Sins of Brother (Tom McInnes Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Mike Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tom McInnes Novels | Publication Date: January 9, 2001

Mike Stewart's first novel introduces Tom McInnes, an Alabama attorney who investigates his brother's murder, only to uncover secrets that can kill.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Introducing Tom McInnes, an Alabama attorney who quits a high-profile Mobile law firm in favor of solo practice, this slick, intelligent debut seeks to bring some Grishamesque thrills to the mystery form. Six months after establishing his modest practice, Tom learns that his ne'er-do-well, drug-dealing younger brother, Hall, has been murdered. Tom goes to his hometown of Cooper's Bend, Ala., where his powerful father, Sam McInnes, is the local lumber-mill tycoon. There, he learns that the sheriff, an African-American war hero named Nixon, is on the take from the elder McInnesAand may be shielding a bookie connected to "the most dangerous man in Alabama," Mike Gerrard, godfather of the statewide underworld. Tom sets out to avenge his brother's murder with the help of a hulking PI of mythic prowess known as Joey. The convoluted trail takes the two men from Alabama to New Orleans and back, as they dodge bullets and hired thugs along the way. Tom's feisty girl Friday, Kelly, is just one of several women he leers at in the novel's all too frequent and rather goofy cheesecake scenes, which are the weak links in an otherwise taut effort. The brooding presence of the Alabama River provides ample obligatory southern gothic ambiance, while the New Orleans and Alabama settings lend pungent atmosphere to a satisfyingly labyrinthine plot. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Once he hears of his younger brother's murder, narrator Tom McInnes, a hard-nosed Mobile, AL, lawyer, vows to find the culprit. Back home with his wealthy, distant parents, he learns about his brother's gambling debts, cocaine habit, "trailer-park" girlfriend, run-ins with the law, and ultimate death on the river. Tom abruptly becomes a target, too, as thieves trash his computer and attempts are made on his life. Familial conflicts, rural Southern characters, big-city lawyer tactics, and a slightly convoluted but intriguing plot round out this debut mystery by a Birmingham attorney. For all collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425178870
• ISBN-13: 978-0425178874
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,391,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PROVACATIVE! STUNNING DEBUT!, December 21, 2000

By 

Christian "Writer/Human" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sins of the Brother (Hardcover)

Tom McInnes isn't a quitter, but he just couldn't take it anymore. He simply had to get out of the upscale, Mobile, Alabama lawfirm to which he pledged his soul. So he did, opting to save his sanity and what was left of his integrity by opening his own office. Shortly after setting up shop, he recieves a call from his father, telling him that his younger brother had been murdered. Not knowing exactly what to expect, McInnes returns to his home town to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding his brother's untimely death. What he uncovers is a viper's nest of trouble...with him in the dead center of it. The resulting story is a hellacious thriller put together by a master storyteller. One would never guess that "Sins..." is Mike Stewart's first foray into the literary world. His characters sing and shine in every aspect, and his capabilities as a believable and deft writer are finely displayed here. The action races along, with nary a breath between scenes, with perfect execution. I found myself flipping pages practically faster than I could read, wanting to find out what happens next. All the way to the last word, Stewart holds you enthralled, like a voyeur at the scene of some heinous crime. Buy this today!

Also recommended: "Deviant Ways"--Chris Mooney "Raveling"--Peter Moore Smith "The Best American Mystery Stories 2000"--ed. Donald Westlake

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why I loved this book...., January 20, 2002

By 

Mary A. Bush "mabush50" (Hueytown, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sins of Brother (Tom McInnes Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I live in the area that is so well portrayed in this book. It hooked me completely in the opening sentence. Tom McInnes is a very interesting character, as well his secretary and pal Joey. This book is well planned and completely held my attention. I read this book non-stop. I could not ever figure out what was going to happen next. Mike Stewart's attention to detail was excellent as well as interesting. It accurately described the region as well as capturing the essence of the south. I am off today to find the other books Mike Stewart has written! What a find!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best mystery/suspense novel since THE FIRM, October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sins of the Brother (Hardcover)

This past Saturday, at around 8:00 PM, I started reading Mike Stewart's SINS OF THE BROTHER. I finished the book -- two glasses of wine later -- at two in the morning. Warning: Once you start reading this book get comfortable because you won't be able to put it down. Although Stewart, in my opinion, is a better writer than Grisham, I can only compare the whirlwind plot and building suspense of SINS OF THE BROTHER to the page-turning fun I had the first time I read THE FIRM. Stewart has written a great book. I can't wait for the sequel.