College basketball star Calvin Murray always played to win.
This time, losing could cost him his life.
It’s March. The most important time of the year in college hoops. John Hanson College is breezing through their conference en route to the NCAA tournament.But are they?Games they should win going away turn out to be close contests. Calvin’s mother hires private investigator C.T. Ferguson … away turn out to be close contests. Calvin’s mother hires private investigator C.T. Ferguson because she suspects her son is under a lot of pressure from the wrong people.
She’s right.
But the issue goes way, way beyond basketball. And it might swallow up Calvin and C.T. both.
You’ll love this crime fiction novel because everyone enjoys a modern twist on the classics.
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Inside Cut is the seventh book in Tom Fowler’s C.T. Ferguson’s mystery novel series. I’ve enjoyed the preceding six books but Inside Cut might be my favorite. College basketball star Calvin Murray has a chance to go pro at the end of the NCAA season. His mother contacts C.T. Ferguson after she overhears her son on the phone with a bookie discussing shaving points. It turns out Calvin is trying to get funds so his ill mother can have a medical procedure. When Calvin’s daughter is kidnapped, Calvin and CT end up getting help from people on both sides of the law. A most enjoyable read!
I recommend you beat the clock to read this one
C.T., the unluckiest lucky private investigator and grey hat hacker, takes a case that has him spending time with a local college basketball player. As the story progresses he uncovers more dirt with every stone he turns, finds some nasty bugs crawling around, and must decide how much mud should be shown to the police while still keeping everyone safe. Tom Fowler’s Inside Cut keeps the reader engaged while C.T. continues to muck around in the Baltimore area underbelly to keep his clients out of trouble. As usual the cast of supporting characters, villains, and clients comes in a variety pack of tolerable to exceptional personality flavors. I recommend you beat the clock to read this one before you miss the cut.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
CT investigates college basketball and a cheating scandal. I didn’t know a lot about basketball but now I do. The book is so well written that even a novice like me could understand it and even learn about. This investigation goes deeper the more CT looks into it. CT doesn’t stop until all is explored. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. We keep learning more about the recurring characters. They feel like friends. I loved this book and this series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series! This book can be read as a standalone.
So, another great book in this very enjoyable series about a young(ish) PI who takes on cases for free for people who can’t normally afford the services of a Private Investigator.
In this book CT helps a sick woman whose son is being manipulated into taking part in a betting scam on college basketball games.
The investigation into who is responsible and how to get the young man out of his predicament is long and difficult, with CT never being quite sure what his next move is going to be. This keeps the story intriguing and exciting.
As always in this series the importance of the storyline is matched by the importance of the characters, and this book maintains the quality of those characters, from CT who is simultaneously annoying and lovable to his cousin who is a rule following cop, and CT’s girlfriend they stay true to type throughout the book, and indeed through the series.
The only slight caveat is that quite a lot of the book is taken up with technical details of basketball and the betting around it, and as I am a Brit who knows nothing about the game, this went straight over my head and spoilt the flow of the story, however I recognise that this is down to me, rather than the book, but it is the reason why I have marked it 4 rather than 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
Another action packed book involving CT Ferguson, private investigator, hacker and jack of all trades. CT takes on the case of a talented and promising college basketball star. The player’s mother contacts CT after overheating her son having a suspicious phone call with an unknown person. She’s concerned her son is involved in a situation that could destroy his career. CT’s cases always involves a lot of action and this case does not disappoint, this investigation is taking place during NCAA tournament time, an exciting time for even casual basketball fans. CT’s cases keep getting more challenging and exciting. Thank-you to Tom Fowler for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
An irreverent and wealthy P.I. works with a college basketball player to fend off a point shaving issue that spirals through layers before unearthing a greater crime. Another good C. T. Ferguson book. I did find this story heavy on C.T.’s food preparations which is one of the traits/talents of the main character. I haven’t read all the series so found some of the characters new but look forward to meeting them again.
Inside Cut #7 – Oh, dear. My first C. T. book that did not work for me. It felt incomplete, like not everything was there, no enthusiasm on Mr. Fowler’s end. True, I do not care much for college sports so the topic was not my cup of tea. I did like a past method coming to play; never think if something (or someone) is outdated that it cannot work in the present or future. Lack of education and experience are easy to beat.
The storylines dragged a bit for me but the characters were good, like always. I disagree with the outcome on Eddie, the old family friend should have his due. Although, the way the storyline went on involving Bruno in the first place did not work for me. C. T. came through and did his usual good work helping others and correcting the outcome of an uncovered crime. While this story is not on par with the others in this series, it is still an OK read. 3*
The C.T. Ferguson Series:
The Reluctant Detective #1 – This is my first read by this author and I like it. This story fits into one of my all-time favorite genres with plenty of humor, action and investigations. The storylines are good and realistic, and I like that the PI is a privileged person instead of a Mickey Spillane stereotype. C.T. also has an interesting past that plays a large part in this introduction. Add in his parents, his older police Detective cousin and a good supporting cast, which all make it difficult to put the book down. The pace is steady without any boring bits. This is one of the better edited books I’ve seen from an Indie author. 4*
The Unknown Devil #2 – Another difficult to put down fast paced pages full of intrigue, suspense and action. Unfortunately, this is my fourth read, instead of my second, but that did not detract from the meshing of previous storylines with the current lines. This book is well thought out in plot and character development along with realistic dialogues, realistic fight scenes and a smart mouthed character full of himself with plenty of good humor. There is infrequent use of vulgar language considering the criminal elements involved. Interesting information about the hacking of cellphones and other electronics. There is a bit too much detailing of insignificant information: clothing; cooking; etc., but still a worthy read. 4*
The Workers of Iniquity #3 – Even with the relaxed pace, this is another hard to put down book. There are multiple storylines happening and if that is not enough to hold your interest, here are a few more added. The characters are interesting and they have good dialogues and work in their roles. C. T. has been a PI for almost a year at this point. The solutions and the way problems are handled are entertaining; some have a good revenge edge and others bring rewards. The crime topics are more than loan sharking. 4*
Already Guilty #4 – I could not put this book down. Well written, fasted paced, and intriguing with great storylines and characters, a real page-turner. Bits reminded me of Lithgow and Denzel’s revenge movie, but the author does well making this his work. There are plenty of good characters, old and new, and the storylines merge well with the story’s plot and the past books. Of course, there is always something or someone to mess up the flow, but that is what makes the series interesting. C.T. is C.T. and you cannot help but respect him and his efforts, and he has a hard row to hoe this time with his special case. I do not know how the previous books flowed since I have only read the first of this series. 5*
Daughters and Sons #5 – I enjoy reading this series. Even though I have not read all of them, I have not missed anything due to the author’s talent for storytelling. The past is not thrown at the reader to figure out or reminisce over. C.T. continues to develop as more of his personality appears. He has good supporting characters, which is perfect to go along with the intriguing and interesting storylines. There is enough detail to make the reader a fly on the wall without the Hollywood dramatics or the usual stupidity found in this genre. Realistic with storylines, dialog and actions while immersed with good humor and quite a bit of smart mouth from C.T. 5*
A March From Innocence #6 – This story picks up a couple of weeks after Daughters ended. Well thought out storylines; good action scenes; intelligent dialogues; well developed characters on both sides of the law; and good humor with some romance. Clean but the topic is disgusting. Young children. Older men. Add some interesting ways that C. T. handles things makes this a difficult book to put down. 5*
Novellas:
Hong Kong Dangerous, prequel – This is an interesting introduction to C.T. and his cousin Rick. The events in this short, quickly read novella lays the path to C. T. becoming PI. C.T. is in HK hacking and being a nuisance to the Chinese government. He and his cohorts are arrested and C.T. finds himself in prison. Rick is a sergeant in the Bmore police force working hard to become a detective. A few of the other repeat characters are mentioned but not in detail. 4*
3.5 Red City Blues – This is an interesting read perfect for quick getaway. The timeline is a year after he starts his PI business. A basic well told story with none of the usual detailed cooking or running scenes. 4*
The C.T. Ferguson Series end.
What a great PI, my fav since ‘The Reluctant Detective’, C. T. Ferguson. Creator and author, Tom Fowler needed another page turner for C.T. and, of course, he found it in a past long forgotten subject of point shaving in sports. With his storyline in mind and including all of C.T.’s go to guys, from all walks of life, to help, ‘Center Cut’
became that page turning 5 stars book. It’s emotional, it has play by play action scenes and a little romance. I’m so jealous of Gloria and you’ve gotta love C. T.
I recommend this book and the whole series is sooo worth reading!
This is my honest review for an ARC.
This book starts out so much like the earlier books in the series that I began to wonder if I had already read it. Fortunately that was not the case, as I read on to discover familiar characters and some new and interesting players. I so enjoy the snark that CT puts out, and he was in good form in this book. The descriptions of the Baltimore area are spot on. I can only wish I had access to the variety of great cars he drives. Although the case starts as an investigation of possible point shaving in basketball, the investigation reveals much darker circumstances. These books are both fun and entertaining, and this is a great example.
My first time readying Mr. fowlers book. So happy to get the chance of seeing what all the hype is all about! What a wonderful suspenseful intriguing story.
The characters keep you engaged. A mothers love and worry will lead her go to CT to investigate her sons Calvin Murray, a basketball player, to help him get out of trouble and save his family. CT will call in all his cards to stay alive and keep everyone safe.
A befuddling visit from a cancer ridden worried mom develops into dealing with kidnapping, school officials and campus cops covering up a big scandal and assault, and a bit of ill will for CT with someone he respects.
College sports and cancer treatments bring a lot of darkness with them. CT faces a harrowing time trying to resolve the issues he uncovers – and trying to stay alive and intact during the process.
Fast paced action and psychological thriller.
Intense KU read!
Inside Cut, the seventh book in The C.T. Ferguson Mystery Novels, is Tom Fowler’s newest book. The book is about C.T. Ferguson’s newest case. As usual, C.T. finds himself in some “troublesome situations “as he checks out a young college ball player who seems to have gotten into some trouble. His questioning leads to an adventure that he never saw coming. Mr. Fowler writes very well. He has a gift for character building. Additionally, he has the ability to create a story that flows so well that it keeps readers engaged from the first page to the last. I’ve read all of Mr. Fowler’s books and none have disappointed. He tackles subjects that many writers would overlook. This book could have come from any news headline on college sports. His research produced a very believable book. I look forward to his next book. I read a lot and I think that Mr. Fowler’s books are just as good as those written by some of today’s best known mystery/ thriller writers.
INSIDE CUT…Tom.Fowler
A mother overhears her son’s conversation on the phone, with the words of him saying no. She turns to C T for help. Calvin Murray, college basketball and point shavings, was that going on. He had a year old daughter, were they putting pressure there. An old game of wagers, but then again, thinking no one be watching for this old game or even think it was being done again.
With CT looking into it, he causes quite a shake up, then to put pressure on Calvin, Iris his daughter is kidnapped. I enjoy his book they draw you in a relaxing way, full of memories, and who is in his life, How the wagers are done, and the people involved, made another great read by the author.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.