Potshot

A Jack McMorrow Mystery

By: Gerry Boyle

Narrated by: Michael A. Smith

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Predicting the days of marijuana legalization, this, the fourth McMorrow story, delves deep into backwoods growing and drug dealing and the damage it can do when big, urban traffickers enter the picture.

Jack alternates between the back-to-landers living communally on the outskirts of Florence, Maine, and confrontations with urban gangsters moving in on the product - and the people who Jack’s come to know.

Library Journal says, "Along with snappy dialog that propels the story, Boyle presents an ensemble of likable characters. A sure thing for anyone who has enjoyed Robert Parker’s Spenser."

Cronies at a county fair, an assassination attempt, and hostages are only a few of the challenges McMorrow has to face in this fast-paced addition to the McMorrow legacy.

©1997 Gerry Boyle (P)2018 Anaba Publishing

Interesting book but some of the lines are a bit cliché.

This is probably not the best book I have ever listened to but not bad. The book did have a decent twist in the end.

I did find it a bit far-fetched that the main character would go to this much trouble for $300 though.

I received this audiobook in exchange for my review.

Good Narration

Jack as a reporter, is always looking for an angle on an article, so he could sell to a bigger newspaper. This was on the legalization of marijuana a simple thing of just signing a petition. Good narration
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

All hail Jack!!

Where ever you fall on the legalized marijuana scale, this book is a great listen. Jack McMorrow has another story to write and another mystery to solve (and that never gets old!) and the cast of characters in this listen have an agenda. There is humor and surprises aplenty. And Jack, well, he finds himself in the thick of things.

There are some surprises in this listen with a few no-that-didn't-happen moments. Jack is awesome!

Good story

Another good story by Gerry Boyle. This time Jack gets involved in the pot world. He encounters signature gatherers at the Common Ground Fair (only it’s not called that in the book) looking to legalize marijuana. (Spoiler alert, it happens but not until 2019, well after this book.) At the same time, Roxanne is having a not-so-good time at work trying to get two children out of a bad family situation.

I really like Clare. What a great neighbor! He’s the only character that, I think, the narrator gets right.

Speaking of the narrator. His women’s voices are poor. I would think some simple research on the pronunciation of proper names could be done. An-tee-ee-tum? And METH’-oo-en should be Meth-OO’-en. I’ve only listened to these first four books but I have a paperback for book 5 so I’m curious about how that will play out. I’m really not fond of this reader.

But the author does a great job with the story so I will read on.

Pot Shot Has it All: Characters, Suspense, Wit

Pot Shot has it all: Suspenseful plot, characters who draw you in, snappy dialogue, and a situation that explores a contemporary concern: the legalization of marijuana.
That’s the question that freelance journalist Jack Mcmorrow thinks he’ll explore for a piece in the Boston Globe when he meets the farmer/hippie sorts who are proponents of legalization, along with their band of supporters seeking medical cannabis. Soon, though, there are two missing persons and a trail that seems to lead to a darker-- and dangerous--criminal element. McMorrow can’t let go—and neither can we. With a secondary plot focused on his girlfriend— social-worker Roxanne’s struggle to protect children from a drug-addled neglectful mother—McMorrow balances his need to protect and support Roxanne with his own need to find answers and serve journalistic integrity. At his side throughout is his deeply honorable friend and neighbor, Clair, a Viet Nam veteran who shares McMorrows quick-witted verbal agility and is guided by the ethos of the Marines: Sempre Fi.
If you liked Robert A. Parker’s Spenser mysteries, you’ll love Gerry Boyle’s McMorrow novels. Literate, witty, with laugh-out-loud moments of dialogue, as well as nailbiting tension mixed with a deep knowledge and affection for Maine: its birds and natural beauty, its people and way of life, Gerry Boyle's novels are a treasure.
Also noteworthy: Boyle’s work is infused with an uplifting quality. His characters are driven to do good, to be true to their values and take care of those they love. Respect for others and compassion are at the core of Boyle’s observations on his fellow residents of this rural landscape that he clearly knows and loves.

Kept me up later

small-town, small-business, court-reporter, crime-fiction, maine, investigation, suspense

Following Jack the journalist into another dangerous investigation is a thrill ride of danger full of surprising twists and red herrings. It's Maine near the end of the last century, but some things have changed little and crime even less. A good read!
Michael A. Smith is a really fine narrator and easy to understand, as well.

Love the sarcastic banter

I got to ponder on the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana while being entertained.

Micael A Smith did a great job narrating.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Maine Grit

Gerry Boyle's gritty mysteries are sure to keep any listener glued to their speakers or headphones. They lead to those "driveway moments" when you just can't shut it off! Though Gerry's prose and Michael Smith's narration the characters come alive and present a Maine landscape and mindset that are on par with the work of Stephen King and Carolyn Chute in whose company he surely belongs. No fluff here!!

John Snyder, Thomaston, Maine

Potshot at Jack

A kid with a 22 for his best friend, drug growers/dealers and insurance cheaters on the run , and Jack sucked into the middle. Good story

Drugs and Murder

This was the third book I have read about Jack Mcmorrow and it did not disappoint. Jack and his girlfriend Roxanne are at an agricultural fair when Jack is approached by a fast and smooth talking hippie, Bobbie, to sign a petition to legalize marijuana. Jack has an idea this could develop into a saleable story to the Boston Globe and Bobbie convinces him to come out to their remote backwoods home to discuss it further. The story develops this plot and segues into illegal drug distribution and murder when Bobbie's wife phones Jack to say that Bobbie and his seedy companion Coyote have disappeared on a trip back to the city where they were originally from. At the same time as Jack is pursuing his story, Roxanne is also involved as a social worker who has received threats from an angry drug addicted and irresponsible mother whose children Roxanne has taken away. Michael Smith does an excellent job of storytelling.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.