Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “In a genre in which it's becoming increasingly difficult to find something unique, something fresh, The Night Watchman is indeed a uniquely fresh find. Mr. Mynheir delivers a no-punches-pulled story that delves deeply into the struggle between unrelenting evil in its most vile form and the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“In a genre in which it's becoming increasingly difficult to find something unique, something fresh, The Night Watchman is indeed a uniquely fresh find. Mr. Mynheir delivers a no-punches-pulled story that delves deeply into the struggle between unrelenting evil in its most vile form and the tenacity of a man's spirit in its most glorious form--underpinned by the power of God's grace.
BruceJ wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Ex-detective Ray Quinn, formerly of the Homicide Division of the Orlando Police Department (OPD), is a near-cripple. A year ago, two of three 9-mm slugs fired at point-blank range forced his reliance on a cane. The third took the life of his partner and fiancé, Trisha. The guilt he assumes over her death--paired with the pain and hopelessness of his new, barely ambulatory life--gives him no rest, haunting his nights and clouding his days. The shooting remains unsolved, the trail gone cold.
Ray now languishes as the night watchman at an upscale condominium complex, wasting away his nights over a Sudoku book and his days over a whiskey glass. His shift partner, Crevis Creighton, is a young buck with law-enforcement aspirations, more enthusiasm than gray matter, and he drives Ray nuts.
A suicide-murder at the complex involving an urban missionary and an exotic dancer brings Pam White into Ray's life. Pam is the pastor's sister, a vibrantly unapologetic Christian, and a fierce adherent to the belief that her brother is innocent of the crime. She convinces Ray to investigate what she believes to be a double murder. Pam is attractive, tenacious, prayerful, and she drives Ray nuts.
Circumstances--but mostly his ascerbic personality--alienate Ray from his former boss and co-workers in the Homicide Division, and force him to accept Crevis' and Pam's help in tracking down the truth surrounding the crime. The stumbling investigation of this unlikely trio takes them into the seedy world of "adult" entertainment, the smoke-filled backrooms of the local political establishment, and even the crowded offices of Ray's old workplace--the OPD. Together, they keep one limping half-step ahead of the police and the bad guys through the final twist of this serpentine tale of intrigue, deception and murder.
Kudos to Mr. Mynheir for an innovative spin on a story that, in less capable hands, could've been just another whodunnit with a quirky cast. His innate knowledge of the subject matter, skillful character development, and subtlely devised plot progression make The Night Watchman a truly enjoyable read. If you like a fast-paced, high-tension story with a believably lovable/irritating lead protagonist and a uniquely gifted supporting cast, you've found it in The Night Watchman.
Good stuff; highly recommended!”
“Mynheir has a great book on his hands! The Night Watchman's leading character, Ray Quinn, is a now ex-homicide detective who was disabled in the line of duty. Ray is a straight-shooting, honest and dedicated guy. The dialogue Mynheir has given him is what I loved most about this book. Retired from the life of a detective, Ray is a night watchman for the Coral Bay Condominiums. One night, he meets Pam Winters, who comes to the condo looking for her brother, and together they find him dead. All is not what it seems, or so Pam thinks, and so she asks for Ray's help to find out who murdered her brother. Helping the pair is Crevis Creighton, who shares the night watch with Ray. Crevis is an entertaining character that is a cop wannabe who makes reading this book all the more fun.
TaB wrote this review Sunday, November 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Mynheir has written several other books and I will be looking at those to read and I certainly would be interested in any other books that he writes featuring Ray. ”
“Great mystery with a Christian bent. Got an advanced copy and really enjoyed it.”
Carolyn P wrote this review Monday, September 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Yes, yes, yes! Awesome! You can tell when an author really knows his subject matter and boy does Mark Mynheir know about detectives and police work. Of course it helps that he is actually a detective, but he can really bring a story to life. Mark introduces us to Ray Quinn, a medically retired detective that was shot 11 months ago when his partner was killed. He can hardly walk now but is thrown in the middle of a murder/suicide at the building where he is a nightwatchman. From there we meet an amazing and quirky supporting cast and get thrown in the middle of the private investigation Ray goes on. He is skeptical, sarcastic, cranky, rude and a loner. His best friend is Jim (Bean) and that is the way he likes it. He figures God ruined his life 11 months ago and that is that. Can he find purpose in his life and the killer at the same time? Things start to twist and turn back in on themselves and bodies start dropping. He's getting close, maybe too close. Can he get the right questions answered?
Janna R wrote this review Saturday, August 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I thought I had figured out the mysterious inside bad guy about halfway through, I'm happy to say I was wrong and Mark keeps things turning til the end - I loved this book and can't wait to go back and read his other books!”
“Written in a snappy first-person narrative, this novel presents a protagonist who grabbed my heart from the beginning. I love Ray Quinn! He's far from perfect; he's damaged--physically, psychologically, and spiritually--a retired cop who now earns his pay as a "rent-a-cop"--a night watchman. Perhaps he's so believable because the author is a police officer.
SmilingSally wrote this review Wednesday, August 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The dialogue rings true, the action is lively, and the book is a must-read! Set in Orlando, Florida, this fast paced murder mystery is not at all typical. I found myself chuckling at some sections. Why, I even shed a tear! I guarantee, you won't feel as if you've read it before. The ending is far from predictable.
I hope that I will have an opportunity to meet Ray Quinn in a sequel. Included is a reader's guide which makes the novel a good book club pick.
”
“I loved this book so much I endorsed it.”
Vicki Hinze wrote this review Sunday, August 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book sets up the premise for books to follow in its wake. It does a good job of laying the groundwork.
Charles H wrote this review Wednesday, July 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This series will obviously be more christian in content than this one but this one is not very preachy. I have a feeling the religious message will increase in further installments.
The use of police technology is a little expeditious for the story but is necessary to move the story along. The hero Ray Quinn is not very likeable but does not qualify as an anti-hero either. I also think he will grow on the reader as the series develops.
At first I didn't really like this book but the more I thought about it the more I decided I liked it. The author's style is sparse but easily read. I am very interested in seeing where this series goes.”
“Former Homicide Detective, Ray Quinn, was working as a night watchman. He had survived a violent shooting that killed his partner and put him out of commission. He hid his pain in a bottle.
BookReviewsByDebra wrote this review Saturday, June 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
When a pastor and a exotic dancer are found murdered in the pastor room at the condo, the conclusion is murder/suicide or is it. With the help of the pastor’s sister Ray is thrown right back into investigating, with an unlikely pair to help. Pam the pastors sister and Crevis Creighton a bumbling want a be police officer, and a modern day Barney Fife.
When I first started reading this book, I was reminded of a Mike Hammer movie. I could picture Detective Quinn as he narrates what is going on. This book really kept me on the edge to keep reading to see what was happening next. This is a excellent suspense filled thriller. As he digs deeper into the investigation, someone out there is determined to keep him from learning the truth. Just how deep is the corruption and where and who is it leading to.
This is a very clean written Christian Suspense , one that does not depend on the bad language and sexual content, yet it is not preachy either. It you enjoy a good mystery you won’t want to miss this book.
”
“
clockstein wrote this review Tuesday, May 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The Night Watchman by Mark Myrnheir is the first in the Ray Quinn series about a retired police officer who can't seem to get detective work out of his blood. Ray was crippled by an ambush that also murdered his partner/fiance eleven months ago. Now he's working as a night watchman at a condo that doesn't require any more of his skills than his ability to do countless Sudoku puzzles to while away the hours. When a pastor and a prostitute are found shot to death in one of the condos, Quinn starts poking into the murder/suicide verdict, but what he finds brings him full circle, back to the shooting that ended his career.Myrnheir has created a great cast of characters for a possibly long running series: curmudgeonly Ray, naive Crevis , and faithful Pam, and they each come with intriguing subplots. Ray is an easy character to like with his love of all things John Wayne and his refusal to let the bad guy get away. His injury creates vulnerability as well as making sure that he can't be a superman who can fight his way through every battle. Ray has to rely on his wits and allies far more than most private detectives, and that makes me want to come back to read more of his investigations soon.”
Displaying 1-9 of 9
