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Honor Code
With HONOR CODE, award-winning author Cathy Perkins delivers a mystery NOVELLA linked to her recent mystery novel, THE PROFESSOR.
In a small southern town where everyone knows each other’s business, veteran detective Larry Robbins must solve the disappearance of eighty-year-old widower George Beason.
When evidence arises that Beason may have left town on his own, it would be easy for Robbins to close the case, but his gut instinct tells him more’s at stake. As he uncovers clues about Beason’s deceased wife and his estranged daughter, Robbins must untangle conflicting motives and hidden agendas to bring Beason home alive.
In a small southern town where everyone knows each other’s business, veteran detective Larry Robbins must solve the disappearance of eighty-year-old widower George Beason.
When evidence arises that Beason may have left town on his own, it would be easy for Robbins to close the case, but his gut instinct tells him more’s at stake. As he uncovers clues about Beason’s deceased wife and his estranged daughter, Robbins must untangle conflicting motives and hidden agendas to bring Beason home alive.
- GenresMystery
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2012
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Perkins
17 books138 followersAn award-winning author, Cathy Perkins works in the financial industry, where she's observed the hide-in-plain-sight skills employed by her villains. She writes financial-based mysteries but enjoys exploring the relationships in her characters' lives.
A member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, she is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill, handled the blog and social media for the ITW Debut Authors, and coordinated the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
When not writing, she can be found doing battle with the beavers over the pond height or setting off on another travel adventure. Born and raised in South Carolina, the setting for CYPHER, HONOR CODE and THE PROFESSOR, she now lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.
A member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, she is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill, handled the blog and social media for the ITW Debut Authors, and coordinated the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
When not writing, she can be found doing battle with the beavers over the pond height or setting off on another travel adventure. Born and raised in South Carolina, the setting for CYPHER, HONOR CODE and THE PROFESSOR, she now lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 19, 2013
Honor Code introduced me to Cathy Perkins, the author. I found the story to be captivating, and I really loved the main character, Larry Robbins, a veteran detective in a small southern town. Although this is a novella, the author did a wonderful job un-layering the plot like an onion. There was plenty of time for the reader to get pulled into the plot and still have a few twists to keep us on our toes. The author has a wonderful writing style that I look forward to visiting again soon. I also would love to see more of Larry "Rocket" Robbins. 4 stars
March 30, 2013
Strong writing and well developed characters were a nice surprise in this novella. The plot moved at a good pace with enough twists to keep me turning the pages. Loved the epilogue.
Robbins' internal conflicts and interactions with the supporting characters (Miz Rose is a terrific secondary character) lifted the story out of the "yet another detective story" group.
Robbins' internal conflicts and interactions with the supporting characters (Miz Rose is a terrific secondary character) lifted the story out of the "yet another detective story" group.
December 5, 2014
A missing man, a murdered pet, a cop’s family issues, retribution—they’re all here in this novella, a standalone. When George Beason disappears and his home seems to have been ransacked, Detective Larry Robbins and his young partner, Jerry Jordan, are puzzled as to whether a crime has occurred or a slovenly old man has simply wandered off but there are enough unresolved questions to keep Robbins looking for answers. The daughter that should be concerned is much less than helpful and it’s hints that older crimes may come into play that draw Robbins and Jordan further into the investigation, even after Beason is caught on a security camera, apparently unharmed.
Reaching back into the past, to events in Baghdad, the author reminds us of how the past is never completely done and can have far-reaching effects many years later. At the same time, family honor sometimes takes precedence over all else but a not quite completely jaded cop can still make a difference in his community. It’s this aspect of Larry Robbins that drew me into the story more than the crimes themselves and I hope we’ll see more of him some day.
Reaching back into the past, to events in Baghdad, the author reminds us of how the past is never completely done and can have far-reaching effects many years later. At the same time, family honor sometimes takes precedence over all else but a not quite completely jaded cop can still make a difference in his community. It’s this aspect of Larry Robbins that drew me into the story more than the crimes themselves and I hope we’ll see more of him some day.
December 15, 2012
This is a wonderful novella (which I received from the author), which seems to fill the word count much too quickly. I really enjoyed The Professor, and this one uses one of the secondary characters from that book, and writes an interesting, clever little mystery around one of his cases.
The writing is simple, but flows really nicely, but what I particularly enjoy (and enjoyed about The Professor as well), is how well we get to know the main protagonist. We get to see and hear his thought processes and his emotions, and also get an intriguing glimpse into his agonies. It's all extremely human, and the whole book is shot through with an underlying sadness and futility, while not hitting you in the face with it.
I can't wait for the next book by this author.
4 stars. I really liked it.
The writing is simple, but flows really nicely, but what I particularly enjoy (and enjoyed about The Professor as well), is how well we get to know the main protagonist. We get to see and hear his thought processes and his emotions, and also get an intriguing glimpse into his agonies. It's all extremely human, and the whole book is shot through with an underlying sadness and futility, while not hitting you in the face with it.
I can't wait for the next book by this author.
4 stars. I really liked it.
December 13, 2012
Honor Code is another multi-layered and intricately plotted story by Cathy Perkins that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.
February 22, 2013
This was a well written short story...and I will emphasize short story.
It was an interesting case of an old man who disappears one night. His neighbor insists that he was very sharp in mind, but his sight wasn't good so he would not have taken his car and left in middle of the night. But he took is wallet. What kind of kidnapper let's you go grab your wallet before you go?
The more they investigate, the more convoluted it becomes but until they find Mr. Beason, they still can't determine if he was kidnapped or did he go willingly? Is he a victim or a co-conspirator?
There was an attempt to give us a little background, the home life, of our investigator, but with such a short story, it really didn't add much.
It is an intriguing plot. If you like police drama stories, it is a quick and enjoyable story.
It was an interesting case of an old man who disappears one night. His neighbor insists that he was very sharp in mind, but his sight wasn't good so he would not have taken his car and left in middle of the night. But he took is wallet. What kind of kidnapper let's you go grab your wallet before you go?
The more they investigate, the more convoluted it becomes but until they find Mr. Beason, they still can't determine if he was kidnapped or did he go willingly? Is he a victim or a co-conspirator?
There was an attempt to give us a little background, the home life, of our investigator, but with such a short story, it really didn't add much.
It is an intriguing plot. If you like police drama stories, it is a quick and enjoyable story.
January 5, 2013
Mr. Beason was.The dog was dead. The house was tossed and no one saw a thing. No one knew for sure if Mr. Beason left on his own or was kidnapped. It was strange for Mr. Beason to take off without telling someone where he was going. As the police try to unravel this mystery, they find more things that didn't make sense to them. Time is of the essence! They have to find Mr. Beason and soon.
Dark and sinister in parts, this novella keeps your mind moving to work out the leads. A solid story with characters you'll admire right from the start. The novella is the perfect read to get lost in. I recommend this novella to all.
I found no issues in this one.
I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because it should have been a bit longer.
~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~
Dark and sinister in parts, this novella keeps your mind moving to work out the leads. A solid story with characters you'll admire right from the start. The novella is the perfect read to get lost in. I recommend this novella to all.
I found no issues in this one.
I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because it should have been a bit longer.
~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~
April 6, 2015
Ex machina
"Honor Code" had the makings of a good detective story - interesting characters in an interesting place. Then the author appeared to lose interest in writing this story, so she tagged on a conclusion which was a classic deus ex machina. The chief detective character "happens" to see evidence of some random vandalism and it leads him to "solve" the mystery. After that comes a stilted epilogue that is nothing more than baffling. This author may have a good book in her, but this one is not it.
"Honor Code" had the makings of a good detective story - interesting characters in an interesting place. Then the author appeared to lose interest in writing this story, so she tagged on a conclusion which was a classic deus ex machina. The chief detective character "happens" to see evidence of some random vandalism and it leads him to "solve" the mystery. After that comes a stilted epilogue that is nothing more than baffling. This author may have a good book in her, but this one is not it.
February 18, 2013
Fast paced mystery involving a widower and a South Carolina cop who was keen enough to realize the widower was in trouble despite evidence proving otherwise. Although short it was edge of your seat and upbeat to the very end!
December 14, 2012
Fast, interesting read. If you enjoy police procedurals, you'll enjoy Honor Code.
December 4, 2013
I found this to be a rather hiring story. I was goadnit was short.
May 15, 2013
I might be a bit prejudiced but I love these characters!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews