Texas 8

by Nathan Burrows

One body. Two missing men. A baffling mystery.

The discovery of a corpse at the rundown Texas 8 motel on the outskirts of the sleepy, rural town of Sanderson, Texas, sees disgraced Detective Kate McGarrety and her reluctant partner, Detective Charley Pride Pearson dispatched from San Angelo Police Department to find a killer.

With a population of less than eight hundred people, homicides are rare in Sanderson. But neither the murdered man—nor the vanished ones—are who they claimed to be. There’s precious little for the detectives to go on, but when the true identities of the body and the missing men are discovered, it starts a sequence of events the detectives never saw coming.

Kate and Pearson are struggling to work out exactly what happened in the motel, but many of the guests aren’t who they appear to be. As secrets start to float to the surface, can they unmask the murderer…or will the cunning killer go free?

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2021

About the author

Nathan Burrows is a writer based in Norfolk in the United Kingdom. His debut novel, Blind Justice, was published in March 2018.

Nathan's a keen reader as well as a writer. He occasionally runs marathons, has a Norwich City football club season ticket, and is the proud part-owner of a Daschund puppy called Bertie.

Reviews

[Jerry Walch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those of you who have been following me and reading my reviews will know that I seldom rate a book at less than four stars with most being rated five stars. I have mixed feelings about Texas 8. On the one hand it’s a nonstop, action-packed, adrenaline-fueled, rollercoaster thrill ride. I’m an adrenaline jockey, so I want to give it five stars. On the other hand, the way this book ends makes me want to give it two stars, but I’ll compromise by giving it three stars.

First of all, Texas 8 is written as if it was the first book, the first episode in what will be an episodic serial/series, but Burrows gives no sign that there’s a Texas 8 Book two in the works. It’s a cliffhanger that leaves the reader with more questions than answers. As a standalone mystery/thriller it just doesn’t work for me. Burrows had written a winner, but the way the story ends made it a loser for me. I can only hope that Burrows will revisit this story and make this one Texas 8, book 1 in a new series. He has created some awesome characters, and I would love to read more about them in future episodes picking up where this episode leaves off.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. Mr. Burrows has created an excellent police procedural and has thrown in a couple of unexpected twists. The characters here are true-to-life, relatable people who fit the environment Mr. Burrows has created for them. And I'm always impressed when an author sets their story in a country they aren't familiar with and still manages to have dialogue and location ring true. It shows the author cares enough to do their research. All of the investigative steps feel accurate and not over-blown or exaggerated. But I think my favorite part of the story is the epilogue. It's not really an epilogue, but while the story has been resolved for the reader, Mr. Burrows has left us at a bit of a crossroads. As the series progresses, he can turn right and follow one character or he can go left and follow another. He could even alternate back and forth. So many options. I can't wait to see what he decides to do. Don't miss out on this series. You'll be sorry.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas 8 - There is no ending and no mention of another book? Interesting story lines, good characters and good dialog. Good moving pace. From reading, I easily deduced the culprit responsible and as the story goes I was proved correct.

What is seen is not always the truth and the circumstances did not allow verification. Cryptic, but I do not want to spoil anyone reading this story by giving away the plot. The story is probably complete but I like where the Good vs the Bad comes to termination with one side winning all.

The author is proud of his use American English, but "muppets" and another Brit colloquial slipped in the dialog. He did a wonderful job with the towns and surrounding area of West Texas. 4*

[R K Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the rub-a-dub series from the same author I expected this book to be well written with engaging characters and I wasn't disappointed. The author must have undertaken a huge amount of research into law-enforcement procedures in a foreign country and then weaved this intriguing mystery around them. With some enexpected twists and turns and a very satisfying final outcome, the door has been left open for a sequel (or series) following any one of the fascinating characters as they juggle their personal and professional demons. I do hope there is more to come!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasted in the desert

One of the loneliest times in a person's life is the glimpse of mistakes that cannot be erased. A dead man in a very inexpensive motel room, two bullets to the chest and one to the head starts a puzzle and many trails to unravel. Together, several U.S. marshals, two detectives, a oxygen toting innkeeper, and small town policeman open Pandora's boxes the hard way.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing less than spectacular. Great characters and story in this new (and hopefully first in a continuing) series. Keeps you guessing with twists and turns and what every mystery fan hopes for in a well-written novel. Fast-paced, edge of your seater that will leave you anxiously awaiting what might be coming next. A must-read!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dead man is found at a small motel in the middle of nowhere in Texas. San Angelo police detective Kate McGarrety finds out the man was being transported by two US Marshalls and they are both missing. They are found, after being tasered and drugged . Investigation shows that of the eight guests, at least two of them are using fake aliases

[joe jurczak · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/3 of a good book

Started off very really interesting. Good story, characters. Then, it launched off in a screwball direction and I struggled to finish it. Kind of lost interest. Also suffered from some poor editing, awkward sentences I had to reread to make sense of them. Follow up book surely coming, doubt I'll read it.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal mystery and suspense novel. My first by this author but definitely not the last. Follow along with the investigation into a murder and get to know the men and women from different law enforcement agencies.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story. Living with mistakes one makes isn’t always easy. Trying to solve a murder and make things right doesn’t always work either. Lots of action to keep you gripped.

[Stitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good detective novel with good characters and story line.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It weaves personal stories throughout while trying to solve a complex case. The ending left me guessing, so I look forward to reading more of Kate McGarrety.