When the most crooked lawyer in Kentucky goes missing, the speculation about what happened to him is neither flattering nor sympathetic. Harlan Parker’s underhanded ways have made him a wealthy lawyer but its finally caught up with him. The moment Detective Marshal Wilt is assigned the case he knows there will be no lack of suspects. Who Kills Harlan Parker follows Wilt and his investigation as … as it runs a gauntlet of colorful characters who have a reason to get rid of Parker. The list includes lawyers on the losing end of Parker’s antics, a paralegal femme fatale, and even members of Parker’s law firm. Everyone in town knows Harlan had it coming, but who killed Harlan Parker?
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This is a novel about an attorney in a small town who goes missing. Everyone starts to suspect that he is dead, and there is a long list of people who could be suspects.
I felt this book was disjointed. The characters all had a back story, naturally, but the way it was explained was not smooth. Sometimes there were too many details, almost ramblings, about the characters and their stories.
There were not any likable characters in the book. The ending, and the explanation of the motive for the murder, seemed rushed.
This book could be improved with a good editor.
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review.
#WhoKilledHarlanParker #JohnCaudill #Booktasters
Hello My Fellow Book Dragons! I have a real treat for you this evening! Our Gem is akin to an Agate, the official Gem of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where our tale takes place. It has many layers, some very beautiful, some so thin and fine it is hard to see them at first glance, we have to look carefully and read between the lines. This is not your average mystery, this is a good, old fashioned WHODUNIT, this is Gem Maker John Caudill’s “Who Killed Harlan Parker?”
Let me start out by saying, I loved this tale! Loved it, ate it up and digested it in less than 48 hours, made myself wait to read the ending because I wanted to mull it over and make sure I had chosen the right suspect before reading the end. I do something that non-Book Dragons (yes, my lovely beasties, there really are such beings in the world, shudder the thought) would find odd. When I get hold of a grand whodunit, after reading six chapters, I write down my suspect and put the name in an envelope. Then as the book goes on, I write down the clues and may or may not change my suspect. In this case, I was indeed right, but I must tell you I was sorely tempted on four separate occasions to change my suspect. This has only happened a few other times – with Christie, Doyle, Banner and Cornwall. Fantastic!
If someone does not snatch this up and make it into a movie then the people in London or Hollywood or wherever they do such things now, are idiots! I reiterate – I D I O T S! This tale is that good. This is John Caudill’s debut novel. It will not be the last time we hear from him, at least I hope he continues to write these whodunits. The world needs far more of these. Fun to read, wonderful characters, a great little town with just the right amount of the good and the bad, the villain is off’d and most things become right with the world. Ahh, Mrs. Christie, we miss ya!
This is the tale of a lawyer whom everyone hates. There is no sorrow when he dies. None. Zip. Zilch. Zero. He has hurt, cheated, angered, insulted, used and maimed (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc) everyone he has ever come across. Harlan Parker is the Scrooge of the modern world. And one fine day he comes up dead. As a doornail to quote Mr. Dickens. But who? Who is the person who did this wonderf –eh hmm – I mean, terrible, awful deed? Who is it? That my lovelies is for you to find out. And find out you must! I dare any of you to read the prologue (a mysterious poem) and the first two chapters of this book and not finish it.
Treat yourself to a trip into the Kentucky countryside, where trees grows tall, horses run behind pristine white fences, the air is scented with beautiful flowers and dirty lawyers get what is coming to them. “Who Killed Harlan Parker?” is one of the best whodunits I have ever read and that is saying something because I read voraciously as you know and I am picky. It’s available now, wherever great books are sold! Again I say, keep it up Mr. Caudill, please, your readers need you!
Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a review copy of this book at my request. My opinion is my own.
A good story well told, captivating from first sentence.