Checkmate

The Harry Starke Novels, Book 4

By: Blair Howard

Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

They found Angela Hartwell lying in the shallow waters beside the golf course. There was not a mark on her, yet she was dead, strangled. How could that be?

Once again, it's up to Harry Starke to find out. The investigation takes him into a world he's very familiar with, a world of affluence, privilege, and corruption.

To solve the mystery, he must deal with three murders, a beautiful used car dealer, her lovely twin sisters, and a crooked banker. Not to mention Burke and Hare, two crazy repo men who will stop at nothing to protect their employer's interests. There's also the matter of an ingenious, sadistic killer. But nothing is ever quite what it seems.

©2016 Blair Howard (P)2016 Blair Howard

Wrecked Em Hell! Almost Killed Em!

Would you consider the audio edition of Checkmate to be better than the print version?

I haven't yet read the Kindle version. This is a favorite series, so I plan to read all of the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry Starke. He's the main character and in the middle of the action.

What about Tom Lennon’s performance did you like?

The voice acting almost lets you become an actual player in the story! Excellent pacing, good clear voice!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Very much Entertained! I do get a bit choked up when the audio book gets near the end. LOL

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy action, mystery, Noir then this a good series. All the Harry Starke books are "stand alone". I would recommend reading / listening in order, but that's your perogative.

This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you!

A well-written story from a very good author

Checkmate (Harry Stark, #4), my twenty-second read from author Blair Howard. Well-written and enjoyable, edge of your seat detective fiction. So far each book in the series has been batter than its predecessor. Narrator Tom Lennon's excellent narration, as always, adds to the enjoyment of the book. I look forward to Gone (Harry Starke #5). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

I am really liking Harry Starke

Another great Harry Starke book. One of my favorite authors is Lee Child & his Jack Reacher series. Harry is kind of like him to me in a way so I am hooked. A thumbs up if you like a copy who always gets his guy. Great Narrator also. I am hooked Blair Howard!

Great Story

CHECKMATE book 4 in HARRY STARK SERIES. Harry has an overload of cases, being a successful PI. Yet, when Kate an old flame of his, ask him to be a consultant on a case, and without pay. How can he refuse, even if no pay. Harry is part of the elite, country club , is known by most. People are either frighten of him , or impressed. Case : a young 29 year woman found on golf course, from a gentle murder. What is strange her husband died just a year ago, supposedly from a heart attack. Harry starts digging, there are affairs, drug, money laundering. twins. The list goes on, and the papers are stacking up. Who would benefit, and inherit. Another great page turner, and keeps you guessing to the end. A great read for all to enjoy.
Given ARC audio for my honest opinion.and my voluntary review

An entertaining murder mystery

Checkmate is an entertaining murder mystery with bank fraud added into the mix. This is part of the Harry Starke series of mysteries, but each book works just fine independently.

The narrator does a good job with the books, although his voice strikes me as sounding a bit old for the character. He is the same narrator for the whole series (or at least all the ones I’ve listened to so far), so if you like him in the other books, you’ll like him in this one.

Recommended for mature readers due to violence and sexual content. There are no explicit sex scenes however.

I received a complementary copy of this audiobook as part of a box set. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The first book I read in this series

This is the first book I actually read in this series. The going was slow, but as the story progressed I really started to like the characters. Harry actually took me some time to like, but his harsh manner softens when he is with Amanda. I didn't understand the Kate/Harry dynamic at first, but it became very clear after reading books 1 & 3. Angela Hartwell is found dead by Harry while golfing with his father. Kate turns the case over to Harry, because he belongs to the Country Club and people will be more likely to talk to him. Actually, he ends up making everyone either wary or angry with him. There is a definite twist at the end, one I actually didn't see coming.

Blair Howard hit a home run with this one!

Love Blair Howard books! The storyline keeps you coming back for more! Tom Lennon is a great Narrator. His voice is perfect! The blend of Kate and the police Dept. and Harry and his P.I. crew, make a team to be reckoned with! I highly recommend this book!

Another amazing Harry Starke novel, love Harry!

Tom Lennon does such an amazing job bringing Blair Howard's books to life that I found myself disappointed when Mr. Howard showed us a picture of what his vision of Harry looks like. When I listen to Tom, I picture Harry looking like Mr Howard, I guess it is because I have never saw a picture of Mr. Lennon. Funny how you get an idea isn't it? Harry has a bunch of characters in this book that I don't remember hearing about before, so that made it even more interesting trying to figure out who was guilty. There are more than just the initial murder in this book and boy do we meet some interesting characters. Kate works with Harry on this case which is actually her case that she managed to push off onto Harry.. LOL they may not be together anymore but Kate still has some claws left in Harry's heart that she uses to her advantage. Poor Amanda finds out again that being in a relationship with Harry isn't really the best for her health. Some interesting questions are raised at the end of the book that have of course enticed me into downloading the new book in the series so I can see what's up next. You don't go wrong spending time reading or listening to Mr. Howard's books they are all great!
I received a free code from the publisher to listen to this book on Audible.com. This review is my own honest opinion.

Escalating murder count!

Harry is commendered into helping an over worked Detective Kate, with a woman who was found dead, just off the golf course.
Harry, finding that the woman's husband had died from a heart attack 12 months earlier, went on the alert.
All friends and acquaintances felt the guy had been super fit, and was surprised that his heart had failed.
Harry wasn't surprised to find his wife was stating, to anyone that would listen that he had been killed.
So the saga had begun, but it became a very complicated and complex list of suspects.
Yes, another engaging tale of murder and misdirection.

The case of the body in the water

I love Blair Howard. I had read the first 3 Harry Starke books but had not listened to an audiobook. I always compared Harry to Stuart Woods’ Stone Barrington-they both are insanely rich, love good food, good wine , and women. This audiobook showed me the difference-The Accent! I keep forgetting Harry is from Chattanooga and has a southern accent. Now I have a voice in my head for Harry. Thanks Tom Lennon. In this book, Harry finds a body in the river at the country club. In the process of solving this mystery, Harry and Amanda get shot at while watching the river Harry loves from his condo, destroying the glass wall and Harry’s future enjoyment of watching the river. After a lot of dead ends, Harry finally figure this one out. Great book!

checkmate

I enjoyed listening to Tom Lennon, his narration is perfect, bringing the characters and plot together.

I was hooked from the start. A great thriller, we have a lady is found dead on the golf course. Blair and Kate find themselves in a world of privilege and… corruption to solve this one. I never guessed the killer into they were uncovered at the end of the book.

Great mystery, narrator keeps yr interest all thru

Loved this book. It was an intriguing story, well thought out to keep your interest throughout. The main person, Harry Stark, has a great personality and the way his dialogue is written is entertaining. Anyone will like this mystery and the way the narrator speaks keeps you glued so you don't want to turn it off.

fantastic

another fantastic murder mystery audiobook from the pen of Blair Howard and brilliantly narrated by Tom Lenton xxxxxxx