Aphrodite

Justin Westwood #1

by Russell Andrews

A man burdened by his past, former top homicide cop Justin Westwood has retreated to a small-town Long Island police force. Drowning his troubles in mindless traffic duty and lots of scotch, he's awakened to action when a young woman journalist is brutally murdered. She had recently made some errors in the obituary of a man from a local retirement home, but that's not the kind of mistake that brings professional hit men to your door-or the FBI to town. Attempting to unravel the puzzle, Justin finds that everyone-the cops, the FBI, and one of the strangest professional killing teams ever seen-seems to be one step ahead of him, disposing of witnesses and setting him up for the fall. But this reality check is just what Justin needs, and he'll stop at nothing to discover the true meaning of "Aphrodite"-and maybe save himself.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Suspense, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

A pseudonym used by David Handler with Peter Gethers

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was definitely one of those "hidden-gem" books that sat on my bookshelf for way too long before I decided to read it.

Russell Andrews' Aphrodite is a cleverly written suspense novel that combines stem-cell research, the pharmaceutical industry, and conspiracy involving the government wanting to keep it all a secret. At the novel's beginning, we are introduced to a few characters of vastly different personas and a brief background on each before they are murdered. Readers are let on to a mysterious entity called Aphrodite, which we learn is what is causing people to be killed.

Into the story walks hard-core detective Justin Westwood, who flees with the witness of one of the murders now that the government wants to permanently silence them with their knowledge of Aphrodite.

This book was written extremely well because it was VERY suspenseful and kept me on my toes. I couldn't put it down and read it in a matter of hours. Westwood's character was clever and straight to the point, which enhanced the action in the book. There was no fluff to letting bad guys live; they were simply killed by Westwood because they were bad, evil people. After readers get to know Susanna's character at the beginning of the book and the mystery around William Miller, we are immediately hooked and intrigued for the novel's remainder.

Other highlights of the book for me were relating to Wallace Crabbe's frustration at details being overlooked by companies and people in general in this day and age. I also found Andrews' conspiracy theory about the government and pharmaceuticals absolutely brilliant. An entire chapter was dedicated to this breakdown at the end of the book, and I devoured that chapter like none other.

I have put Andrews' other two books following this novel on my wish list, all featuring Justin Westwood. Great reading, I highly recommend!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can tell this is written by a man, and it's not aged very well (18 years old currently). The plot was good in some places but a lot of the writing was just too cringy for me.

[Diana Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read....I couldn't put it down for longer than a few minutes without wanting to continue to read the story so I could find out what was really going on. Fast paced novel, keeps you interested throughout entire story...no lag time! Love it! Will definitely read another of Russell Andrews novels...possibly Midas!

[Glenn Zorpette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is so bad that it is unintentionally funny at times. But the plot is pretty good and the ending is worth sticking around for. The characters are pretty well drawn, too. Read it at the beach and then give it to some book-starved soul. Or use it to start the barby.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me - started slow but then I could not put it down - it started out as another cop with a terrible history who finds he is still a good detective - the plot is different and very interesting.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good yarn with suspense. Have to put up with some ridiculousness but all in all a good read.

[Rachel Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a cop who finds himself on the run from the FBI and some seriously bent cops. There was so much promise in this book. I read — and loved — both ‘Gideon’ and ‘Icarus.’ So I had really high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, they all fell flat. There were parts of this book that were exciting, took my breath away. Mostly, though, I found myself wanting to reach the end. And not because I couldn’t wait to see who was behind Aphrodite, and what Aphrodite actually was (or, who). I just didn’t feel the suspense build up. Even the big reveal near the end was understated and predictable. The final twist, though, just when you think it’s all over, was superb.

My favourite thing about this book was the relationship between Justin and Deena. Kendall was also a cool addition.

All in all, this book was okay. That’s probably as good as I can say.

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

My enthusiasm for this is way low just because the descriptions of the murders that happen are rather gratuitous even for me.

A young reporter volunteers at the elderly care center in her community. She befriends an old gentleman who insists he got awards for movies in which he acted. When he died, she dutifully wrote his obituary, including his information about the awards. Problem is, his data was fabricated, and another reader was outraged.

Soon, the reporter is brutally murdered while her neighbor cowers nearby, and the irate reader is killed with equal violence.

There’s something about the longevity of these care center patients that powerful people want kept quiet, and they’ll stop at nothing to ensure that their secret is kept. It’s up to Justin Westwood to solve the crime.

[Keeeetna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a cliche thriller in the sense you can predict almost everything that happens except perhaps the ending which was nice! Despite the tries to make the protagonist, Justin Westwood, an intelligent and cocky cop who gets what he wants and puts down the "bad guys" by cashing in favours from his old pals, to me he just came off as someone who just "tries" hard to be that bad cop who stops at nothing. A lot of details felt very forced into the story and some background stories were quite unnecessarily long.
However, it was still an interesting read.

[Jasmine Wathey-Boot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual type of book . however it completely gripped me . the first few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and trying to figure out what was happening. it was a great concept and I can see it happening in the real world . I would love to know what happened to the girl at the end . the end was okay enough that you can use your imagination on what you would like the ending to be but final enough that you can accept the author's ending .

[jill crotty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The haunted cop, Justin, who drinks too much to escape his past. The girl, Deena, he must protect and the team of characters that make up the story. No one to trust, Justin must be the one man show to solve the murders happening in his sleepy town. What could happen if someone got a hold of the formula to the fountain of youth? Classic easy to read mystery.

[Elberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually are REALLY good book. The only reason I gave it four stars is because it one chapter, there was 2 1/2 pages of just backstory on a character. It kind of started making me bored even though it had to do with the book. Other than that, I want to read another book by this author, so that's a good thing!

[Jim Willse · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don't mind a huge amount of improbability and a fair amount of illogic, this isn't too bad. Pretty standard recipe -- troubled ex-cop washes up in small town, sorts demons, finds love -- but decently handled. Good I'll-read-one-more-chapter-before-I-begin-to-drool-on-the-pillow thriller.

[Mark Giordano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really complex interesting story that I found hard to put down. A cop who is down on his luck gets a second chance to prove himself and protect the people he loves. All wrapped up in a complicated government cover-up.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always loved American thrillers since a teenager who one day read a Mickey Spillane novel. This had all the perfect ingredients, a damaged tough smart cop a beautiful woman with cute child, nasty villains, corrupt politicians and money, whew what a read.

[Nahla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had low expectations for this cause everyone rated it so badly, but honestly it was amazing.
Fast paced and captivating.
It would make for an amazing movie tbh, the scenes are so well written.
The ending was a bit boring or not expected.

[Cathi Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could NOT put this one down! I hungrily devoured every page! Suspense-soaked read! Wow.

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrews is good, this one was not as good as gideon, but he is a quality writer.

[Catherine Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some unbelievable characters. Started slow , picked up a little in the middle , ended ........ I won’t spoil it .

[Shayde Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of mystery with a bunch of murders, twists, and suspense.

[Punit Sahani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read with lots of twists and turns. The story could have been reduced to like a 350 pager. Too many characters at times spoil the read.

[Ben Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author for me and a cracker. Quite a quick read but gripping and good amount of tension throughout. Very impressed.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd say it's a pretty good read. A bit of a fight to get into, but that could be me not the writing. Looong forward to reading other books featuring Justin Westwood.

[Teresa Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird story and a little far fetched. I liked it though.

[Francesco Biondi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner starting a few chapters in. Worth reading.

[Paschalis]

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[Izzati Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Crazy yet breathtaking plot. If you like crime and investigation things, this book is a good choice.

[Kat Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read. Lots of action. Not even remotely plausible.

[Kamalani · Rating 4 out of 5]

slow build up, but the end takes the cake

[Sam Horner · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a binge worthy Netflix series, this is the book equivalent!!