The Deader the Better: Leo Waterman Mystery (Hardcover)

by G.m. Ford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Lots of smooth, wiseacre talk powers this agreeable caper past two major shortcomings: a near-overpowering intro section and a woefully underdeveloped big-scam ending that falls seriously flat. Freelance sleuth Leo Waterman memorably rescues a teenage girl from the Seattle streets, then heads deeper into the state of Washington to hang out with J.D. Springer, a fisherman pal. J.D. and his family have bought a place close to Native American land. He's made several enemies among the surly locals by denying them all fishing, hunting and boating rights. Soon J.D. is a charred corpse at the bottom of a hill, his cabin is burned out and his family has fled. Leo's initial inquiries lead to a car crash and copious injuries to both himself and Rebecca, his forensic pathologist girlfriend. All but abandoned by the more sensible Rebecca, Leo assembles a ragtag collection of career criminals for a projected megascam to root out the villains. The scam is barely under way before Leo incurs the wrath of the local cops and embarks on a romance with a wealthy local woman. Kindhearted, street smart and fast-mouthed, Leo possesses more than enough panache and personality to carry this slick yet slight work.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman travels with girlfriend Rebecca to a friend's place in the Pacific Northwest rainforest. Unfortunately for the friend, local residents become murderously angry over his no-trespassing signs. A solidly entertaining series addition.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (February 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380977230
• ISBN-13: 978-0380977239
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,538,390 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 6 in The Leo Waterman Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very intense read, February 7, 2000

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe the best of the series, May 7, 2006

By	D. Smith (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Deader the Better: A Leo Waterman Mystery (Leo Waterman Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read, November 20, 2001

By	"dlstoyer" (Cheektowaga, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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!