What do you think?
Rate this book
Gus Murphy #1
Where It Hurts
Nominated for the 2017 Edgar Award for Best Novel
From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author comes a gritty, atmospheric new series about the other side of Long Island, far from the wealth of the Hamptons, where real people live—and die.
Gus Murphy thought he had the world all figured out. A retired Suffolk County cop, Gus had everything a man could a great marriage, two kids, a nice house, and the rest of his life ahead of him. But in the course of a single deadly moment, his family is blown apart, and he is transformed from a man who believes he understands everything into a man who understands nothing.
Now divorced and working as a courtesy van driver for a run-down hotel, Gus has settled into a mindless, soulless routine. But his comfortable waking trance comes to an end when ex-con Tommy Delcamino asks him for help. Four months earlier, the battered body of Tommy’s son TJ was discovered in a wooded lot, yet the Suffolk County PD doesn’t seem interested in pursuing the killers. In desperation, Tommy seeks out the only cop he ever trusted—Gus Murphy.
Gus reluctantly agrees to see what he can uncover, and as he begins to investigate, he finds that Tommy was telling the truth. Everyone involved with the late TJ Delcamino—from his best friend, to a gang enforcer, to a Mafia capo, and even the police—has something to hide, and all are willing to go to extreme lengths to keep it hidden. It’s a dangerous favor Gus has taken on as he claws his way back to take a place among the living, while searching through the sewers for a killer.
From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author comes a gritty, atmospheric new series about the other side of Long Island, far from the wealth of the Hamptons, where real people live—and die.
Gus Murphy thought he had the world all figured out. A retired Suffolk County cop, Gus had everything a man could a great marriage, two kids, a nice house, and the rest of his life ahead of him. But in the course of a single deadly moment, his family is blown apart, and he is transformed from a man who believes he understands everything into a man who understands nothing.
Now divorced and working as a courtesy van driver for a run-down hotel, Gus has settled into a mindless, soulless routine. But his comfortable waking trance comes to an end when ex-con Tommy Delcamino asks him for help. Four months earlier, the battered body of Tommy’s son TJ was discovered in a wooded lot, yet the Suffolk County PD doesn’t seem interested in pursuing the killers. In desperation, Tommy seeks out the only cop he ever trusted—Gus Murphy.
Gus reluctantly agrees to see what he can uncover, and as he begins to investigate, he finds that Tommy was telling the truth. Everyone involved with the late TJ Delcamino—from his best friend, to a gang enforcer, to a Mafia capo, and even the police—has something to hide, and all are willing to go to extreme lengths to keep it hidden. It’s a dangerous favor Gus has taken on as he claws his way back to take a place among the living, while searching through the sewers for a killer.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2016
245 people are currently reading
2719 people want to read
About the author
Reed Farrel Coleman
172 books732 followersaka Tony Spinosa
Reed Farrel Coleman’s love of storytelling originated on the streets of Brooklyn and was nurtured by his teachers, friends, and family.
A New York Times bestseller called a hard-boiled poet by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and the “noir poet laureate” in the Huffington Post, Reed is the author of novels, including Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone series, the acclaimed Moe Prager series, short stories, and poetry.
Reed is a three-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories—Best Novel, Best Paperback Original, Best Short Story—and a three-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best PI Novel of the Year. He has also won the Audie, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards.
A former executive vice president of Mystery Writers of America, Reed is an adjunct instructor of English at Hofstra University and a founding member of MWA University. Brooklyn born and raised, he now lives with his family–including cats Cleo and Knish–in Suffolk County on Long Island.
Reed Farrel Coleman’s love of storytelling originated on the streets of Brooklyn and was nurtured by his teachers, friends, and family.
A New York Times bestseller called a hard-boiled poet by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and the “noir poet laureate” in the Huffington Post, Reed is the author of novels, including Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone series, the acclaimed Moe Prager series, short stories, and poetry.
Reed is a three-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories—Best Novel, Best Paperback Original, Best Short Story—and a three-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best PI Novel of the Year. He has also won the Audie, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards.
A former executive vice president of Mystery Writers of America, Reed is an adjunct instructor of English at Hofstra University and a founding member of MWA University. Brooklyn born and raised, he now lives with his family–including cats Cleo and Knish–in Suffolk County on Long Island.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
May 28, 2024
I really enjoyed Coleman’s nine books featuring ex-cop Moe Prager. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s been one of my favourite crime fiction series. Prager was a haunted soul whose career as a cop was ended by a freak accident when she slipped on an errant piece of carbon paper. Thereafter, as he worked as a PI and sometimes as a wine seller, he sought but never really seemed to find true happiness. But the search was a good one, and he had some brilliant adventures and met some memorable characters along the way. Like all fans of the series, I was gutted when the series came to an end, but it was the right thing to do. Moe had been all used up in every sense, but it was still hard to take.
This is the first book Coleman’s new series, featuring retired Suffolk County cop Gus Murphy. Gus is down on his luck: his son died tragically a couple of years ago, his marriage broke up under the strain of the aftermath, and his daughter has now started getting into trouble. His current residence is a room at a down-at-heel hotel and drives a courtesy route to and from the railway station for customers to make ends meet. Then, one day, he gets a visit from a criminal he’s apprehended in the past asking for some help. His son has been brutally murdered and the local police don’t seem interested in tracking down the killer.
What follows is a convoluted tale of lies, dark doings, and tough guys that’s typical of the hardboiled genre. It rattles along at pace, and there’s plenty of action. The route to the tale’s conclusion was oblique enough to keep me guessing and the final denouement as satisfyingly and dramatic as I’ve come to expect from this author.
That might be enough for a stand-alone book, but to keep me interested in a series, I need more. I want a multi-layered lead character whom I’m willing to invest in. I want to care what becomes of him (or her), and I also need the author to dangle sufficient threads that I want to pull at. So, does Coleman achieve this here? Well, the answer is yes… I think so. By the end of the book I was becoming a little tired of Murphy’s moaning about his lot but I think the few seeds of hope sprinkled in the last few pages make me optimistic that he might raise a smile or two in the second book (here’s hoping anyway). And I did warm to his cynical but pragmatic view of the world. The fringe characters, too, are sufficiently developed here to hint that they might have interesting pasts to explore along the way.
Overall, I’d say that RFC has laid the foundations for a decent follow-up series to Moe. Whether his followers will take Murphy to their hearts in the same way remains to be seen – time will tell.
My thanks to Penguin Group (Putnam) and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book Coleman’s new series, featuring retired Suffolk County cop Gus Murphy. Gus is down on his luck: his son died tragically a couple of years ago, his marriage broke up under the strain of the aftermath, and his daughter has now started getting into trouble. His current residence is a room at a down-at-heel hotel and drives a courtesy route to and from the railway station for customers to make ends meet. Then, one day, he gets a visit from a criminal he’s apprehended in the past asking for some help. His son has been brutally murdered and the local police don’t seem interested in tracking down the killer.
What follows is a convoluted tale of lies, dark doings, and tough guys that’s typical of the hardboiled genre. It rattles along at pace, and there’s plenty of action. The route to the tale’s conclusion was oblique enough to keep me guessing and the final denouement as satisfyingly and dramatic as I’ve come to expect from this author.
That might be enough for a stand-alone book, but to keep me interested in a series, I need more. I want a multi-layered lead character whom I’m willing to invest in. I want to care what becomes of him (or her), and I also need the author to dangle sufficient threads that I want to pull at. So, does Coleman achieve this here? Well, the answer is yes… I think so. By the end of the book I was becoming a little tired of Murphy’s moaning about his lot but I think the few seeds of hope sprinkled in the last few pages make me optimistic that he might raise a smile or two in the second book (here’s hoping anyway). And I did warm to his cynical but pragmatic view of the world. The fringe characters, too, are sufficiently developed here to hint that they might have interesting pasts to explore along the way.
Overall, I’d say that RFC has laid the foundations for a decent follow-up series to Moe. Whether his followers will take Murphy to their hearts in the same way remains to be seen – time will tell.
My thanks to Penguin Group (Putnam) and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2016
This is the first novel in a projected new series by the very gifted writer, Reed Farrel Coleman. The protagonist is Gus Murphy, a former cop in Suffolk County on Long Island. Murphy had a great life and was perfectly content until, out of the blue, a tragedy destroyed him and blew his family apart. Now Murphy is trudging through life, caring about virtually nothing and no one. He works two crappy jobs, one as a courtesy van driver for a third-rate hotel and the other as a bouncer in the hotel's bar. He lives in a room in the hotel and his world has been reduced to this work that he performs mostly by rote and to a tiny and rapidly diminishing number of friends.
Two years into this miserable existence, Murphy is approached by a former low-life and ex-convict named Tommy Delcamino. In his earlier life, Murphy had arrested Delcamino, but even so, Delcamino insists that Murphy is the only cop he ever trusted. Four months earlier, Delcamino's son, TJ, had been tortured and killed. Like his father, the younger Delcamino had a bad reputation and was often in trouble with the law. Accordingly, the cops aren't exactly breaking a sweat in an effort to bring TJ's killers to justice--this in spite of the fact that Tommy Delcamino has given the detectives in charge of the case a number of promising leads.
Delcamino begs Murphy to investigate the murder and, for a set of complex reasons, Murphy ultimately agrees to do so. But he soon discovers that he's blundered into a very complex and dangerous set of circumstances. A lot of powerful and influential people would rather see this case die quietly and as Murphy presses ahead, it's soon apparent that his own health and well-being may be on the line as well.
The story of the down-and-out ex-cop, P.I., or other such character who reluctantly agrees to take on a difficult and dangerous case and who, by doing so, may ultimately and inadvertently find his own redemption is hardly a new one. But Reed Farrel Coleman makes it seem fresh and compelling. He writes beautifully and the characters and the setting in this story are both excellent. Coleman hooks the reader early on and makes you care very much about what might happen to Gus Murphy. This is a really strong beginning to this series and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment.
Two years into this miserable existence, Murphy is approached by a former low-life and ex-convict named Tommy Delcamino. In his earlier life, Murphy had arrested Delcamino, but even so, Delcamino insists that Murphy is the only cop he ever trusted. Four months earlier, Delcamino's son, TJ, had been tortured and killed. Like his father, the younger Delcamino had a bad reputation and was often in trouble with the law. Accordingly, the cops aren't exactly breaking a sweat in an effort to bring TJ's killers to justice--this in spite of the fact that Tommy Delcamino has given the detectives in charge of the case a number of promising leads.
Delcamino begs Murphy to investigate the murder and, for a set of complex reasons, Murphy ultimately agrees to do so. But he soon discovers that he's blundered into a very complex and dangerous set of circumstances. A lot of powerful and influential people would rather see this case die quietly and as Murphy presses ahead, it's soon apparent that his own health and well-being may be on the line as well.
The story of the down-and-out ex-cop, P.I., or other such character who reluctantly agrees to take on a difficult and dangerous case and who, by doing so, may ultimately and inadvertently find his own redemption is hardly a new one. But Reed Farrel Coleman makes it seem fresh and compelling. He writes beautifully and the characters and the setting in this story are both excellent. Coleman hooks the reader early on and makes you care very much about what might happen to Gus Murphy. This is a really strong beginning to this series and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment.
Want to read
June 21, 2018This hardcover is signed by author Reed Farrel Coleman.
May 14, 2016
Dark, gritty and well written. I loved everything about this book and hope to read more about Gus Murphy in the future, a series I will definitely follow.
October 15, 2018
WHERE IT HURTS
(Gus Murphy: #1)
Written by Reed Farrel Coleman
2016; G.P. Putnam’s (484 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller
RATING: 4.5 STARS
After the death of his son, Gus Murphy retires from the police force and is divorced from his wife. He works as a courtesy van driver for a run-down hotel and now resides there, while his wife and daughter live with his wife’s family. Gus is breathing but he is not really living. Then one day a former ex-con, Tommy Delcamino shows up at his door begging for his help. A month ago his son was murdered and the police are not actively investigating the case. Gus is the only cop he has ever trusted and wants him to help find his son’s murderer.
Once Gus senses his desperation he agrees to look into the case. As soon as Gus starts to ask questions, Tommy himself is murdered. When Gus has a close call he delves deep into the mystery that everyone is warning him against. He is soon looking at his former co-workers and the cons, the same.
Reed Farrel Coleman is a prolific author but I have not read any of his book. I saw that this book was the first in a series so figured, what the heck? From the first page I was hooked on the book and the author’s writing. He is a simplistic writer like Hemingway. He does not waste words and keeps you flipping the pages. Another difficult task that Coleman conquers is creating a good character that can carry a book and keep you interested in trying the next one. I would compare Gus Murphy and Reed Farrel Coleman to Jack Reacher and Lee Child. Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch is another comparison I would make. I would recommend this novel to fans of suspense thrillers and mysteries. I am looking forward to the next book and also looking up Coleman’s past books.
My Novelesque Blog
(Gus Murphy: #1)
Written by Reed Farrel Coleman
2016; G.P. Putnam’s (484 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller
RATING: 4.5 STARS
After the death of his son, Gus Murphy retires from the police force and is divorced from his wife. He works as a courtesy van driver for a run-down hotel and now resides there, while his wife and daughter live with his wife’s family. Gus is breathing but he is not really living. Then one day a former ex-con, Tommy Delcamino shows up at his door begging for his help. A month ago his son was murdered and the police are not actively investigating the case. Gus is the only cop he has ever trusted and wants him to help find his son’s murderer.
Once Gus senses his desperation he agrees to look into the case. As soon as Gus starts to ask questions, Tommy himself is murdered. When Gus has a close call he delves deep into the mystery that everyone is warning him against. He is soon looking at his former co-workers and the cons, the same.
Reed Farrel Coleman is a prolific author but I have not read any of his book. I saw that this book was the first in a series so figured, what the heck? From the first page I was hooked on the book and the author’s writing. He is a simplistic writer like Hemingway. He does not waste words and keeps you flipping the pages. Another difficult task that Coleman conquers is creating a good character that can carry a book and keep you interested in trying the next one. I would compare Gus Murphy and Reed Farrel Coleman to Jack Reacher and Lee Child. Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch is another comparison I would make. I would recommend this novel to fans of suspense thrillers and mysteries. I am looking forward to the next book and also looking up Coleman’s past books.
My Novelesque Blog
June 14, 2017
3 stars.
This is my first novel by this author, Reed Farrel Coleman. It is also the first book of a series. This was perfectly enjoyable for my day. Overall, I liked this. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a great job. I liked the different voices for the characters. The writing was certainly creative.
The MC was kind of fun. In some ways, there was nothing that made him different from other MCs in this genre, (attractive, broken marriage, a rebel spirit, other women falling all over him, etc.), but he was easy to like.
This is my first novel by this author, Reed Farrel Coleman. It is also the first book of a series. This was perfectly enjoyable for my day. Overall, I liked this. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a great job. I liked the different voices for the characters. The writing was certainly creative.
The MC was kind of fun. In some ways, there was nothing that made him different from other MCs in this genre, (attractive, broken marriage, a rebel spirit, other women falling all over him, etc.), but he was easy to like.
June 1, 2016
Above average debut for Gus Murphy as a retired cop from Suffolk County NY duty. And it does superlative cover for the Long Island locale. It's different and yet grabs the size, the tone, the connections, the variances of that place setting.
It only lost a bit for me in the foul language of cop and perp talk and within the seemingly and nearly constant action levels. Gus survives at least 7 or 8 different death dealing exchanges here. I believe he may have even passed by a Reacher level of encounter.
But what I liked the best about this mystery/cop/detective genre fare the most was that Gus is believable. He does not seem as a cartoon as so many of these leads do. He has sorrow, he holds morality from a young life, a history and some reactions that are everyday. He did for me. Which is something that does NOT come across in many of these former cops in cases/series novels.
I could quibble with some of the details of his marriage and his dating relationships that seemed "off" but then I can't expect Coleman to get women as he does this man. But he does get the men and he did grab Casey quite realistically.
There are at least ten quotes in this read that I could have posted as IMMENSELY representative of the current times and public thought for 2016. Coleman has nailed that aspect, IMHO. At the same time that he has given us a plot that enfolds in much of the mode for topics that we see everyday on news. Especially of the police and politico reality for actual public "trust".
But I won't quote them here.
Read this one if you like the genre. This is essentially a male read, IMHO. It holds a ton of great male characterizations and reasoning. Both. Only a few spoilers, Gus only gets shot once during all those encounters. And three cycles against a car is usually STILL much more damage heavy on the motorcycle end after all is said and done.
When the Gus Murphy #2 comes around, I'll definitely be reading it. Coleman knows his territory and Long Island seems FAR more interesting to me than the same old, same old of Manhattan. Much less arrogance, and at the same time there are MORE levels in reality. Depths and space that are not encountered in the overdone stereotype NYC.
It only lost a bit for me in the foul language of cop and perp talk and within the seemingly and nearly constant action levels. Gus survives at least 7 or 8 different death dealing exchanges here. I believe he may have even passed by a Reacher level of encounter.
But what I liked the best about this mystery/cop/detective genre fare the most was that Gus is believable. He does not seem as a cartoon as so many of these leads do. He has sorrow, he holds morality from a young life, a history and some reactions that are everyday. He did for me. Which is something that does NOT come across in many of these former cops in cases/series novels.
I could quibble with some of the details of his marriage and his dating relationships that seemed "off" but then I can't expect Coleman to get women as he does this man. But he does get the men and he did grab Casey quite realistically.
There are at least ten quotes in this read that I could have posted as IMMENSELY representative of the current times and public thought for 2016. Coleman has nailed that aspect, IMHO. At the same time that he has given us a plot that enfolds in much of the mode for topics that we see everyday on news. Especially of the police and politico reality for actual public "trust".
But I won't quote them here.
Read this one if you like the genre. This is essentially a male read, IMHO. It holds a ton of great male characterizations and reasoning. Both. Only a few spoilers, Gus only gets shot once during all those encounters. And three cycles against a car is usually STILL much more damage heavy on the motorcycle end after all is said and done.
When the Gus Murphy #2 comes around, I'll definitely be reading it. Coleman knows his territory and Long Island seems FAR more interesting to me than the same old, same old of Manhattan. Much less arrogance, and at the same time there are MORE levels in reality. Depths and space that are not encountered in the overdone stereotype NYC.
April 6, 2017
After decades of reading mysteries and thrillers, I still frequently encounter authors whose names are new to me—but are described as “bestselling” and sometimes have dozens of novels to their credit. Reed Farrel Coleman is the latest example. Author of at least 23 books divided among six series of crime novels, Coleman is the recipient of half a dozen literary awards. His latest series features John Augustus “Gus” Murphy, a retired cop in suburban Suffolk County on Long Island. Where It Hurts is the first in the series.
For most outsiders, Long Island is identified with the Hamptons and other wealthy New York suburbs. But, as Coleman writes, “most of the island isn’t about Gatsby. A current of poverty and violence roils beneath the surface here, too. A lot of senseless blood gets spilled. What off-islanders see is the 24-carat gilding along the edges where the money flows, not the fool’s gold in the middle where the rats race as hard as in the city and where the stray dogs lie in wait.” This is the territory Gus Murphy worked in uniform for 20 years in the Suffolk County Police Department. It’s also where his life has been unraveling for the two years since his teenage son died, his wife left him, and he resigned from the department. Now Gus works nights at a third-rate hotel driving a courtesy van to and from the local airport and serving as house detective.
When a pathetic ex-con approaches him about looking into the murder of his own son, Gus resists. Eventually, though, he is drawn into opening the case, which police have failed to investigate. As Gus begins to ask questions, he quickly comes up against a wall of resistance from his old department. First, he’s warned away. Then the violence starts, and more bodies begin to fall. Few of even his best friends on the force are willing to lift a hand to help him. Evidence of police corruption soon becomes obvious—and it may go all the way to the top, to the very popular Chief of Police, Jimmy Regan. Repeatedly risking his life, Gus persists in his investigation and gradually begins to recover interest in living. Along the way, he gets help from an old priest who has lost his faith and a woman who is ready to love him despite his wounds and flaws.
Where It Hurts is the first of what are now two novels in Coleman’s new Gus Murphy series.
For most outsiders, Long Island is identified with the Hamptons and other wealthy New York suburbs. But, as Coleman writes, “most of the island isn’t about Gatsby. A current of poverty and violence roils beneath the surface here, too. A lot of senseless blood gets spilled. What off-islanders see is the 24-carat gilding along the edges where the money flows, not the fool’s gold in the middle where the rats race as hard as in the city and where the stray dogs lie in wait.” This is the territory Gus Murphy worked in uniform for 20 years in the Suffolk County Police Department. It’s also where his life has been unraveling for the two years since his teenage son died, his wife left him, and he resigned from the department. Now Gus works nights at a third-rate hotel driving a courtesy van to and from the local airport and serving as house detective.
When a pathetic ex-con approaches him about looking into the murder of his own son, Gus resists. Eventually, though, he is drawn into opening the case, which police have failed to investigate. As Gus begins to ask questions, he quickly comes up against a wall of resistance from his old department. First, he’s warned away. Then the violence starts, and more bodies begin to fall. Few of even his best friends on the force are willing to lift a hand to help him. Evidence of police corruption soon becomes obvious—and it may go all the way to the top, to the very popular Chief of Police, Jimmy Regan. Repeatedly risking his life, Gus persists in his investigation and gradually begins to recover interest in living. Along the way, he gets help from an old priest who has lost his faith and a woman who is ready to love him despite his wounds and flaws.
Where It Hurts is the first of what are now two novels in Coleman’s new Gus Murphy series.
March 12, 2017
I read this book because it was nominated for an Edgar Award this year, and now I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how it could have possibly made it to the list.
Maybe it was because this book was up for an award that I felt so incredibly disappointed in it. I went into the reading experience expecting something great. Instead what I got was a very mediocre crime story, wholly unoriginal plot line, characters whom I've read about a dozen times before, and the dialogue was not great and often made me very uncomfortable when most of the African American's dialogue ended with the word, "yo"
Really? So all African American people, even those who are "gangsters" use the word "yo" at the end of every sentence? And heavier people are slow and dumb, too?
Nope. Too much of that type of stereotype to make the dialogue believable or enjoyable.
And how many times have you read of a detective who was moping around because his kid just died, or his spouse had just died, or something else tragic had happened in his life so he was depressed and felt like life was worthless? I don't even read that many crime novels, and I have read that main character set up time and time again.
And how many crime novels center their plot lines around a drug deal gone bad? Corrupt police officers? Me. Quite a few times.
The only reason I didn't give this book 1 star was because there were occasional points in the novel where the story itself was well written, but that doesn't excuse the unoriginally of the characters and plot. Sadly, I will not be picking up any more of Coleman's novels.
Maybe it was because this book was up for an award that I felt so incredibly disappointed in it. I went into the reading experience expecting something great. Instead what I got was a very mediocre crime story, wholly unoriginal plot line, characters whom I've read about a dozen times before, and the dialogue was not great and often made me very uncomfortable when most of the African American's dialogue ended with the word, "yo"
Really? So all African American people, even those who are "gangsters" use the word "yo" at the end of every sentence? And heavier people are slow and dumb, too?
Nope. Too much of that type of stereotype to make the dialogue believable or enjoyable.
And how many times have you read of a detective who was moping around because his kid just died, or his spouse had just died, or something else tragic had happened in his life so he was depressed and felt like life was worthless? I don't even read that many crime novels, and I have read that main character set up time and time again.
And how many crime novels center their plot lines around a drug deal gone bad? Corrupt police officers? Me. Quite a few times.
The only reason I didn't give this book 1 star was because there were occasional points in the novel where the story itself was well written, but that doesn't excuse the unoriginally of the characters and plot. Sadly, I will not be picking up any more of Coleman's novels.
January 15, 2016
Ex-cop Gus Murphy is hurting. His son's sudden death has thrown him into a deep hole of grief leading to the end of his marriage, problems with his daughter and a menial job as a hotel van driver living on-site and isolated. Then he is contacted by a man he regularly used to arrest and asked to look into the barbaric death of the man's son. Initially reluctant to do so, Gus slowly uncovers more and more details about those involved and as he does so, he also learns to deal with his personal grief and move on with his life. Written in first person perspective, readers spent a lot of time inside Gus' head. He is so consumed by his grief that whatever he does, every thing leads back to musings about his son's death.
Where It Hurts is a hard boiled crime noir story. It is a tightly plotted and very descriptive novel with lots of information on its setting in Long Island. For my personal taste, it was a little too slow at times. However, the characters were so well drawn, human and interesting and the writing so effective that I contentedly went with the slower pace.
Where It Hurts is the first in a series featuring Gus Murphy, and I would gladly read further installments. I have never read anything by this author before, but see that he has written another popular series which I will have to check out in the future, too.
Thanks to the publisher and author for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where It Hurts is a hard boiled crime noir story. It is a tightly plotted and very descriptive novel with lots of information on its setting in Long Island. For my personal taste, it was a little too slow at times. However, the characters were so well drawn, human and interesting and the writing so effective that I contentedly went with the slower pace.
Where It Hurts is the first in a series featuring Gus Murphy, and I would gladly read further installments. I have never read anything by this author before, but see that he has written another popular series which I will have to check out in the future, too.
Thanks to the publisher and author for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2017
Outsiders don’t get Long Island; most New Yorkers don’t understand it. They can’t get past the beaches and the sound, the Hamptons and the Gold Coast, the country clubs and marinas ... What off-islanders see is the 24-carat gilding the edges where the money flows, not the fool’s gold in the middle where the rats race as hard as in the city and where stray dogs lie in wait.
Retired Suffolk County cop, Gus Murphy works the night shift at a low-key hotel on Long Island as courtesy vehicle driver and bouncer at events, and rooms there as part of his package. Two years earlier his son died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart complaint, shattering the family and now he goes through the motions, troubled by his flighty ex-wife and a daughter who has been pulled up for DUI.
No one at the hotel knew my story. They knew I was divorced and that was that. Everyone who worked the night shift there seemed to me to be hiding out or running away. We all had stories not to tell.
It’s December. Ex-con Tommy Delcamino turns up looking for him. The body of Delcamino’s own son TJ, a small time drug dealer, was found on a woodlot four months earlier, tortured to death. The police are making no headway and Delcamino offers Gus money to look into it. Torn apart by grief, Gus explodes and kicks him out. While rescuing his daughter from the precinct building he asks his former friend Pete about the case and who was investigating. Pete names two detectives but warns him off.
Just because I couldn’t figure Pete’s angle didn’t mean he didn’t have one. Pete had so many angles they could’ve named a new branch of geometry after him …
Later, after talking to his shrink and to the former priest, Father Bill, who helped the family after his son’s death, he goes to Delcamino’s trailer at a landscaping firm to find it trashed, Delcamino dead and himself under fire...
Wyandanch is black and poor and the system is set up to keep it that way...
Part thriller / part social commentary, Coleman, who also writes under the pseudonym Tony Spinosa, has crafted a gritty novel, in the vein of a Raymond Chandler mystery, filled with pathos yet hope. Villains are multi-layered, the characters well-honed as Murphy confronts cops straight and bent, corruption going all the way to the top of the precinct, bikie gangs and small-time gangsters, women hardened before their time.
I trusted Zee about as far as I could throw him, but if you want to know about the bottom-feeders you don’t speak to the angels.
Blink and you’ll miss the minor character who is the link in the chain of events (I had to go back to check). Helped by the former priest and Slava from the hotel, Murphy escapes numerous attempts on his life to bring justice to Tommy Delcamino and his son TJ, and discovers new love and friendship.
I needed Googlemap to locate the place names in this fast-paced story, but the one liners were standouts. Well recommended.
Retired Suffolk County cop, Gus Murphy works the night shift at a low-key hotel on Long Island as courtesy vehicle driver and bouncer at events, and rooms there as part of his package. Two years earlier his son died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart complaint, shattering the family and now he goes through the motions, troubled by his flighty ex-wife and a daughter who has been pulled up for DUI.
No one at the hotel knew my story. They knew I was divorced and that was that. Everyone who worked the night shift there seemed to me to be hiding out or running away. We all had stories not to tell.
It’s December. Ex-con Tommy Delcamino turns up looking for him. The body of Delcamino’s own son TJ, a small time drug dealer, was found on a woodlot four months earlier, tortured to death. The police are making no headway and Delcamino offers Gus money to look into it. Torn apart by grief, Gus explodes and kicks him out. While rescuing his daughter from the precinct building he asks his former friend Pete about the case and who was investigating. Pete names two detectives but warns him off.
Just because I couldn’t figure Pete’s angle didn’t mean he didn’t have one. Pete had so many angles they could’ve named a new branch of geometry after him …
Later, after talking to his shrink and to the former priest, Father Bill, who helped the family after his son’s death, he goes to Delcamino’s trailer at a landscaping firm to find it trashed, Delcamino dead and himself under fire...
Wyandanch is black and poor and the system is set up to keep it that way...
Part thriller / part social commentary, Coleman, who also writes under the pseudonym Tony Spinosa, has crafted a gritty novel, in the vein of a Raymond Chandler mystery, filled with pathos yet hope. Villains are multi-layered, the characters well-honed as Murphy confronts cops straight and bent, corruption going all the way to the top of the precinct, bikie gangs and small-time gangsters, women hardened before their time.
I trusted Zee about as far as I could throw him, but if you want to know about the bottom-feeders you don’t speak to the angels.
Blink and you’ll miss the minor character who is the link in the chain of events (I had to go back to check). Helped by the former priest and Slava from the hotel, Murphy escapes numerous attempts on his life to bring justice to Tommy Delcamino and his son TJ, and discovers new love and friendship.
I needed Googlemap to locate the place names in this fast-paced story, but the one liners were standouts. Well recommended.
April 12, 2017
A mystery with a main character who actually evolves!
November 7, 2015
Gus Murphy, once a Suffolk County Police Officer, is now driving a shuttle van for a run-down MacArthur Airport hotel. Two years ago, his son John died from a genetic anomaly of the heart, keeling over during a basketball game. Since John's death, Gus has been wallowing in grief, his marriage has imploded and his daughter has turned to alcohol and drugs in order to deal with her feelings. One day, out of the blue, a small-time crook by the name of Tommy Delcalmino approaches Gus and asks his help in solving the murder of his son TJ. Tommy says that the police have not looked into murder despite Tommy giving them good tips. Gus's first reaction is to tell Tommy to get the hell away from him but soon after that Tommy is murdered and Gus decides to look into it.
As Gus tries to find out about TJ's murder, he meets with a stone wall from the police department. People who Gus had worked with for years are giving him the run-around and telling him not to investigate this murder, that it will be dangerous to his health. Despite consistent warnings to back off, Gus plods ahead, slowly coming out of his own world of the dead as he tries to make sense of what happened to TJ.
The novel is well-written and the characters are interesting but there are just too many of them and the story flits from one encounter to the next without enough depth. I prefer more character driven novels and this one, while action packed, sacrifices character for action and procedure. I think that the story of Gus's own grief is repeated too many times and the reader gets it early on without needing constant reminders.
The denouement came out of nowhere for me and I was disappointed with how it was all wrapped up. Despite my quibblings with the novel, it is well written and I enjoyed the quips and quick repartee between characters. Coleman knows how to write a certain genre of detective novel that appeals to a large group of readers including me.
Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote o
As Gus tries to find out about TJ's murder, he meets with a stone wall from the police department. People who Gus had worked with for years are giving him the run-around and telling him not to investigate this murder, that it will be dangerous to his health. Despite consistent warnings to back off, Gus plods ahead, slowly coming out of his own world of the dead as he tries to make sense of what happened to TJ.
The novel is well-written and the characters are interesting but there are just too many of them and the story flits from one encounter to the next without enough depth. I prefer more character driven novels and this one, while action packed, sacrifices character for action and procedure. I think that the story of Gus's own grief is repeated too many times and the reader gets it early on without needing constant reminders.
The denouement came out of nowhere for me and I was disappointed with how it was all wrapped up. Despite my quibblings with the novel, it is well written and I enjoyed the quips and quick repartee between characters. Coleman knows how to write a certain genre of detective novel that appeals to a large group of readers including me.
Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote o
November 2, 2015
When we meet Gus Murphy, he's a broken man living & working at a third rate hotel. He used to be a happily married cop, content with his lot in life but that was before. Before his son died, before the divorce & before he left the job. Two years on, he's still smothered by the overwhelming loss of everything that mattered & each day is a struggle to just breathe.
Tommy Delcamino is a reformed criminal familiar with the pain of losing a child. Four months ago, his son TJ was beaten & left like trash on a deserted lot. Like his father, TJ was no angel but Tommy is frustrated by the lack of progress with his case. Back in the day, Gus was the only decent cop Tommy met so he approaches him with a job offer. He wants Gus to look into TJ's murder.
After turning him down, Gus has second thoughts & sets out to find Tommy. Unfortunately someone else found him first. Gus doesn't now it yet but he has stepped into the middle of an elaborate cover-up that began over 20 years ago. And there are those who will do anything to keep it buried.
This is a fast paced thriller with more than enough twists to keep you on your toes. All Gus wants to do is fulfill his obligation to Tommy. But it soon snowballs into something else entirely. Why are former colleagues warning him to back off? And how did he attract the attention of a powerful & deadly drug lord?
So on one level you've got a great edge-of-your-seat read. What elevates this book are the characters & their personal stories, all told in a fluid yet spare style of writing.
There is a large cast ranging from cops & family to criminals & barkeeps. Each is well developed with distinct voices that add to the overall plot. There's an ambiguous quality to several of the characters & it's hard to suss out whose side they're on. By the time all is revealed you may be in for a few surprises.
One particular standout is Slava, a coworker at the hotel. Initially he comes across as a quiet man from some eastern bloc country. After he gets pulled into Gus' investigation, it becomes clear this is a man seeking atonement for something in his past.
But the star of the show is Gus. Through his descriptions & dialogue, the author has created an authentic character. He's a smart, likeable guy who lost it all & his grief is palpable. Taking on TJ's case is a big step for him as it means he'll have to interact with the world again. As he digs away, his focus shifts outward to the misfortunes of others & we catch glimpses of the man he used to be. It's like he's slowly coming out of self imposed seclusion & choosing to participate. This is a guy you'll root for. He's also a guy you'd want in your corner when the going gets tough.
The last few chapters have you turning the pages at warp speed as tension ramps up for an inevitable showdown. The combination of suspense & a character driven plot makes this a satisfying read. And an interesting twist at the end ensures I'll be in line for book #2.
Tommy Delcamino is a reformed criminal familiar with the pain of losing a child. Four months ago, his son TJ was beaten & left like trash on a deserted lot. Like his father, TJ was no angel but Tommy is frustrated by the lack of progress with his case. Back in the day, Gus was the only decent cop Tommy met so he approaches him with a job offer. He wants Gus to look into TJ's murder.
After turning him down, Gus has second thoughts & sets out to find Tommy. Unfortunately someone else found him first. Gus doesn't now it yet but he has stepped into the middle of an elaborate cover-up that began over 20 years ago. And there are those who will do anything to keep it buried.
This is a fast paced thriller with more than enough twists to keep you on your toes. All Gus wants to do is fulfill his obligation to Tommy. But it soon snowballs into something else entirely. Why are former colleagues warning him to back off? And how did he attract the attention of a powerful & deadly drug lord?
So on one level you've got a great edge-of-your-seat read. What elevates this book are the characters & their personal stories, all told in a fluid yet spare style of writing.
There is a large cast ranging from cops & family to criminals & barkeeps. Each is well developed with distinct voices that add to the overall plot. There's an ambiguous quality to several of the characters & it's hard to suss out whose side they're on. By the time all is revealed you may be in for a few surprises.
One particular standout is Slava, a coworker at the hotel. Initially he comes across as a quiet man from some eastern bloc country. After he gets pulled into Gus' investigation, it becomes clear this is a man seeking atonement for something in his past.
But the star of the show is Gus. Through his descriptions & dialogue, the author has created an authentic character. He's a smart, likeable guy who lost it all & his grief is palpable. Taking on TJ's case is a big step for him as it means he'll have to interact with the world again. As he digs away, his focus shifts outward to the misfortunes of others & we catch glimpses of the man he used to be. It's like he's slowly coming out of self imposed seclusion & choosing to participate. This is a guy you'll root for. He's also a guy you'd want in your corner when the going gets tough.
The last few chapters have you turning the pages at warp speed as tension ramps up for an inevitable showdown. The combination of suspense & a character driven plot makes this a satisfying read. And an interesting twist at the end ensures I'll be in line for book #2.
February 19, 2017
The character names alone set the gritty landscape—Gus Murphy (our hero), Tommy Delcamino, Kareem Shivers and Frankie Tacos. Those are character names worthy of Chandler or Leonard or Block.
We’re on Long Island, the overlooked sections with dive bars like Harrigan’s. “It was a classic loser’s bar. The kind of place where even the young men were old. Where the Daily Racing Form passed for the news of the world and where the light of day was the common enemy.” The entire novel unfolds against a gritty backdrop and Coleman takes every opportunity to name overlooked towns and unremarkable roads.
Gus Murphy is a retired Suffolk County cop with a weight on his shoulders, the sudden death of his son two years earlier. It happened one day on the basketball court, when the boy was felled by an undiagnosed heart defect. The death has wrecked his family and now Gus works as a courtesy van driver for a nowhere hotel. Gus is just hoping to put one foot in front of the other and find a way to get by.
Where It Hurts (such a great title) is part mystery novels and part literary study in grief. “Even a spare minute was a chance to relieve the last two years,” thinks Gus. “Took forever to live it. Takes only seconds to live it again. I had tried filling in the fissures, cracks, and cavities with wondering, wondering about the trick of time. That got me about as far as wishing. Nowhere.”
The last thing Gus wants is to get pulled in on a case involving an ex-con, the aforementioned Tommy Delcamino. Tommy’s son TJ was found dead four months earlier and the Suffolk County PD doesn’t seem, well, motivated to figure out what happened. Gus is reluctant, for many reasons, and then he starts running into people who spend a great deal of time and effort trying to discourage him from getting involved. When he encounters real trouble, and more, Gus feels suddenly revived, “alive again in the midst of spilled blood.”
Needless to say, Gus Murphy finds the motivation to poke around and soon he’s plenty entangled. His slow-motion descent into the fray, coupled with the relentless gravity of the feelings of loss about his dead son, anchor the story in a feeling of genuine pain. At times dialogue-rich like George V. Higgins and other times neatly procedural like Michael Connelly, Where It Hurts presents a solid character with troubled shoulders leaning into very real problems, both internal and external.
Those problems show Gus a possible path to healing, but will he take it? Or does he want his pain to rule over everything else? Gus knows where it hurts, it’s up to him whether he wants to the pain to linger forever or make a change. Where It Hurts isn’t all action. There’s a fair amount of talk over beverages. But when the action comes, it’s real and it’s carrying a certain weight.
We’re on Long Island, the overlooked sections with dive bars like Harrigan’s. “It was a classic loser’s bar. The kind of place where even the young men were old. Where the Daily Racing Form passed for the news of the world and where the light of day was the common enemy.” The entire novel unfolds against a gritty backdrop and Coleman takes every opportunity to name overlooked towns and unremarkable roads.
Gus Murphy is a retired Suffolk County cop with a weight on his shoulders, the sudden death of his son two years earlier. It happened one day on the basketball court, when the boy was felled by an undiagnosed heart defect. The death has wrecked his family and now Gus works as a courtesy van driver for a nowhere hotel. Gus is just hoping to put one foot in front of the other and find a way to get by.
Where It Hurts (such a great title) is part mystery novels and part literary study in grief. “Even a spare minute was a chance to relieve the last two years,” thinks Gus. “Took forever to live it. Takes only seconds to live it again. I had tried filling in the fissures, cracks, and cavities with wondering, wondering about the trick of time. That got me about as far as wishing. Nowhere.”
The last thing Gus wants is to get pulled in on a case involving an ex-con, the aforementioned Tommy Delcamino. Tommy’s son TJ was found dead four months earlier and the Suffolk County PD doesn’t seem, well, motivated to figure out what happened. Gus is reluctant, for many reasons, and then he starts running into people who spend a great deal of time and effort trying to discourage him from getting involved. When he encounters real trouble, and more, Gus feels suddenly revived, “alive again in the midst of spilled blood.”
Needless to say, Gus Murphy finds the motivation to poke around and soon he’s plenty entangled. His slow-motion descent into the fray, coupled with the relentless gravity of the feelings of loss about his dead son, anchor the story in a feeling of genuine pain. At times dialogue-rich like George V. Higgins and other times neatly procedural like Michael Connelly, Where It Hurts presents a solid character with troubled shoulders leaning into very real problems, both internal and external.
Those problems show Gus a possible path to healing, but will he take it? Or does he want his pain to rule over everything else? Gus knows where it hurts, it’s up to him whether he wants to the pain to linger forever or make a change. Where It Hurts isn’t all action. There’s a fair amount of talk over beverages. But when the action comes, it’s real and it’s carrying a certain weight.
January 13, 2017
John Augustus Murphy is a sad, cynical, and empty man. His life has been riddled by loss. He has lost his faith in God and his trust in people. He has also lost his career as a cop with the Suffolk County Police, his marriage, his house, but most of all, where it hurts, the sudden and senseless death of his beloved twenty-year-old son.
“I lost my faith a long time before losing my son, and his death proved me right.”
He lives his life on automatic pilot, existing rather than living – and grieving. In the two years following his son’s death, Gus has been driving the courtesy van for a small airport hotel. He lives at the hotel and works as the hotel detective, he also sometimes works security when they are busy.
When one of the criminals he once arrested comes to the hotel to see him, his life is irrevocably changed. The man tells him about the loss of his own son, another criminal. Only this man’s son was brutally murdered and the police don’t seem to be interested in putting anyone away for the crime. Their attitude seems to be ‘let the trash take care of itself’. This man, Tommy Delcamino, had always found Gus to be a ‘fair’ cop who treated him with human respect. So now, he wants Gus to investigate his son’s murder.
Gus is more than reluctant to get involved, but when Tommy Delcamino is brutally murdered, AND Gus’s premises are searched, he deems that this is now ‘personal’, and much to his own jeopardy, he investigates.
Gus has to visit some dangerous places and talk to some dangerous people to investigate the Delcamino’s deaths.
“…but if you want to learn about bottom feeders you don’t speak to the angels”.
What he learns leads to his losing faith in the very police department he once worked for and makes him reassess his own friendships.
The Long Island setting is well depicted, and it is obvious that the author is very well acquainted with the area – this is where he lives after all. The writing is astute and for the most part somber. This is essentially a ‘hard-boiled’ detective novel with a ‘noir’ feel. I think it will be enjoyed by those who enjoy this genre and follow the television shows “Ray Donovan”, “Bosch”, and the like. I think men will appreciate it more than woman, though anyone who enjoys the works of Lee Child, Michael Connelly, or Dennis Lehane will likely appreciate his work.
I enjoyed “Where it hurts“, but I didn’t love it. What I did love was the author’s writing. He has a knack for cutting to the heart of the matter with a clever turn of phrase.
“Where it hurts” is the first novel in the author’s Gus Murphy series. The second Gus Murphy novel, “What you break” is due to be published in February 2017.
My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads.
“I lost my faith a long time before losing my son, and his death proved me right.”
He lives his life on automatic pilot, existing rather than living – and grieving. In the two years following his son’s death, Gus has been driving the courtesy van for a small airport hotel. He lives at the hotel and works as the hotel detective, he also sometimes works security when they are busy.
When one of the criminals he once arrested comes to the hotel to see him, his life is irrevocably changed. The man tells him about the loss of his own son, another criminal. Only this man’s son was brutally murdered and the police don’t seem to be interested in putting anyone away for the crime. Their attitude seems to be ‘let the trash take care of itself’. This man, Tommy Delcamino, had always found Gus to be a ‘fair’ cop who treated him with human respect. So now, he wants Gus to investigate his son’s murder.
Gus is more than reluctant to get involved, but when Tommy Delcamino is brutally murdered, AND Gus’s premises are searched, he deems that this is now ‘personal’, and much to his own jeopardy, he investigates.
Gus has to visit some dangerous places and talk to some dangerous people to investigate the Delcamino’s deaths.
“…but if you want to learn about bottom feeders you don’t speak to the angels”.
What he learns leads to his losing faith in the very police department he once worked for and makes him reassess his own friendships.
The Long Island setting is well depicted, and it is obvious that the author is very well acquainted with the area – this is where he lives after all. The writing is astute and for the most part somber. This is essentially a ‘hard-boiled’ detective novel with a ‘noir’ feel. I think it will be enjoyed by those who enjoy this genre and follow the television shows “Ray Donovan”, “Bosch”, and the like. I think men will appreciate it more than woman, though anyone who enjoys the works of Lee Child, Michael Connelly, or Dennis Lehane will likely appreciate his work.
I enjoyed “Where it hurts“, but I didn’t love it. What I did love was the author’s writing. He has a knack for cutting to the heart of the matter with a clever turn of phrase.
“Where it hurts” is the first novel in the author’s Gus Murphy series. The second Gus Murphy novel, “What you break” is due to be published in February 2017.
My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads.
December 29, 2015
Gus Murphy is living a run down hotel and driving the courtesy van for it's guest when he is asked by an ex-con to help find out what happened to his son. Gus tells him he should really ask the police for help but Tommy Delcamino said he has already asked them and brought them plenty of leads but no wants to see justice done for his son. Gus reluctantly agrees and takes what Tommy has the detectives involved in the case but they shine him on. Now Tommy is dead and Gus has been shot at. As more and more clues come to light it appears that there is more to the story than originally appears. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and First To Read for the chance to read this ARC.
July 1, 2017
Nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel, and I can't figure why? This story is one cliche after another. Embittered retired cop with a soft heart? Check. Corruption in the police department? Check Furious sex with his ex wife? Check
Coleman is a pretty good writer, but I couldn't find anything fresh about the story
Coleman is a pretty good writer, but I couldn't find anything fresh about the story
July 28, 2019
I was turned off by the reliance on stereotypes rather than character development.
June 9, 2017
Reed Farrel Coleman is an extremely talented writer. He excels at character development and setting a scene. This is the first in a new series for Coleman featuring former Suffolk County police officer Gus Murphy whose life is in a shambles following the unexpected death of his son 2 years ago. A person Gus knew quite well having arrested him a number of times while on the job seeks Gus out asking him to investigate the brutal murder of his son. When this man later turns up dead, Gus makes it his mission to find out why this man and his son were killed. While Coleman tended to dwell on Gus' suffering over his son's death more than I felt was necessary to understand Gus and which detracted from the story a bit for me, I found Gus to be a compelling protagonist surrounded by a great cast of characters, and the story was entertaining. I feel like I've been to Long Island after reading this book. This book has been nominated for a number of awards.
May 2, 2017
I can't believe this author has written 20+ books, and I have never heard of much less read any of them. That is about to change.
Where It Hurts is an Excellent start to a new book series.
Gus Murphy hasn't been a cop since is son died 2 years ago, but he was a cop, a solid good cop, for 20 years. No he is a hollow shell of a man, when a lowlife from his past (Tommy D) reaches out to Gus, to ask for help, regarding the murder of his own son. Gus is soon buried in crosses and double crosses, doesn't know who if anyone in his old police department he can trust, yet the people warning him to stay away, and the dead bodies keep increasing.
The action is non stop, the story is well told, and more importantly it isn't filled with, "that would never happen" moments.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series, What You Break.
Where It Hurts is an Excellent start to a new book series.
Gus Murphy hasn't been a cop since is son died 2 years ago, but he was a cop, a solid good cop, for 20 years. No he is a hollow shell of a man, when a lowlife from his past (Tommy D) reaches out to Gus, to ask for help, regarding the murder of his own son. Gus is soon buried in crosses and double crosses, doesn't know who if anyone in his old police department he can trust, yet the people warning him to stay away, and the dead bodies keep increasing.
The action is non stop, the story is well told, and more importantly it isn't filled with, "that would never happen" moments.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series, What You Break.
May 1, 2018
Crime fiction is not a genre I usually read, but Where It Hurts was well written with characters who were well developed and compelling. Gus Murphy, the ex-cop who is recovering from a personal tragedy, gets pulled into a murder investigation that spurs him to examine not only the details of the case but the state of his life.
September 28, 2017
Gus Murphy is the real deal. Troubled but still got his sense of humour. All helped by the fact that Reed Farrell Coleman hits you where it hurts. Highly recommended.
October 30, 2017
Good story. Interesting, too, to read descriptions of Long Island from a reality view.
March 7, 2016
Retired Suffolk County cop Gus Murphy is living a dead existence. Alive, barely functioning, and deep in a well of painful memories that has destroyed his marriage, his relationships, and nearly him. He has been that way since his son died. Divorced, he drives a courtesy van at night for The Paragon Hotel of Bohemia, New York located close to Long Island MacArthur Airport. He lives at the Paragon as well and tries to not think by any means possible. His grief is overwhelming and shows no sign of abating.
He never thought Thomas Delcamino would ever be in his world again let alone show up at the Paragon looking for him. Known to cop and crook alike as Tommy D., the man tracked him down because he wants the old Gus, the Police Officer Gus, of more than two years ago who always treated him fairly despite the fact that Tommy D. was/is a known dirtbag. He did plenty of stuff, nothing really major, and was often arrested and in the system for one thing or another.
Four months ago Tommy’s son, TJ, was tortured and ultimately killed after some pretty horrible things were done to him. Tommy D. gave the detectives some leads of people to talk to and a few other things and waited for the cops to do their jobs. He didn’t try to do anything on his own. Absolutely nothing at all has happened with the case. TJ may have had a bad man as his father, but that does not mean he deserved what he got or for the cops to do nothing about his murder. Tommy D. wants to hire Gus to find out who killed his son.
Gus isn’t about to help a piece of human waste like Tommy D. find out anything. Tommy D. is devastated over his son’s murder and his pain is far too much for Gus to handle in his own state. He’s got too much pain over the loss of his own son to think about anyone else. That is until everyone at all levels of local law enforcement as well as other folks start warning him away from the case. Another murder ensures that the case of what happened to TJ is something he can’t let go.
No review will tell you just how good Where It Hurts by Reed Farrell Coleman truly is. This review doesn’t do it justice either. It is an incredible read and one that works on every possible level.
Just read it already.
Where It Hurts: A Novel
Reed Farrel Coleman
http://www.reedcoleman
G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House)
http://www,penguin.com
January 2016
ISBN# 978-0-399-17303-9
Hardback (also available in audio and e-book formats)
363 Pages
$27.00
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
He never thought Thomas Delcamino would ever be in his world again let alone show up at the Paragon looking for him. Known to cop and crook alike as Tommy D., the man tracked him down because he wants the old Gus, the Police Officer Gus, of more than two years ago who always treated him fairly despite the fact that Tommy D. was/is a known dirtbag. He did plenty of stuff, nothing really major, and was often arrested and in the system for one thing or another.
Four months ago Tommy’s son, TJ, was tortured and ultimately killed after some pretty horrible things were done to him. Tommy D. gave the detectives some leads of people to talk to and a few other things and waited for the cops to do their jobs. He didn’t try to do anything on his own. Absolutely nothing at all has happened with the case. TJ may have had a bad man as his father, but that does not mean he deserved what he got or for the cops to do nothing about his murder. Tommy D. wants to hire Gus to find out who killed his son.
Gus isn’t about to help a piece of human waste like Tommy D. find out anything. Tommy D. is devastated over his son’s murder and his pain is far too much for Gus to handle in his own state. He’s got too much pain over the loss of his own son to think about anyone else. That is until everyone at all levels of local law enforcement as well as other folks start warning him away from the case. Another murder ensures that the case of what happened to TJ is something he can’t let go.
No review will tell you just how good Where It Hurts by Reed Farrell Coleman truly is. This review doesn’t do it justice either. It is an incredible read and one that works on every possible level.
Just read it already.
Where It Hurts: A Novel
Reed Farrel Coleman
http://www.reedcoleman
G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House)
http://www,penguin.com
January 2016
ISBN# 978-0-399-17303-9
Hardback (also available in audio and e-book formats)
363 Pages
$27.00
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
January 29, 2016
I have never read anything by Farrel Coleman before so this is my first experience with his writing and his style. This is not a ‘feel good story’ nor is it a ‘tidy’ mystery. It’s dark, gritty, and has complicated characters that you will most likely not enjoy…….however, Murphy’s character evolves from a broken man in the beginning to a man who is forced to face his demons and become the man he once was.
Murphy’s character’s evolution throughout the novel was well written and inspiring. As a reader, I was really rooting for him and I was happy with the resolution of the novel. You can’t help but enjoy the main character…..some of the secondary characters not so much but the main guy is relate-able!
I went into this book with the idea that it was going to be edgy, gritty, and different…..and I was not disappointed in the least. This book read super fast and every page advanced the novel and mystery. This book reminded me a little of a James Patterson novel when it came to pace. I read this book in a matter of days with a large chunk being in one sitting.
The last 30% of the novel was especially fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoy a well written crime novel and this one did not disappoint. The only thing that I struggled a bit with was that this novel was almost ‘too busy’ with characters. There were a lot of different characters to keep track of and I found myself distracted some times by the amount of characters.
That said, this was still a worth while read and if you are into crime novels or thrillers this one does not disappoint!
See my full review here
Murphy’s character’s evolution throughout the novel was well written and inspiring. As a reader, I was really rooting for him and I was happy with the resolution of the novel. You can’t help but enjoy the main character…..some of the secondary characters not so much but the main guy is relate-able!
I went into this book with the idea that it was going to be edgy, gritty, and different…..and I was not disappointed in the least. This book read super fast and every page advanced the novel and mystery. This book reminded me a little of a James Patterson novel when it came to pace. I read this book in a matter of days with a large chunk being in one sitting.
The last 30% of the novel was especially fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoy a well written crime novel and this one did not disappoint. The only thing that I struggled a bit with was that this novel was almost ‘too busy’ with characters. There were a lot of different characters to keep track of and I found myself distracted some times by the amount of characters.
That said, this was still a worth while read and if you are into crime novels or thrillers this one does not disappoint!
See my full review here
September 28, 2017
Lately I've simply marked which titles I like and which I didn't. I think this one merits elaboration.
Several areas of the writing that incorporated African-American characters were problematic. Each of them spoke a stereotypical style of so-called street lingo, regardless of station in life, that felt inauthentic, verging on offensive from a white writer. A scene between retired cop and thug used the full n-word, and having the protagonist give the ultimatum to stop using the term felt like pandering, a throwaway gesture meant to fit with his 'white knight' image.
The sequence where the MCs ex-wife appears at his door in a trench coat, heels and nothing else "for one last hurrah," deviating from a pattern of showing up to fight and have angry sex also felt indulgent. There was no attempt to explain her motivation to, again, be a stereotyped character from a men's magazine short story. So much time was spent on his pain and loss, an effort to make him sympathetic, yet hers was a superficial treatment.
Some of the writing choices had me saying "Really?" - such as (gasp!) writing that the African-American drug dealer's daughter or girlfriend (I lost track of which) answered the door to a complete stranger in a tank top and underwear. And, of course we are meant to believe that the ex-felon who eked out a living at unskilled manual labor compiled a detailed notebook of his murdered sons street contacts and conveniently handed it off to the ex-cop he still trusted. Even the MC noted "Gee, this is just like the kind of notes at detective would make."
Convenient writing is, all too often, bad writing. The choice of narrator on this audio did nothing to strengthen the characters' voices.
Several areas of the writing that incorporated African-American characters were problematic. Each of them spoke a stereotypical style of so-called street lingo, regardless of station in life, that felt inauthentic, verging on offensive from a white writer. A scene between retired cop and thug used the full n-word, and having the protagonist give the ultimatum to stop using the term felt like pandering, a throwaway gesture meant to fit with his 'white knight' image.
The sequence where the MCs ex-wife appears at his door in a trench coat, heels and nothing else "for one last hurrah," deviating from a pattern of showing up to fight and have angry sex also felt indulgent. There was no attempt to explain her motivation to, again, be a stereotyped character from a men's magazine short story. So much time was spent on his pain and loss, an effort to make him sympathetic, yet hers was a superficial treatment.
Some of the writing choices had me saying "Really?" - such as (gasp!) writing that the African-American drug dealer's daughter or girlfriend (I lost track of which) answered the door to a complete stranger in a tank top and underwear. And, of course we are meant to believe that the ex-felon who eked out a living at unskilled manual labor compiled a detailed notebook of his murdered sons street contacts and conveniently handed it off to the ex-cop he still trusted. Even the MC noted "Gee, this is just like the kind of notes at detective would make."
Convenient writing is, all too often, bad writing. The choice of narrator on this audio did nothing to strengthen the characters' voices.
February 17, 2017
3.5 stars (how I wish Goodreads allowed this in their rating system). This is the first Reed Farrel Coleman book I have read. I heard about it through NPR when it landed on their 2016 best books list. It is well written, noir style, with a great protagonist. Gus Murphy was a cop for 20 years at the Second Precinct in Long Island when his 20 year old son collapsed and died suddenly at a pickup basketball game. Over the next two years Gus loses his wife, his career and basically barely exists. Working at a rundown hotel as a driver and a bouncer at their bar, he doesn't have a lot of reason to exist with the exception of his daughter, who has slid into a bad way. But into his life comes an ex-con whom he had arrested in the past but apparently treated with respect. This man's son has been murdered and he want's Gus's help in finding the murderer as the police are stonewalling. Gus reluctantly gets involved, learning his old friends at the Second Precinct may not be trustworthy and in the process learns to live again.
There are some over the top moments (normal for this type of book) and a few convenient moments of revelation to Gus, but the writing is strong and so is the character. I look forward to his next installment, which is already out since I came to this book a little late. Happy reading if you haven't picked this one up yet.
There are some over the top moments (normal for this type of book) and a few convenient moments of revelation to Gus, but the writing is strong and so is the character. I look forward to his next installment, which is already out since I came to this book a little late. Happy reading if you haven't picked this one up yet.
November 13, 2015
Today I read detective novels more as ongoing narratives than thrillers. There are only so many elements that can compose a thriller - whodunnit, whydunnit, McGuffin. And, increasingly, wheredunnit. I chose this novel because it is the first in a series (hopefully), which means no catching up on backstory. Because backstory is what I am most interested in. Not the drugs, murders, and other devices necessary to the plot. After faithfully following all the 87th Precinct series from the '60's on, which first fascinated me more in the lives of the detectives rather than the mysteries they were solving, I found myself more drawn to lively characters rather than plot. Others have followed, with varying degrees of success. I also chose this book based on the description of locale -- the "other" side of Long Island, where the "real people" live. Coleman says in an author's note that he has lived in Suffolk County for almost 30 years, so there is verisimilitude to the settings. The character of Gus Murphy is well drawn, with the built-in pathos that is de rigueur for detectives these days. I hope that this is the start of a series with a long life.
June 6, 2016
I don't remember how I found this novel but I am glad I did. It absorbed me for hours! I suspect the main character, Gus Murphy, will appear in a future title, and I will be looking for that one, too, as well as seeking out other books by Reed Farrel Coleman.
In Where it Hurts, Gus Murphy's life unravels at the sudden death of his teenaged son. Instead of being a police officer, Gus is driving a hotel shuttle bus, serving as a hotel house detective and sometime bouncer. His daughter has fallen into alcoholism, his marriage is over. He wallows in sorrow. Then a small time criminal comes to Gus, shattered by the horrific murder of his son. He wants Gus to find out what happened. Gus refuses, rudely and emotionally. But he changes his mind--too late, as Tommy Delcamino is shot to death shortly before Gus is able to apologize. Gus' struggle to make it right with a dead man he has no respect for will absorb you!
In Where it Hurts, Gus Murphy's life unravels at the sudden death of his teenaged son. Instead of being a police officer, Gus is driving a hotel shuttle bus, serving as a hotel house detective and sometime bouncer. His daughter has fallen into alcoholism, his marriage is over. He wallows in sorrow. Then a small time criminal comes to Gus, shattered by the horrific murder of his son. He wants Gus to find out what happened. Gus refuses, rudely and emotionally. But he changes his mind--too late, as Tommy Delcamino is shot to death shortly before Gus is able to apologize. Gus' struggle to make it right with a dead man he has no respect for will absorb you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews