Customer Reviews

The Deader the Better: A Leo Waterman Mystery (Leo Waterman Mysteries)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When he turns forty-five, Seattle private detective Leo Waterman will inherit a large trust fund. Currently, Leo lives with his long-time partner, forensic pathologist Rebecca, who loves him. Leo still has a foul taste in his mouth from his last case even though he successfully rescued a sexually abused teenage girl and placed her with her grandmother.

To escape the city, Leo and Rebecca visit her goddaughter Claudia and her family at their newly acquired fishing camp in Steven's Falls. Claudia's husband J.D tells Leo that the locals are out to destroy him because the town wanted the property he purchased. Leo figures J.D. being an outsider is just a tad paranoid by the aloofness of the townsfolk. After returning home, Leo reconsiders his opinion since J.D. is reported dead and Claudia and their children are missing. Leo and Rebecca investigate, but are injured when two vehicles run their car off the road. Leo refuses to kowtow to pressure and continues to place his life in danger from a town without pity, one that prefers to keep hidden at any cost its dirty secrets.

As in most of the novels in this superb series, the Quixote-like Leo's caring for the down trodden motivates him into action that leaves readers with an exciting tale. The smooth flowing mystery is fast-paced as expected from this triumphant series. Talented G.M. Ford is clearly a BMW of a writer.

Harriet Klausner

A great addition to the Leo saga - jumps right into action on a sordid case of sexploitation, then changes gears into a small-town conspiracy mystery. Plenty of laughs and plenty of action. A real page-turner.

Leo & Rebecca are at it again. This is the sixth book in the series and one of the best. Leo makes some new friends and revisits some old while untangling the circumstances around the death of an aquaintence. The scheming he uncovers leads him to some scheming of his own as only he can scheme. The 'Boys' new home is a riot, and the plot is involved enough to keep you guessing. This is a fun read, although there are a couple of darker undertones and some changes that will make Leo a different person when we meet him next. G.M. Ford has done it again!

My second favorite GM Ford book of the eight I've read so far. We watch is suspense, amusement, horror, and surprise as Leo finds trouble and corrects it. Good luck guessing any of the mysteries, and there are ample loose ends and "big-lipped alligator" story lines.

Mr. Ford just keeps cranking out great novels. For the fifth straight time, I was laughing out loud, drawing concerned looks from strangers. Another super plot, too. The only flaw in this series is the year we have to wait for the next installment, before the book gets devoured in a single sitting. If you liked any of the previous Leo Waterman's, this one is sure to please.

Picked this latest G.M.Ford detective mystery without having read his earlier books. Glad I did, since now I can look forward to reading them all. This one is a fast paced page turner, with all the muscle and intelligence of Parker's Spencer P.I. before Parker got lazy. A definite must read for fans of this genre.

I love the Leo Waterman series. Everyone of them has been great. But I think I can safely say that this is my favorite yet.

Leo and his live in girlfriend visit some freinds who have bought some property in hopes of opening a resort. Beautiful little town, perfect location on the water. But things feel a little weird. After returning home, a few weeks later they discover the husband is dead. Leo being who he is wants to know why.

It turns into almost a caper from there on. Leo bringing in people who can do specific jobs for him to help nail those responsible.

A whole lot of fun to read, and And I would highly recommend this series, but this book in particular.

Jon Jordan

Do not read this book while sitting in the lunchroom at work! It looks very unprofessional to be laughing out loud when you are sitting at a table by yourself. Leo Waterman's unique view of how the system works, and how to work the system makes for a delightful read.

Leo Waterman is excellent, as usual. His associates give even greater breadth and depth in this new adventure. This book clearly shows that G. M. Ford is writing increasingly more complex stories as the series matures. Read them all. Great fun, a good read.

As a mystery writer with the first novel featuring my series PI Jesse Ascencio in current release, I have been impressed by G.M. Ford's Leo Waterman for years. Seattle-based, Waterman is one of the freshest series stars to hit the mystery world in decades. In THE DEADER THE BETTER, Leo Waterman attempts to determine what actually happened to a friend of his whose death in Steven's Falls has been ruled a suicide. He drags together an odd group of characters, even odder than usual, to assist him in his effort, and Rebecca Duvall is on the scene to what she does as well as any girlfriend in mysterydom. The book has a swiftly-moving plot and a truly-rendered setting. It is most deserving of its recent Shamus Award nomination.