Watching the Bodies

This is the first book I have read by this author and it is a new author for me. The main characters are Jake Boulder and his partner Alfonso who is a private detective. They have been asked to look into the murder of one of Jake's booty calls by her family. Little do they know what they are getting themselves in to. The body count is rising and the Chief of the local police department needs their help as his staff are worse than incompetent. As the body count begins to raise yet again they know they are out of their depth. Enter the FIB and between them they have to stop this serial killer as hi next victim is far too close to home.
I would like to thank the author Graham Smith the author,Bloodhound Books and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review

A unique play on your typical murder/mystery book. Jake Boulder is no PI or cop, he's simply a bouncer in a local bar. Always willing to help out and play the muscle for his PI buddy, Alfonse, this time the local Police Department is so desperate, they too are asking for their help. Tracking a killer like this is far from easy and getting the dual POV on this one, as both Jake and our killer, made it even that much more interesting! First book by this author and I'm sure I'll be back for more!

Just loved this! Billed as being up there with the Jack Reacher books, it was almost there, just lacked quite as much dry wit from the lovable hero. Cant wait to read the next adventure - already downloaded...

Watching the Bodies by Graham Smith is the first book in the Jake Boulder series.

Boulder is a doorman / bouncer at a local bar and assists his best friend Alfonse who is a PI.

The story is Jack Reacher light without maybe the same level of wit although it is still a page turner and full of action.

Overall a good start to the series

Handsome investigator, incompetent small-town cops, a sick killer and a pile of bodies - a reader’s delight.

Jake Boulder is asked by his friend to investigate the vicious murder of Kira Niemeyer. He soon realises he and his PI friend are tracking a serial killer.

This book has everything to make a good read, but sometimes the boundaries of probability have been pushed to the limits. Jake is neither a Private Investigator nor a cop but goes around asking questions and throwing accusations left right and centre. The only time he is legally allowed to do this is at the end when the Sheriff deputises him before the big ending.

Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the characters. I don’t know if I would read another book by the author as although good and riveting it left me cold and not annoyed that I had finished it which to me is a sign of a good read.

Well done Graham Smith. The book is well written and well researched but just a little far-fetched for me.

Helen

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

This book introduces readers to one, very interesting investigator. Jake Boulder is not a cop, he’s not even a PI but he is a man who knows the right questions to ask and the best way to get answers. The story begins with the murder of Kira Niemeyer. Kira’s father hires a PI, Alphonse, to help with the investigation because the family doesn’t have much faith in the detectives. After meeting the detectives, I also wouldn’t have let them investigate anything for me either even if it was just a missing slipper. They would never found it!

And that is where Boulder comes in. He is a bouncer at a club when readers first meet him. He is also Alphonse, best friend. Boulder is a bit quick with his fists but he is also quite intuitive with the ability to see links that others are oblivious to. I liked his personality and especially the fact that he had a soft side but left no stones un-turned in search for answers. His relationship with his mum made me smile. I liked that crazy, old lady and how she used to text him in all caps.

The case was complex with a huge body count. The killer’s MO was quite chilling. I won’t mention what it was because part of the thrill of this book is discovering just how twisted the villain is. Let me just say though then he had the craziest way of choosing his victims.

I enjoyed seeing all the pieces come together as Boulder and the rest of the team raced against time to catch the killer. With such a complex MO and escalating crimes, the suspense in this story was non-stop from the first to the last page.

This is an excellent, suspenseful crime thriller that I think fans of this genre will enjoy.