Ray Quinn is an ex-cop. After a shooting leaves him with a painful disability, he decides to become a private investigator, opening his own agency, the Night Watchman Detective Agency. His loyal assistant is a wannabe cop who has failed his written exam several times. Ray takes on a case for a very rich and powerful man who believes that one of his employees, Logan Ramsey, has stolen highly sensitive client information. He wants the information recovered without publicity. Ramsey just happens to be an ex-cop as well. Ray worked with him before Ramsey ruined his career and went down a bad road. Ray takes the case thinking it will be fairly simple, especially since he knows the suspect. Things take a bad turn and the case gets really complicated when Ramsey turns up dead, and the information is still missing.
This is the second novel in the Ray Quinn series, but you don’t have to read the first novel to understand this one. Backstory is explained well for things that I can only assume occurred in the first novel, which I now plan to read. Mark Mynheir’s inside knowledge of Florida’s police department shines through as the ins-and-outs are discussed when necessary, but not in any way that distracts the reader from the plot. The story is written in first person from Ray’s point of view, so you really get to see the depths of the character. He has many levels and it makes for a very interesting read. I think he may very well be one of my favorite characters from a novel. What was a bit surprising was that Ray, being the main character in a Christian fiction novel, is an agnostic. He does however have a friend, Pam, who is a Christian. She does her best to be a positive influence on Ray and his assistant, Crevis. All of these characters have baggage, and all handle their problems in their own ways. The plot flows at a great pace, and the story keeps you engaged. Suspects seem to be coming out of the woodwork, so the mystery element keeps you on your toes. One the things I loved most about this book is the characterization. Mynheir does a wonderful job! Even minor characters stand out. I look forward to reading more Ray Quinn novels.
1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5
Average score of 5
Overall grade = A
Click here to read Chapter One.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Waterbrook Multnomah.
This was book 18 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.
