Mon 8 Nov 2010
Reviewed by LJ Roberts: GERRY BOYLE – Damaged Goods.
Posted by Steve under Authors , Bibliographies, Lists & Checklists , Characters , Reviews[2] Comments
Reviews by L. J. Roberts
GERRY BOYLE – Damaged Goods. Down East Books, hardcover, May 2010.
Genre: Unlicensed investigator. Leading character: Jack McMorrow; 9th in series. Setting: Maine.
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.
Rating: Good Plus.
The Jack McMorrow series
1. Deadline (1993)
2. Bloodline (1995)
3. Lifeline (1996)
4. Potshot (1997)
5. Borderline (1998)
6. Cover Story (1999)
7. Pretty Dead (2003)
8. Home Body (2004)
9. Damaged Goods (2010)
Also by Gerry Boyle: The Brandon Blake mysteries
1. Port City Shakedown (2009)
Visit the author’s blog here.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:15 am
I was really glad to see this review because I’m a big fan of Boyle’s Jack McMorrow books and I hadn’t realized there was a new one out.
His Hawk (so to speak), Clair, is a terrific character too.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:23 am
With the gaps between appearances, it looks as though McMorrow’s career has has some bumps along the way, most likely — I haven’t checked — with changes in publisher happening at the same time.
I have the early ones that were reprinted in paperback, but I haven’t managed to read any of the series yet. Anybody who sticks around this long is worth a try, even without the good words put in for him by Barry and now Jeff.