“Carter’s writing is on target.” –Publishers WeeklyA curmudgeon. An iconoclast. A loner. That’s how people describe Garrison Gage, and that’s when they’re being charitable.After his wife’s brutal murder in New York, and Gage himself is beaten nearly to death, the hobbled private investigator retreats three thousand miles to the quaint coastal town of Barnacle Bluffs, Oregon. He spends the next … Bluffs, Oregon. He spends the next five years in a convalescent stupor, content to bide his time filling out crossword puzzles and trying to forget that his wife’s death is his fault. But all that changes when he discovers the body of a young woman washed up on the beach, and his conscience draws him back into his old occupation – forcing him to confront the demons of his own guilt before he can hope to solve the girl’s murder.
“Irresistible for an old John D. MacDonald fan like me . . . Recommended.” –—Brandywine Books
“The Gray and Guilty Sea is quite an enjoyable novel that engages a reader on multiple levels.” —Stimulated Outlet Book Reviews
“Carter’s outstanding debut crime novel set on the Oregon coast and starring a misanthropic former detective is as much a fascinating character study as it is an original story.” —Michael J. Totten, author of The Road to Fatima Gate
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So great to find a new author with an interesting protagonist. Enjoyed the book from beginning to end.
It was one of the best books I have read in a long time. A great “who dunnit” with lots of activity. I loved the main character, Garrison Gage. And the woman that helped him come back to loving and forgiving himself, and regaining his self esteem. Packed full of excitement and mystery. Great book, well written.
Enjoyed reading about the grouch with a heart. Easy reading. Enjoyed the character but disappointed with the ending. I hated when at the end of a story an unknown character shows up and low and behold he is the bad guy.
I love stories set in Oregon and love, love, LOVE curmudgeonly detectives with hearts of gold. This was suspenseful, entertaining, and beautifully written. Can’t wait to grab the next one in the series!
A really enjoyable, easy to read mystery. A good, complex main character, along with interesting supporting characters. This story kept me interested from beginning to end and I went through it in less than 2 days. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Would be a wonderful movie or mini series, since there are 3.
One can’t help but relate to Gage with his being aloof, his sarcasm, his fatalistic outlook and his self punishment. While hanging on to his past is his lifeblood, the one thing to get him out of bed in the morning, he allows Maggie into his life, realizing he values sentiment and commitment. Looking forward to more Harrison Gage.
Well written story line flowed well.
Really good characters & good mystery !
I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was right there. I didn’t want to put it down.
Nice easy read after some ‘big books’ . Interesting characters and just a good WHO DONE It Book. I am looking forward to reading the follow up book
Very good book. I will look forward to another by this author.
I look forward to reading additional books with the same main characters.
First book I’ve read from this author, would like to read more.
This was a terrific book. Unfortunately, it ended so abruptly, it took away from the book
Great story, great characters, could not put it down!!
I enjoyed the first 2 novels enough that I am ordering the remainder of the series. I usually give a book 10-20 pages to grab me or I’m out. These grabbed my attention from the first few pages.
It won’t change your life, but Garrison is a hero, believable because he’s flawed. I’ve read most of the series after starting with this volume.
I enjoy finding an author I am not familiar with. Here is my new writer. I tried The Gray and Guilty Sea, and enjoyed it. I tend to write scene by scene, and allow the story to unfold through interaction of the characters, so it is good for me to read a story told mainly with narrative. This is wonderful writer flexing his skill for the reader. …
Okay