The Night Watchman

Mark Mynheir's new series featuring former homicide detective Ray Quinn strikes just the right balance between action, hard-boiled detection and a Christian message. Ray Quinn has been dealt a raw deal in life and is portrayed as the classic cynical detective sinking in despair. Quinn is unable to cope with the shooting that left his partner dead and disabled him and led to his retirement from the force. His obsession with John Wayne handily sketches an outline of his belief system and not only his desire but his need to be a tough and honest man that can right the wrongs he sees. He is saved from a bitter life as a security guard whose only friend is Jim Beam by the request of a young woman to find out more about the death of her show more brother. He turns down her request but her persistence wears him down and leads to his investigation of the bizarre circumstances of her brother's and a prostitute's double murder. The young woman's strong Christian faith and belief in her brother's innocence in spite of compelling evidence lead Quinn to rethink whose strong arms it was that comforted him when he was shot. While not yet a believer Quinn in clearly intrigued by the Christian witnesses he encounters and has begun to rethink his stand on faith.
Mynheir's new book will be savored by not only Christian mystery fans but is one of those too rare books that Christians can give to unbelievers as a way to help open their hearts and minds to the way that God works in people's lives. show less

This is the first book in the Ray Quinn detective series. I received the second book from one of my review programs, so of course, I had to read the first one...first. I don't usually review the preceding books in these situations, but I actually liked The Night Watchman better than The Corruptible, so I decided to post reviews for both.

This is a "Christian" book, but Ray Quinn isn't the Christian. He's more of a smart-alec, stand-on-your-own, rogue ex-cop. His way of coping with the tragedies in his life is to spend quality time with his buddy Jim. That would be his best friend, Jim Beam.

His partner at work, and eventually in crime-solving, is the over-zealous Crevis.(Hey, I just realized that rhymes!) This is a well-written book, and show more I love a mystery that isn't easy to figure out, but the best part of the book is the humor. I laughed my way through this book. There is a little sadness, as Ray shares about the death of his former partner, but that's a small part. And most of the humor is at Crevis's expense. Ray really isn't the nicest guy on the block, but Mynheir writes in such a way that you have to love Ray anyway. show less

I enjoyed the story and suspense of this novel. This is the first novel in a series involving Ray Quinn, a former poiiceman now night watchman because of injuries he sustained while on the job. This is Christian Suspense so there is a wonderful lack of swearing and gore. However, for me, already a saved Christian, it felt preachy. Also, Ray seems a little cliche with his witty comments, painful past, etc., almost a patchwork of traits taken from other characters. That said I think there is room for him to grow and I will be reading the next book in this series

The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir grabbed me right at the beginning and kept it's teeth sunk in until the last page. Even then I found myself thinking about the story for several days. For me, that's the sign of a good story.

Ray Quinn is a busted up ex-cop with a bum leg and a load of bad memories of when he was wounded and of his partner's death. He finds himself investigating a double-homicide at the request of one of the victims relative and his life gets interesting once again. Maybe a bit too interesting. We watch Ray Quinn come back to life, to regain purpose in life and eventually come to grips with what happened to him as he solves this case.

The Night Watchman is well written with pretty good character development and a show more steady, hard driving storyline. There are some nice twists and some decent humor throughout. The authors experience as a police detective shows all through the story and really helps keep the storyline tight.

I'd recommend The Night Watchman to anyone that enjoys thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels. I hope to see a second book in the series soon. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery with the twist of having a retired AND disabled detective on the case. Ray Quinn had a lot of physical and emotional baggage to deal with and hardly needed a murder case to delve into when asked by the pastor's sister to clear her brother's name. However, it tuned out in the end to have been exactly what Ray needed to end the seeming meaninglessness of his existence. He reluctantly took on the case, he found that his young partner at his night watchman job was capable of being a real help to him. The author, Mark Mynheir, had Ray reach out to a number of others to help him with different aspects of his case, and it seemed not only realistic from a police procedural point of view, but had the show more additional edge of being a renegade police procedural--because Ray was now retired. Not only that, but Ray seemed to rub everyone at the station the wrong way, and soon became a persona non gratis at his old work place. There is a lot of deadpan humor here, as there is in a Nero Wolfe mystery. As for the Christian element, I had no difficulty with this, being a Christian. Not only that, but given that Ray felt a hand on his shoulder during his own near-death experience, he always did have that doubt about his relationship with God. I recommend this book to mystery lovers and police murder mystery lovers alike! I look forward to the next installment in this Ray Quinn series. show less

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.

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. show more Included is a reader's guide which makes the novel a good book club pick. show less

Premise: Ex-cop Ray Quinn struggles with his past as he attempts to uncover the truth behind a case that is either a simple murder-suicide or a tangled plot of political intrigue.

Of course, nothing is ever simple in a good murder mystery. One of the most impressive aspects of the book is that Quinn has a gimp leg that actually causes him physical and emotional duress -- it's not just there for show. Mynheir manages to allow Quinn (and his not-so-trusty sidekick) to develop throughout the book while holding on to his personal quirks... such as a penchant for John Wayne and Jim Beam. The best part of the book, perhaps, is that Mynheir develops the murder mystery plot line and does not allow the Christian message to overshadow the show more suspense. It is, fortunately, first suspenseful and religous second. The author did an excellent job of weaving in the morality (through an unfortunately flat character) without sacrificing the excitement. By the time I realized Quinn will eventually become "Brother Ray" (I predict book #7), I was already hooked and had to finish.

Overall, the characters felt tangible and when coupled with a decent mystery they make this book worth reading. show less