Death at Fort Devens (An Andy Roark Mystery)

by Peter Colt

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Death at Fort Devens is the third Andy Roark PI mystery by Peter Colt. Released 7th June 2022 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 1st quarter 2023. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well written PI crime investigation in a largely military setting. The titular series protagonist is a tough and unapologetic lone wolf. He has a long and involved back-story (which the author provides in an unflinching manner) and has been involved in conflict in one capacity or another for decades.

The mystery plotting and characterizations are well done and the writing is superb. The dialogue is gritty and rough-around-the-edges. It oozes testosterone and it's clear this is 100% intentional on the author's part. I found myself wishing for a little more softness, a little more light humor, but it wasn't forthcoming. Although it's not at all derivative, there are flashes of Parker's Spenser and Connelly's Bosch, but without the wry humor of those two.

The mystery is well constructed and the conflict, resolution, and denouement are satisfying, if dark. The bad guys are *bad*, and the good guys don't get off without costs. I was disenchanted by the casual sexism and racism throughout; although it's not glorified or used gratuitously. There is a fair amount of graphic violence in the story which seems to be realistic, including descriptions of wartime injuries along with liberal use of rugged language. The protagonist is a Vietnam vet and the story includes historical actions during and after that time period. The military history and locations seem to be well written and correct from a geographical, political, and historical basis. The book is full of military descriptions and background info on life on a military base and the organizational structure of the US armed services.

The classic advice to authors is "Write what you know". It's abundantly clear that this author has done precisely that. He's writes well about his life experience and if his protagonist is fictionalized, he certainly lives and breathes through the author's experiences.

Four stars. Recommended for fans of PI lone-wolf military mysteries. Probably higher for fans of testosterone fueled procedurals.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.