The Contract: A John Q Mystery: 2 - Hardcover

Gulvin, Jm

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 057134657X ISBN 13: 9780571346578

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2018

Synopsis

This compulsive new mystery in the John Q series will have readers on their seats until the very last page John Q is out of his jurisdiction, and possibly out of his depth. It seems everyone in Louisiana wants to send him home, and every time he asks questions there's trouble: from the pharmacist to the detective running scared to the pimp who turned to him as a last resort. Before John Q knows it, he looks the only link between a series of murders. So who could be trying to set him up, and why, and who can he turn to in a city where Southern tradition and family ties rule? Infused with the rhythms of its iconic setting, The Contract is a thriller to keep even the most seasoned crime readers gripped and guessing all the way to its endgame.

About this title

Review

"Ambitious ... Gulvin hits bullseye on plot, characters and style. His writing is pared-down yet atmospheric, with echoes of Elmore Leonard and even Cormac McCarthy." --Thriller Books Journal, on UK edition

"The revelation is the sort of thing that may lead you to think back or (as I did) reread parts of the book to see just how masterfully Gulvin has handled it. And yes, he handles it beautifully.... I'll look for future John Q adventures."--John Teel, PCA Mystery & Detective Fiction Reading List on The Long Count

"The novel has a gothic air, and seemed to me a kind of throwback to the pulp era of story telling. This is, by the way, a compliment. The Long Count is well-paced and a lot of fun, and I suspect that it and its sequels will find quite an appreciate audience."―Bill Crider, crime fiction author of the Dan Rhodes series

"Gulvin tells the story in terse noir prose salted with odd but effective inversions --"almost absently he seemed to stare"--and takes his time approaching the startling revelations in the finale. A ...rewarding read."--Booklist, about The Long Count

"John Q is a brilliant construct, oozing masculinity and toughness in a highly self-contained way, and like the heroes of the American Western tradition, imbued with a rigid core of morality and decency that permeates his dealing with those that have sinned and are sinned against." --Raven Crime Reads, on UK edition

"I liked John Q and the people in his support circle and am looking forward to more entries in the series. If you like intense, twisty mystery/thrillers and/or novels set in the west, you'll enjoy The Long Count."--Beth Fish Reads

"One of the better mystery set-ups I've encountered."--Scott Montgomery, MysteryPeople, about THE LONG COUNT

"Gulvin's portrayal of widower and single father John Q works well. The crime details and settings ring true. Lesser characters are intensely human and interesting. The main plot and several subplots ... come together in a rousing ending that will surprise some readers and cause others to shout, "I knew it!"'--Historical Novel Society on The Long Count

"Gulvin, writes with a quiet authority that perfectly matches his laconic hero...sober, ethical John Q is a highly engaging protagonist."--Kirkus on Kirkus

About the Author

JM Gulvin divides his time between Wales and the western United States. He is the author of many previous novels, as well as Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's bestselling travel book Long Way Down. The Contract is the second John Q mystery. He is married and has two daughters.

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 057134657X
• ISBN 13: 9780571346578
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336