masterminds of a scam worth millions...a scam they’re willing to kill for if it stops Marty from Chasing the Pain.
That’s the note Elizabeth Reynolds, ex-wife of friend and former US Marshal Karl Schovasa, hands retired cop Marty Singer. Schovasa’s missing after trying to guide a young addict away from being exploited by a fake rehab center, and all signs point to foul play. In a bid to save both of them, Marty heads south to Palm Beach to take on a cabal of crooks, con men, and drug dealers that operate at will up and down the East coast. They’re the masterminds of a scam worth millions...a scam they’re willing to kill for if it stops Marty from Chasing the Pain.
- GenresCrime
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2021
About the author
Matthew Iden
34 books345 followersI write fantasy, science fiction, horror, thrillers, crime fiction, and contemporary literary fiction with a psychological twist.
I’ve held jobs with the US Postal Service, international non-profit groups, a short stint with the Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, and time with the globe-spanning Semester at Sea program. Trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Antarctica added to the creative pot, as well, and I started to put all those experiences to good use about eight years ago--thinking, dreaming, and writing.
Please email me at matt.iden AT matthew-iden.com, Tweet @CrimeRighter, or find me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/matthew.iden.
The Marty Singer detective series is:
A Reason to Live (Marty Singer #1)
Blueblood (Marty Singer #2)
One Right Thing (Marty Singer #3)
The Spike (Marty Singer #4)
The Wicked Flee (Marty Singer #5)
I’ve held jobs with the US Postal Service, international non-profit groups, a short stint with the Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, and time with the globe-spanning Semester at Sea program. Trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Antarctica added to the creative pot, as well, and I started to put all those experiences to good use about eight years ago--thinking, dreaming, and writing.
Please email me at matt.iden AT matthew-iden.com, Tweet @CrimeRighter, or find me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/matthew.iden.
The Marty Singer detective series is:
A Reason to Live (Marty Singer #1)
Blueblood (Marty Singer #2)
One Right Thing (Marty Singer #3)
The Spike (Marty Singer #4)
The Wicked Flee (Marty Singer #5)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 1, 2021
When Elizabeth Reynolds, ex wife of Marty Singer’s old friend, ex US Marshall Karl Schovasa, contacted Marty to let him know Karl had gone missing, and could he find him, Marty had no idea what he was heading into. As Marty investigated, he discovered that a young woman who’d been in rehab for addiction, and Karl, had formed a friendship of sorts. But when first Meredith, then Karl both went missing, Marty had the distinct notion that foul play was afoot.
Heading to Palm Beach, Florida, Marty found himself almost immediately tangled up in the underworld of drug dealers, pitiful but desperate addicts, con artists and scams. What Marty observed shocked and angered him, but with the unlikely support of a couple of men who knew what they were doing, Marty hatched a plan. But would it work? There were things happening that were much more powerful than he would ever be. Could he find Karl, safe and well? Was Meredith still alive?
Chasing the Pain is the 8th in the Marty Singer series by Matthew Iden and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, chilling and intense, I particularly liked when Don, Madame and Marty were together in the Caprice – funny in a serious kind of way! A excellent read with plenty of bad guys, Marty is a great character. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Heading to Palm Beach, Florida, Marty found himself almost immediately tangled up in the underworld of drug dealers, pitiful but desperate addicts, con artists and scams. What Marty observed shocked and angered him, but with the unlikely support of a couple of men who knew what they were doing, Marty hatched a plan. But would it work? There were things happening that were much more powerful than he would ever be. Could he find Karl, safe and well? Was Meredith still alive?
Chasing the Pain is the 8th in the Marty Singer series by Matthew Iden and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, chilling and intense, I particularly liked when Don, Madame and Marty were together in the Caprice – funny in a serious kind of way! A excellent read with plenty of bad guys, Marty is a great character. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2021
I have to say I am glad I got to read about Marty again. I have very mixed feelings about this book . I liked the main character that is a given and some of the secondary characters and the dialogue was pretty good. I thought the story was decent but not great and I thought the first half was pretty slow but it did pick up tempo in the second half of the book. I just could never get into the main story it did not seem urgent. I also thought Marty made too many mistakes for being a seasoned pro, it was a little distracting. The beginning of the end had a jolt to it that I did not see happening and I have to give him credit for that lol. On the flip side I did not like very end of the book. I think the ending was out of character for Marty going by the preceding 7 books in the series. I think that part could have been better played. I give this book about a 3.1 which is low for this series. I look forward to the next book in the series and I say give this book a good a spin. I say read this series in order which is normal for any series. I say give this series a big spin
April 27, 2021
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
THE SET-UP
Once upon a time, it seemed like at least 40% of the P.I. novels/TV shows I read started out with an old friend (usually that the reader/viewer had never heard of) coming to the P.I. for help—or getting word to him that they were in trouble. It was a quick and effective way for the P.I. to get involved in the case without all the bother of interviewing a prospective client and worrying about money and whatnot. Obviously, it was better if it was someone the reader/viewer knew so we'd be invested, too.
And that's what we have here, Marty Singer gets a visit from the ex-wife of a man he'd worked with not that long ago (Book 6, Once Was Lost, for the reader). He's gone missing, leaving a note for his ex that reads:
Marty, a former DC Homicide detective, really has no choice (not that he wants one). He needs to find the retired US Marshall, Karl Schovasa, and bring him home—and helping Karl out however he needs to in order to get him able to come home.
THE PROTAGONIST
So, I'm coming into this series late (this is Book 8), but here's what I picked up about Marty. He's a retired detective and a cancer survivor. He now does favors for people, acting like a P.I. without a license (for undoubtedly a good reason). Think Matthew Scudder without the alcoholism.* He's got a great girlfriend and there's a young woman in their life that might as well be an adoptive daughter**. Drawing on his experience and contacts, he seems to be fairly successful at what he does.
* This is just my impression at this point, I could be way off.
** Think Spenser and Paul Giacomin.
I didn't get to spend a lot of time with his girlfriend or daughter-figure, but they seemed like the kind of characters you'd want to spend more time with, and the interaction between the three of them served to make the reader like Marty.
THE VICTIM
Karl Schovasa ran into Marty when they were on opposite sides of a case a couple of years back—but at some point, they realized they weren't really on opposite sides and combined their efforts, forging a friendship. In the meantime, Karl's addictions became worse—although Marty sees signs of him sobering up (and signs that the sobering didn't last).
It looks like Karl befriended a young woman in a treatment group and decided she was in trouble. She'd ended up in a treatment center in Palm Beach, and it looks like Karl followed her there. Then he disappeared.
So, it's off to Palm Beach for Marty to look for Karl—and probably the girl, too—and then the trouble really starts. And I'm going to leave it there.
A REFRESHING TAKE ON VIOLENCE
Like any good P.I. (or P.I. adjacent) novel, there's a little violence—really 4 incidents of it. There's nothing all that dramatic or over-the-top with them, they're pretty straightforward. The biggest one—in terms of importance, and I think word count—is a fistfight. This is about as far as you can get from a Jack Reacher kind of fight. It's nasty, brutish, and short.
Usually, in fiction—even among the more "realistic" works—a fistfight is something that the protagonist/their allies can shake off pretty quickly. Not this one. It really wasn't that entertaining (the way that a Reacher or Spenser fistfight typically is), but it comes across as how things actually go down when someone is attacked from behind by someone swinging a piece of lumber against their head.
I loved that. I need to see more of that.
I DEMAND A SPIN-OFF!
Being a fish out of water as he is in Palm Beach, Marty needs to make some allies—and he does that with a little help from an old contact. I really liked all the allies we meet, Iden knows how to quickly get you to like a supporting character (he does it 3-4 times effortlessly). There are some characters that you encounter in various novels that basically steal every scene that they're in. In this book, that character is Madame Cormier. I can't say anything more than that without diminishing your experience in meeting Madame (but, boy howdy, I want to). All I can say is that I didn't get enough, and I'm certain the character is worth a novel—if not a series—without Singer or the rest around.
Iden talks a little about this in the Q&A I had with him. (which will post a little later today)
THE REAL-LIFE CRIME
Like so many Crime Writers do, Iden took the central idea for the crimes at the center of this novel from the news. I'd never heard of the way that these unscrupulous addiction treatment centers were gaming the system using the Internet and Insurance Payments to make a ridiculous kind of money. Iden provides links to his sources (at least some of them) at the end of the book—they made my blood boil and almost took away from the pleasant experience I had with the book.
I mention this just to say, while you read Chasing the Pain and you think, "this is preposterous, no one can get away with this..." Just know that it's not. John Rogers would frequently say they had to tone down the crimes they based Leverage's crooks on because no one would believe what had actually happened. Something tells me Iden did something similar.
Also, I mention this all to say: if you're someone who gets mad when they read news stories? Maybe skip the research at the end.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CHASING THE PAIN?
First off, this book has a nostalgic feel for me—this feels like the Crime Fiction that I cut my teeth on back in Junior High/High School (both in books and on TV). Both the way Iden tells the story and the character of Marty Singer just takes me back to that time. So I like it for that alone.
But the story he's telling isn't really the kind of thing that anyone was telling in the 1980s (and not just because of the technology involved). And that is just as appealing to me, if not more so.
There's something about this book that was just fun to read--I sat down to read about 10% on the first night, just to get the book started and get a feel for it. Before I knew what had happened, I was about one-third of the way in. I just didn't want to stop reading—I could've easily finished it in that sitting, if I didn't have a list of things to get to. It was still early in the book, so I hadn't got hooked by the story or anything yet. It was just a pleasant read—I'm not sure I can put it into words, but everyone reading this knows what I'm talking about. A book like that gets me to come back to the series.
I liked this enough that I've purchased the first Marty Singer book, A Reason to Live, and am looking forward to catching up with this series. I bet I'm not the only one who reacts that way to this book.
This is a fast, easy read with characters you'll like and believable conflicts for Marty to resolve. Marty himself has a strong, engaging voice that's a pleasure to read. I recommend this novel and expect I'll recommend the rest.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for this post and my honest opinion. I appreciate the opportunity, but, as always, my opinions are my own.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
THE SET-UP
Once upon a time, it seemed like at least 40% of the P.I. novels/TV shows I read started out with an old friend (usually that the reader/viewer had never heard of) coming to the P.I. for help—or getting word to him that they were in trouble. It was a quick and effective way for the P.I. to get involved in the case without all the bother of interviewing a prospective client and worrying about money and whatnot. Obviously, it was better if it was someone the reader/viewer knew so we'd be invested, too.
And that's what we have here, Marty Singer gets a visit from the ex-wife of a man he'd worked with not that long ago (Book 6, Once Was Lost, for the reader). He's gone missing, leaving a note for his ex that reads:
If you’re reading this, then you haven’t heard from me in three weeks, maybe more. If that’s the case, call Marty Singer. He’ll know what to do.
Marty, a former DC Homicide detective, really has no choice (not that he wants one). He needs to find the retired US Marshall, Karl Schovasa, and bring him home—and helping Karl out however he needs to in order to get him able to come home.
THE PROTAGONIST
So, I'm coming into this series late (this is Book 8), but here's what I picked up about Marty. He's a retired detective and a cancer survivor. He now does favors for people, acting like a P.I. without a license (for undoubtedly a good reason). Think Matthew Scudder without the alcoholism.* He's got a great girlfriend and there's a young woman in their life that might as well be an adoptive daughter**. Drawing on his experience and contacts, he seems to be fairly successful at what he does.
* This is just my impression at this point, I could be way off.
** Think Spenser and Paul Giacomin.
I didn't get to spend a lot of time with his girlfriend or daughter-figure, but they seemed like the kind of characters you'd want to spend more time with, and the interaction between the three of them served to make the reader like Marty.
THE VICTIM
Karl Schovasa ran into Marty when they were on opposite sides of a case a couple of years back—but at some point, they realized they weren't really on opposite sides and combined their efforts, forging a friendship. In the meantime, Karl's addictions became worse—although Marty sees signs of him sobering up (and signs that the sobering didn't last).
It looks like Karl befriended a young woman in a treatment group and decided she was in trouble. She'd ended up in a treatment center in Palm Beach, and it looks like Karl followed her there. Then he disappeared.
So, it's off to Palm Beach for Marty to look for Karl—and probably the girl, too—and then the trouble really starts. And I'm going to leave it there.
A REFRESHING TAKE ON VIOLENCE
Like any good P.I. (or P.I. adjacent) novel, there's a little violence—really 4 incidents of it. There's nothing all that dramatic or over-the-top with them, they're pretty straightforward. The biggest one—in terms of importance, and I think word count—is a fistfight. This is about as far as you can get from a Jack Reacher kind of fight. It's nasty, brutish, and short.
Usually, in fiction—even among the more "realistic" works—a fistfight is something that the protagonist/their allies can shake off pretty quickly. Not this one. It really wasn't that entertaining (the way that a Reacher or Spenser fistfight typically is), but it comes across as how things actually go down when someone is attacked from behind by someone swinging a piece of lumber against their head.
I loved that. I need to see more of that.
I DEMAND A SPIN-OFF!
Being a fish out of water as he is in Palm Beach, Marty needs to make some allies—and he does that with a little help from an old contact. I really liked all the allies we meet, Iden knows how to quickly get you to like a supporting character (he does it 3-4 times effortlessly). There are some characters that you encounter in various novels that basically steal every scene that they're in. In this book, that character is Madame Cormier. I can't say anything more than that without diminishing your experience in meeting Madame (but, boy howdy, I want to). All I can say is that I didn't get enough, and I'm certain the character is worth a novel—if not a series—without Singer or the rest around.
Iden talks a little about this in the Q&A I had with him. (which will post a little later today)
THE REAL-LIFE CRIME
Like so many Crime Writers do, Iden took the central idea for the crimes at the center of this novel from the news. I'd never heard of the way that these unscrupulous addiction treatment centers were gaming the system using the Internet and Insurance Payments to make a ridiculous kind of money. Iden provides links to his sources (at least some of them) at the end of the book—they made my blood boil and almost took away from the pleasant experience I had with the book.
I mention this just to say, while you read Chasing the Pain and you think, "this is preposterous, no one can get away with this..." Just know that it's not. John Rogers would frequently say they had to tone down the crimes they based Leverage's crooks on because no one would believe what had actually happened. Something tells me Iden did something similar.
Also, I mention this all to say: if you're someone who gets mad when they read news stories? Maybe skip the research at the end.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CHASING THE PAIN?
First off, this book has a nostalgic feel for me—this feels like the Crime Fiction that I cut my teeth on back in Junior High/High School (both in books and on TV). Both the way Iden tells the story and the character of Marty Singer just takes me back to that time. So I like it for that alone.
But the story he's telling isn't really the kind of thing that anyone was telling in the 1980s (and not just because of the technology involved). And that is just as appealing to me, if not more so.
There's something about this book that was just fun to read--I sat down to read about 10% on the first night, just to get the book started and get a feel for it. Before I knew what had happened, I was about one-third of the way in. I just didn't want to stop reading—I could've easily finished it in that sitting, if I didn't have a list of things to get to. It was still early in the book, so I hadn't got hooked by the story or anything yet. It was just a pleasant read—I'm not sure I can put it into words, but everyone reading this knows what I'm talking about. A book like that gets me to come back to the series.
I liked this enough that I've purchased the first Marty Singer book, A Reason to Live, and am looking forward to catching up with this series. I bet I'm not the only one who reacts that way to this book.
This is a fast, easy read with characters you'll like and believable conflicts for Marty to resolve. Marty himself has a strong, engaging voice that's a pleasure to read. I recommend this novel and expect I'll recommend the rest.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for this post and my honest opinion. I appreciate the opportunity, but, as always, my opinions are my own.
January 26, 2021
From the moment I read page 2 where a bored and listless Marty Singer ignores an incoming call that had "... the phone in my pocket chattering like an angry cicada...." I felt a smile form on my face and had the happy thought of saying "Hello, again!" to my "old friend" Marty Singer!
I hadn't realized how much I had missed him since the last book.
Thank you, Matthew Iden, for bringing this slightly grouchy, but loveable lug, of a man, Retired
Detective Marty Singer, back into my life again.
It was great fun during this gray and dreary January to vicariously travel to warm and sunny West Palm Beach, FL with him, where he once again is on the hunt for evil doers who had the audacity to mess with one of his friends.
I couldn't have been happier to see Marty enlisting the help of a very colorful new friend he meets along the way, Madame Cormier. Hoping this new friend of his becomes a life-long one that Marty shares additional adventures with in the future.
Thanks again, Matthew.
Can't wait for the next "adventure in Marty-land"!
Otto Ray
I hadn't realized how much I had missed him since the last book.
Thank you, Matthew Iden, for bringing this slightly grouchy, but loveable lug, of a man, Retired
Detective Marty Singer, back into my life again.
It was great fun during this gray and dreary January to vicariously travel to warm and sunny West Palm Beach, FL with him, where he once again is on the hunt for evil doers who had the audacity to mess with one of his friends.
I couldn't have been happier to see Marty enlisting the help of a very colorful new friend he meets along the way, Madame Cormier. Hoping this new friend of his becomes a life-long one that Marty shares additional adventures with in the future.
Thanks again, Matthew.
Can't wait for the next "adventure in Marty-land"!
Otto Ray
February 19, 2021
A fantastic read. I'm new to the Singer series. (I've read other Iden books.) There is obviously backstory I've missed but it didn't take away from the story at all. This is a really interesting investigation and the the pace never lagged. That it's set in steamy Florida while I'm iced in during a storm made it that much more enjoyable.
This is definitely a book worth checking out. I'm going to read more in the series.
This is definitely a book worth checking out. I'm going to read more in the series.
February 8, 2021
Cops turned private detectives make the most of their retirement.
Crooks, con men, and drug dealers, can retired cop Marty Singer find the truth and his friend before it's too late?
Chasing the Pain is the eighth and most current book in the Marty Singer series. Within we get a first person perspective in the form of Marty and learn a small snapshot of his life as a former DC homicide detective. Retired, Marty seems to fall into cases needing his outside expertise and experience. When former US Marshal Karl Schovasa (appeared in book six - Once Was Lost) goes missing, Marty gets a phone call from Karl's ex-wife Elizabeth Reynolds.
While not having read the first seven books in this series, I was quickly able to adapt to the characters, current storyline, and background information. Although some information is given about their past work experience and present-day situations, we're given just enough to help us understand and continue reading but not an overload of narrative. This helps ease the reader in and not bombard them with an overabundance of unnecessary info.
Marty strikes out to find the missing Karl and starts with a sweep of his house and personal effects. This leads him to a clinic Karl appears to have visited. Slowly, our main character works out the puzzle pieces and finds himself on his way to Florida and another addiction clinic. Along the way, he meets a few colorful and quirky individuals who provide him with information, support, and assistance in his mission to locate his almost-old-friend.
Madame Cormier is a fun character who runs the place where Marty ends up staying and isn't at all what you expect. Don D'Amelio is an ex-insurance fraud agent who has insight into the locals. Meredith Kelly, the missing girl Karl was searching to find, turns out to be an ally with the inside track but hasn't seen Karl since DC.
The diverse crew come together to gain answers and find out what's going on in this corner of Florida where drugs are a way of life for many, and only a few have the hope to get clean. Chasing the Pain brings together comical reminisces, steady conspiracy, consistent action, good deductions, a realistic and intricate plot, as well as what appears to be solid background knowledge - or speaks with the authority - on police work, interagency relations, and insurance fraud.
Marty becomes a likeable character as you read, and although I never felt a deep and abiding connection to him - as one hopes to with a character, I liked his grit and determination. He was a worthy personality with relatable stories and qualities. Another enjoyment in the story was how it didn't quite end with a bow wrapped around it. It held a twist, that while I saw it coming, didn't strike me fully until the scene before it was revealed. Overall, I couldn't put this book down. Did I mention I'm already downloading the first seven as I speak?
And did I mention the eye-catching cover? Someone should. It caught my attention!
All in all, if you enjoy noir-esque, hard-boiled, private investigator mysteries with a Philip Marlowe meets Jack Reacher type of vibe, then this series will be your cup of tea. I encourage you to read it and find out why I rated it a 4/5 "really liked it." I'm sure you'll find several reasons of your own.
Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for the ARC copy of Chasing the Pain to provide a honest review.
Find more book reviews on my blog: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
Crooks, con men, and drug dealers, can retired cop Marty Singer find the truth and his friend before it's too late?
Chasing the Pain is the eighth and most current book in the Marty Singer series. Within we get a first person perspective in the form of Marty and learn a small snapshot of his life as a former DC homicide detective. Retired, Marty seems to fall into cases needing his outside expertise and experience. When former US Marshal Karl Schovasa (appeared in book six - Once Was Lost) goes missing, Marty gets a phone call from Karl's ex-wife Elizabeth Reynolds.
While not having read the first seven books in this series, I was quickly able to adapt to the characters, current storyline, and background information. Although some information is given about their past work experience and present-day situations, we're given just enough to help us understand and continue reading but not an overload of narrative. This helps ease the reader in and not bombard them with an overabundance of unnecessary info.
Marty strikes out to find the missing Karl and starts with a sweep of his house and personal effects. This leads him to a clinic Karl appears to have visited. Slowly, our main character works out the puzzle pieces and finds himself on his way to Florida and another addiction clinic. Along the way, he meets a few colorful and quirky individuals who provide him with information, support, and assistance in his mission to locate his almost-old-friend.
Madame Cormier is a fun character who runs the place where Marty ends up staying and isn't at all what you expect. Don D'Amelio is an ex-insurance fraud agent who has insight into the locals. Meredith Kelly, the missing girl Karl was searching to find, turns out to be an ally with the inside track but hasn't seen Karl since DC.
The diverse crew come together to gain answers and find out what's going on in this corner of Florida where drugs are a way of life for many, and only a few have the hope to get clean. Chasing the Pain brings together comical reminisces, steady conspiracy, consistent action, good deductions, a realistic and intricate plot, as well as what appears to be solid background knowledge - or speaks with the authority - on police work, interagency relations, and insurance fraud.
Marty becomes a likeable character as you read, and although I never felt a deep and abiding connection to him - as one hopes to with a character, I liked his grit and determination. He was a worthy personality with relatable stories and qualities. Another enjoyment in the story was how it didn't quite end with a bow wrapped around it. It held a twist, that while I saw it coming, didn't strike me fully until the scene before it was revealed. Overall, I couldn't put this book down. Did I mention I'm already downloading the first seven as I speak?
And did I mention the eye-catching cover? Someone should. It caught my attention!
All in all, if you enjoy noir-esque, hard-boiled, private investigator mysteries with a Philip Marlowe meets Jack Reacher type of vibe, then this series will be your cup of tea. I encourage you to read it and find out why I rated it a 4/5 "really liked it." I'm sure you'll find several reasons of your own.
Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for the ARC copy of Chasing the Pain to provide a honest review.
Find more book reviews on my blog: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
November 1, 2021
Heck. Yes. I felt it in my bones that Iden can produce at least ONE more 5-star read for me in this series and I was RIGHT. What a heck of a read this one. This book is actually sort of a direct sequel to book #6, (Once Was Lost), which makes me even more annoyed with book #7 (The Bitter Fields) for being the lowly filler that it was. Thankfully, things bounced right the heck back with this entry in Marty's series.
For this go around, Marty is alerted by a woman named Elizabeth Reynolds that her ex-husband is missing. It was a call he was intending to ignore. Why would Marty care about some strange woman's ex-husband? Well, now that he followed his gut in answering the phone, the answer to that question is revealed in the phone call. Because said ex-husband of Elizabeth is ex-US Marshal Karl Schovasa, the very man who helped Marty in book #6. Not only that, but it was Karl himself who played a role in summoning Marty via a note left for his ex-wife:
My absolute favorite thing though is the proper closing out to this book. Once things wrapped up, I didn't feel like things were left unsaid or loose. There isn't much left to interpretation; it all feels very complete. I had gotten to a point where I was hoping something specific would happen so that the story can truly feel finished, and when it DID happen, I was all sorts of satisfied. That's telling your story RIGHT. I'm not sure if there'll be more to come for Marty Singer, but I sincerely hope that will be the case. I'd love to see him close out chapters in his OWN life, rather than other people's lives.
Bring on more Singer please!
For this go around, Marty is alerted by a woman named Elizabeth Reynolds that her ex-husband is missing. It was a call he was intending to ignore. Why would Marty care about some strange woman's ex-husband? Well, now that he followed his gut in answering the phone, the answer to that question is revealed in the phone call. Because said ex-husband of Elizabeth is ex-US Marshal Karl Schovasa, the very man who helped Marty in book #6. Not only that, but it was Karl himself who played a role in summoning Marty via a note left for his ex-wife:
"If you’re reading this, then you haven’t heard from me in three weeks, maybe more. If that’s the case, call Marty Singer. He’ll know what to do.”Thus begins the newest adventures of Marty Singer. Things carry on in typical fashion with all the necessary stuff to keep me engaged: wonderful writing style, wonderful new characters to love, and a SUPER mysterious plot. Who DID take Schovasa? Once Marty goes on his hunt, following any breadcrumbs he can find, things inevitably start to unravel into more complicated messes that lead to more questions. Drugs. Questionable rehab centers. Excessive secrets. It's so fun trying to guess things out with Marty as he tries to get to the bottom of things. The man is QUITE the detective, and I for one certainly adore his tenacity.
My absolute favorite thing though is the proper closing out to this book. Once things wrapped up, I didn't feel like things were left unsaid or loose. There isn't much left to interpretation; it all feels very complete. I had gotten to a point where I was hoping something specific would happen so that the story can truly feel finished, and when it DID happen, I was all sorts of satisfied. That's telling your story RIGHT. I'm not sure if there'll be more to come for Marty Singer, but I sincerely hope that will be the case. I'd love to see him close out chapters in his OWN life, rather than other people's lives.
Bring on more Singer please!
January 16, 2021
Book #9 in the Marty Singer series. This is the first one I have read and I really enjoyed it. A different type of police procedural done with retired policemen. Very likeable characters, and a really interesting story of the U.S. drug scene intermixed with very sad family situations, broken children, fraudulent treatment centers, murder, abuse, kidnaping, insurance fraud and crooked cops. As a standalone story, I felt that it was a complete story since the author referenced enough background of the characters I didn’t feel cheated. But I had the feeling that there is a considerable back history for these characters. I obtained Book 1 and started it immediately. Definitely a good read with lots of excitement and great characters. Highly recommend.
February 2, 2021
I hate spoilers, so I won’t give much away, but Chasing The Pain was engaging from the beginning—so much so that I was in Chapter 4 without realizing I had finished 1 through 3. It was a page-turner throughout, and I would have finished it in one sitting had life not gotten in the way. From the start, you believe that the narrator is, indeed, Marty Singer, a retired DCPD Homicide detective. Other characters are both interesting and believable, though the involvement of the ultimate malefactor could have been more substantive. I especially liked Madame Cormier, whose reappearance I hope for in a sequel.
I like his descriptions of his home, as well as his out-of-state locales.
Chasing The Pain is well worth your time.
I like his descriptions of his home, as well as his out-of-state locales.
Chasing The Pain is well worth your time.
April 16, 2021
I'm a big Marty Singer fan -- I love everything about the man: his humor, and especially the way he interacts with the women in his life. A true mensch! And, oh by the way, this is another engaging story in this ongoing series, with a twist, Marty leaves his usual base of operations (the Washington DC metro area) for West Palm Beach, Florida to chase down a missing friend who's become embroiled in a drug rehab scam...with unexpectedly hilarious results. It's serious business, yes, but read this great yarn and you'll see what I mean.
February 3, 2021
A good series with a good lead character
If I had a chance to download earlier yesterday I would have finished it yesterday, but sometimes you have to do work stuff. But I was waiting for #8 Marty Singer Mystery so I download first chance I got and I was not disappointed.
The plot was interesting too, I’m friends with a person whose organization places drug addicts in treatment centers and he has shared Florida treatment centers are well known for insurance fraud.
If I had a chance to download earlier yesterday I would have finished it yesterday, but sometimes you have to do work stuff. But I was waiting for #8 Marty Singer Mystery so I download first chance I got and I was not disappointed.
The plot was interesting too, I’m friends with a person whose organization places drug addicts in treatment centers and he has shared Florida treatment centers are well known for insurance fraud.
February 1, 2021
Addiction is dangerous...that's no surprise. What Marty Singer finds out in his search for a friend is downright scary. The story moves along at a moderate pace, and Marty makes a couple of poor choices for a man with so much experience. At the same time, he creates a cast of characters that bring an element of fun to the story, particularly Madame.
August 4, 2021
Wow! I don't know if this is a rating for the book, for the series or for Marty Singer. There are memorable characters in the book, and enough twists and turns to satisfy a jaded reader like myself.
If this is the end (and I hope not) hail and farewell Mary. It's been a truly memorable trip and a valued friendship.
If this is the end (and I hope not) hail and farewell Mary. It's been a truly memorable trip and a valued friendship.
May 16, 2021
Marty is back!
Marty Singer is back and I am so glad. This installment is very good - interesting if sad plotline, excellent supporting players, and a little wit and humor as well. Loved it!
Marty Singer is back and I am so glad. This installment is very good - interesting if sad plotline, excellent supporting players, and a little wit and humor as well. Loved it!
September 16, 2021
Go get 'em.
An interesting story with believable characters. Moves at a good pace. Tho at times I was a little surprised when he got cold cooked. Something he should have thought possible. Anyway, overall a good Iden. I enjoyed.
An interesting story with believable characters. Moves at a good pace. Tho at times I was a little surprised when he got cold cooked. Something he should have thought possible. Anyway, overall a good Iden. I enjoyed.
September 4, 2024
Marty is the best!
every book that I’ve read in the series has been great. Marty is not James Bond but he’s really great and really fun if I was ever in trouble, I sure want him to come and help! This book as well as this series is highly recommended. thanks, Matthew!
every book that I’ve read in the series has been great. Marty is not James Bond but he’s really great and really fun if I was ever in trouble, I sure want him to come and help! This book as well as this series is highly recommended. thanks, Matthew!
February 1, 2021
Following the clues to find a missing person, Marty Singer uncovers a huge scam. Excellent read!
March 18, 2021
Very enjoyable
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many twists and turns. Looking forward to reading all the other books in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many twists and turns. Looking forward to reading all the other books in the series.
April 22, 2021
Disappointing, this one did not measure up to the first seven in the Marty Singer series!
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April 9, 2022The best Marty Singer yet!!! Can’t wait for the next one.
October 18, 2022
I love the way that Iden writes! He leavens the suspense with plenty of humor and well-turned phrases. Highly recommended.
February 20, 2023
Wonderful and complex!
Thanks for a great novel. Looking forward to reading another one of your books. Great story from start to finish!
Thanks for a great novel. Looking forward to reading another one of your books. Great story from start to finish!
February 15, 2021
I always enjoy Matthew Iden's books. This one was not his usual book and was a little harder for me to read, mainly because of the subject matter. However, it was still well-written and had touches of humor so I rate it 4.5 stars.
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