Love triangle—motive for double murder? First loves are never forgotten. Ever. Certainly not for Tommy “Pancake” Jeffers. His first-kiss, sixth-grade love, Emily, who he has not seen since grammar school, is sliding toward divorce in the artsy Gulf Coast town of Fairhope, Alabama. Longly Investigations has been charged with looking into the finances involved. When Emily doesn’t appear for their … their nervously anticipated meeting, Pancake’s radar goes on high alert. Her body, along with that of Jason––one of two guys she has been dating––is found murdered, execution-style, Pancake calls in Jake, Nicole, and Ray. Who would have done this? Could it be the soon-to-be ex, who has an ironclad alibi; the other guy Emily was seeing––jealousy being a motive for harm; or do the drugs found in Jason’s pocket indicate a drug-related hit? That world yields a host of suspects. As they peel back the layers of this idyllic community, dark secrets come to light and convoluted motives and methods of murder are revealed.Perfect for fans of Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich While all of the novels in the Jake Longly Thriller Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:Deep Six A-List Sunshine State Rigged The OC (coming October 2021)
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I loved RIGGED! I’ve read all the Jake Longly novels and couldn’t wait for this one. D.P Lyle has that ability to scare you while he’s making you laugh. Jake and NIcole’s playful banter puts you off guard as the danger is mounting page by page until the explosive finale! Now, I can’t wait for the next one!
Jake Longly is a former major league pitcher, now living in Florida, owns a bar and working “part-time” for his father, who owns Longly Investigations. Jake’s father is constantly trying to get Jake to work from me and the only success he has is when his girlfriend (who also is a PI) drags him along with her.
When a friend’s first love goes missing, Tommy “Pancake” Jeffers is very concerned. When her body is found, murdered execution style, along with two men, Pancake calls in Longly Investigations … and Jake.
The woman victim had a soon-to-be ex, a current man she’s been dating, and maybe a link to drugs. There’s a whole host of suspects. most who have deep[, dark secrets they don’t want shared.
But who would want her dead …and why?
While the subject of murder is a serious one, Jake seems to have some hilarious moments .. mostly those having to do with his father, his ex-wife, his girlfriend, and his friends. The author has nicely blended the two halves of this laid-back character. The action is practically non-stop and leading to an unexpected, surprise ending.
Many thanks to the author / Ocean View Publishers / Netgalley / Edelweiss for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Wow! This is such a great book! I had a great time delving into the mystery and trying to solve the case. Lyle is a fantastic writer. This is the only book I’ve read from this series, but I am so excited to go back and read the others. If you like mysteries, you’ll definitely like this one!
“Rigged” by D. P. Lyle is part of the “The Jake Longly” series, but every reader will quickly fall into the rhythm of the narrative, and be captivated by the characters. The greatness of a story hinges on superb characters, plot, and setting, and “Rigged” has all three. The Gulf Coast draws readers in with its splendor, and the specific localities can easily be seen on Google Maps. The plot is not just another case, but it is a personal journey from the start.
Despite the geography and the plot, there would not be a story without Lyle’s characters. “Rigged” is not about the end, it is about the trip and this specific trip with these people. They do not have cases, they have situations. They might be someone’s best friend or worst nightmare. The book is just a reason for readers to spend time with them. Jake Longly is an ex-major league baseball stud, restauranteur, defender of frivolous lawsuits, and a world-class avoider of work. Too much real thinking gives him a headache. Nicole Jamison is a screen writer and assistant PI. She knows Krav Maga, loves fast cars, and is excellent at multitasking. She is smart, good with people, and able to keep Jake on a short leash. Tommy Jeffers, aka Pancake, is a best friend, has crazy computer skills, and baby sits Jake and Nicole, well just Jake; Nicole can take care of herself.
The story unfolds in Jake’s first person narrative, not really a narrative in the formal since, just a good old boy telling a story. It is conversation driven with short crisp sentences filled with focus, meaning, and a friendly but probing attitude.
“Rigged” is a thrill ride through the Alabama Gulf Coast in a criminal sort of way. There are unlikely victims, lots of questions, and diverse plot elements. People do not have to be smart to commit a murder, but need brains to get away with it. Jake, Nicole, and Pancake have the brainpower to catch them. I received a review copy of” Rigged” from D. P. Lyle, Oceanview Publishing, and Independent Publishers Group. I loved every word.