Pretty Dead (Ulverscroft Large Print) [Import] [Hardcover]

Gerry Boyle (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184617094X
• ISBN-13: 978-1846170942
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Like many crime novelists I began my writing career in newspapers--the best training ground ever. After Colby College, I knocked around, including stints as a roofer, a postman, and a manuscript reader at a big New York publisher (thumbs up for the roofer gig, thumbs down on the publishing job).

My first reporting job was with a weekly in the paper mill town of Rumford, Maine. It was there that I left my sweaty mark on high-school wrestling coverage. But there was lots of small-town crime in Rumford. I would later mine my Rumford time for my first novel, DEADLINE.

After a few months it was on to the daily Waterville, Maine Morning Sentinel, where editors gave me a thrice-weekly column and I wrote about stuff I saw in police stations, courtrooms, in the towns and cities of Maine.

And all the while I was making up stories on the side, typing away on a Smith-Corona electric typewriter.

DEADLINE came out in 1993and the books came steadily after that. McMorrow and I grew up together, though at different rates.. I continue to live in a small village in central Maine, making regular trips for book research. My deal with Jack: I'll send him into some pretty dangerous places, but I'll scout them out first. I walk point; Jack has my back. Brandon Blake and I are still feeling each other out.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Character Thriller, December 18, 2003

By 

disABILITY LADY "Carolyn" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretty Dead (Jack McMorrow Mystery) (Hardcover)

This was my first Jack McMorrow book, and I am so hooked that I MUST get the rest! Boyle's attention to character development; his taking time to introduce all of the characters in a way that sets the hooks into the reader; the tantalizing options available for the story line to go; all make this book, Pretty Dead an excellent read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets from the past don't stay buried, February 5, 2004

By 

A. Christie "bibliofiend508" (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pretty Dead (Jack McMorrow Mystery) (Hardcover)

Jack McMorrow works as the Maine stringer for the New York Times. His girlfriend, Roxanne Masterson is a social worker. Roxanne's latest case is a daughter of wealthy, powerful couple who has been reported as having suspicious bruises. Jack goes along with Roxanne when she first goes to interview the parents, David and Maddie Connelly. After meeting the couple, liking them, and finding a genuine concern on behalf of their daughter, Jack and Roxanne are drawn in to the Connelly's inner circle. When young woman that they met at the Connelly's is later found murdered, Jack tries to track down the murderer. It's not an easy job and the deeper he digs the more question arise. He has a long list of suspects including David and Maddie.

Boyle populates his book with well-drawn, quirky characters highlighted with an excellent supporting cast. The plot is extremely well paced with the suspense building evenly throughout the book. Boyle hooks the reader in and does not let go until the last page.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Dead, January 22, 2004

By 

Martha B. Higgins "Ms Maineiac" (Maine. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pretty Dead (Jack McMorrow Mystery) (Hardcover)

Absolutely loved this book. Set in Maine, beautifully described Blue Hill, oops, Blue Harbor and surrounding area and people. Boyle really captured the flavor of the place. This praise from a native. Got this as a present and have now ordered all his others. Kept me guessing almost to the end.