While the town of Harding grapples with a catastrophic and unexpected flood, a young businesswoman is found dead, beaten to death on the steps of her father’s mansion. Detective Kyle Villante gets his first call after coming off a two-year undercover stint that ended in a bloodbath and marred his reputation with the brass. But he doesn’t get to work the case alone. Detective Solomon Aduwo of the … Aduwo of the State Police has arrived in Harding to assist with the investigation. Villante bristles at the perceived leash around his neck, but he and Aduwo set out to work the case, all while Villante struggles to keep secrets and ghosts of the past from coming back to haunt him. Meanwhile, Aduwo has come to Harding with secrets of his own and an agenda that could doom Villante’s future.
Murder Upstream is a thrilling mystery, full of vivid characters, puzzling questions, action and suspense.
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I enjoyed this book. I liked the relationships of the character’s which were unique and very interesting. I want to read more from this author for sure and will be following him from now on. I thought the plot was unique. The book kept me entertained to read it in one sitting too!
Murder upstream – Mark Hazard
The writing in this book wasn’t bad, but the character development and story structure were disappointing. It has an epiphany ending that leaves the reader out of the loop. So the gist of the story is a rich and beautiful daughter of a big real estate developer is murdered during a catastrophic flood. Detective Villante is given the case. He’s a loner with a dark background, in love with his car and music, no home, and too “cool” for words or even a girlfriend. I never really connected with the character partly because we never learn much more about him and partly because the character himself didn’t share much with the reader. Putting that aside, this story is one of those where the investigator runs around chasing dead ends and then has an epiphany that solves the murder. No one could see it coming and then the reader is gifted with several pages of text explaining how he put it all together and solved the crime. As a reader I felt left behind. The repeated dead ends with not much progress in solving the case killed the suspense and the rock-and-roll loving musician detective just didn’t seem to fit. I doubt that I will be reading anymore books in this series.
I enjoyed this book but not as involved as many other detective novels. Creative characters though.
I would be happy to read more from this author.
I can usually figure out who the bad guy is; not so with this book. A very fast paced read. The ending will shock you.
Enjoyed this book by Mark Hazard, AKA, John Oakes. I am now reading the sequel, Poison Oakes, by John Oakes, AKA, Mark Hazard
Great detective story. Author uses believable main characters individual hidden agendas on how to solve the case or advance their careers to finally root out the mystery. The hidden agendas provided great unexpected ending.
I loved it. It was an easy read and I initially, I thought it was going to be a really simple plot – just something to finish up and move on. But the ending surprised me. Curious now to see where it goes.
Kept my interest. Lots going on.
First in a mystery series…main characters are interesting and the plot is believable. The author’s second in the series is as imaginative and compelling g
I’ll watch for sequels. Pretty well written, plenty of complication.
This book kept my attention. I was having fun going back and forth with the clues and the characters secrets. What a great read.
Lots of Blab Blabb about eating, clothes, locations. Could not stay with it. Did not enjoy it.
Good Rread
Keeps you guessing through out the book. Loved the ending. Some people still stand up for what they believe and cannot be bought.
Great read.
Murder Upstream by Mark Hazard
I have been reading, say, for the last five or six years, ebooks of mysteries, suspense, thrillers, and whodunits. Especially, in the last type of the genre, scores upon scores of serials with recurring characters, full authority police detective personnel, PI, or just amateurs. Some, in pairs, and some with a cast of supporting characters, or reappearing nemeses. Some, plain, some funny, some well-written, so not so much. Many with a well-round out plot. Some, with the deus ex machina (I hate) where simple logic wouldn’t serve the author’s desire to pull a total surprise on you, come hell and high waters. And some, yes, boring to tears, yet they are serials, so someone must keep on reading them.
But never one like “Murder Upstream.” A tandem of detectives, one local, Kyle Allenati, and one the star investigator of the State Police, Solomon (Sol) Akuwo, sent, on a clandestine mission, to find dirt on the local Police Department’s black sheep, Allenati.
The two cannot be more different from each other, as race, cultural and social background, character, the way they think, the way they do things and their outlook on life. The extremities between the two are off the page. Yet, they are both flesh and blood, (far from being superheroes), understand and empathy toward the downtrodden, the not-too-lucky in life, the motives of their suspects and the circumstances that made them criminals at the eyes of the law.
The language is easy-read and entertaining to the max, and this is one of those books that you want to read more after the word “End” and not for because some strings of the story were not securely tied off. Not unlike in the movies when the lights come on but you still in your seat wishing the picture to go on some more.
Shall I mention that the plot is logical, and although the solution of the crime is, despite its surprise, well within reason? You probably guessed it already, so I am not going to mention it. (I think, I just did.)
Folks, the Beatles came on the scene of the detective stories, with a protagonist’s duo. I give the book ten stars, but unfortunately, it is not on the form. Just as unfortunately, there are no negative stars. We have on our hands a paradigm shift
I already submitted a review. Quit the book about half way through. The writer needs to decide if he wants to write a murder mystery or a book on current music fads,
A little hard to follow some times but still a good read.
I enjoyed it! Good read!!