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Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian #9
A Deadly Scam
What kind of sick game is this? The killer is texting Joey Mancuso after each murder with the location.
Is it a challenge? Is he just toying with Mancuso? What kind of psychopath would do this?
Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian, and the rest of the team are back for their ninth hard-boiled tale. Consistently working out of their Lower Manhattan Irish Pub and office. This time, there is no client. Instead, Mancuso has been sucked into this series of senseless murders by personal invitation. A text with the location and an invite to come over.
It appears like random killings of homeless people at subway stations. But there is nothing unexpected about the texts. Witnesses all seem to know there is a white male dressed in a trench coat and a hoody hiding his face. The killer strikes in the daytime, night, and early mornings, with no particular schedule. Not even the same weapon. But he's a professional. No cameras have caught his face, and no forensics were found at the scenes.
The murder rate in New York City is rising, and a series of homeless people dying, but as crazy as it sounds, this doesn't seem to be anything out of the normal.
But did the killer make a mistake inviting Mancuso to a joust? NYPD detectives are asked to join an FBI task force, as Mancuso is sidelined and becomes an FBI person of interest. Mancuso and Father O'Brian, nicknamed the Last Advocates for the Victims by the New York City media, are not standing down. On their own, they're working the case, and no one will stop them.
Is it a challenge? Is he just toying with Mancuso? What kind of psychopath would do this?
Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian, and the rest of the team are back for their ninth hard-boiled tale. Consistently working out of their Lower Manhattan Irish Pub and office. This time, there is no client. Instead, Mancuso has been sucked into this series of senseless murders by personal invitation. A text with the location and an invite to come over.
It appears like random killings of homeless people at subway stations. But there is nothing unexpected about the texts. Witnesses all seem to know there is a white male dressed in a trench coat and a hoody hiding his face. The killer strikes in the daytime, night, and early mornings, with no particular schedule. Not even the same weapon. But he's a professional. No cameras have caught his face, and no forensics were found at the scenes.
The murder rate in New York City is rising, and a series of homeless people dying, but as crazy as it sounds, this doesn't seem to be anything out of the normal.
But did the killer make a mistake inviting Mancuso to a joust? NYPD detectives are asked to join an FBI task force, as Mancuso is sidelined and becomes an FBI person of interest. Mancuso and Father O'Brian, nicknamed the Last Advocates for the Victims by the New York City media, are not standing down. On their own, they're working the case, and no one will stop them.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
95 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Owen Parr
68 books104 followersOwen Parr is a celebrated author, having won numerous awards for his unique and creative writing style. He has received Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from respected organizations such as Reader's Favorite and the International Book Reviewer and Award organization. He has also been recognized by the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, Crime Masters International, and New Apple Award organizations. Many of his crime mystery novels have topped Amazon's bestseller list, with several reaching the number one spot.
Parr's novels stand out due to their unique crime mystery plots, full of twists and turns that keep readers engaged and challenged. His descriptions of scenes and characters are clear and concise, immersing readers in the story and allowing them to visualize the characters and settings.
Since 2015, Parr has created several series of novels, starting with the John Powers - International Espionage and Intrigue trilogy, followed by the Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brien Crime Mysteries - twelve novels of riveting crime and murder mysteries. Finally, he has written the Jack Ryder Novellas - three crime and murder mysteries, in the style of Agatha Christie.
Regardless of which series you start with, you will find yourself wanting to read them all, as each one is a treat to experience.
In addition to being an author, Parr is also a wealth advisor and portfolio manager with over 30 years of experience with Wall Street firms. He draws inspiration from his work and uses his observations to craft compelling white-collar crime stories that often reveal the underbelly of Wall Street.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Parr's parents immigrated to the US soon after the communist takeover of the island. Although he started college seeking an electrical engineering degree, he switched to marketing and business after finding the former to be lacking in creativity.
You can find out more about Parr and his work at www.owenparr.com or by emailing him at owen@owenparr.com. Parr donates a portion of his royalties each month to organizations such as St. Jude Hospital, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and the Towers to Tunnel Foundation.
Parr's novels stand out due to their unique crime mystery plots, full of twists and turns that keep readers engaged and challenged. His descriptions of scenes and characters are clear and concise, immersing readers in the story and allowing them to visualize the characters and settings.
Since 2015, Parr has created several series of novels, starting with the John Powers - International Espionage and Intrigue trilogy, followed by the Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brien Crime Mysteries - twelve novels of riveting crime and murder mysteries. Finally, he has written the Jack Ryder Novellas - three crime and murder mysteries, in the style of Agatha Christie.
Regardless of which series you start with, you will find yourself wanting to read them all, as each one is a treat to experience.
In addition to being an author, Parr is also a wealth advisor and portfolio manager with over 30 years of experience with Wall Street firms. He draws inspiration from his work and uses his observations to craft compelling white-collar crime stories that often reveal the underbelly of Wall Street.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Parr's parents immigrated to the US soon after the communist takeover of the island. Although he started college seeking an electrical engineering degree, he switched to marketing and business after finding the former to be lacking in creativity.
You can find out more about Parr and his work at www.owenparr.com or by emailing him at owen@owenparr.com. Parr donates a portion of his royalties each month to organizations such as St. Jude Hospital, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and the Towers to Tunnel Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 1, 2022
Another fun read
Now at number 9, the Joey Mancuso & Father O'Brian mystery series keeps rolling along. Told in first person, Mancuso, a former NYPD detective with the highest clearance rate known to man ( much like Mancuso I am prone to exagerate) teams with his half brother Dominick O'Brian , a Catholic priest to hear a Private Investigation firm.
And the firm is growing - as is the cast of characters. There's now a baby Mancuso (Michele Marie) with his wife Marcy, an FBI Special Agent and his recently retired former NYPD partner Lucy. The firm is doing well, and more often than not they go pro bono. Parr has done well with his plot lines here. It's a seemingly unsolvable set of homeless murders and the Mancuso team hits blind alley after blind alley.
There's one piece that didn't get favours for - who broke into his place and bound up his wife? Since it was presumably the killer, that lead was never followed up. Other than that, I have to say that the identity of the killer wasn't a complete surprise when finally revealed, hence this one lost a star.
On to #10.
Now at number 9, the Joey Mancuso & Father O'Brian mystery series keeps rolling along. Told in first person, Mancuso, a former NYPD detective with the highest clearance rate known to man ( much like Mancuso I am prone to exagerate) teams with his half brother Dominick O'Brian , a Catholic priest to hear a Private Investigation firm.
And the firm is growing - as is the cast of characters. There's now a baby Mancuso (Michele Marie) with his wife Marcy, an FBI Special Agent and his recently retired former NYPD partner Lucy. The firm is doing well, and more often than not they go pro bono. Parr has done well with his plot lines here. It's a seemingly unsolvable set of homeless murders and the Mancuso team hits blind alley after blind alley.
There's one piece that didn't get favours for - who broke into his place and bound up his wife? Since it was presumably the killer, that lead was never followed up. Other than that, I have to say that the identity of the killer wasn't a complete surprise when finally revealed, hence this one lost a star.
On to #10.
November 9, 2022
Another Fine Mess, Solved & Laid to Rest
You know the joint: one of those little bars downtown with old timely photos on the walls and the ever present aroma of old scotch mixed with a whiff of expensive cigars. Pop in for a drink, maybe a smoke in the back room where there's a cigar bar but you'll never guess there's a full blown private detective agency operating full speed ahead to right the wrongs and act as the Last Advocates for Victims. In this book, Parr's retired NYPD detective, Joey Manual advocates for NYC's most forgotten victims, the homeless. Join the team as they bob and weave through twists, turns and red herrings as they resolve the murders.
You know the joint: one of those little bars downtown with old timely photos on the walls and the ever present aroma of old scotch mixed with a whiff of expensive cigars. Pop in for a drink, maybe a smoke in the back room where there's a cigar bar but you'll never guess there's a full blown private detective agency operating full speed ahead to right the wrongs and act as the Last Advocates for Victims. In this book, Parr's retired NYPD detective, Joey Manual advocates for NYC's most forgotten victims, the homeless. Join the team as they bob and weave through twists, turns and red herrings as they resolve the murders.
July 10, 2022
Read the whole series!
Personally, I’ve read Books 1,2, and 9. So much has happened in the huge gap I was somewhat ‘disoriented’ at the start of this one. It pays to stay with them all as they grow their businesses. I’ve learned my lesson! For this one, it moved slower than I prefer. Not my favorite of those I’ve read but still a great plot. Good characters and setting, as always.
Personally, I’ve read Books 1,2, and 9. So much has happened in the huge gap I was somewhat ‘disoriented’ at the start of this one. It pays to stay with them all as they grow their businesses. I’ve learned my lesson! For this one, it moved slower than I prefer. Not my favorite of those I’ve read but still a great plot. Good characters and setting, as always.
April 26, 2023
another clever mystery
Sad to see in vivid detail what most focus know already. The homeless are a forgotten segment of society. Leave it to Owen Parr to combine this sad population with the avarice of too much of society in general. Glad to see Marcie join the group full time and so sad to see Uncle Pat go, even though it was his decision and his retirement. I am an avid fan on the Joey Mancuso mysteries. May he continue to find new cases for years to come.
Sad to see in vivid detail what most focus know already. The homeless are a forgotten segment of society. Leave it to Owen Parr to combine this sad population with the avarice of too much of society in general. Glad to see Marcie join the group full time and so sad to see Uncle Pat go, even though it was his decision and his retirement. I am an avid fan on the Joey Mancuso mysteries. May he continue to find new cases for years to come.
February 20, 2025
Another good read
As always, Parr keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. I have read all the books out to date and enjoyed each one immensely. All the familiar characters return and some new ones are added periodically. Can’t wait to start the next book. It’s hard to put them down once you start, but alas, everyone has to sleep sometime. 😁😁
As always, Parr keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. I have read all the books out to date and enjoyed each one immensely. All the familiar characters return and some new ones are added periodically. Can’t wait to start the next book. It’s hard to put them down once you start, but alas, everyone has to sleep sometime. 😁😁
June 6, 2022
Excellent Excellent Book
This book should be a ten star book I could not put it down and did not want it to end I loved it I was on the edge of my seat at the end of the book I highly recommend this book to everyone and all his other books Dorothy Schaefer
This book should be a ten star book I could not put it down and did not want it to end I loved it I was on the edge of my seat at the end of the book I highly recommend this book to everyone and all his other books Dorothy Schaefer
February 5, 2023
A humdinger of a case!
Murdered homeless victims, no clues, no connections, what could be worse? This really did push the team to the limits to get to the bottom of what happened and who did it.
Another cracking read out of the Owen Parr stable.
Murdered homeless victims, no clues, no connections, what could be worse? This really did push the team to the limits to get to the bottom of what happened and who did it.
Another cracking read out of the Owen Parr stable.
July 5, 2022
Great Story
I loved this book. I'm so excited that Owen Parr brought back all the characters we all love and root for.
I loved this book. I'm so excited that Owen Parr brought back all the characters we all love and root for.
July 9, 2022
Joey et all are back at it !
This new book picks right up where the others left off ! Mr Parr writes a great story that keep you wanting more ! Well done
This new book picks right up where the others left off ! Mr Parr writes a great story that keep you wanting more ! Well done
August 28, 2022
this was my first by author and narrator and enjoyed it. The fact coming in blind didn't really impact my enjoyment of the story.
the story was really intriguing and kept your attention.
the story was really intriguing and kept your attention.
October 11, 2022
Like this author and characters
Good read...Joey and Father Dom are a good match. Also, like other characters as well. I've read most of this series.
Good read...Joey and Father Dom are a good match. Also, like other characters as well. I've read most of this series.
December 14, 2022
Pretty good entry in this series, but maybe not the best. Some proofreading errors too.
May 21, 2024
I got lost at times.
January 9, 2025
Audiobook
Complex, twists, turns and more twists.
Its really good, easy to follow and enjoyable characters
Complex, twists, turns and more twists.
Its really good, easy to follow and enjoyable characters
April 15, 2025
Great Mystery
This was a page turner! It had a lot of twists and turns that was very interesting. I enjoyed the book very much.
This was a page turner! It had a lot of twists and turns that was very interesting. I enjoyed the book very much.
May 3, 2025
I loved it threw me for a loop but when your dealing NUTJOBS what can you do? LOL
March 19, 2026
Very good police procedural as are the others in this series.
July 13, 2022
Joey Mancini and his team never disappoint. Someone is killing homeless people, and a free-lance reporter is focusing on Joey. Great plot, good writing, and real characters make for a great read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews