A Cold and Shallow Shore

Garrison Gage #8

by Scott William Carter

Gage hates birthdays. So when his daughter throws him a surprise party on the coldest night the Oregon coastal town of Barnacle Bluffs has seen in years, Gage finds himself in an equally frosty mood. And when a police cruiser stops him as he trudges along Highway 101, minding his own business, he can't imagine the night could get any worse.

Oh, but it does. For the cranky private investigator with the bum knee, it can always get worse.

When the cops collar one of the people closest to Gage for murder, the desperate hours ahead become a frantic push to right a presumed injustice. Add in a daughter’s secret life, a bad boy Hollywood star, and a troubled new police chief with something to prove, and the night doesn't just get worse. It forces a quickly unraveling Gage to choose between cold, uncomfortable truths—about himself, about someone he loves—and shallow but comforting deceptions.

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2022

About the author

Scott William Carter’s first novel, The Last Great Getaway of the Water Balloon Boys, was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “touching and impressive debut” and won an Oregon Book Award. Since then, he has published many books and short stories, his fiction spanning a wide variety of genres and styles. His book for younger readers, Wooden Bones, chronicles the untold story of Pinocchio and was singled out for praise by the Junior Library Guild. He is the author of the popular Garrison Gage mystery series set on the Oregon coast, as well as the provocative Myron Vale Investigations, about the private investigator in Portland, Oregon who works for both the living and the dead. He’s also the cartoonist behind the Run of the House comic strip.

If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, in his “day job” life he works as an Instructional Designer and Digital Production & Publishing Specialist at Western Oregon University, where he manages the Digital Media Center and provides training and expertise to the campus community on a variety of topics, including Web page creation, digital video production, print-on-demand and ebook publishing, and many software applications related to publishing, distribution, and education in all its forms. He also teaches occasional classes for both the English department and the College of Education.

In past lives, he has been an academic technologist, a writing instructor, bookstore owner, the manager of a computer training company, and a ski instructor, though the most important job — and best – he’s ever had is being the father of his two children. He currently lives in Oregon with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Lenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoy this series. The lead character can be cranky, arrogant, mean, and a complete pain but that’s what makes it feel realistic.

If you haven’t tried the series I highly recommend it

[Ruby Bibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-The author has presented another captivating story that keeps the reader engrossed. Though not as filled with danger as others, it’s the unusual mystery, which keeps us wondering how the solution will present itself.
-The book opens with Garrison Gage having a meeting with an actor who was awarded the part of playing Gage in a movie. In the meeting, Luke Bowden, the actor, had dressed up to look like Gage. Bowden pressed Gage for Gage to allow Bowden to shadow him, but Gage refused because of his private nature. In fact, it was odd that Gage would even agree to having a movie covering any part of his life.
-Bowden had a reputation of being a loose cannon, and not getting along with others, so Gage had to be insistent in replying to Bowden that following Gage was out of the question.
-There was a “surprise” party being held at the Turret House and set up by his step daughter, Zoe. After the meeting with Bowden, Gage started to go there, but leisurely, as he was early. He was surprised when he was stopped by the police and taken to the police station. The charge was indecency, as he was seen “relieving” himself on the car of the new police chief, Chief Roland. Though he insisted it wasn’t him, he wasn’t believed. He was then interrogated by a beautiful blond woman, who, embarrassingly for Gage, turned out to be the new police Chief, Jo Roland.
-He convinces her to accompany him to the Turret House owned by his friends Alex and Eve (Eve being the new mayor), to give a character reference. It’s here where they are all witness to a shocking scene. Zoe walks in, disheveled and covered in blood while holding Gage’s Barretta. She blurts out that Donte (her friend) is dead and it’s all her fault.
-This is the start of Gage’s immersion in trying to understand what happened and how he could clear Zoe of murder charges. Her story of what happened on the beach is truly enigmatic. She saw Donte, a former boyfriend, dead, with the gun on the sand near his body. When she looked out, she saw a man she thought was Gage being pursued by a many tentacled sea monster. She got the gun and ran after them to protect Gage. She thought they ran to the Turret House but didn’t see them inside and that’s when she encountered the people at the party.
-Chief Roland, who showed she was a total professional, had withdrawn her own gun at the sight of Zoe holding the Baretta, and ordered Zoe to drop the Baretta and then arrested Zoe.
-Gage only has a few days until Zoe is formally charged in order to discover what actually happened and who the killer is. Also, the presence of his gun outside of his home, and being held by Zoe, makes her a prime suspect. He calls on an attorney who had hired him in the past for help, but it’s up to Gage to discover the truth in this case, which keeps introducing other potential killers as it goes along.
-While one may consider that Jo Roland has the potential of being a love interest for Gage, his attacks on as she proceeds with the case against Zoe seem to kill that prospect, but only a future episode will tell.
-This proves to be one of the most difficult cases that Gage has worked on yet, with the added pressure that if he doesn’t solve this, Zoe may go to prison for murder.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read all of the Garrison Gage series and found them quite enjoyable overall, the writer pulls you in, and by the end of the book you are wanting more. Except in this case, I am considering not reading another Garrison Gage book because of this. Garrison is always cranky and stubborn but is usually very aware of how hard to push and where. He also has a big heart, or he would not get into some of the issues he does. In this case, he was not even cranky, he was just an idiot, he crossed lines, and if this had been in real life he would have been in jail. You can write it off as the stress he was under but in reality, the thing about Garrison is he was always in control or knew the lines, he was built up in seven previous books, and in this one, they shot that all out the window. If this had been the first book to read, I would not have read the entire series. Honestly, I would say if you like very mean, inconsiderate, cruel characters read this book, if not skip it and enjoy the other books in the series you will not be missing much.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging.
New police chief in town , Jo Roland, detains Gage because she fails to verify who peed on her car.
It was really a foolish actor, dressed up as Gage.
If she had investigated she would have realized she was wrong before setting in motion the events that get poor Zoe incarcerated.
Jo causes him to be late getting to his birthday party so Zoe goes looking for him on the beach.
She finds her friend, Donte, shot and attempts CPR.
Gets blood on herself before returning to the party…and finds herself in lockup.
Good going, idiot Jo Roland.
I liked the friends Gage has, Eve, Alex, and the wonderful flamboyant lawyer, Cam.
A little confused about Rita..who he clearly loves but isn’t with her anymore.
This is my first Gage Garrison book, so maybe all this mess is explained in earlier novels.
Good story but the constant ‘rage’ seen in people’s eyes got to be a bit much and repetitive

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gage is walking to his "surprise" birthday party after having stopped at the tavern near his house to meet the unlikeable movie star portraying him in a series about his life. He's stopped by the local police for a misdemeanor he supposedly committed in the parking lot of the bar and tries to explain but no one believes him.

He arrives late to the party, and his daughter bursts in covered in blood and holding his gun. This leads him down the investigative trail to prove her innocence. He's grumpier than ever, still gimping on his bum knee and has a new Chief of Police to contend with. It seems awfully soon after have just broken up with Rita (last book) for him to be interested in someone new- but it's obvious that's the road the next book will be on.

About a 3.25.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read all the Garrison Gage series and this is my least favorite. GG is out of character as a frantic chaotic mess. He is more cranky than normal and without his normal chivalrous side. Those behaviors work against his detective abilities. There is very little about the other characters and then pouf he solves it. My least favorite of the GG series.

[David Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

another winner!

This was a great book and I’m looking forward to the next book because of the unresolved issues in this book.
I think my favorite part of this book was the fact that we got to see how far Gage would go for his daughter. He really wigs out ! And Jo is going to be a great match for him. Maybe even the ONE??

[Gitanjili · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best Garrison Gage book out there! For the first time I didn't guess the villain. The mistery was good.

The mistakes continue to annoy me though. At one place instead of "Gage and Cam" it said "Gage and Alex". This kind of thing is offensive for the readers. We have been following the series for so long now. We deserve better prepared reads.

[Steve Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one changes up the formula for the series. Gage has agreed to have a movie made about him and the star of the movie urinates on the new BBPD chiefs car. She believes this was Gage. Gage’s daughter is arrested for a murder and Gage works to exonerate her.

[Darlene Ninko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read.

I really enjoy this series of books. The characters evolve with each new title so it stays fresh and interesting.

[Karen M Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live the Gage Garrson series.

This series and its
characters get better with each book he writes. I love the relationship between Gage and his daughter Zoe.

[Julie Rott-Bingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. Not as good as the others. Also I found two mistakes. I find that annoying.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

not his best. I like a little more action. But still is one of my favorite writers. His characters are always well done and interesting.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns and questions

Lots of questions, what happened, who really is the killer? Will they get through this? Best Garrison Gage mystery yet.

[Karolynn Cechowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Garrison Gage. And I love the author, Scott William Carter. Please, Mr. Carter, keep writing this series. I hope it goes on and on and on!! Thank you!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading the garrison gage books. A surly PI who has a heart for the people he cares for especially his adopted daughter.