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Jack McMorrow Mystery #9
Damaged Goods
Ex-NY Times reporter McMorrow is happy in Maine, until one day his social worker wife Roxanne returns home shaken by a confrontation with the father of neglected children she removed. Into their lives comes the mysterious young woman, Mandi, and a world of trouble. As the dangers converge, it will take a heroic act to save Jack, Roxanne, and daughter Caitlin. But who will put their life on the line when the moment comes?
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 13, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 1, 2019
Another strong entry in the series. Poor Roxanne and Sophie, they're collateral 'damaged goods.'
June 6, 2015
Another page-turner from mystery writer Gerry Boyle. Tenacious journalist Jack McMorrow is now married and a father, living in what appears to be bucolic Prosperity, Maine, when he happens across the story of a young woman selling her 'companionship' online in the nearby small town of Galway. Her story is not all that it seems (of course) and Jack's need to figure out the puzzle of her background draws him further into the story until he is no longer reporting it, but is part of it. His affinity for the underdog, combined with his fearlessness, is what makes McMorrow a unique protagonist. The fact that McMorrow is an investigative journalist gives the reader a backstage pass to crime investigation, without the confines of the political and legalities that limit police. Boyle's depiction of Maine is refreshingly spot-on, no big surprise since he lives in a small town in Maine himself. The characters are complex, the dialogue is faithful, and the dichotomy between the beautiful, sometimes spare, rugged landscape and the cruelty of his antagonists' actions is reminiscent of Stephen King's point-of-view. Unlike King's work, however, the monsters in Boyle's books are all too human, which offers the possibility of redemption and change for even the 'baddest' of people.
Highly recommended. A fast read (took me 1.5 days), but I immediately bought the next book in the collection, Once Burned.
Highly recommended. A fast read (took me 1.5 days), but I immediately bought the next book in the collection, Once Burned.
October 26, 2015
It's a shame this series has so few reviews as it's quite strong. The main character, ex-New York Times reporter Jack McMorrow, who has retreated to the backwoods of Maine, is an engaging and evolving fellow who reminds of C.J. Box's Joe Pickett, and James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux (two of my very favorite mystery protagonists), in his ability to grow and mature, but still not lose the damning character traits that get him into the middle of trouble again and again.
McMorrow is supported by one of my favorite mystery sidekicks (along with and as deadly as Pickett's Nate Romanowski), Clair Varney, who is always there to provide a check to McMorrow's impulsivity, and guide him on the path to being a better person, as well as saving his sorry butt when required. The development of Roxanne Masterson, whose caseload as a state child protective services social worker, provides one of the bad guys in this installment, is also an engaging part of the series as she has grown from a girlfriend involved somewhat superficially, to a main driving force as she and McMorrow work to balance their difficult and often dangerous jobs, with the demands of being new parents.
Overall, this has been a very satisfying series, and I'm indebted to my mystery-loving mother in law for turning me on to it.
McMorrow is supported by one of my favorite mystery sidekicks (along with and as deadly as Pickett's Nate Romanowski), Clair Varney, who is always there to provide a check to McMorrow's impulsivity, and guide him on the path to being a better person, as well as saving his sorry butt when required. The development of Roxanne Masterson, whose caseload as a state child protective services social worker, provides one of the bad guys in this installment, is also an engaging part of the series as she has grown from a girlfriend involved somewhat superficially, to a main driving force as she and McMorrow work to balance their difficult and often dangerous jobs, with the demands of being new parents.
Overall, this has been a very satisfying series, and I'm indebted to my mystery-loving mother in law for turning me on to it.
January 2, 2020
Not my favorite. If I didn't like Maine I may not choose to visit based on the unsavory characters this author 'finds'. Jack really does have a taste for scraping the bottom of the barrel. I was happy for his marriage and daughter, but hate having them get mixed up in the awfulness. None the less, I will read on.
March 20, 2021
Damaged Goods by Gerry Boyle is a Jack McMorrow Mystery. Jack is a freelance journalist and is looking for something to write about when his subject becomes way more than a story for the NYTimes. His wife is a social worker and also gets involved with a family that she soon regrets. The interlocking plots work well and has all the elements of a good mystery.
March 2, 2023
Surprised at how much I liked this book. The end of each chapter kept you wanting more.
July 7, 2010
First Sentence: I made my way down the trail through the pinewoods toward the house.
Roxanne, the wife of freelance journalist Jack McMorrow has had a worse-than-usual day at work. A social worker for the state of Maine, she was forced to remove two severely neglected children from the home of a Satanist who is now threatening Roxanne and their daughter. In order to facilitate Roxanne leaving her job, Jack looks for more stories he can sell and finds Mindi, a young woman advertising to provide “companionship.” Mindi quickly becomes more than a story and it’s uncertain whether that is going to increase the danger to Jack’s family.
I’ve missed Boyle’s Jack McMorrow and am very glad to see him back. While Jack, a journalist who isn’t afraid of physical violence, is an interesting character, his neighbor Clair, a Vietnam vet who has lost none of his edge, comes through as the more interesting character, especially when set off by his gentle wife, Mary. Jack’s wife, Roxanne, is one I’m not always certain I like, but her reactions are very realistic in view of the situation. The blending of all the characters is very well done.
Boyle’s love of Maine is apparent as shares with us both the beauty and the problems of Maine. The story is has a good, tight plot and is layered with good suspense which escalates as things progress. The sense of anger and danger is there along with Jack and his friend’s protectiveness. The villain is satisfyingly nasty and while Mindi provides a somewhat unknown quantity element. It’s altogether quite well done.
Boyle is a very good writer and journalistic background is very apparent. His books are ones I always recommend and I’m always anxious for the next one out.
DAMAGED GOODS (Unl Inv-Jack McMorrow-Maine-Cont) – Good+
Boyle, Gerry – 9th in series
Down East Books, ©2010, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780892727964
Roxanne, the wife of freelance journalist Jack McMorrow has had a worse-than-usual day at work. A social worker for the state of Maine, she was forced to remove two severely neglected children from the home of a Satanist who is now threatening Roxanne and their daughter. In order to facilitate Roxanne leaving her job, Jack looks for more stories he can sell and finds Mindi, a young woman advertising to provide “companionship.” Mindi quickly becomes more than a story and it’s uncertain whether that is going to increase the danger to Jack’s family.
I’ve missed Boyle’s Jack McMorrow and am very glad to see him back. While Jack, a journalist who isn’t afraid of physical violence, is an interesting character, his neighbor Clair, a Vietnam vet who has lost none of his edge, comes through as the more interesting character, especially when set off by his gentle wife, Mary. Jack’s wife, Roxanne, is one I’m not always certain I like, but her reactions are very realistic in view of the situation. The blending of all the characters is very well done.
Boyle’s love of Maine is apparent as shares with us both the beauty and the problems of Maine. The story is has a good, tight plot and is layered with good suspense which escalates as things progress. The sense of anger and danger is there along with Jack and his friend’s protectiveness. The villain is satisfyingly nasty and while Mindi provides a somewhat unknown quantity element. It’s altogether quite well done.
Boyle is a very good writer and journalistic background is very apparent. His books are ones I always recommend and I’m always anxious for the next one out.
DAMAGED GOODS (Unl Inv-Jack McMorrow-Maine-Cont) – Good+
Boyle, Gerry – 9th in series
Down East Books, ©2010, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780892727964
December 25, 2014
I've been a big fan of the McMorrow series by Gerry Boyle, and Damaged Goods does nothing to change that. Love the cast of recurring characters: Jack McMorrow of course, but also his neighbor and dark ops mentor Clair, along with Clair's wife Mary, Jack's wife Roxanne and his young daughter, the very charming Sophie. Seems to me many mystery/crime writers stay away from families for their protagonists, but Boyle doesn't and I think that adds depth. McMorrow is still reckless and tough, is still tempted by bad girls, but he's allowed to be a husband and a daddy also. It's different and cool.
Damaged Goods puts McMorrow and his family under siege from two directions: a deadly Satanist who blames Roxanne (a social worker) for taking his children away, and a young woman (the "damaged goods") who may or may not be a hooker, or even a murderer, who latches onto McMorrow as her possible savior. Boyle weaves the threads together masterfully, grounding the whole thing in a Maine that feels, smells and sounds just like the one I live in.
Damaged Goods puts McMorrow and his family under siege from two directions: a deadly Satanist who blames Roxanne (a social worker) for taking his children away, and a young woman (the "damaged goods") who may or may not be a hooker, or even a murderer, who latches onto McMorrow as her possible savior. Boyle weaves the threads together masterfully, grounding the whole thing in a Maine that feels, smells and sounds just like the one I live in.
June 10, 2010
Seldom reading mysteries, I don't know if this is good or not. The suspense carried me, and I truly enjoyed the activities of the young child and the care devoted to the birds in the story. I thought character consistency was sometimes sacrificed to plot necessities.
March 15, 2012
Another good read by Gerry Boyle. I was really upset that this was the last in the series of the Jack McMorrow series. Gerry Boyle did not kill him off or end the story so maybe there is hope Jack McMorrow will show up in the future.
May 15, 2010
lazy maine based mystery read
May 25, 2010
The latest installment in the Jack McMorrow series. Not as good as previous titles, but a good summer read. I live in Maine, so I like mysteries set there.
January 27, 2013
A book that I enjoyed but nothing special.
October 9, 2014
A real page turner and everything a crime novel/mystery should be. I really enjoyed it.
June 9, 2015
Dark
There is not a lot of happiness in this book. The story was good. This was the first that I have read in the series, and I think that I will try the others.
There is not a lot of happiness in this book. The story was good. This was the first that I have read in the series, and I think that I will try the others.
December 22, 2020
Good read!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews