This book was great! I finished it in one sitting and was surprised by the ending. It was a little stilted in places, but editors can tweak it before final publication. I recommend it!

The story is very intriguing and enjoyable, the characters are well described, and the police processes are a great addition. One thing I found difficult was the style of writing was kind of choppy and lacked a natural storytelling flow.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

🌴🔍 In the sultry paradise of Fort Lauderdale, a mysterious killer stalks infamous residents, exposing their dark secrets and exacting revenge for past misdeeds. Homicide detective Jack Johnson is thrust into the heart of this twisted game, taking us from sandy beaches to the treacherous Everglades and the city’s murky underbelly.

🔍 Bodies with cryptic markings appear, but the killer leaves no fingerprints, no DNA, and no evidence. As Jack chases the elusive murderer, he grapples with personal demons threatening his job and marriage. The tension builds as he races against time, piecing together the puzzle.

John W. Long weaves a gripping police thriller that immerses readers in the mind of a deranged villain. The answers lie hidden in the humid air, waiting to stun unsuspecting readers. Will justice prevail, or will Jack find himself ensnared in the killer’s deadly game?

📖 “In the Name of the Father” is a pulse-pounding ride through South Florida’s steamy landscape, where danger lurks behind every palm tree and secrets fester like swamp water. Long’s vivid prose and relentless pacing keep you turning pages late into the night. A must-read for fans of suspense and mystery! 🕵️‍♂️🌅

Such a great mystery that definitely gives off Dexter vibes with The Watcher who goes and finds bad guys that haven’t been arrested for one reason or another. Then we have Jack a drunk detective who is losing his wife and his job with every drink he takes. How fitting, he is the lead detective on this case and the bodies are really starting to stack up and they all have cross engraved on the forehead. Jack needs help and every time he thinks he has a moment to breathe there’s another body or job he is put on.

Multiple points of view make for interesting interpretations of the action. The attention to detail in describing people and places really sets the scene well for an engaging reading experience,

Mr. Long has the formula and all the right elements for a good serial murder mystery: location (Florida), anti-hero (alcoholic detective with his heart broken), escalating killer with an agenda, and lots of science. It's the last element that took this from a 4 to a 3.
Long knows his stuff almost too well and there are so many experts brought into the story that it was almost impossible to understand the plot and the rational of the killer.
My other complaint is the overuse of the alcoholic detective who lies to his ex about getting sober. However he really wants to repair the marriage but is too busy with a case to follow through.
The ending is a bittersweet twist. I predict a sequel.

This story was very interesting! I loved that it was fast paced and pretty decent short chapters! I loved reading the backstory of the characters and getting to know why they were being targeted. It felt like watching one of those crime shows!

Although, the story was great and had me keep reading. It felt a bit repetitive. It was too detailed. Had me questioning some of the detective's thoughts!

In the Name of the Father is set in Fort Lauderdale and is written in multiple pov's. The main character's are Homicide Detective Jack Johnson and The Watcher. The story follows Jack investigating the serial killer The Watcher and his crimes.

The story was well written and the plot kept me captive for the first 2/3 of it. I loved the character of Jack and I immediately warmed to him. The twist of who was the serial killer I didn't see coming I guessed totally wrong due to a red herring in the story. However I
have to say the last third of the book left me wanting more. I felt it was rushed and the ending itself was disappointing. It was on the whole an enjoyable read just the ending lacked something for me.

In the Name of the Father is a story of a homicide detective in tropical Fort Lauderdale. A mysterious killer is stalking infamous residents, exposing their dark secrets and exacting revenge for past misdeeds. Jack Johnson, our main character, is tasked with finding this sadistic killer, taking us through a variety of locales. The killer leaves no fingerprints, no DNA, and no evidence, but the bodies have mysterious markings. As Jack chases this elusive murderer, he must confront personal demons threatening his job and marriage.

The story is very intriguing and enjoyable, the characters are well described, and the police processes are a great addition. One thing I found difficult was the style of writing was kind of choppy and lacked a natural storytelling flow.