Shut Your Eyes Tight (Dave Gurney, No. 2)

A Novel

By: John Verdon

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Dave Gurney, retired NYPD homicide investigator, is back in Shut Your Eyes Tight, the sequel to the international bestseller Think of a Number

Dave Gurney, a few months past the Mellery case that pulled him out of retirement and then nearly killed him, is trying once again to adjust to his country house’s bucolic rhythms when he receives a call about a case so seductively bewildering that the thought of not looking into it seems unimaginable—even if his beloved wife, Madeleine, would rather he do anything but.

The facts of what has occurred are horrible: a blushing bride, newly wed to an eminent psychiatrist and just minutes from hearing her congratulatory toast, is found decapitated, her head apparently severed by a machete. Though police investigators believe that a Mexican gardener killed the young woman in a fit of jealous fury, the victim’s mother—a chilly high-society beauty—is having none of it. Reluctantly drawn in, Dave is quickly buffeted by a series of revelations that transform the bizarrely monstrous into the monstrously bizarre.

Underneath it all may exist one of the darkest criminal schemes imaginable. And as Gurney begins deciphering its grotesque outlines, some of his most cherished assumptions about himself are challenged, causing him to stare into an abyss so deep that it threatens to swallow not just him, but Madeleine, too.

Critic reviews

“Taut and suspenseful…Verdon is in top form as he lays out the twisty mechanics of the crime, creating an agreeably sinister villain…A strong follow-up to the author’s wildly entertaining debut.”--Washington Post

“The crime is grisly and the cop is complicated. A nice combination.”--New York Daily News

“For anyone who loves a good puzzle, John's Verdon's SHUT YOUR EYES TIGHT is the easy answer.”--CNN.com

"Verdon, who hit a home run with his debut novel, THINK OF A NUMBER, has now nailed another one."--Booklist (Starred review)

"Absorbing complications, perfect pacing and a conflicted protagonist (endearing for his introspection)...The author's insight, which imbues the story with tremendous humanity, make this a must-read for thriller fans who enjoy tales that are not only gripping but believable." Library Journal (starred review)

"Verdon follows THINK OF A NUMBER, his sensational debut featuring retired NYPD detective Dave Gurney, with this standout sequel, set a year later. [The elements:] a bizarre, high-profile murder…an apparent impossibility involving the murder weapon, and once again…a relationship in crisis."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Same old,same old

These fictional crime writers seem to have a checklist they follow weather it applies to the story or not :Murdered or dead relative or significant person in protagonists past ; Romantic interest or family doesn't understand our hero's calling to solve murders ;Nasty cops who want to make it difficult for our guy to do his job; The rich who aren't only different they have no honest caring human feelings and of course if there are teenage girls, make them sluts The checklist goes on but I will not bore you further. I'm just bored trying to find a good police procedural. John Verdon seems to be a good writer.Or maybe Scott Bricks wonderful narration made me believe this. If Verdon showed some creativity and threw the list away I'd be interested to see how good he could be. P S At least Dave Gurley is not a drunk. We can be grateful for that.

An excellent read

The author managed to write an entertaining doozy of a story while still being plausible. Psychological insights were deep and characters fascinating. I didn't want the book to end.

As good as the first

I don't have a huge review to write. The title says it all. If you read the first one - Then you'll prbably enjoy this one as well. If you didn't read the first one - Why the heck are you getting this one ;-) I didn't hate Scott Brick's narration - That was good.

A must read!

Scott Brick doesn't disappoint! Tha main character is a unyielding murder detective. The suspense between him and his wife is just as suspenseful as the murders! Their marriage is teetering on the precipice, while MC is struggling with his dark past. Painful memories, conflict resolution didn't come quickly! A wonderful drama and thriller all in one! Loved it!

All the way to the end.....

Very good story line. Scott Brick does an incredible job (as he always does!!) in creating the persona of each character with his voice.

Well paced action and events throughout book.

John Verdon keeps one captured to the end, with some clues, if you keep your eyes open!!