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Sam Quinton #4
Clean Win
Laura Mosby is like a lot of young women, working in a job she doesn't like, looking for a way out, and doing her best to enjoy her privacy. When she dies a violent death at the hands of an intruder, it's at first brushed off as a standard homicide. But when Lieutenant Santiago, the supervising detective, comes across evidence linking her death to a local politician, he begins to see the faint threads of a much nastier scheme. Desperate to shield his people from potential harm, he turns to Sam Quinton, full-time gym owner and part-time private investigator, to help solve Laura's murder and help the police department evade the wrath of City Hall.
- GenresMystery
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2023
40 people want to read
About the author
Kevin R. Doyle
14 books227 followers A former high-school teacher and college instructor, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written four crime thrillers including The Group and The Anchor, and one horror novel, The Litter. In the last few years, he’s begun working on the Sam Quinton private eye series, published by Camel Press. The first Quinton book, Squatter’s Rights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus award for Best First PI Novel. The fourth Sam Quinton book, Clean Win, was released in March of 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 4, 2023
Gritty and hard-hitting—two words to describe Kevin R. Doyle's main character, Sam Quinton, and the new mystery that finds the former wrestler turned private investigator embroiled in a horrific murder case.
Things are rarely clean when politics are involved. In Kevin R. Doyle's new book, Clean Win, it's no different. His gruff main character returns, but this time he's tasked with unraveling the truth behind the murder of a young woman.
Quinton is a rough and ready hero. Fans of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Mike Faricy's Dev Haskell, will keen to Doyle's main character. Like his personality, Quinton's language can be a little rough at times, so be prepared for colorful language.
Doyle's plot moves quick, attacking the action right away, like a diving elbow drop. Like Sam, you'll find yourself drawn into the plot almost immediately. For the reader, it comes from Doyle's tight and clever writing. For Sam, it's a matter of solving the case or tapping out—of everything. Someone doesn't want him to solve Laura Mosby's murder.
With life and career on the line, he is thrust into an investigation muddied by political ties and messy relationships that almost make Sam feels like he's pinned to the mat. With the countdown on, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat. An engrossing read for fans of P.I. fiction—it's a Clean Win.
Join in the tour-wide giveaway for a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card below!
*I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Things are rarely clean when politics are involved. In Kevin R. Doyle's new book, Clean Win, it's no different. His gruff main character returns, but this time he's tasked with unraveling the truth behind the murder of a young woman.
Quinton is a rough and ready hero. Fans of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Mike Faricy's Dev Haskell, will keen to Doyle's main character. Like his personality, Quinton's language can be a little rough at times, so be prepared for colorful language.
Doyle's plot moves quick, attacking the action right away, like a diving elbow drop. Like Sam, you'll find yourself drawn into the plot almost immediately. For the reader, it comes from Doyle's tight and clever writing. For Sam, it's a matter of solving the case or tapping out—of everything. Someone doesn't want him to solve Laura Mosby's murder.
With life and career on the line, he is thrust into an investigation muddied by political ties and messy relationships that almost make Sam feels like he's pinned to the mat. With the countdown on, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat. An engrossing read for fans of P.I. fiction—it's a Clean Win.
Join in the tour-wide giveaway for a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card below!
*I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 21, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Kevin Doyle. I most certainly don’t know why I haven’t read more. I had even put a couple of them on my TBR list but hadn’t gotten around to reading them. I should have been reading his Sam Quinton mysteries long ago.
This is just the sort of P.I. mystery story I like. I really enjoy a story where the cops (or at least some of them) can get along with a private investigator, even engage their help. I’m very tired of the P.I. who gets beat up or threatened by the cops all the time. Sam was a pro-wrestler before, called the Blond Bomber. Sounds hilarious, but it sure works as a character. I like his sarcastic, smart-ass, remarks and attitude. Maybe I can relate to him :) This time Detective Santiago contacts Sam about a very delicate problem. The murder wasn’t delicate, but the possible suspect could be a touchy subject.
This is one of those stories that catch you from the beginning. I’m not even sure how to describe what I mean. Is it the writing or is it the story? Whatever the snare was, it worked. This is one I rarely put down.
I must say I did find some errors here. Only a few compared to most books nowadays. Odd what we accept anymore. But the few typos or wrong words I did find were not enough to interrupt my reading flow, and I’m picky. If not for the number of errors, I would give this 5 stars. It is really a good story. I recommend it. Jump over the errors and read.
This is just the sort of P.I. mystery story I like. I really enjoy a story where the cops (or at least some of them) can get along with a private investigator, even engage their help. I’m very tired of the P.I. who gets beat up or threatened by the cops all the time. Sam was a pro-wrestler before, called the Blond Bomber. Sounds hilarious, but it sure works as a character. I like his sarcastic, smart-ass, remarks and attitude. Maybe I can relate to him :) This time Detective Santiago contacts Sam about a very delicate problem. The murder wasn’t delicate, but the possible suspect could be a touchy subject.
This is one of those stories that catch you from the beginning. I’m not even sure how to describe what I mean. Is it the writing or is it the story? Whatever the snare was, it worked. This is one I rarely put down.
I must say I did find some errors here. Only a few compared to most books nowadays. Odd what we accept anymore. But the few typos or wrong words I did find were not enough to interrupt my reading flow, and I’m picky. If not for the number of errors, I would give this 5 stars. It is really a good story. I recommend it. Jump over the errors and read.
April 28, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?
This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.
There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.
I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?
This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.
There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.
I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
January 30, 2024
3.75
“Clean Win” by Kevin Doyle is the fourth book in the ‘Sam Quinton Mystery’ series. A reluctant request from the lead police detective in a murder case embroils Sam in a complicated situation that may have far-reaching political implications. The wily private investigator will have to use his knowledge from both his prior career and his current ones to get to the truth.
This mystery story features an engaging private detective, intriguing secondary characters, and nice twists and turns as the investigation proceeds. I enjoyed Sam’s insouciant attitude and quiet competence as he interacted with folks from all walks of life. The allusions to previous encounters makes me curious about the other stories in the series, but I had no problem reading this as a stand-alone story. Sam’s previous career as a wrestler gives an entertaining dimension to some of his encounters, and I like that he has a (mostly) cordial relationship with the police. This was a fun quick read, and I look forward to reading other stories that feature this colorful investigator.
A copy of this story was provided for review
“Clean Win” by Kevin Doyle is the fourth book in the ‘Sam Quinton Mystery’ series. A reluctant request from the lead police detective in a murder case embroils Sam in a complicated situation that may have far-reaching political implications. The wily private investigator will have to use his knowledge from both his prior career and his current ones to get to the truth.
This mystery story features an engaging private detective, intriguing secondary characters, and nice twists and turns as the investigation proceeds. I enjoyed Sam’s insouciant attitude and quiet competence as he interacted with folks from all walks of life. The allusions to previous encounters makes me curious about the other stories in the series, but I had no problem reading this as a stand-alone story. Sam’s previous career as a wrestler gives an entertaining dimension to some of his encounters, and I like that he has a (mostly) cordial relationship with the police. This was a fun quick read, and I look forward to reading other stories that feature this colorful investigator.
A copy of this story was provided for review
April 23, 2023
An unsolved murder of a hair dresser. There have been several suspects with dead ends. Their latest suspect was a city mayor. A cop friend wanted to enlist the help of Detective Sam Quinton to find further proof to convict the mayor or clear him of the murder.
The investigation kicks off to a promising and captivating start. I just enjoy these murder mysteries with trying to figure out what happened and who did it.
Sam Quinton was your typical beat-nick P.I. that can get the answers and can get down n’ dirty if need be. His thinking was quick, candid, and gruff.
“If you’d been ready for it, I would have hit you a whole lot harder and you’d still be down.”
You get such a kick from Sam’s sly investigative skills. But what really draws you in is the murder mystery. Could the mayor have killed that girl? It would be too easy if it was the mayor. But if it wasn’t him, then who? Was this a cover-up or a set-up?
A great read from start to finish! Hooray for Clean Win!
The investigation kicks off to a promising and captivating start. I just enjoy these murder mysteries with trying to figure out what happened and who did it.
Sam Quinton was your typical beat-nick P.I. that can get the answers and can get down n’ dirty if need be. His thinking was quick, candid, and gruff.
“If you’d been ready for it, I would have hit you a whole lot harder and you’d still be down.”
You get such a kick from Sam’s sly investigative skills. But what really draws you in is the murder mystery. Could the mayor have killed that girl? It would be too easy if it was the mayor. But if it wasn’t him, then who? Was this a cover-up or a set-up?
A great read from start to finish! Hooray for Clean Win!
December 23, 2023
Clean Win is written by Kevin R. Doyle, This is the first book that I have read by this author. This is book 4 in the Sam Quinton Series. This was a good read.
Politics are sticky. So when a homicide victim, Laura Mosby is found deceased. At first she is just brushed off as a normal homicide. However, Lieutenant Santiago soon finds evidence that links the death to a politician. Sam Quinton, former wrestler and now a PI is hired to try and see what he can find.
Sam is quick thinking and will use forceful, dirty tactics if need be. While I have not read the previous books - this book can be read as a stand alone. There are references to other cases, but nothing that will upset/spoil this story.
I enjoyed the mystery. I was very invested in the solving of Laura's murder. The book is well written. The storyline is engaging. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
Politics are sticky. So when a homicide victim, Laura Mosby is found deceased. At first she is just brushed off as a normal homicide. However, Lieutenant Santiago soon finds evidence that links the death to a politician. Sam Quinton, former wrestler and now a PI is hired to try and see what he can find.
Sam is quick thinking and will use forceful, dirty tactics if need be. While I have not read the previous books - this book can be read as a stand alone. There are references to other cases, but nothing that will upset/spoil this story.
I enjoyed the mystery. I was very invested in the solving of Laura's murder. The book is well written. The storyline is engaging. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
April 11, 2023
I liked this Sam Quinton mystery. It is the fourth book in a series. I haven't read the other books but this can be read as it's own book too. I liked Sam as a character, he is a PI and he is on the case for a client. He also has a relationship with a woman names Talia, who seems to get him pretty well compared to others, including himself;) I would like more information on the characters overall, The writing is good, it didn't grab me like some other mystery books that I have read by other authors though and found myself struggling to get through the book to finish it. I would say that fans of mystery books may like this book, but it did not resonate with me.
February 14, 2024
Clean Win, book four in the Sam Quinton mystery series, like those before it is a winner. This time Quinton has been hired on the sly by a police detective whose murder investigation of a local politician threatens to rebound adversely on the cops he supervises. The cop turns to the former pro-wrestler turned gym owner and private investigator for help, hoping Quinton’s often unorthodox investigatory methods may get him the results he needs.
Quinton is engaging, funny, and tough when he needs to be but mindful that he is not getting any younger. The plot is twisty with lots of potential suspects, close calls, and an unexpected ending. A fine entry in an exciting and entertaining series.
Quinton is engaging, funny, and tough when he needs to be but mindful that he is not getting any younger. The plot is twisty with lots of potential suspects, close calls, and an unexpected ending. A fine entry in an exciting and entertaining series.
January 29, 2024
Town politics, big dreams, a nasty murder, and an unforgettable PI are what you’ll find in these pages. Quinton might be a little rough around the edges, but he’s smart, determined, and likable. You get drawn into the mystery right away, and with the stakes high, you’ll find it hard to set down once you start. The story itself moves along at a pretty quick pace, and I thought the whole town vibe was captured well. Small enough gossip spreads quick, but not so big that people get completely lost in the shuffle. If you enjoy PI mysteries, you’re going to want to grab this one!
April 6, 2023
Clean Win is the fourth book in the Sam Quinton Mystery series and the first book in this series by this author that I have read. While it may be the first book in the series that I have read I don’t feel in any way that I have missed out by not reading the first three books. But after reading the fourth book I would like to have read the others only so that I could get to know Sam a little better.
Clean Win is a fast-paced read that kept me hanging on clue after clue. Sam kept me on the edge of my seat as he went about his job of trying to find out who killed Laura Mosby.
Laura is found dead in her home supposedly killed by an intruder at first glance. Sam is hired by a detective on the police force after he finds evidence that could blow the case and city hall wide open.
Sam is not lacking in the suspect department as there are quite a few of them. But the question is. Who is the killer? Is it one of the suspects? Or maybe it is someone entirely different? What was their motive for killing Laura?
Sam is a full-time gym owner, a part-time private investigator, and a former pro wrestler. I loved that Sam use to be a pro wrestler. I would love to see Sam in action on the big screen as a private detective using his wrestling moves on someone.
My youngest brother is a very big wrestling fan. If you want to know anything about wrestling or any of the wrestlers themselves he is the person to ask. I have never seen a time where he was unable to answer a question about wrestling yet. So, needless to say when I was younger I was a wrestling fan myself as I was the one who took him to the wrestling matches. I liked to root for the bad guy just to see all the looks on everyone’s faces. You know just to get the crowd going.
But I digress as this is a review about Sam and Clean Win. Clean win is packed full of twists and turns that keep the pages turning. It will keep you guessing from the first page to the last. I can’t wait to read more books by Kevin R. Doyle. The mystery and the suspense have pulled me in.
I highly recommend Clean Win to all mystery fans! While I don’t believe that you have to read the first three books in the Sam Quinton Mystery series before reading Clean Win I do recommend that you give them all a try at some point.
Clean Win is a fast-paced read that kept me hanging on clue after clue. Sam kept me on the edge of my seat as he went about his job of trying to find out who killed Laura Mosby.
Laura is found dead in her home supposedly killed by an intruder at first glance. Sam is hired by a detective on the police force after he finds evidence that could blow the case and city hall wide open.
Sam is not lacking in the suspect department as there are quite a few of them. But the question is. Who is the killer? Is it one of the suspects? Or maybe it is someone entirely different? What was their motive for killing Laura?
Sam is a full-time gym owner, a part-time private investigator, and a former pro wrestler. I loved that Sam use to be a pro wrestler. I would love to see Sam in action on the big screen as a private detective using his wrestling moves on someone.
My youngest brother is a very big wrestling fan. If you want to know anything about wrestling or any of the wrestlers themselves he is the person to ask. I have never seen a time where he was unable to answer a question about wrestling yet. So, needless to say when I was younger I was a wrestling fan myself as I was the one who took him to the wrestling matches. I liked to root for the bad guy just to see all the looks on everyone’s faces. You know just to get the crowd going.
But I digress as this is a review about Sam and Clean Win. Clean win is packed full of twists and turns that keep the pages turning. It will keep you guessing from the first page to the last. I can’t wait to read more books by Kevin R. Doyle. The mystery and the suspense have pulled me in.
I highly recommend Clean Win to all mystery fans! While I don’t believe that you have to read the first three books in the Sam Quinton Mystery series before reading Clean Win I do recommend that you give them all a try at some point.
April 16, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I found the witty banter, sassy interactions, both personal and professional, gave this tale a more human or real feel. Sam Quinton was intelligent, mostly honest, and genuine. He could pull a fast one as well. This was a story worth reading, and I look forward to the next in the series.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
August 1, 2024
Sam Quinton may have just become my all-time favorite PI!
While Clean Win is the fourth novel in veteran author Kevin R. Doyle’s PI series, the Sam Quinton Mysteries, reading the previous books about the wise-cracking, former pro-wrestler turned gym owner and part-time PI is not a prerequisite; it stands well and good on its own. However, after having finally ‘met’ Sam, I’m headed straight for the author’s backlist! Sam Quinton may have just become my all-time favorite PI.
As hinted, the main character, gym owner Sam Quinton, took an unusual route to his side gig as a fully licensed private investigator. At one time, a professional wrestler out of St. Louis, he eventually returned to his roots in Providence, Missouri, where he now owns and operates a gym, investigating cases on the side. Sam is a regular guy despite his unique background. Observant and smart in the ways of his fellow man, he can readily spot when someone is trying to feed him a line. He’s dogged in his pursuit of answers as he tries to work on the down low, sussing out some preliminary information about a well-liked and connected politician seemingly involved in the death of a young local woman. I liked how he was willing to put his safety and reputation on the line for what he felt was the right thing to do.The plot involves a heinous crime, and its circumstances are salacious. The media will have a field day when new evidence is released, and a promising political career will tank. But Sam is involved not to save the mayor but to head off the suspected collateral damage that will be aimed at the two unlucky police detectives heading up the murder investigation. I liked that Sam follows the same investigative steps the original pair of detectives took when the crime was discovered but with the added benefit of having critical evidence unavailable to them. As he uncovers additional clues, his actions lead to twists and turns in the plot that really surprised me. I enjoyed trying to figure out the murderer but came up lacking all the way to the big reveal.
I recommend CLEAN WIN to mystery readers who enjoy private investigator stories, gritty investigations, and great dialogue.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.
February 6, 2024
Clean Win is the 4th book in the Sam Quinton series, but the first in the series that I have read. I don’t feel as though I missed anything from the previous books, although I really enjoyed the main character - so there’s a good chance I may be picking up the previous three.
Sam Quinton is a private detective and in this book he is investigating a homicide of a young girl that has become linked to a local politician.
The story is very well written and captivates the reader from the very beginning. If you love a good mystery with a strong PI presence, this book is definitely for you.
My rating: 5 out of 5
I was provided a copy of this book for the purpose of review as part of a book tour. The thoughts and opinions of this review are one hundred percent mine and not influenced by any author, publisher, or tour group.
Sam Quinton is a private detective and in this book he is investigating a homicide of a young girl that has become linked to a local politician.
The story is very well written and captivates the reader from the very beginning. If you love a good mystery with a strong PI presence, this book is definitely for you.
My rating: 5 out of 5
I was provided a copy of this book for the purpose of review as part of a book tour. The thoughts and opinions of this review are one hundred percent mine and not influenced by any author, publisher, or tour group.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews