A femme fatale with an axe to grind. Marla Dotson is used to getting what she wants, and what she wants is Dwayne Morrow—both on and off the case.
Convincing an old acquaintance to grant him an apprenticeship had been hard enough, yet the initial assignments were proving to be anything but rewarding for Dwayne Morrow. Crawling through garbage to snap photos of awful people doing awful things was not the exciting career choice he had envisioned.
Finishing another such job in a seedy neighborhood on Columbus’s south side, Dwayne finds himself caught in the middle of someone else’s drama as a mysterious damsel-in-distress bursts onto the scene fleeing a hail of gunfire. Whisking her to safety was the worst decision Dwayne could have possibly made…
Abduction, blackmail, murder—nothing is off the table when retribution must be served.
Retribution is the third thrill ride in the Dwayne Morrow Mystery series!
Darin Miller was born in Portsmouth but currently resides in Grove City, both of which are located in Ohio. While he has worked in Information Technology for three decades, he has not solved a single, solitary crime to date. He is the BookFest award-winning author of the Ohio-based Dwayne Morrow Mystery series, as well as an unrelated short story collection, Broken Bits and Bobs, and a standalone psychological horror thriller, Equilibrium. With equal parts action, humor, suspense and mystery, the Dwayne Morrow series features characters you’re sure to love—and in some cases, loathe.
This is two time Dragon Feeder Darin Miller’s “Retribution”, number three in the Dwayne Morrow series. Once again I am gobsmacked, but let’s get to know what Dwayne’s up to this time.
Dwayne is still an amateur detective as he continues working on his P.I. license. He’s still working those dismal cheating spouses and “Jerry Springer” type of investigations for the Bogg’s Agency…ughh…the thought turns me tummy. As a matter of fact, it’s while working one of these nasty things that he gets embroiled in a case so twisted, so weird that he’s not sure what’s to be believed. As a matter of fact, he ends up with a few bullet holes in his car from the beginning. This whole tale is because Dwayne forgot one important maxim – never give rides to strangers.
Get ready for some fast-paced tale telling here. What do a rich femme fatale, a former prostitute, a murder and a nerdy 16 year old kid have in common? You’ll have to read Retribution to find out. And its not easy…just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist, another turn and I was back to square one.
Back for this case are the usual gang: Melanie, her daughter, Jasmine and Brady..Dwayne’s not quite nemesis and not quite friend. Brady, investigative reporter of the Dispatch. I really like these characters, it’s starting to feel like visiting old friends every time I pick up a new Dwayne Morrow Mystery.
Honestly, I don’t know how he does it..each book is better than the last one. Kookie characters, hardboiled cops, smiling detectives, interesting storyline, and characters you care about and a detective who is actually human. I like Dwayne – I believe you’ll like him, too.
And don’t worry about getting into a series, although I don’t believe you’ll mind…each of the books can be read as a stand alone.
This book, Retribution: Dwayne Morrow Mystery #3 did not disappoint. There are so many twists and turns. I feel like Dwayne Morrow is a friend talking to me about what transpired. I had a hard time putting the book down which is why I’m not getting enough sleep. I love having a book with a intriguing plot and interesting characters and this book meets those criteria to make it an excellent book.
If you are looking for a captivating mystery with suspenseful twists that will keep you turning pages, then “Retribution” by Darin Miller is precisely what you are looking for. Darin Miller takes us for another phenomenal ride with “Retribution”. This mystery thriller is the third book in the Dwayne Morrow Mysteries series.
Dwayne Morrow finds himself in the crosshairs of a mystery when Marla Dotson accuses her step-mother of siphoning money from Daddy Dearest’s accounts and faking her kidnapping. She tries to convince Dwayne that her step-brother, Scotty, is in on it as well. But when Marla is caught in her lies and Scotty doesn’t seem to be the drug-using criminal Marla makes him out to be, Dwayne decides it’s time to search for answers, even if it leads him to one of the most horrible neighborhoods with shady gang-related thugs.
“Retribution” had kept me intrigued throughout its entirety. Darin Miller provided thrilling twists and gripping events that left me reading well into the night because I had to know what was going to happen next. This book also provided an ending that was beyond my expectations. The ending was unique, exciting, and without inconsistencies.
The characters in Darin Miller’s books are unforgettable. You can’t help but fall in love with the main characters while trying to see into the minds of the characters that were introduced. The author really makes you wonder if the secondary characters are really who they say they are and if their intentions are true. “Retribution” is written in the first person point of view allowing the reader to deeply engage with the characters, making them ultimately relatable.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book – it is an intriguing mystery with unforgettable characters, thrilling twists that will leave you turning pages, suspenseful events that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and a twist within a twist ending that will leave you wanting more. “Retribution” by Darin Miller is at the top of my recommendation list for this genre and I give it a five out of five star rating. I couldn’t be more excited to continue the mind-blowing adventures of Dwayne Morrow with book #4 – “Diversion”.
“Retribution” by Darin Miller is the crème de la crème of my mystery thriller bookshelf.
Dwayne Morrow, private investigator extraordinaire? Maybe not yet... Dwayne Morrow, private investigator who trips over his own feet, bumbles his stakeouts, and attracts trouble like a magnet? Most definitely. Yet, beneath the veneer of hilarious ineptitude lies a surprisingly cunning mind when it comes to solving a crime he has no purpose trying to solve. Retribution, book three in the Dwayne Morrow series, is a delightful blend of ‘boy he got lucky’ and genuine detective work, that keeps you cheering for Dwayne as he stumbles his way to the truth.
The book follows Dwayne as he’s working toward getting his PI license and still working for a character he’d rather bury in his backyard than take direction from, but alas, he needs his license. What starts as a standard stakeout of a cheating wife quickly devolves into a chaotic mess of bullets, brains, and brawn. Some might say Dwayne was led down the primrose path by some, and he was, but he also has a talent for finding more information on those primrose paths than the ones more traveled. One thing he IS good at is landing himself, and those he cares about like his girlfriend Melanie, in precarious situations. Just when you think he's completely out of his depth and nothing is going to save him, his intuition kicks in (and maybe a sprinkle of dumb luck) and he starts to connect the disjointed dots until the case is splayed wide open.
Author Darin Miller is a master at balancing the humor with the actual case-solving. Dwayne’s mishaps are often laugh-out-loud funny, but they never overshadow the core mystery and the skills required to solve it. The supporting characters, from his boss to his girlfriend and everyone in between in this book (Let’s just say that Dwayne may have a few family issues to resolve), are well-developed and add depth and heart to the story.
Retribution is a perfect read if you’re tired of the dark and brooding PIs and want a breath of fresh air. Dwayne Morrow will not let you down. Just be prepared for some collateral damage and a whole lot of laughter along the way. It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good underdog story and the ability to learn skills on the job that are not only necessary but keep this PI alive long enough to take another case.
In the midst of Dwayne Morrow's latest "oops, I'm investigating when I don't really know exactly what I'm supposed to be doing" case is this gem of a LOL quote: "I was uncomfortably bloated & wished I had stopped three bites of refried beans short; I suspect that soon enough Melanie would share this wish." It's that kind of "realness" and so much more that just keeps me hooked and wanting more.
That being said, after finishing Retribution, Book 3 in the DM mystery series, I'm hard-pressed to pinpoint my favorite thing about these books. That's probably because the answer is all of it -- the characters, the supporting cast and the minor ones, too -- but especially Dwayne Morrow, the male main character, has this down-to-earth, sometimes bumbling kind of charm that simply works in these stories, and frankly makes you cheer him on and love him all the more. A great deal of Morrow's success comes from pure luck since he has a habit of thinking through possible ramifications only after he acts.
Beyond the characters and the storyline, though, there's also Miller's writing style. It's refreshing, fun, and so real that I can only imagine how entertaining it might be to be an observer at a family barbecue.
And while I can't say the tension is high (perhaps until the end) in this one, the stakes are, and even though Miller is a master at weaving entertaining humor throughout the pages of this latest investigation, as he has in the first two books, I assure you there's absolutely no shortage whatsoever of the reader cheering Dwayne Morrow on to uncover who the bad guy is and stop him.
I really think fans of the mystery genre would truly enjoy this series, especially if they also love a good chuckle while they're immersed in another world. Definitely worth the read.
“Retribution” by Darin Miller is the third book in the Dwayne Morrow Mysteries series. And wow!
Our bumbling everyman hero Dwayne Morrow finds himself in a bad situation when he helps a damsel in distress, Marla Dotson, escape from the people who are shooting at her. They’re in a not very affluent part of town; and Dwayne (as usual) isn’t too sure what’s going on.
It’s all very mysterious, but there’s no mystery about the flirtatious socialite’s intentions toward Dwayne.
Although he’s not a private eye, Marla also wants to hire him to get evidence that her step-mother is taking money from Daddy Dotson’s accounts and also faking her kidnapping. She tells Dwayne that her step-brother, Scott is a co-conspirator in this swindle. Dwayne decides it’s time to get some answers, even while people are ending up dead or missing on both sides of town.
In an unfortunate coincidence, Dwayne loses his job at Boggs Investigations, which renders him officially off the books and unable to follow leads as a hired gumshoe.
Still, he’s curious and wants to know exactly what’s going on within this circuitous whodunnit.
I love the characters in this mystery thriller. And, no, I didn’t have the answers until they’re explained in the ending. Highly recommended.
Even More Danger for Dwayne, the Dumb-Luck Detective.
The web get stickier with every case that Dwayne Morrow stumbles upon! A kidnapping goes awry, leading to a scary, bad neighborhood, and the tenants are even worse. The suspects seem to be an illusion and everything is topsy turvy as Dwayne tries to make sense out of it, but not before he's in the right places at the most inopportune times. Even Melanie's 11yr old daughter isn't playing nice. I like that Mel is once again helping Dwayne, and adding a little steam, and i'm glad the smarmy newspaper reporter Brady Garrett is back. As he snoops for scoops, at Dwayne's repeated askance, their bickering is a hoot. Are they frenemies or a bromance? Hahaha. As the case twists, so do proverbial knives into everyone's backs. I kept changing my guess on who the guilty party was. I loved sweet, tough old Ruby, keeping watch on West Conkel street and taking a liking to Dwayne and Mel like a doting grandma. I hope they cross paths again as the sequels continue.
Dwayne Morrow once again finds himself caught in a web of deceit. Will his luck run out this time?
Dwayne is just trying to follow the rules. As much as it pains him, he is going on the assignments that Boggs sends him on...and doing it with as little complaints as possible. Okay, maybe he makes it obvious he hates spying on cheaters and sneaking through garbage. But he still gets the job done.
When Marla appears out of thin air, chased by gunfire...what else is he supposed to do? A literal damsel in distress. He rescues her...and is forced into yet another mystery. Unable to back out now...this one may cost him everything.
Somehow Darin Miller has done it again. Another twisty mystery with an ending you simply won't see coming. The stakes are a little higher this time around, and not everyone will come out unscathed. Yet another great story in a fantastic series.
As usual, Dwayne Morrow finds himself in a situation not of his making. It all starts as he is working as a private investigator for the Boggs Agency even though he has yet to earn his PI license. While on the job, he encounters a woman fleeing for her life. After rescuing her by giving her a ride and having his car shot at, the tangled mystery begins. I love the unassuming character of Dwayne who always finds himself embroiled in a mystery. The addition of humor and fast paced action make this series one of a kind and a real page turner. Although this is book #3 of the series, it can be read as a standalone, but I encourage you to read the two previous books as they are as well written and excellent as this book.
Retribution - Darin Miller Another terrific Dwayne Morrow mystery. Like his others, it’s an edge of my seat ride through the life of this nearly private investigator. The characters are beautifully developed, the plot suspenseful with twists everywhere, and there is never a dull moment. I love the gritty, real life, down in the weeds of life, warts and all that the author writes so well. I can see it as a television series or a movie. I highly recommend this one and all the Dwayne Morrow books.
Book review: Retribution by Darin Miller Writes - The Dwayne Morrow Mysteries and More All I can say is, you did it again, Darin!!! I love Dwayne and how he doesn't mean to get caught up in certain messes that involve dead bodies, but he always does. Lol. The icing on the top is his relationship with Melanie. Thru all their ups and downs, just like a normal couple, they make a great team. Then you have Doug Boggs and his mother who are some of the funnier parts of this story. Overall, it is so worth it to read this series of humorous, who done it, and how am I going to get out of this one, Dwayne?? 🤣 5 stars
📔 Another 5 star read for me. Book 3 in the Dwayne Morrow Series continues to deliver! A well written mystery that keeps your attention and makes you feel like you are right there with the characters.
📝 Dwayne finds himself pulled into a case where family money and a "damsel-in-distress" is too good to turn down. Bullets fly, blackmail comes to light and of course a Dwayne Morrow Mystery wouldn't be complete without murd3r!
Dwayne is once again nosing around, thank goodness he’s got Melanie and Brady on his “team”. I was right about the murderer this time, but waned on it a few times. This book will keep you guessing and invest you even more into the lives of the main characters. As well as have you think “what the heck is he doing?” I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Dwayne Morrow has a way of getting himself into situations he shouldn't and his moral compass doesn't allow him out until the truth is brought to light. Miller makes his characters so relatable.... Full of the same faults none of us like to admit we have. I'm looking forward to number four in the series.
Yet another expertly detailed story about Dwayne Morrow's escapades. For this one, I did figure out who was involved, but not to the extent of the involvement. All I really have to say is that I never want to meet Mr. Morrow in person, as they always seem to get injured.
Dwayne Morrow is a self employed computer consultant who is a wannabe PI. He somehow finds himself in dangerous situations that leads him onto another murder(s) to solve. These books are cleverly written, plenty of humor along with murder! Very enjoyable to read
Every Dwayne Morrow book is a mixture of adventure and fun! the characters are people like all of us (traits we all have). You can't help but feel you are on a wonderful adventure. I love these books. Hope you do too!
I love the wry honor throughout this book. As Dwayne Morrow tries to learn the ropes of.being a PI, HR bubbles his way through, somehow managing to find his answers.