Customer Reviews

The Guilty (Henry Parker Novels)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Just as i mentioned on my first review, I am not a huge reader, but The Mark really impressed me. After a long awaited wait to purchase The Guilty, I am far from disappointed. This was another amazing read. It was quick, suspenseful, thorough and exciting. Each page was gripping and each new twist enthralling. I highly recommend this book to anyone and cannot wait until August when Pinter's third book The Stolen arrives. Thanks for another great read.

THE GUILTY is the second Jason Pinter novel to feature Henry Parker, intrepid reporter for the New York Gazette, a newspaper trying to maintain journalistic integrity in a market where such nobility is often appreciated and rewarded in the breach. Pinter has hit upon a winner with Parker, a likable if flawed protagonist whose pursuit of a story, and the truth beneath it, often results in him making subtle use of intuitive and deductive skills not unknown to private investigators. His tragic flaw (every interesting hero has one) is that he is clueless with women, or at least with one lady --- Amanda, to whom he owes his life, and more.

It is accordingly ironic that THE GUILTY begins with the death of a woman --- an icon, actually --- named Athena Paradis, a pop tart flavor of the month who is senselessly cut down by a sniper on the eve of what was to be her jump to major stardom. Parker is on the story but is startled when evidence on the scene suggests that the assailant is attempting to communicate directly with him.

Another murder almost immediately follows, and the evidence --- a bullet from one of the deadliest rifles ever manufactured --- indicates that the solution to the deranged killer's identity may well lie in the past, enshrouded in myth, folklore and legend.

Parker follows the story across the country, attempting to separate fact from fiction and history from rumor. His pursuit of the truth puts not only himself but those he loves --- and has loved --- in terrible danger, leading to a dramatic face-off and a climax in which even the winner will lose something.

Those who enjoy their noir with a dash of real-world research will love THE GUILTY, which serves up a secondary mystery about one of the Old West's most legendary and notorious characters, and how local politics can get in the way of resolving such questions one way or the other. Pinter's over-the-shoulder peek at some of the museums specializing in such memorabilia will also have you plotting out the time to take a road trip to New Mexico and other points west so you can walk in Parker's boot heels. The author also drops other nuggets of information here and there. For example, I had no idea what CATNYP was until reading this book; I am now addicted to it.

And if you aren't addicted to this series by the time you finish THE GUILTY, check out the preview to Pinter's forthcoming Parker novel, THE STOLEN, the first few pages of which are included here. It will give you something to look forward to this summer.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Incredible and darn near unputdownable! I really enjoy the characters in the series and the new ones that pop up. Lots of action and suspense. Pinter, the author, really pulls you into Henry's world and it stays in your mind long after the novel is finished.

Some may find the plot a little `cheesy', and while I didn't find it the most original, it's how it played out that was the fascinating part. Like a reporter hitting the ground running, you're the reader that's sucked in before the first chapter is even finished, you're hooked, hitting the ground running right along with Henry in the second chapter.

My mistake was reading the excerpt at the back of the novel of the prologue and first chapter from his third novel, The Stolen, coming out in August 2008. I would have been content to eagerly await his third novel, but now I'm impatient waiting, LOL!

To reiterate, great characters, well played-out plot, tons of action and suspense... I couldn't ask for better. A new author has joined the crowd of thriller authors, ladies and gents, and his name is Jason Pinter!

***SPOILER ALERT***

If you intend to read this book, do not read past this point!

I found that Jack was butting in where his nose didn't belong. I would have expected this exact thing from Paulina, not Jack. Not everyone is the same, nor can they cope with the same things in life. Everyone is different and I was angry that Jack would naturally assume that Henry was like him. I don't think Jack would have ever had or every will have what Henry and Amanda have/had.

The ending was sad and a little frustrating. Amanda was safe and sound, Mya was going to survive - he doesn't love Mya, but he's going to stick by her - something he regrets he hadn't been able to do before. He loves Amanda, but he pushed her away `to protect her'. Now both of them are hurting because Henry can't get passed what `almost' happened? Someone (by that, I mean character in the book) should be giving Henry a really good smack upside the head!

This book was even better than The Mark. It had a deeper story and there weren't as many "no action" spots. No offense to The Mark at all it too was a fantastic book. The Guilty is a fantastic sequel and I am looking forward to his next book, The Stolen, which is coming out in August!

What's it like to be an author like Jason Pinter? I'd like to know that, because he controls the suspense level for Henry Parker with every heart-pounding sentence. Pinter's debut, "The Mark," was incredible. And in continuing the saga of Henry Parker with "The Guilty," Pinter had the attention of people who mattered. Tess Gerritsen gave a cover endorsement, while Lee Child bravely added fuel to the fire on the back. So are these bestsellers just spitting fire and blowing smoke? Or is Jason Pinter supposedly guilty as charged? Is he that good? If not, he's getting there, because this is a darn good read!

Henry Parker is getting on with his life with his new love, Amanda Davies. And he doesn't like his miserable ex, Mya, bugging him at all hours, reminding him, "I called you, Henry." Reminding him that he wasn't there. But forget about Mya, she's not that important, right? Henry has other fish to fry, and it starts with a bullet. A goddess of a star is murdered, and Henry Parker puts himself right in the middle. And totally unintentionally, he gets a little too close for his own good. Once again a chaotic mess is evolving around Henry Parker and company. Just remember, he's the reporter, we just read the news as it breaks! And people will be affected. And Henry Parker may go where no reporter has gone before. But then again he may not.

Jason Pinter has put himself on the map of thriller writers. And I don't think he's going away too soon. He's a tough nut to crack, and he has the attention of readers like myself. I can't wait for "The Stolen" to emerge. I'm expecting great things from Jason Pinter.

After reading a good review of this book in the Sun-Sentinel, I decided to give the author a shot. The premise is interesting--somebody is using an antique rifle to kill controversial people in public fashion--and the main character, reporter Henry Parker, finds out that the truth to the killer's identity and motives are over a hundred years old and will cause some major controversy if revealed. Some of the situations need a grain of salt to be swallowed fully, but the characters, especially Parker and his love interest, are well-written and fun to follow. Plus some good research adds to the story without bogging it down. A well above average thriller, and I'm going to pick up the author's first book as well.

If you like a thriller with:
___Sharp Dialogue
___Mystery
___Action
___Humor
___Tight Pacing
___Believability

Then you'll like this book! This is the second outing for journalist Henry Parker, and in it he finds himself embroiled with a serial killer in NYC who seems intent on hunting down people in the public eye who don't deserve to be there. The killer becomes fixated on Henry, and to help save the lives of more people Henry has to find the cause of the killer's behavior and figure out his origins.

This book had me turning pages way later than I should've been!

In this clever blend of traditional thriller and history Jason Pinter succeeds once again in gripping readers attention from page one. I was thoroughly entertained and I also learned a few interesting facts about American History. Easy and enjoyable read! Can't wait to see what "The Stolen" is about!

i realy like this author, both the guilty and his first book the mark are very well writen but what i liked the most was that it was told from a different angle, not the same old cop or bad guy angle, but a reporter caught up in the middle of things. a very good read!

Although he only recently graduated from school, reporter Henry Parker has already made THE MARK as the news and as a journalist at the New York Gazette. Henry currently is investigating the serial killing Boy, who employs an antique Winchester 1873 to murder his victims.

Once again Henry is both part of the story and an investigative reporter. When the Boy killed his first quarry, diva Athena Paradis, he left behind a note quoting an article by Henry. The intrepid journalist soon uncovers a link to a nineteenth century Wild West outlaw, but cannot see the connection to the Boy or how he selects his victims. Meanwhile the Boy murders several other people as a desperate Henry turns to rival Dispatch reporter Paulina Cole for help.

The second Parker journalistic investigation is a fabulous thriller as the key players come across as real in this murderous game of cat and mouse. The story line is fast-paced with a bit of romance in the air. The ending is superb and will prove to be one of the best of the year. Fans will believe Jason Pinter hit THE MARK with this excellent serial killer thriller.

Harriet Klausner