Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Billionaire inventor Chase Gordon has just turned forty—and everything in his ordered little world is going to hell in an Hermès bag. His acerbic English butler Juliet Lavish has decided to retire. The humanitarian church founded by his late parents has suddenly gone broke—in the middle of the jungle—in Honduras. Lastly, NYPD detective Brian Schrade wants to use Chase’s palatial mansion to hide Walter Godfrey, a newspaper reporter who might know something about a recent rash of mob-related business deals. Part of the deal is the conniving, misanthropic Alec Pratt, son of a local newspaper mogul and unapologetic police informant who just might have a teensy weensy crush on Brian Schrade.

But Walter isn’t safe, not at Chase’s residence or anywhere else. His too-frequent forays into the city—against Brian Schrade’s advice—make him a target, and his strong attraction to Chase Gordon is setting him up for some serious heartbreak. When Chase goes to Honduras to investigate the state of his family’s failing fortunes, he adds another trouble to the long list: he's been set up for kidnapping.

Book Review

What a setup! An inventor who is a reclusive billionaire, bitter about life, and spends his time in a wheelchair hiding from the world. A curious newspaper reporter, who is desperate for a story to save his failing career and cannot leave well enough alone even if his life depends on it. Add a detective out to uncover some shady deals with possible mob connections, and an informant who is more than he seems. This is a mystery of the complicated kind and a very suspenseful yet entertaining story all in one.

Walter is facing serious trouble and the potential end of his career as a newspaper reporter, yet he can't stay away from a story on corruption and the mafia in New York. Not even threats to his life seem to matter, he is determined to uncover the truth. He is stubborn and possibly suicidal, but without men like him, a lot more criminals would be able to sleep easy. Walter's observations and thoughts, chaotic as they were at times, made me laugh and kept me entertained.

Chase lost his parents years ago, he had an accident, and is in a wheelchair. He initially spends a lot of time feeling sorry for himself and drinking. I can’t say too much about him and his secrets because discovering what drives him is a big part of the mystery and makes the story more interesting. Watching him slowly unthaw and then fall for Walter was a fascinating process. Neither he nor Walter are very social, but they are drawn to each other despite the challenges a relationship between them has to offer. The resulting growth - in fits and starts – is very rewarding.

If you like a good mystery with a heavy side of romance, political backstabbing, and lots of dangerous situations, if two loners who learn to trust each other are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is as tension-filled as it is action-packed, then you will probably like this novel.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 236 pages/84461 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-February-2016
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/my-man-walter-by-js-cook-3208-b