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Rafferty #5
Cannon's Mouth
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Rafferty’s Rule 20: Any hunch so strong that it hurts just has to be right.
It’s not a typical day when Rafferty gets mistaken for a hitman. Always the altruist, Rafferty tries to warn the intended victim, only to find someone has beaten him to it.
Max Krandorff is dead and mutilated
Rafferty's been left holding the bag
And it's full of cash ...
It's not your typical day when Rafferty gets mistaken for a hitman.
Always the altruist, Rafferty tries to warn the intended victim, only to find he's too late.
Rafferty soon discovers that Max's business partner, Carl, is behind the gruesome murder, but damned if anyone knows where Carl is now.
And that's when the phone calls start. The killer wants credit for Max's murder and "my money, or else!"
Thus begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Max's killer knows all about Rafferty: who he is, where he lives and works, and where he and Hilda sleep. On the other hand, Rafferty knows squat about the voice on the other end of the phone.
Only that if he doesn't locate Carl and the killer soon, his whole world could go up in flames.
Rafferty’s Rule 20: Any hunch so strong that it hurts just has to be right.
It’s not a typical day when Rafferty gets mistaken for a hitman. Always the altruist, Rafferty tries to warn the intended victim, only to find someone has beaten him to it.
Max Krandorff is dead and mutilated
Rafferty's been left holding the bag
And it's full of cash ...
It's not your typical day when Rafferty gets mistaken for a hitman.
Always the altruist, Rafferty tries to warn the intended victim, only to find he's too late.
Rafferty soon discovers that Max's business partner, Carl, is behind the gruesome murder, but damned if anyone knows where Carl is now.
And that's when the phone calls start. The killer wants credit for Max's murder and "my money, or else!"
Thus begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Max's killer knows all about Rafferty: who he is, where he lives and works, and where he and Hilda sleep. On the other hand, Rafferty knows squat about the voice on the other end of the phone.
Only that if he doesn't locate Carl and the killer soon, his whole world could go up in flames.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1990
419 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
W. Glenn Duncan
8 books17 followersW. Glenn Duncan was a former journalist and pilot who lived in Iowa, Ohio, Florida, Texas and California, before settling in Australia with his wife and three children.
See also Bill Duncan
See also Bill Duncan
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 3, 2023
A couple of years ago, I bought a set of all six books in W. Glenn Duncan's Rafferty series. While, I like the books, I've been mildly disappointed. I think that - relative to most mysteries - the series is a little above average.
Cannon's Mouth is the fourth of the six books that I've read. It came as a nice surprise. The start of the book is unbelievable - in a case of mistaken identity, someone tries to hire Rafferty as a hit man. Rafferty plays along just to learn what is happening.
Despite the unpromising beginning, I really liked this one. In the Rafferty books that I'd read before, Duncan did a good job of setting up the plot, but he didn't do as well in the sections where Rafferty solves the problem. Cannon's Mouth has an interesting plot that holds the reader's attention until the last pages. Also, in some of the other books, Rafferty is too snarky for my taste. But Cannon's Mouth tones down the sarcasm a little.
After reading Cannon's Mouth, I look forward to reading the last two Rafferty mysteries.
Cannon's Mouth is the fourth of the six books that I've read. It came as a nice surprise. The start of the book is unbelievable - in a case of mistaken identity, someone tries to hire Rafferty as a hit man. Rafferty plays along just to learn what is happening.
Despite the unpromising beginning, I really liked this one. In the Rafferty books that I'd read before, Duncan did a good job of setting up the plot, but he didn't do as well in the sections where Rafferty solves the problem. Cannon's Mouth has an interesting plot that holds the reader's attention until the last pages. Also, in some of the other books, Rafferty is too snarky for my taste. But Cannon's Mouth tones down the sarcasm a little.
After reading Cannon's Mouth, I look forward to reading the last two Rafferty mysteries.
June 4, 2021
When I came across this book, I had never read anything written by W. Glenn Duncan and never heard of P. I. Rafferty. I was in for one fun read! Although this is the 5th book in the series I had no issues reading it as a stand-alone novel, other than at the end of it I wanted more.
Rafferty used to be a cop but is now making a living as a P.I. As you read and as Rafferty’s personality becomes more clear, you can’t help but wonder how he ever worked for anybody. He is very much his own person with his own set of rules. All of the characters in the book are 3 dimensional and quirky in their own way. Duncan does a good job of dropping just enough hints as to whodunnit, without the reader being able to figure it out up until the end but honestly, I found myself so interested in the characters that the suspense was more like icing on the cake. I am a huge believer that the characters need to be as much fun as the plot and this book does not disappoint. I am certainly ready for another book in the series!
Rafferty used to be a cop but is now making a living as a P.I. As you read and as Rafferty’s personality becomes more clear, you can’t help but wonder how he ever worked for anybody. He is very much his own person with his own set of rules. All of the characters in the book are 3 dimensional and quirky in their own way. Duncan does a good job of dropping just enough hints as to whodunnit, without the reader being able to figure it out up until the end but honestly, I found myself so interested in the characters that the suspense was more like icing on the cake. I am a huge believer that the characters need to be as much fun as the plot and this book does not disappoint. I am certainly ready for another book in the series!
March 21, 2018
What a fun book! For those of us who love hard boiled detective mysteries this book certainly fills the bill. I love the back and forth between Rafferty and all his friends, his lady and the police. It's easy to picture Cowboy rolling his eyes at Rafferty. I love the adversary position between Rafferty and the police who don't want to deal with him. This is my kind of detective novel and I'll be looking for more. I received an ARC in return for a fair and honest review. I'm so happy when I can enjoy an ARC as much as this one.
February 9, 2018
I simply love this book. A classic hard-boiled PI story, with its inherent humour, sarcasm and fast-paced action, the plot in this one is gloriously original, and source of endless entertainment.
I love the relationships between characters: Hilda is an awesome partner for Rafferty, and Lieutenant Ed Durkee is a fantastic friend. All the characters are interesting, and the writing simply superb.
A truly engaging book, and a series I'm more than willing to keep reading.
I love the relationships between characters: Hilda is an awesome partner for Rafferty, and Lieutenant Ed Durkee is a fantastic friend. All the characters are interesting, and the writing simply superb.
A truly engaging book, and a series I'm more than willing to keep reading.
August 31, 2020
I love this guy. He is a combination of: The Rockford Files, Magnum PI, Columbo, Barnaby Jones, Mannix, McLeod, Simon and Simon, Riptide, Starsky & Hutch and Kojak. The humour lightens the difficult situations that Rafferty finds himself in. His entourage and his like/dislike relationship with the police adds to the craziness of his cases. This time he is mistaken for a hitman while on another case and passes the name of the victim to the police. Then the action begins.
April 1, 2025
Rafferty Wins Again!
Bill Duncan adds another success to his stack of Rafferty novels with Cannon's Mouth and Rafferty wins again! Cowboy and Mimi cover his back with Ed Durkin's help. Don't miss it!
Bill Duncan adds another success to his stack of Rafferty novels with Cannon's Mouth and Rafferty wins again! Cowboy and Mimi cover his back with Ed Durkin's help. Don't miss it!
March 11, 2018
well written with some humor
May 16, 2021
Cannon's Mouth
This was an OK read but it is clearly dated. Pretty simple story line which made it feel like a TV movie from the 90s.
This was an OK read but it is clearly dated. Pretty simple story line which made it feel like a TV movie from the 90s.
June 10, 2021
Ok. Just ok!
June 21, 2021
An intriging whodunit. A mystery that kept me guessing to the end.
July 17, 2021
Not bad but not good.
I just really couldn’t get into it.
But I was able to finish it.
I just really couldn’t get into it.
But I was able to finish it.
July 26, 2021
This was another enjoyable Rafferty book. The humor is welcome, the pace is fast and the characters are likeable. I rate this one 5 stars.
April 9, 2022
Rafferty gets mistaken for a hitman. He takes the money, tllw policeman Ed and tries to warn the intended victim. The victim is already dead but now someone wants the money from Rafferty.
October 6, 2022
good as ever
Excellent writing, repartee and results. Another mesmerizing story from, quite frankly, a budding master storyteller. Can’t wait to read morr
Excellent writing, repartee and results. Another mesmerizing story from, quite frankly, a budding master storyteller. Can’t wait to read morr
October 23, 2023
Liked Rafferty and the plot. Kindle read.
June 22, 2024
Fast-paced mystery with great characters. Fun to read with humor sprinkled throughout.
Read
December 2, 2018I love the characters, Rafferty, Hilda, and even Ed Durkee. Well written too.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews