Customer Reviews

Dark Harbor

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Providing an exciting story that includes the highs and lows of Boston life, lawyer David Hosp's debut novel ranges from Beacon Hill to Southie, from a "white shoe" law firm to a ghoulish home "operating room," from security company offices to exploding trains, and from the Governor's office to the dark corners where associates of fugitive mob boss Whitey Bulger converge. Scott Finn, an orphan from Southie who worked his way out of juvenile detention and into a job at a prestigious Boston law firm, is devastated when his colleague and former lover, Natalie Caldwell, turns up dead on the Southie waterfront.

While police are investigating Natalie's death, Finn accepts the job of representing Huron Security in a major lawsuit, a case that Natalie was preparing when she died. Huron was in charge of security when a terrorist planted and detonated bombs on twelve rail cars, killing dozens of commuters, and a young widow has sued. When the governor of Massachusetts and his chief aide take an unnatural interest in Natalie's death and Finn himself is physically "warned," he knows he must investigate all aspects of Natalie's life if he is going to solve the case. Soon, he himself is under suspicion for her murder. An edge-of-your-seat conclusion worthy of the big screen ties up the loose ends and sets the scene for a possible series featuring Finn.

Although Hosp employs some melodramatic details at the beginning of the novel (the hand of a dead body reaching out "for help," and a man facing imminent death grabbing for the family photo in his pocket), he soon settles down and lets his plots and subplots develop more naturally. His depiction of Southie, the characters who populate it, the "presence" of real-life fugitive Whitey Bulger, and references to the trial of John Connolly, an FBI officer who handled Whitey and then went to jail for becoming "too close," set the scene and add realism and local color to the novel. Finn's own connections to Southie provide a bridge between the uptown characters, governmental offices, and the movers and shakers of Southie.

Occasionally, Hosp's clumsiness with key details--and the attempt to drop red herrings--are obvious and telegraph the reader that s/he is being manipulated. The inclusion of too-helpful friends and colleagues, along with Finn's own loose lips about crucial information, are the marks of an inexperienced author trying to control outcomes. Hosp does not have the literary flair or style of Lehane, but this Boston mystery, overall, is exciting, well-paced and clever, ideal for the beach, and great fun to read. Mary Whipple

Scott Finn was orphaned at an early age and had a rough upbringing, spending most of it trying to survive on the tough streets of Boston, yet he managed to pull himself out and now he's on his way to being partner at a big law firm. Life is good, that is until the day they find the body of his friend and former lover Natalie Caldwell floating in the Boston Harbor. He is grief stricken, and becomes determined to make sure they find who killed her.

The police think it's the work of a serial killer they named "Little Jack" because it seems to fit his MO, and after they apprehend him he confesses to all the murders, with the exception of Natalie's. The detective in charge of the investigation, Linda Flaherty, and her partner have doubts that he's lying about not killing Natalie, but because they are strongly pressured into closing the case no one wants to hear about it. Therefore, Flaherty conducts her own investigation and eventually finds out Natalie and Finn were lovers, plus it seems he was the last person to see her alive, so he becomes the focus of her investigation. Now he has to find a way to prove his innocence, and his former life on the streets may be the only thing that helps him. In the meantime, he is thrown in to replace Natalie in a high profile case defending a security company being sued for wrongful death in a terrorist bombing of a commuter train. It's quite a story because he finds out that it's possible Natalie made some enemies in high places while working the case, and he uncovers things he never expected. He fights hard to clear his name but the evidence keeps piling up against him and even though he knows someone is setting him up he can't prove it, until finally he's arrested and charged with murder. This story has great characters, nonstop action, and so many twists and turns that my attention was glued to the pages to find out what happens!

DARK HARBOR is in no way your usual legal thriller; it's better! I wouldn't be surprised if it makes the bestseller list, and fast. Newcomer David Hosp has a style all his own and I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of this great new author. I hope not anyway!!

When John Grisham introduced us to Bendini, Lambert & Locke, a Memphis tax boutique controlled by the Mafia, the idea of an in-house firm for the mob was hilarious. These days no one, least of all our hero Scott Finn, is particularly sure that organized crime doesn't just control the firm, but also the governor's office, the US Attorneys Office and the Boston PD.

Finn, who worked and fought his way out of the streets of Southie to the thick-pile carpets of Boston's Brahmin legal establishment, finds himself back among the thugs and characters of the world he thought he left behind. When a fellow associate and friend with benefits is killed by a copycat killer seeking to emulate "Little Jack" who was terrorizing the city Finn is drawn into the fray, where he acquits himself brilliantly while maintaining his place on the partnership track.

Finn even finds a new love interest in the cop who is trying, though not very hard, to put him away. And a childhood friend proves an invaluable ally as Finn attempts to clear himself and clean up the city in the process.

If it seems over the top, it is. But it is good fun too.

David Hosp has written a nice mystery featuring Scott Finn, a lawyer with a teenage police record and somewhat weak educational credentials, who nonetheless is about to make partner at one of Boston's elite firms. When an old flame (and associate at the same firm) is murdered a few hours after the two share drinks, the plot takes off.

"Dark Harbor" features a chilling prologue, and enough twists throughout to keep the plot moving along in entertaining fashion. The character of Scott Finn is developed well enough for the reader to have an emotional stake in his fate, even if the dichotomy between his youthful background and professional career is just a bit hard to believe.

Mr. Hosp foreshadows one or two of the plot twists a bit heavy-handedly, and lovers of the mystery genre can see those coming, but this did not detract much from my enjoyment of the book. It was easy to set aside a few minor issues and just keep turning the pages in a race to the climax. That's my measure of a good light read, and "Dark Harbor" measures up. I hope that Mr. Hosp is busily at work on his second novel.

I won't bother rehashing the story. This is a most impressive debut work. Believable three-dimensional characters, sympathetic protagonists, hateable bad guys, crisp dialogue, a true sense of setting.... this book has it all. And the final plot twist caught me by surprise.

I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to more from Hosp in the future.

Scott Finn rose from the slums of a tough Boston neighborhood to the top of an elite law firm, but the past he tried to forget may be the only thing to save him...

Scott's ex-girlfriend and close colleague, Natalie Caldwell, is found found floating in Boston Harbor. Immediately Natalie is named the latest victim of "Little Jack", a serial killer much like Jack-the-Ripper terrorizing Boston. Police detective Linda Flaherty notices some inconsistencies between Natalie and the other six victims, and the more she probes into the crime she finds Natalie may have been hiding a shady past.

Finn, not only dealing with the death of his friend, but a high-profile case that could make his career, finds himself the prime suspect in Natalie's murder and the only person that could help him is the same person who believes he is a suspect...Linda Flaherty.

'Dark Harbor' is a fast paced page-turner that marks the debut of a powerhouse author. David Hosp has written a lightning quick tale that is in the style of David Baldacci. From page one the gripping plot grabs hold and doesn't let go; with it's surprising twists and shocking conclusion 'Dark Harbor' will keep readers locked in for an electrifying read. Expect to this on all the bestseller lists.

A MUST read!

Nick Gonnella

For a first novel. The mystery is done well. With an actual surprise at the end, a little misdirection had me looking elsewhere. The settings echo reality and Whitey Bulger's spectre haunts another Boston book. The only stretch was getting a clerk and Superior Court judge to hear a motion to supress on a Saturday afternoon. In what world? Without notice. Before indictment. et al.

I wasn't really expecting much out of this guy, but I was pleasantly surprised. The protagonists in legal thrillers are usually fairly annoying, in that the lawyer is transparently what the author wants so badly to be: an exciting hero instead of a paper-pushing money-grubber. But the characters in this debut novel are actually quite compelling. There is certainly a fair share of cliches (the beautiful but tough lady copy, her grizzled, wise-cracking male partner, the tough kid from the mean streets who escapes to become a rich lawyer), but somehow Hosp made it work for me. He doesn't push the cliches over the top to the point where they are syrupy and gag inducing.

Because I live in Boston, the local scenery made it somewhat more interesting, but I would bet that it translates well to non-Bostonians. The plot is structured well, and the surprise villain at the end would really translate well to the big screen. I forsee this book being made into a movie, easy.

All in all, a great read. I hope he can follow it up with another.

I bought this book after hearing Mr. Hosp on a local radio show. I work at a competing law firm in Boston and thought the book would be interesting since it is set in the Boston legal community. The first 350 pages of the book were very good; full of character development, a good storyline, interesting plot twists. Then as Mr. Hosp set about wrapping up the storyline, the book went completely off the rails. The final showdown was so clichéd, from the action to the horrendous "do it for Johnny!" type dialogue. Just an awful, awful ending to what started out as a very good book. If Mr. Hosp writes another book, I'll certainly give it a go and hope for a better ending.

Look at the first reviews...2005!! Ok I have to ask, where have I been?? David Hosp first Scott Finn book DARK HARBOR is really good. I love mysteries and court room dramas and this book has it all. Rich characters, Scott Finn rising young attorney, Lt.Flaherty, even Kozlowski, all rich and believable. I enjoyed the book throughly and look forward to #2. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED