Desired Quarry

by A. Williams

Alex is framed by his ex-best friend Lou and fired for illegal drug use, dumped by his girlfriend, and mugged all in the same day.   After sending an anonymous letter to the newspaper's owner claiming to have seen a fellow technician switch the drug test vials, Alex decides to head south for a new start and warmer weather.   He hunts for a new job along the way but no one wants to hire the big city newspaper reporter who supposedly was a drug addict. Although he protests his innocence, he can't prove he was framed.   When an editor takes a chance and gives him a job as a crime reporter he is thrilled. Dell, his counterpart at the rival newspaper, isn't.    Everything is going great for Alex until he receives death threats. Someone wants to kill him slowly with a knife.   The suspects Lou - Alex's anonymous letter got him fired when the newspaper did another drug test. Dell - a gay rival newspaper reporter who thinks that one crime reporter in the city is enough.  Domino - the hit man who uses a knife to kill victims.    Who sent the death threats? Will Alex find true love with a gay reporter or his new female bodyguard? Or will the hit man get him?   Read the 42,000 word novel and find out.      

Genres: Mystery

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2022

About the author

A. Williams writes M/M romance, mostly short reads.

Desired Quarry is a bi-awakening M/M romance crime thriller novel.

Here Be Vampires and Hunters is an M/M romance suspense novel.

Apart from writing, the author also enjoys reading, watching animated movies, playing text adventure games, and listening to classic rock and new country music.

Reviews

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Westlake has worked four years for the newspaper, Observer Sentinel. He wasn’t a bad guy until he kissed his bosses wife during the New Years Eve party. Of course, he was drunk and made a fool of himself. This little incident just gave Fred Benton, Editor in Chief, a reason for a more legitimate excuse to fire Alex.

Alex failed the drug test and was not offered a retest and he was fired. He would never be able to find a job at another newspaper again. Before he leaves the office he seeks out, someone he considered a best friend. Louis Rice, was in the temporary office, since he was acting assistant editor, just maybe Lou could get him a retest. Alex over hears a phone conversation Lou is having and it dawns on Alex that he was set-up for a fall. Entering the office to talk with Lou, Alex has a plan.

The day is still a complete disaster for Alex. He’s been fired, his girlfriend is leaving him, and his rents increasing. Just wanting a drink he heads to the pub and get’s mugged. There was no hope for him in the city, so he packed his bags and with a flip of a coin headed south. Everywhere Alex went he tried to get job interviews but he was rejected because of the smear article in the Sentinel.

Then his luck changes and he get’s an interview with Ben Price, Editor in Chief of the Tribune, in the small town of Tantala, in his field of crime reporting. On the very first day Alex meets Lt. Det. Carl Henderson. He and Henderson have a mutual respect for each other. Henderson also gives him a warning about Dell Farron, a reporter for the competition at the Herald.

But things get chaotic for Alex. He’s changed his name and had to move on again as he starts getting letters of death threats. Carl remains a good friend and tries to help him every time he goes on the run. Then he meets up with the most unlikely person. Who can he trust and will he ever be able to stop running?

A. Williams creates a quick, fast paced, suspenseful tale with “Desired Quarry”. The short story doesn’t get deep into investigating or looking into characters backgrounds but there’s enough to keep the story intriguing. Alex at times got me frustrated with how he handled his being on the run, but it was also fun. The story also involves the use of posthypnotic trances and sodium pentothal.

I will recommend “Desired Quarry” for those who like a fast read of a rollercoaster ride mystery. It’s got some really good characters, lot’s of surprises, a little drama, and it get’s steamy too. This was a first time read for me by A. Williams and I wasn’t disappointed.

[Lizva · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good- fast-paced, plot driven, different from the pack
What worked less well- the pacing, parts of the premise, an odd north-south distinction
It’s kind of a mystery-things keep happening to the mc, and he has to figure out why and who’s doing them. Still, felt like it could use some reworking.

[A.B Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best works by A. Williams. I haven't read all of their work, but this seemed like their calling. I enjoyed it a lot. The mystery aspect was great. Alex Westlake character was beautifully written. The story is set in late 90s or early 2000s, there are cellphones, and internet, but technology does not play a strong role as it does in today's world.
Overall, I loved the mystery and surprises. I felt bad for Lex for running around, and not knowing who could be hunting him. The ending was a surprise. Due to mystery component, the love angle took a backseat at first, but it does become an important aspect of the story later. There were scenes where you can feel that Lou is ready to jump Lex, haha, but Lex's obliviousness stops him.
The suspense was great, I think it's a genre A.Williams should continue exploring. Since they did a great job.

If you are travelling, taking a long train ride, or plane, this is the book you want to take for your journey.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written by a new to me author. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
I enjoyed this book very much.
The story grabbed me right away and with so much happening I had to keep going until I was done.
It was very well written.
At one point I was VERY irritated by the main character, Alex.
Soon I realized why but even then, I was mumbling to myself, "Come on! Don't trust everyone."
Soon it became even more mysterious, scary and intriguing.
Alex is a great character, but he can be exasperating and sneaky, but I liked him like that. To change him would be wrong.
I highly recommend this book.
I don't like to give a lot of details away in my reviews. I feel the reader should experience all the highs, lows and plot twists for themselves.

[Kat Moreid · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Mystery centered, 3/4ths of the story Alex is straight and sleeps with several women, not explicit. Some aspects of the story were a bit unbelievable and at times, Alex had the survival instincts of a gnat but it was an enjoyable despite that.