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Slim Hardy Mysteries #1
The Man by the Sea
John "Slim" Hardy, heavy drinker and disgraced soldier turned bumbling private detective, is hired to investigate Ted Douglas, an investment banker who slips out of work every Friday to visit a desolate cove on the Lancashire coast. There, he walks to the shore, opens an old book, and begins to read aloud. His wife thinks he's having an affair. Slim thinks he's insane. The truth is more incredible than either could imagine. The Man by the Sea is the sensational debut novel by Jack Benton, a classic story of love, betrayal, murder, and intrigue.
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2018
1790 people are currently reading
2286 people want to read
About the author
Jack Benton
48 books90 followersJack Benton is the mystery writing pen name of British science fiction writer Chris Ward.
Chris Ward is a native of Cornwall, England, but currently lives and works in Nagano, Japan. He is the author of multiple series across several speculative genres, as well as writing under pen names in several more.
He spends his time, snowboarding, writing, playing guitar in his rock band, Steampunk Unicorn (www.reverbnation/steampunkunicorn), and generally having too much to say about just about everything.
For more information, please visit www.amillionmilesfromanywhere.net/tok...
Chris Ward is a native of Cornwall, England, but currently lives and works in Nagano, Japan. He is the author of multiple series across several speculative genres, as well as writing under pen names in several more.
He spends his time, snowboarding, writing, playing guitar in his rock band, Steampunk Unicorn (www.reverbnation/steampunkunicorn), and generally having too much to say about just about everything.
For more information, please visit www.amillionmilesfromanywhere.net/tok...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
August 31, 2019
It took me some time to get into this book, maybe it was because this was the first crime book by Chris Ward, writing as Jack Benton. The Man by the Sea is the first book in the Slim Hardy series and it provides a strong base on which to build. Slim a hard drinking ex soldier suffering from PTSD takes on a case to find out just what it is that Ted Douglas, an investment banker, does on his Friday afternoons. His wife thinks he is having an affair and Slim thinks he is losing his reason. This is a story of ghosts, both from the past and the present. Slim drinks to forget what happened in the desert and Ted is haunted by a lost love. Does the ghost of Joanna Bramwell really haunt this part of the Lancashire coast and why did she lure three women to their deaths?
Although Slim seems to be drunk most of the time, he is caught up in events, especially against all his good intentions, he develops a close relationship with his client. Things go from bad to worse for poor Slim, but he somehow manages to get through and solve the case.
I gave the book 4 Stars
Although Slim seems to be drunk most of the time, he is caught up in events, especially against all his good intentions, he develops a close relationship with his client. Things go from bad to worse for poor Slim, but he somehow manages to get through and solve the case.
I gave the book 4 Stars
February 24, 2021
I had read the second book of this series previously, so I thought I would find this a good read considering price on Amazon...Free.
For a PI, the man makes a lot of stupid mistakes and is certainly at risk throughout this case that he takes on. I suppose it could be called a comedy of errors...or a whopper of a ghost story.
For a PI, the man makes a lot of stupid mistakes and is certainly at risk throughout this case that he takes on. I suppose it could be called a comedy of errors...or a whopper of a ghost story.
November 2, 2021
The Man by the Sea is the third book I have read in as many months by a UK writer which promised a stunning twist. Only this one broke its promise.
The author is Chris Ward using the pen name Jack Benton. He claims that this book was his first attempt to write a mystery, made all the more remarkable because he says he wrote it on his smartphone. It must not have been a very smart phone because the mystery he wrote is largely unintelligible.
I feel a personal accomplishment if I can manage to compose a simple email on my smartphone. Writing an entire novel on a smartphone would be unthinkable. Using that same method to write a good novel I think would be impossible. Thank you, Messrs. Ward and Benton, for proving me correct.
In the book, ex-army officer Slim Hardy is now a private investigator who devotes more time to drinking than to working. The constant references to his alcohol abuse soon become annoying and distracting instead of amusing or illuminating.
Slim was hired by the wife of an investment banker, Ted Rogers, who she suspects is having an affair. Slim secretively follows Ted every Friday to a cove on the English coast notorious for its treacherous tides. There Ted strangely stands alone at the water’s edge, reciting what sounds like a ritual in archaic Latin.
Slim discovers that years before on separate dates there had been four tragic drownings of women at this cove. They were all ruled accidental deaths but the local police chief tells Slim that he still suspects that the women were murdered, even though there were no signs of foul play. But the circumstances surrounding their alleged drownings are suspicious.
The first victim, Joanna Bramwell, was said to have met a lover at the cove the night before her wedding. The next day her body was found by the shore, as if carried there by a wave. According to local legend her ghost still haunts the cove.
Slim begins to suspect that Ted knew Joanna before he was married, that the weekly Latin ritual by the sea is an exorcism meant for her ghost haunting him, and that her death may have a connection with the three later drownings.
But it’s still unclear by the end of the book whether the three later drowning victims were murdered, whether they had any relation to Joanna’s drowning, or whether they even had any relation to Joanna.
It’s also unclear who was ultimately responsible for Joanna’s death, and the disappointing “stunning twist” at the end was nothing more than naming the least likely suspect so common to many mediocre whodunnits.
In an afterword the author self-servingly thinks that his novel “turned out rather well,” but I think you’ll think it turned out rather confusing.
The author is Chris Ward using the pen name Jack Benton. He claims that this book was his first attempt to write a mystery, made all the more remarkable because he says he wrote it on his smartphone. It must not have been a very smart phone because the mystery he wrote is largely unintelligible.
I feel a personal accomplishment if I can manage to compose a simple email on my smartphone. Writing an entire novel on a smartphone would be unthinkable. Using that same method to write a good novel I think would be impossible. Thank you, Messrs. Ward and Benton, for proving me correct.
In the book, ex-army officer Slim Hardy is now a private investigator who devotes more time to drinking than to working. The constant references to his alcohol abuse soon become annoying and distracting instead of amusing or illuminating.
Slim was hired by the wife of an investment banker, Ted Rogers, who she suspects is having an affair. Slim secretively follows Ted every Friday to a cove on the English coast notorious for its treacherous tides. There Ted strangely stands alone at the water’s edge, reciting what sounds like a ritual in archaic Latin.
Slim discovers that years before on separate dates there had been four tragic drownings of women at this cove. They were all ruled accidental deaths but the local police chief tells Slim that he still suspects that the women were murdered, even though there were no signs of foul play. But the circumstances surrounding their alleged drownings are suspicious.
The first victim, Joanna Bramwell, was said to have met a lover at the cove the night before her wedding. The next day her body was found by the shore, as if carried there by a wave. According to local legend her ghost still haunts the cove.
Slim begins to suspect that Ted knew Joanna before he was married, that the weekly Latin ritual by the sea is an exorcism meant for her ghost haunting him, and that her death may have a connection with the three later drownings.
But it’s still unclear by the end of the book whether the three later drowning victims were murdered, whether they had any relation to Joanna’s drowning, or whether they even had any relation to Joanna.
It’s also unclear who was ultimately responsible for Joanna’s death, and the disappointing “stunning twist” at the end was nothing more than naming the least likely suspect so common to many mediocre whodunnits.
In an afterword the author self-servingly thinks that his novel “turned out rather well,” but I think you’ll think it turned out rather confusing.
February 9, 2018
As an avid reader of detective and mystery thrillers, I was very pleased to receive this book for review.
It is the first foray into this genre by Chris Ward, the acclaimed science fiction and horror writer, writing under the name Jack Benton.
The protagonist. Slim Hardy, ex-soldier and functioning alcoholic, takes on a simple case of following a suspected adulterer, only to become obsessed with what appears to be a ghost story. Ted Douglas, the subject of his inquiry, makes weekly visits to a lonely cove and appears to be performing some sort of curse or perhaps an exorcism. Subsequent events suggest the latter, as Slim himself witnesses the apparent manifestation of some unquiet spirit. If Ted is having an affair, it seems to be with a ghost.
Of course he becomes obsessed. Who wouldn't? I certainly was unable to resist as Slim painstakingly combs through the past to find an explanation.
I consider myself an expert in (reading) mystery thrillers and in my opinion this is up there with the best of them. I found the plot exciting, I empathised with the characters, and I particularly liked the supernatural element.
I expected the writing to be excellent, being very familiar with Jack Benton in his other incarnation as Chris Ward, and I was not disappointed.
I see this is designated as the first of a series. Roll on the rest!
January 16, 2024
Great Dark Mystery
Slim Hardy is a PI (ex- military), with an alcohol problem trying to get by in life catching cheating spouses, when he comes upon something he’s never experienced before on this job… Burning to get answers he teams up with the local constabulary to try to solve the case… or is it cases? A dark and eerie mystery that kept me turning pages well into the night, even while ill. Very addictive. Many twists and turns right to the very end! If you like your mystery books to keep you on the edge this is the book for you! I will certainly be continuing with this series and author. Both are excellent!
Slim Hardy is a PI (ex- military), with an alcohol problem trying to get by in life catching cheating spouses, when he comes upon something he’s never experienced before on this job… Burning to get answers he teams up with the local constabulary to try to solve the case… or is it cases? A dark and eerie mystery that kept me turning pages well into the night, even while ill. Very addictive. Many twists and turns right to the very end! If you like your mystery books to keep you on the edge this is the book for you! I will certainly be continuing with this series and author. Both are excellent!
December 25, 2020
Meh.
Reads like the author threw some plot lines in a blender, hit puree, and dumped it into a book.
Each "plot twist" was just more shark jumping. Increasingly improbable, adding more confusion than real drama.
An amazing bugging device the size of a USB drive capable of transmitting miles away with no apparent connection to the internet or cellular connection. And to a drunk, broke PI who can't keep his cell phone charged.
A character married for over 20 years without realizing he knew his wife from school days.
A character who not only survived being poisoned and thrown off a cliff into the ocean in one night, but lived in a cave undetected for years. While somehow managing to acquire food and clothing.
A witness that conveniently comes to life after slashing their wrists long enough to provide vital information. Then dies for real. Supposedly. It seems.
And, in the end, no clear motive for the serial killer's killing spree. Apparently they didn't even mean to kill one victim. An accidental serial killer?
Reads like the author threw some plot lines in a blender, hit puree, and dumped it into a book.
Each "plot twist" was just more shark jumping. Increasingly improbable, adding more confusion than real drama.
An amazing bugging device the size of a USB drive capable of transmitting miles away with no apparent connection to the internet or cellular connection. And to a drunk, broke PI who can't keep his cell phone charged.
A character married for over 20 years without realizing he knew his wife from school days.
A character who not only survived being poisoned and thrown off a cliff into the ocean in one night, but lived in a cave undetected for years. While somehow managing to acquire food and clothing.
A witness that conveniently comes to life after slashing their wrists long enough to provide vital information. Then dies for real. Supposedly. It seems.
And, in the end, no clear motive for the serial killer's killing spree. Apparently they didn't even mean to kill one victim. An accidental serial killer?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2021
A down and out detective gets a call from a distraught wife. She thinks her husband is having an affair and would like him followed. Thinking this should be an easy job with fast cash, he accepts and begins the stakeout. What he finds is both remarkable and mind boggling. The husband in question appears to live a normal life, goes to work, returns home -- except that every Friday he drives to a cove where he stands feet deep in the water and recounts what appears to be some sort of poem or ritual into the air. He meets no one, talks to no one, just goes through his ritual and then returns home.
As the well-worn detective continues to delve into the man's mysterious actions, a slew of possible connections appear to take shape and they all involve murder. There have been several female murders over the years at this location and the detective is fighting to find the answers - in fact he is fighting about as hard as he is fighting the urge to drink and failing miserably at both.
This was a relatively short story (198 pages) and I had some problems with the actions of some in the story (including the detective), but the author presented a decent methodology to the madness. Love, hate, jealousy and an innate sense of wanting to be noticed and needed intertwine to create a world of allusion, sprinkled with delusion. This wasn't my favorite -- but I can say I was entertained and enjoyed this short walk along the sea.
As the well-worn detective continues to delve into the man's mysterious actions, a slew of possible connections appear to take shape and they all involve murder. There have been several female murders over the years at this location and the detective is fighting to find the answers - in fact he is fighting about as hard as he is fighting the urge to drink and failing miserably at both.
This was a relatively short story (198 pages) and I had some problems with the actions of some in the story (including the detective), but the author presented a decent methodology to the madness. Love, hate, jealousy and an innate sense of wanting to be noticed and needed intertwine to create a world of allusion, sprinkled with delusion. This wasn't my favorite -- but I can say I was entertained and enjoyed this short walk along the sea.
November 2, 2021
Every Friday a man stands by the sea, chanting. A most puzzling behavior as observed by a private investigator amusingly named Slim, who was probably hoping it was one of those simple spousal cheating cases he usually specializes in.
And yet, no cheating appears to be taking place and the chants might be in Latin…how mysterious. Slim might not be the best detective out there, he wasn’t always one, once he was an army man, dishonorably discharged, and in fact his detecting shortcomings even get mentioned to him in the book, but he manages. Enough to know something’s really off. Enough to do some investigating and find out that the sea in the area is treacherous and has claimed its share of victims over the years.
And so Slim continues on the case, long after he was officially fired by the man by the sea’s wife, a femme of fatale inclinations, long after Slim started having an affair with her. It’s almost as if he has something to prove, maybe to himself, maybe that he isn’t just a drunk and a failure. At any rate, it’s a dangerous business as he soon finds out. You know he survives, of course, because that’s the sort of certainly series (of which this is a starter) provide, but he’s going to have a doozy of a time getting to the end of this story.
I didn’t expect much going in (just wanted to spend some time by the sea if only vicariously), it looked like a million similar books out there, but it was short and free and I figured why not and ended up pleasantly surprised. Engaging characters, good writing and some very fun plot twists. All in all, pretty good and sure to delight mystery fans. I wouldn’t even be opposed to reading more of Slim’s adventures if they are ever free again.
And yet, no cheating appears to be taking place and the chants might be in Latin…how mysterious. Slim might not be the best detective out there, he wasn’t always one, once he was an army man, dishonorably discharged, and in fact his detecting shortcomings even get mentioned to him in the book, but he manages. Enough to know something’s really off. Enough to do some investigating and find out that the sea in the area is treacherous and has claimed its share of victims over the years.
And so Slim continues on the case, long after he was officially fired by the man by the sea’s wife, a femme of fatale inclinations, long after Slim started having an affair with her. It’s almost as if he has something to prove, maybe to himself, maybe that he isn’t just a drunk and a failure. At any rate, it’s a dangerous business as he soon finds out. You know he survives, of course, because that’s the sort of certainly series (of which this is a starter) provide, but he’s going to have a doozy of a time getting to the end of this story.
I didn’t expect much going in (just wanted to spend some time by the sea if only vicariously), it looked like a million similar books out there, but it was short and free and I figured why not and ended up pleasantly surprised. Engaging characters, good writing and some very fun plot twists. All in all, pretty good and sure to delight mystery fans. I wouldn’t even be opposed to reading more of Slim’s adventures if they are ever free again.
July 2, 2024
3.4ish
This book is about a washed out military dude named Slim who turns into a Private Investigator. He gets hired by this woman named Emma to see if her husband, Ted, is cheating on her. Slim stalks Ted and finds out our boy just goes to some cliff reciting Latin like a weirdo. But the thing is that 3 people were killed/died at this cliff. Is he resurrecting the dead? Does he have connections to the dead? Is it personal? Is it random? Is it satanic?
Slim tries to get answers to all this bc he's a curious guy and he finds that the local police chief, Arthur, is down to help. One thing leads to another and now we're wondering is there a ghost? Is the ghost actually the missing woman, but she's alive? Who killed all these people? Is someone out to get Ted? What is happening in this sleepy lil town?
Beginning was kinda boring ngl, but the entire middle was great. The ending was predictable, the resolution wasn't all that good. All in all, not a bad read. It was pretty short. Only 8 hrs on audio so I enjoyed it while working for the past two days.
This book is about a washed out military dude named Slim who turns into a Private Investigator. He gets hired by this woman named Emma to see if her husband, Ted, is cheating on her. Slim stalks Ted and finds out our boy just goes to some cliff reciting Latin like a weirdo. But the thing is that 3 people were killed/died at this cliff. Is he resurrecting the dead? Does he have connections to the dead? Is it personal? Is it random? Is it satanic?
Slim tries to get answers to all this bc he's a curious guy and he finds that the local police chief, Arthur, is down to help. One thing leads to another and now we're wondering is there a ghost? Is the ghost actually the missing woman, but she's alive? Who killed all these people? Is someone out to get Ted? What is happening in this sleepy lil town?
Beginning was kinda boring ngl, but the entire middle was great. The ending was predictable, the resolution wasn't all that good. All in all, not a bad read. It was pretty short. Only 8 hrs on audio so I enjoyed it while working for the past two days.
March 17, 2022
Confusing, needs a reread. Maybe the series improves.
March 11, 2023
I'm really surprised by the 5 star reviews of this book. At 68% I began skim reading as it was so tedious and unbelievable.
I really didn't like the Slim Hardy character at all. The descriptions of his drinking episodes were repetitive and I became irritated rather than feeling sorry for him ... and it's also a huge cliché! Sleeping with his client pretty much from the off? Unprofessional.
Oh and drilling down into a grave by him and the chief inspector? Utter rubbish. The book became more confusing as it went on.
I didn't like any of the characters, I suspected the killer from quite early on so it wasn't a huge 'wow' from me.
I won't be reading any more of Slim Hardy thanks very much.
I really didn't like the Slim Hardy character at all. The descriptions of his drinking episodes were repetitive and I became irritated rather than feeling sorry for him ... and it's also a huge cliché! Sleeping with his client pretty much from the off? Unprofessional.
Oh and drilling down into a grave by him and the chief inspector? Utter rubbish. The book became more confusing as it went on.
I didn't like any of the characters, I suspected the killer from quite early on so it wasn't a huge 'wow' from me.
I won't be reading any more of Slim Hardy thanks very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2023
Lots of details on main character and the usual well written plot to enjoy. The narrator is top notch and clearly understood — all around good reading and listening time.👍🏼
January 4, 2021
I saw an advert for the second book of this series which sounded like one for my shelves. I researched it on Fantastic Fiction and saw that this was the first, I found and grabbed them both.
This one appealed to me from very early on as it was different to other mysteries. Many fictional Private Detectives suggest that there time is mostly taken up, hired by husbands to follow their wives or, as is the case, by wives to follow a husband. The Private detective, Slim Hardy, follows the suspected husband week after week to a deserted beach. Soon an accidental death there some years ago becomes an obsession with him as much as, it appears to be, with the husband.
If you are imagining your Private Eye as Tom Selleck in Magnum PI, then refocus for a moment. "Slim" is one of those 'opposite' nicknames and as Magnum enjoyed an occasional drink , Slim is an alcoholic. Whether he was driven to the bottle by an extreme experience while he was in the forces or his wife running off with the butcher when he was demobbed, is anyone's guess.
To be honest, I found the continuing references to his drinking to be a bit over the top ( - perhaps setting the scene for a 'drying out' story next?) but if he was drinking as much as it appears I doubt his ability to get up to some of the things he did in the story.
Did I get the answer before Slim? Well almost.
Apart from that, although a story which has a lead character who is almost a homeless alcoholic doesn't sound that inviting, I enjoyed my first venture into this author's work. On my scale this is a 3.5 but will round it up to 4 and look forward to the next.
On a personal note, I tried to pinpoint the setting of the story. I wondered if Carnwell was based on Carnforth near the edge of Morecambe Bay. I lived in the area for 10 years but was unaware of anything like Cramer Cove or the cliffs described. Of course I accept 'Author's License' to pick a totally fictitious place, but I just wondered if the unfortunate incidents there, had the local folk removing the location from local signs and maps !
This one appealed to me from very early on as it was different to other mysteries. Many fictional Private Detectives suggest that there time is mostly taken up, hired by husbands to follow their wives or, as is the case, by wives to follow a husband. The Private detective, Slim Hardy, follows the suspected husband week after week to a deserted beach. Soon an accidental death there some years ago becomes an obsession with him as much as, it appears to be, with the husband.
If you are imagining your Private Eye as Tom Selleck in Magnum PI, then refocus for a moment. "Slim" is one of those 'opposite' nicknames and as Magnum enjoyed an occasional drink , Slim is an alcoholic. Whether he was driven to the bottle by an extreme experience while he was in the forces or his wife running off with the butcher when he was demobbed, is anyone's guess.
To be honest, I found the continuing references to his drinking to be a bit over the top ( - perhaps setting the scene for a 'drying out' story next?) but if he was drinking as much as it appears I doubt his ability to get up to some of the things he did in the story.
Did I get the answer before Slim? Well almost.
Apart from that, although a story which has a lead character who is almost a homeless alcoholic doesn't sound that inviting, I enjoyed my first venture into this author's work. On my scale this is a 3.5 but will round it up to 4 and look forward to the next.
On a personal note, I tried to pinpoint the setting of the story. I wondered if Carnwell was based on Carnforth near the edge of Morecambe Bay. I lived in the area for 10 years but was unaware of anything like Cramer Cove or the cliffs described. Of course I accept 'Author's License' to pick a totally fictitious place, but I just wondered if the unfortunate incidents there, had the local folk removing the location from local signs and maps !
June 15, 2019
Mysterious and evocative.
I seem to be on a run of sea oriented books lately, which is perfect as I spent today bobbing about on a boat in decidedly dodgy, unpredictable weather. I'm not good on boats, so I had my audiobook playing to distract myself - none other than The Man by the Sea. It wasn't difficult to picture the steep rugged cliffs and wild bays, as I bobbed about under dark skies.
Although this is only 214 pages, or 4hrs, 52 mins on audio, I didn't feel short-changed. It was long enough to get totally involved with PI Slim and his client Emma, and her concerns that her husband has been seeing another woman. Emma's husband, Ted, is leaving work early every Friday and she wants to know why.
Slim discovers that Ted is spending his Friday afternoons at the foot of the cliffs of Cramer Cove on the Lancashire coast, reading aloud from an old book. As his investigations proceed, Slim suspects that there may be a connection between Ted's behaviour and several unexplained deaths that have occurred in the area. He even starts to consider the possibility of a ghost in their midst.
There are a lot of possibilities woven into this mystery and some fabulous descriptions of the area around the cliffs. I loved the supernatural element of the narrative, which makes everyone second-guess themselves. Slim receives help from an elderly police officer who had been involved in the earlier deaths and I think he was probably my favourite character. Unlike other reviewers, I wasn't such a fan of Slim; his excessive drinking struck me as rather cliche for a struggling PA.
Excellent narration by Kevin E Green, who manages both male and female voices effortlessly and I am looking forward to The Clockmaker's Secret, the second book in the Slim Hardy Mystery series, read by the same narrator.
I seem to be on a run of sea oriented books lately, which is perfect as I spent today bobbing about on a boat in decidedly dodgy, unpredictable weather. I'm not good on boats, so I had my audiobook playing to distract myself - none other than The Man by the Sea. It wasn't difficult to picture the steep rugged cliffs and wild bays, as I bobbed about under dark skies.
Although this is only 214 pages, or 4hrs, 52 mins on audio, I didn't feel short-changed. It was long enough to get totally involved with PI Slim and his client Emma, and her concerns that her husband has been seeing another woman. Emma's husband, Ted, is leaving work early every Friday and she wants to know why.
Slim discovers that Ted is spending his Friday afternoons at the foot of the cliffs of Cramer Cove on the Lancashire coast, reading aloud from an old book. As his investigations proceed, Slim suspects that there may be a connection between Ted's behaviour and several unexplained deaths that have occurred in the area. He even starts to consider the possibility of a ghost in their midst.
There are a lot of possibilities woven into this mystery and some fabulous descriptions of the area around the cliffs. I loved the supernatural element of the narrative, which makes everyone second-guess themselves. Slim receives help from an elderly police officer who had been involved in the earlier deaths and I think he was probably my favourite character. Unlike other reviewers, I wasn't such a fan of Slim; his excessive drinking struck me as rather cliche for a struggling PA.
Excellent narration by Kevin E Green, who manages both male and female voices effortlessly and I am looking forward to The Clockmaker's Secret, the second book in the Slim Hardy Mystery series, read by the same narrator.
June 5, 2019
Slim! What a character. The author really paints this picture of a true loser who's a functioning alcoholic. He lands a private investigation case that turns into much more than he bargains for. The mark's wife, Emma, solicits Slim to investigate why her husband leaves work early on Friday's. She thinks he's having an affair, but it's much more sinister than that.
Slim gets in over his head way too quickly and finds that he;s digging himself deeper and deeper by the minute. With bills mounting and utilities being turned off, Slim quickly makes allies with the local police chief and they accidently delve into a few cold cases from decades earlier. Is it all related to the husband? Then one misadventure after another happen to the characters and you're flipped upside down on who did what and where. Slim continues to make bad decisions, namely sticking by the case even when it's gotten ugly and far deeper than the run of the mill infidelity case. But his curiosity has gotten the better of him. But to what end!?!?!
This was a bite sized mystery, short enough to keep your interest peaked for the whole duration and long enough to character build for the next books in the series. Now that I know this is a series, I'm definitely interested to see what becomes of Slim and his escapades. I think the narrator did a fair job with the characters and creating a mental picture for this story. I didn't have any lasting criticisms of any part of the narration.
Slim gets in over his head way too quickly and finds that he;s digging himself deeper and deeper by the minute. With bills mounting and utilities being turned off, Slim quickly makes allies with the local police chief and they accidently delve into a few cold cases from decades earlier. Is it all related to the husband? Then one misadventure after another happen to the characters and you're flipped upside down on who did what and where. Slim continues to make bad decisions, namely sticking by the case even when it's gotten ugly and far deeper than the run of the mill infidelity case. But his curiosity has gotten the better of him. But to what end!?!?!
This was a bite sized mystery, short enough to keep your interest peaked for the whole duration and long enough to character build for the next books in the series. Now that I know this is a series, I'm definitely interested to see what becomes of Slim and his escapades. I think the narrator did a fair job with the characters and creating a mental picture for this story. I didn't have any lasting criticisms of any part of the narration.
June 5, 2019
I listened to this book via audible and I finished it in less than 24 hours. The main character, Slim Hardy, (yes, honestly!) is an alcoholic, penniless P.I., who takes on the case of a woman who thinks her husband is having an affair.
What Slim discovers about the husband is far more bizarre, and embroiling himself in the case leads him back in time to past murders, suicides, accidents and possible hauntings.
I enjoyed this book as it was pacy and well thought out. The narration was very good, with the narrator creating a range of male and female voices. I will certainly read more by Jack Benton.
What Slim discovers about the husband is far more bizarre, and embroiling himself in the case leads him back in time to past murders, suicides, accidents and possible hauntings.
I enjoyed this book as it was pacy and well thought out. The narration was very good, with the narrator creating a range of male and female voices. I will certainly read more by Jack Benton.
March 18, 2025
Excellent series. I've read the first nine books and enjoyed them all. Good plots, an excellent sense of place and weather, interesting characters, and is well-written. The main character, Slim Hardy, gets himself dealing with all sorts of dilemmas while dealing with his flaws. I listened to all the books via audiobooks, along with reading the matching Kindle edition. The audio narration was perfect.
June 5, 2019
Audiobook review
I listened today at work & continued until I finished. Slim is a troubled man and gets involved in a case of a two timing husband. Or so he gets told.
The case gets darker & spooky, you’re led down one path to be dragged up another.
Very good narration too, a steady tone & relaxing.
Well worth a listen or read.
I listened today at work & continued until I finished. Slim is a troubled man and gets involved in a case of a two timing husband. Or so he gets told.
The case gets darker & spooky, you’re led down one path to be dragged up another.
Very good narration too, a steady tone & relaxing.
Well worth a listen or read.
June 10, 2019
I listened to this book on audible & really enjoyed it. It’s an intriguing mystery, well paced and with a good narration. It’s very descriptive which I liked, with a few twists and turns. A mix of ghost story & murder mystery it’s well worth a read.
July 28, 2022
A nice read although I just can't understand why such a large proportion of detective and police officers in this type of books have problems with alcohol and very bad diets!
A mixture of crime and ghost story, or is it ?
A mixture of crime and ghost story, or is it ?
October 5, 2021
good, could not believe she was alive, really good ending
September 14, 2022
I couldn't root for the drunken disorganised hero of this book, and I was half scared by the ghost story element, but something kept me reading to the end!
November 11, 2024
Purchased from Chirp ~ narrator Kevin E. Green
RTC
RTC
February 11, 2021
Novela entretenida, fácil de leer, mantiene el interés por saber lo que realmente pasa y la intriga sobre si habrá algo sobrenatural o todo tendrá una explicación racional.
El alcoholismo del protagonista se hace pesado y molesto.
El alcoholismo del protagonista se hace pesado y molesto.
October 21, 2023
Wow! I love this book. I went in believing it to be a Mystery and found out it is so much more. For those who love a good mystery and a fantastic ghost story, this book is for you. It was hard to stop reading, even though it was nearing midnight and the spookiness was giving me a chill. Love it! Will be reading many more Slim Hardy.
June 3, 2019
Slim Hardy, come on, how can any self respecting woman not fall in love with a guy called Slim Hardy? Factor in the alcoholism, the PTSD, the lack of finances, this man needs the love of a good woman. We're all thinking in our heads, "we could fix Slim"! I had absolute faith that his new found friend, police chief Arthur, was going to be Slim's saviour, (until he met and fell in love with me of course), oh well! The story was so weird and wonderful it blew my mind. Ghosts, the undead, troubled souls, it was all there for contemplation and I did not even get a hint of how it was all going to pan out. The narration by Kevin E Green was absolutely sublime. Slim's voice was spot on, gravelly and alcoholicy, (I just made that word up). All the voices were brilliant. Must be very difficult narrating a conversation between Slim and Arthur and making the voices distinct from each other, but Mr Green pulled it off brilliantly. A fabulous story given an extra layer of pleasure by an excellent narrator. This is a series I already love and I can't wait for book 2 and a another dose of Slim. 5 stars and a highly recommended from me.
June 6, 2020
Such A Strange Story
I've read my share of strange books but this one took first prize. A drunk, ex-military, Private Eye takes on a case when he should be knees deep in a sobriety recovery program. That he is the lush he is takes some measure of reading pleasure in a well-written story away from this book to the point of being a distraction and just plain aggravating. Slim Hardy tries to be good as a PI but he's too damned drunk to be of any use to anyone. Such a distraction so that Mr. Benton seems to be deep-sixing his own novel. I know that this was the Author's intention but it was done to the extent that the distraction was darned near complete. I do have to say, however, that the final chapters had me gobsmacked! I didn't see this ending in any way, shape or form! Too much drink lessened the story quality.
I've read my share of strange books but this one took first prize. A drunk, ex-military, Private Eye takes on a case when he should be knees deep in a sobriety recovery program. That he is the lush he is takes some measure of reading pleasure in a well-written story away from this book to the point of being a distraction and just plain aggravating. Slim Hardy tries to be good as a PI but he's too damned drunk to be of any use to anyone. Such a distraction so that Mr. Benton seems to be deep-sixing his own novel. I know that this was the Author's intention but it was done to the extent that the distraction was darned near complete. I do have to say, however, that the final chapters had me gobsmacked! I didn't see this ending in any way, shape or form! Too much drink lessened the story quality.
January 22, 2023
Interesting storyline, tedious main character.
Well written, quite a good story, plenty of twists and turns but I could not find any sympathy or liking for Slim Hardy. He just annoyed me, I could empathise with his addiction problems, but mostly felt disguste. So hard to really enjoy a story when you want to reach through the slap him upside his head his meandering moaning got me skipping ahead to find out what the story was. For someone who would read cereal boxes if there was nothing else it says that something is definitely lacking in the writing style. Just annoyed with the wasted time. Whether the author was attempting to make a likeable but flawed character he failed dismally in my opinion. Won't bother reading any more and wouldn't recommend the book despite the interesting story.
Well written, quite a good story, plenty of twists and turns but I could not find any sympathy or liking for Slim Hardy. He just annoyed me, I could empathise with his addiction problems, but mostly felt disguste. So hard to really enjoy a story when you want to reach through the slap him upside his head his meandering moaning got me skipping ahead to find out what the story was. For someone who would read cereal boxes if there was nothing else it says that something is definitely lacking in the writing style. Just annoyed with the wasted time. Whether the author was attempting to make a likeable but flawed character he failed dismally in my opinion. Won't bother reading any more and wouldn't recommend the book despite the interesting story.
December 17, 2019
Let me start by saying that I read and listen to A LOT of detective/private investigator/murder mystery novels and it is darn hard to stand out in a crowded market full of samey tropes. So I didn’t expect anything special when I picked this up - but boy, what a little gem!
Quirky, intriguing, very well written and brilliantly narrated by Kevin E Green this was a truly outstanding audio experience - and a great start to a new series.
The mix of cosy, mysterious, super natural and classic noir elements made for an original and different story, the narration brought it to life and the cover art isn’t shabby either. Can’t wait to try the next one!
Quirky, intriguing, very well written and brilliantly narrated by Kevin E Green this was a truly outstanding audio experience - and a great start to a new series.
The mix of cosy, mysterious, super natural and classic noir elements made for an original and different story, the narration brought it to life and the cover art isn’t shabby either. Can’t wait to try the next one!
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