Book Review: The Corruptible

I have a fondness for mystery novels, especially the series kind. You know the ones where it is the same character in every book who solves the mystery but each book is a different mystery.  When I read the information about The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir and I saw the words “a Ray Quinn Mystery” I knew I needed to know more.  After reading the information from the publisher, I eagerly requested this book for review.

From the Publisher About This Book

thecorruptible

How much money would it take for you to betray the truth? Ex-homicide detective Ray Quinn never had glamorous thoughts of the life of a private investigator—but being cornered in a bathroom stall by the enraged philandering husband of a client? That’s something he could live without. Retired from homicide and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited. Stick to the job, keep impetuous sidekick Crevis alive, and spend quiet evenings with trusted pal Jim Beam, that’s about the best he can hope for.

As a new client emerges, Ray finds himself in an impossibly large boardroom holding a check with enough zeros to finally lift him from his financial pit. The job seems easy enough: find Logan Ramsey, an ex-cop turned security officer who’s taken off with sensitive corporate information. But few things are easy in Ray’s world, regardless of the amount of zeros in the check.

In what should be an open-and-shut case, Ray stumbles across Logan Ramsey in a seedy motel room. Only Ray wasn’t the first to find him. Now Logan’s dead, the client’s information is nowhere to be found, and Ray’s employer is less than forthcoming with the details. Suddenly the line between the good guys and bad guys isn’t so clear. With a foot in both worlds and an illuminating look at an unhappy ending that could well be his own, which will Ray choose?

My Take: Set in Orlando, Florida, The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir grips the reader with action from the very first sentence.  We find Ray Quinn, former homicide detective turned private investigator trapped in a bathroom stall while a rather large husband of a client hunts the PI who “ruined his marriage.”  I love the first line of the book.  “Dying on the toilet was not how I envisioned leaving this world.”  

I appreciated the offbeat humor that Mynheir displays in the character of Ray Quinn.  Ray’s been hurt.  Using humor is how he copes with life.  I also appreciate that Ray is real.  His character is 3 dimensional.  As the case unfolds, Ray must examine his own life choices. 

This Ray Quinn is the 2nd book in the series, but it stands alone.  Background information from the first book is cleverly woven throughout the story so that the reader is not left scratching his head wondering how Ray reached this point.  I intend to read the first book and if it is as well-written as The Corruptible, I will be reading more as they are published.

Some people may consider this to be a Christian novel because Pam, a friend of Ray’s is a Christian. I dislike books that are “preachy” or “in your face” with Christianity. This book is not like that. Ray is, at this point, not even sure if he believes in God.  The reader is privy to the struggles that Ray has with God and prayer.  Pam, the only overtly Christian character, *lives* out her faith in a way that impacts Ray but does not preach.   That is something else I appreciated about the book.  I didn’t feel like I was being preached at. 

Beware though that although I’ve mentioned humor, this is not a comedy and murder is not treated lightly.

I recommend this book to my husband because I know he enjoys a good mystery with a humorous twist.  I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys serial mystery books.

I would truly appreciate you for "ranking" my review with the link above.  Thank you!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review.

Comments

  1. Hi Tess, I found your review through the Blogging for Books site and wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your review. I also appreciated seeing Ray struggle through his thoughts on faith and God as well as see Pam live her faith and not preach at Ray. You're right, it's a good "guy" book.

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