A Welcome Grave

The Lincoln Perry Mysteries, Book 3

By: Michael Koryta

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The third novel by award-winning mystery writer Michael Koryta featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry. Once a rising star on the Cleveland police force, Perry ended his career when he left one of the city’s prominent attorneys, Alex Jefferson, bleeding in the parking lot of his country club—retribution for his affair with Perry’s fiancée.

Now Jefferson is dead, the victim of a brutal murder, and his widow has called upon Perry for a favor he knows he shouldn’t grant but can’t turn down: to find Jefferson’s estranged son, partial beneficiary of the dead man’s fortune. The case is simple enough, a routine “locate,” and he’ll be paid plenty of money for the work. The encounter should be simple, too: a brief exchange of information and maybe an empty condolence before Perry gets back into his truck and returns home. Instead, he’s loaded into a police car and taken to a rural jail while Jefferson’s son is zipped into a body bag.

Perry soon learns that Jefferson’s millions are the target of a thirst for revenge that hasn’t been satisfied by blood. As a pair of deadly assailants push deep into the investigator’s life, they bring with them police from two states who are determined to see Perry in jail.

Building on the skill that prompted the Toronto Sun to call him “one of America’s best young mystery writers,” Michael Koryta makes A Welcome Grave an intense exploration of the lengths to which a desperate man is forced to go to clear his name and solve a crime. This is a thrilling new book that justifies the critical acclaim and solidifies his role as an emerging talent among today’s top writers.

©2007 Michael Koryta (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Koryta is one of the best of the best, plain and simple.” (Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times best-selling author)

“Stylish prose…well observed.” ( New York Times)

“Addictively readable.” ( Chicago Tribune)

Riveting story

No problem with holding your attention throughout the entire story. Was disappointed in the main character though. His reactions and decision making were more akin to those of an average person off the street than of an experienced PI/cop.

A Welcome Grave

A Welcome Grave was well written and read. A great suspense novel. Next book please.

Standard-Fare Mystery Thriller

Not a bad detective mystery, but not great either. Drags a bit in the end, so be prepared for a lapse in an otherwise evenly-paced detective fiction.

workmanlike

Perhaps I've reached a saturation point with this series. The reading is first-rate, the story moves along well, there are lots of perilous encounters to overcome for the doughty hero . . . But there are some silly things. A GSR test would have cleared Our Hero from the false charge of murder, but basic police procedures were neither followed nor mentioned. The whole antagonistic cops thread of the plot was pretty much a simplistic plot device, annoying for causing hardly-believable complications. But with some suspension of disbelief, the suspense is good, the story complex but not too complex to understand, and there is enough revenge going around to satisfy anyone.

Another great book from Michael Koryta

A well crafted plot with good characterizations and plenty of unexpected twists. Scott Brick handles the narration with his normal aplomb.

Very very good

This book is the best one so far in the series and I 5 starred the first 2. This series is one of my favorites. It's made even better by Scott Brick. Luckily I have a credit and I'll be downloading the fourth book in a minute.

Interesting Characters & Story keeps you guessing

Michael Koryta is only 33 years old and has 12 novels! This blows me away. I have only read the first three Lincoln Perry novels (the 4th is in my cue, and then I will venture outward and read one of his other books). In my opinion each of the three Lincoln Perry books is better than the one before.

This latest books forces Lincoln to deal with issues from his past. The case involves the death of Alex Jefferson who was tortured, killed and dumped in a field. The police quickly set their sights on Lincoln as a suspect because Lincoln had a past with Alex who was married to a woman named Kare who was, at one time, engaged to Lincoln. In order to prove himself innocent, Lincoln goes on a hunt for the real killer — hired by Karen!

I will not go any further with the retelling of the story so as not to spoil it for others. But also, I could never do it justice. The characters are fully developed and the plot offers many twists keeping the reader guessing as to who committed the crime. My favorite part of any novel is getting to know the characters. That part is far more important to me than any plot twists. I am a character-driven fan.

Michael Koryta does not disappoint. He lets us explore Lincoln’s thoughts and know his issues. But even better he also allows me to know the characters around him. I am rooting for Lincoln to further explore his relationship with Amy because Mr Koryta has let me get to know her and like her. I am yearning for Joe to return because I think he balances Lincoln and that Lincoln will be less interesting without him.

So, why am I so happy to know that this author is only 33? Because it - hopefully - gives him many, many more years to write and to develop these characters who I am starting to think of as friends.


BTW: I saw one very short review which criticized Scott Brick as the narrator. I disagree. I like his subtlety, and I love his ability to distinguish Lincoln and Joe.

"Never Say Yes"

If you could sum up A Welcome Grave in three words, what would they be?

Fast, good adventure. The Ex fiancé got on my nerves, so if that's what the author intended, then it worked.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I liked the story, but I don't think I liked it enough to buy more of this author. It seemed a bit too long for me. All the reviewers loved this author, and I purchased this book due to Scott Brick reading the story. He did a superb job bring all the characters to life, maybe too real of life. Our hero seems to get involved, seems a bit rash, then has a moral dilemma over his decisions. Ok, for me, I think I needed a hero, that has more humor or sarcastic wit.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lincoln has dialogue with Indiana detective.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no, but plenty of fast action to keep you interested, make no mistake. This was a good buy on 50% sale and worth the the listen.

What a Ride!

Would you listen to A Welcome Grave again? Why?

This was the Best Rollercoaster Ride EVER! Twists, turns, updsidedown, loop-de-loops! Lincoln & Thor... Well Thor & Lincoln... Sweet Team!

What other book might you compare A Welcome Grave to and why?

They're Watching by Gregg Hurwitz. A wild ride and once you think you know what is right the lines blur

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Thor

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

Fear. Fear.

Good listen, but too many characters

This was a great listen, but it certainly isn't something you can listen to as you're floating around doing other things. There are two rich guys, at least a half dozen gangsters, several Russians and a couple of people you may or may not meet? This book is Charlie from It's Always Sunny trying to solve the case of Pepe Silvia.