“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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I wasn’t familiar with Scott William Carter’s writing but was pleasantly surprised by the Gray and Guilty Sea when I downloaded it. Garrison Gage is a cool character and it was easy to get hooked and was an enjoyable read.
Garisson Gage is a great character, his losses are relatable and his road to some relief and happiness in the end, is well deserved. Highly recommend this easy to read and entertaining mystery.
Very interesting characters, flawed with honest feelings. It was a good read.
Great story and strong characters. The curmudgeonly Gage and softer alter ego Gage makes wonderful protagonist for real mystery story with unforgettable bad guys.
Suspenseful and interesting turn of events.
Gage is a realist, and an unintentional source of hope. He’s driven by an unrelenting need to solve the mystery of the dead girl on the beach. He’s brisk and appears to have given up, after the death of his wife. The investigation brings new people in his life, while the death of a friend brings him an unwanted responsibility.
Left me wanting to follow the characters as they continue to grow and evolve in their new roles.
good read
I especially liked the atmosphere created using the Oregon coast, weather, and sea as realistically as any of the people.
The characters kept drawing me back. Just one more page, one more chapter, then I can get to sleep. Ha, good luck.
Not exactly a page turner but a slight twist on a decent detective story.
This is a great book, a little tragic with the loss of his wife, and more tragic was the beating that he suffered and his feeble attempt to withdraw from life. Perhaps the death of the young woman was something that was needed to heal him. In the process of healing and doing his investigation it was necessary that he face his own demons. Once …
I’ve not read anything by this author before, but this sure kept me interested!
I Liked the characters. I’m hoping to catch up with them again.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of this book from the beginning to the end.
Really enjoyed this book. Will read more from this author.
This book attracted my attention because it was based on the Oregon coast where I happen to live. I enjoyed this book but would have liked a little more descriptive local color regarding the area. The story was good but not an on the edge of your seat type of story. I did liked the curmudgeonly Garrison Gage and look forward to seeing how he …
Nothing very intriguing, but an easy to read story.
Great book.
Interesting and believable plot. Characters for whom I came to care.