The Heir Hunter

by Chris Larsgaard

Nick Merchant is an heir hunter--a little-known species of private investigator who searches for a dead person's next of kin when no will exists, and collects a percentage of the estate. Gerald Jacobs is a reclusive millionaire, found dead in a creaky old house in upstate New York. His net worth: twenty-two million dollars. Nick and his beautiful partner, Alex Moreno, think they're about to score the payday of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, they've got some pretty stiff competition. A rival firm is doing its best to beat them to the punch. And someone else--someone who knows every dark secret in Gerald Jacobs's grave--will stop at nothing to see that no one ever breaks this case. Nick and Alex work against the clock, narrowly eluding their rivals, dodging bullets, and unearthing a history a lot of people would rather keep buried. Moving from San Francisco to New York City, from Geneva to Washington, D.C.--and dozens of points in between--they struggle to uncover the guilty secret behind a dead man's fortune.


Unfortunately, he's got some pretty stiff competition. Working with his partner (and former girlfriend) Alex Moreno, Nick races against the clock, narrowly eluding his rivals, dodging bullets, and unearthing a history a lot of people would rather keep buried. He and Alex, moving from San Francisco to New York, from Switzerland to Washington, D.C.--and dozens of points in between--struggle to uncover the guilty secret behind a dead man's fortune. -->

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalist 2001 Shamus Award for Best First Novel.

Suspense - Nick Merchant has a lucrative business locating heirs for a percentage of an estate. Problems arise when researching a recently deceased multi-millionaire in the Albany, NY area involves the FBI and uncovers Nazi era ties.

[Johnny G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced romp through three countries. I didn't know that there were such people as "heir hunters" - investigators who track down living ancestors of those who have died, in order for them to claim the deceased person's fortunes. They make their money by collecting a percentage of whatever fortune is left behind. This story gets out of hand, as two "friends", Nick and a former girlfriend named Alex, come across something they should not have - a leftover fortune from a Nazi who stole millions in assets from Jews during WWII. And then it's off to the races...everybody wants a piece of Nick and Alex. They dodge a lot of bullets, literally and figuratively, so I just let it play out, and was entertained for over 400 pages.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good mystery/thriller, especially considering it's a first novel by this author. I had no idea that there is an occupation involving 'Heir Hunting', so this was an eye-opener. Interesting and appealing characters plus an ever-developing plot kept me interested in the outcome throughout. While the whole idea of a two-person little PI outfit matching wits with the Director of the FBI and the President of the USA was a stretch, it certainly made it fun to read. I would certainly read more by this author.

[Carolyn Dewalt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice change

The storyline was refreshing and I enjoyed the characters and the action. I will look for more by this author.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a race to the finish as the events snowball. After reading about 30 pages, I went back and started over, taking notes of names and relationships. My list just kept getting longer. It helped immensely. I never knew P.I.’s would get involved in hunting for heirs for a cut of the inheritance. This story was to produce millions, if they could sign the heirs to agree to the percentage the P.I. takes. A secret about the deceased is being squelched by the FBI when the Nick (P.I) learns that, quite possibly, this is a case of a witness protection and identifying him will be a tough challenge. More problems arise as there are more than one P.I. Organization interested in the same inheritance. Each step of the way, the dead bodies start piling up. Nick visits Germany, gets chased in Switzerland, meets his partner in San Francisco, and hides in New York. Why is everyone interested in this case in danger? This was a difficult but fun read.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspend disbelief and enjoy this fast-paced thriller grown out of the mundane area of probate. As an estate planning and probate attorney I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining read. Towards the end I did find myself feeling it was drawn out and could have had better editing. Overall, if are looking for a beach read, give it a try.

From the depths of a probate court in NY an international chase to find heirs of the decedent evolves to include the Witness Protection Program, hired hit men, Swiss Bank accounts, and even Nazis. Stories of this sort are the reason lawyers are known to plan for worst case scenario.

[Mercy Limpo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first ever book not specifically meant for children I ever read, my step into adult literature, and my, what a ride it's been. Like all first times, this book holds a special place in my heart, it changed my life. I reread it again as a slightly more grown up person and it holds up I'm happy to say.

[Cindy Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. The author set a good pace with an engrossing story, and the author, being an actual "heir hunter," lends a bit more credibility to the whole story.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me reading to the end to see what would happen. Being an heir hunter sounds like an interesting profession. I did think this could easily be made into an action movie.

[Brian Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the story, wish there was more.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but too much action for my taste.

[Chitowncat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept-I had never heard of this line of work. Fast paced. Fun read.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thriller sparked by a will delving back into unspeakable crimes in the not so distant past...a first novel by an actual heir hunter...a guy who tries to track down possible heirs of disputed or not wills....this novel raises some interesting questions about the process and some neat philosophical queries about the notion of wealth and dispensation.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in a day....fast action and lots of fresh ideas in a book over ten years old. This genre needs some new topics, but this book dealt with an issue that is in the news right now. I am looking for other books by this author.

[Angel Serrano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una agencia de detectives privados se dedica a localizar herederos perdidos para patrimonios no sujetos a testamento. Para conseguir las mejores herencias no dudarán en traspasar la línea de lo legal y lo ilegal.

[sharad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting line of work: finding heirs who are unaware of potential inheritances; and taking a cut for yourself.

A little wishy-washy in places; not too bad of a read.

[Lori]

took way too long to read because of the holidays. but it was good, reminded me of a Grisham novel, lots of action, happy ending.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept. This was something I never read about before

[Toesnorth's mom]

plot too involved, lousy ending

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting plot and characters. Would like to read more books with the main characters on other cases.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Heir Hunter" - written by Chris Larsgaard and published in 2000 by Delacorte Press. Quite good story with a genealogy bent.

[Drew]

The Heir Hunter by Chris Larsgaard (2000)