Kevin R. Doyle

Sam Quinton may have just become my all-time favorite PI!

While Clean Win is the fourth novel in veteran author Kevin R. Doyle’s PI series, the Sam Quinton Mysteries, reading the previous books about the wise-cracking, former pro-wrestler turned gym owner and part-time PI is not a prerequisite; it stands well and good on its own. However, after having finally ‘met’ Sam, I’m headed straight for the author’s backlist! Sam Quinton may have just become my all-time favorite PI.

As hinted, show more the main character, gym owner Sam Quinton, took an unusual route to his side gig as a fully licensed private investigator. At one time, a professional wrestler out of St. Louis, he eventually returned to his roots in Providence, Missouri, where he now owns and operates a gym, investigating cases on the side. Sam is a regular guy despite his unique background. Observant and smart in the ways of his fellow man, he can readily spot when someone is trying to feed him a line. He’s dogged in his pursuit of answers as he tries to work on the down low, sussing out some preliminary information about a well-liked and connected politician seemingly involved in the death of a young local woman. I liked how he was willing to put his safety and reputation on the line for what he felt was the right thing to do.

The plot involves a heinous crime, and its circumstances are salacious. The media will have a field day when new evidence is released, and a promising political career will tank. But Sam is involved not to save the mayor but to head off the suspected collateral damage that will be aimed at the two unlucky police detectives heading up the murder investigation. I liked that Sam follows the same investigative steps the original pair of detectives took when the crime was discovered but with the added benefit of having critical evidence unavailable to them. As he uncovers additional clues, his actions lead to twists and turns in the plot that really surprised me. I enjoyed trying to figure out the murderer but came up lacking all the way to the big reveal.

I recommend CLEAN WIN to mystery readers who enjoy private investigator stories, gritty investigations, and great dialogue.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. show less

It's been a while since I read a horror novel and there is something going bump in the night in this one. Something killing people in the Zone. That part of the city left to the homeless and the lost. Not only killing but mutilating their victims...chewing them.

The book is told from several points of view which gives it more intensity and depth. Karen Bannister is passionate about helping the homeless and when a young boy disappears, she is determined to find him. But she finds much more show more than she bargained for. Jared Woodson is a seasoned reporter who stumbles upon a secret so big that the cops don't want anyone to know about it. What Karen and Jared discover is unbelievably savage and dangerous. How will they explain what they saw in that alley and will they survive the fallout?

I was completely riveted by the storyline which included not only the incredible suspense but the sad backstory of Karen and her father's tragic estrangement. Mr. Doyle's imagination is diabolical and thought-provoking considering the nightmare aftermath if the cops go in without knowing what awaits them. Of course, I'm not giving you any more than that so read at your own peril.

I am excited to recommend this creepy and chilling tale full of well-developed characters and shocking reveals.

Thank you to Mr. Doyle for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less

Sam’s back and on the track of an unknown stalker!

Private License is the fifth novel in author Kevin R. Doyle’s excellent private eye series featuring former pro-wrestler turned investigator Sam Quinton. As a favor for a friend, Sam looks into accusations of stalking, harassment, and manipulation by a high-placed Kansas City private investigator. Without a shred of evidence to back up her allegations, Sam’s not 100% certain his new client is even telling him the truth. However, after show more only a day in Kansas City, he finds himself up against the biggest, most successful private investigations firm in the city, as well as a couple of local cops. As Sam asks questions, all he gets are more questions, and suddenly, everyone around him becomes targets themselves.

Sam Quinton is back and working on an unusual case, one he’s not initially convinced even happened. He’s pitted against a former cop who’s now the second in command at a prestigious Kansas City PI firm. The different methods of intimidation used were eye-opening in how realistic and devastating they were and how the evidence that anything happened could so easily disappear: clever and frightening. The story unfolds from Sam’s perspective, and the narrative is in his witty and, at times, sarcastic voice. He is a more physical detective than most and gets a lot accomplished by just being his intimidating self, but he’s no slouch figuring things out and putting clues together to come to the correct resolution. I enjoyed him seeking out Jack Phillips, the old friend of his long-gone mentor, Duke Prowder, and how he drew on other connections as the story went on. Sam’s a lone operator but uses the resources available when necessary.

The story is well-paced and action-filled, with twists and turns in the plot to keep things humming. Sam’s investigation is logical, yielding clues to the next steps he needs to take. The plot is more of a how or why-done-it rather than who, and gathering concrete evidence that his client was being victimized was job one. Set in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, readers get to see a little bit of the town and surroundings, as well as a glimpse of the state’s capital, Jefferson City.

With its great main character and intriguing plot, I recommend PRIVATE LICENSE to mystery readers who enjoy PI sleuths and midwestern settings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. show less

A great new mystery adventure featuring the former pro-wrestler turned PI.

The Booker is the sixth novel in author Kevin R. Doyle’s fun and addictive Sam Quinton Mystery series, featuring the witty, straight-shooting former pro-wrestler turned gym owner and private investigator. If that description captures your imagination, then you’ll understand how it also appealed to a couple of Hollywood producer types who come knocking on Sam’s door wanting to make him a reality TV star. However, show more not long after delivering their pitch, one of the out-of-towners is murdered in their hotel room, and Sam sees his dubious chance at, honestly, reluctant stardom end up just as dead.

Sam Quinton is back and finds himself involved with the case of the flaky John Carson when the man’s business partner, Wendy Truell, is found dead in her hotel room, with John suspiciously nowhere to be found for a day or so. Sam hooks the man up with an excellent criminal defense attorney, but ends up along for the ride anyway as questions that need answering arise. I loved that several familiar characters from the previous books return, including Sam’s friends Detective Sergeant Josh Nichols and Lieutenant William Santiago representing law enforcement, Talia Sanderson as Sam’s cool love interest, and the dangerous Sean O’Flaherty, who gets the ball rolling with some initial insight into what may be the impetus for the murder.

The plot is well-paced and unfolds through Sam’s clever but self-deprecating narrative that keeps the story engaging and grounded. The story is not as straightforward as Sam’s delivery, and I was constantly questioning where it would end up. The author’s storytelling brought the action and settings to life, making it easy and satisfying to get lost in Sam’s adventures once again.

I recommend THE BOOKER to readers of mysteries, crime fiction, and thrillers, and even though this is the sixth Sam Quinton book, readers new to the series can easily read and enjoy it as a standalone.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours. show less