Harry StarkeWhy Did Tabitha Willard Throw Herself off the Walnut Street Bridge? It’s almost midnight, bitterly cold, snowing, when a beautiful young girl, Tabitha Willard, throws herself off the Walnut Street Bridge into the icy waters of the Tennessee. Harry Starke is there, on the bridge. Wrong time, wrong place? Maybe. He tries, but is unable to stop her. Thus begins a series of events and an … her. Thus begins a series of events and an investigation that involves a local United States congressman, a senior lady senator from Boston, a local crime boss, several very nasty individuals, sex, extortion, high finance, corruption, and three murders. Harry has to work his way through a web of deceit and corruption until finally…. Well, as always, there’s a twist in the tale, several in fact.
˃˃˃ Who is Harry Starke?
Harry Starke is a private detective, a big fish in a small pond. He’s a tough individual with a past, a conscience, and friends in high places. He’s single, successful, wealthy, and he loves beautiful things, especially women. He’s well educated, and he will hurt you if he needs to. This book is the first in the series of Harry Starke novels.
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Packs a nice punch! I highly recommend this series of books for anyone who reads mystery thrillers.
Harry Starke, Book 1 by Blair Howard was a well-written private detective story with a great main character, Harry Starke. Harry is his own man and manages to get into some serious situations while solving crimes with his sometimes-girlfriend, Kate the cop. Twists and turns abound with just enough narrative to make the story come to life. I am now a Harry Starke fan and I’m off to read Book 2. I highly recommend this entertaining novel.
Harry Starke is not for the weak of heart. He is an ex-cop and hard hitting PI. He gets the job done. What he doesn’t want the rest of the world to know is that he has caring and soft heart. I got that fact when he saw a women throw herself off a bridge and all he was left with was her coat in his hands. He’s flawed, because his love of women which gets him into trouble. The death of Tabitha Willard takes him deep into the corruption of US politics and financial laundering. I could love a man like Harry, except for one thing. Harry doesn’t have a strict moral code.
Listening to Harry Starke had me reliving the pulp fiction detective stories of my childhood. Blair Howard has created a story that is detail rich, action -filled and a character in Harry who is believable, filled with guilt, and has almost every human flaw but is able to put them aside in order to get the job done. Along with mesmerizing me with action, false leads and interesting situations, this story had me laughing in a number of parts. Tom Lennon’s narration brought this story to life, along with the variety of character voices, his story telling pace made this story addictive.
Harry Starke (Harry Starke #1), my nineteenth read from author Blair Howard after reading all 5 books in the Harry Stark Genesis series & all 9 books in the Kare Gazzara series I figured it was high time to go back to the beginning. Well-written and enjoyable, edge of your seat detective fiction. I was given an Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it, Narrator Tom Lennon’s narration made the book fly by. I look forward to Two for the Money (Harry Starke #2). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018)
When Harry witnesses a girl commit suicide by jumping from a bridge, he’s determined to find out why in this first book of the series.
This is a classic who-dun-it P.I. story with a smart, touch as nails PI, a little sex, a lot of Washington intrigue and a plot that will throw more surprises at you than a circus fun house. It’s well written, wildly entertaining and an all round good detective novel.
I highly recommend.
I was lucky enough to have gotten a free audio book from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. Plenty of twist and turns.
An outstanding read!
Harry is a private eye with connections. Out one night he sees a woman jump off the bridge to her death. He begins investigating and that is when everything goes off the rails. This was a really good read and I am moving on to book 2 now. Harry is human and that shows throughout the book. What a read!
I received a free electronic copy of this intriguing private investigator tale, the first of a series, from Blair Howard via BookFunnel. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this mystery of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.
Blair Howard brings us ex-cop PI Harry Starke, set in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Harry Starke is the first in the series and published in 2012. The series today numbers 13 novels, so I have some catching up to do.
If you find yourself offended by the macho heroes presented by Mickey Spillane, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, or Robert B. Parker, know that Harry Starke is drawn on those same lines, but his relationship with the women in his world is open and respectful as are those above except for Mickey. Like Mike Hammer, he is missing that gene that encourages monogamy, but in all other ways, Harry Starke is an honorable man.
I loved the insider’s tours through Chattanooga, the interplay between Harry and the local police, and the variety of bad guys, politicians, and lawyers in this tale. The pace of the book is quick but not frantic, and the story compelling. There is a bit more sexual content than I am comfortable with but it adds to the cause and effect of the tale.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
This is the first book book in the Harry Starke series. It is a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending.
Here, Harry, a former cop, is in a dive bar. He notices a girl arguing with two hoods. She leaves the bar and Harry follows her. She decides to jump off the bridge. Harry tries to save her but only manages to grab her coat before she falls to her death. As Harry searches the coat, he realizes she shouldn’t be in this part of town arguing with those men in a dive bar. Harry begins to investigate with the help of his on-again/off-again police detective girlfriend. The more he looks into what the dead woman was actually doing the more Harry discovers the woman was not exactly who her family believed.
Harry, the MC, is not the classic private investigator who drinks too much, has too many scars from his past, has money problems and is merely existing. Harry, in general, seems to be a nice guy who is smart, observant, doesn’t shy away from violence or a good time, has a good relationship with his wealthy father and has an eye for the ladies. There’s plenty of wit in Harry’s first person observations. From this first book, you have a pretty clear idea what makes Harry tick and a good introduction to the characters who populate his world. The mystery is solid and interesting but just once I wish author’s would stop accusing their MC of murder on the flimsiest of evidence. I am interested in pursuing this series and intend to check in on Harry from time to time.
I listened to this book – the narrator did a great job – he used different voices for the various characters and deftly delivered some very comedic lines. A very enjoyable listen.
If you’re a fan of cop and PI stories that have real feeling – pain, joy, confusion, love lust etc. this is a great series for you.
Not sure how Howard manages to convey the authenticity so well, but I sure enjoy reading it – I cannot speak for the real ness of the action, but the feel of expressions from the characters- they are like people you know and want to see again .
Moving and powerful