Trace

A Joe Gunther Mystery

By: Archer Mayor

Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI) has been pulled onto three cases at the same time; meanwhile, VBI head Joe Gunther has to take time off to care for his ailing mother. 

Those cases are now in the hands of the individual investigators. Sammie Martens is assigned a murder case. The victim is a young woman, the roommate of the daughter of medical examiner Beverly Hillstrom. A recent transplant from Albany, New York, Sammie must find out what put a hit man on the trail of this seemingly innocent young woman. 

Lester Spinney takes over a famous cold case, a double murder where a state trooper and a motorist were killed in an exchange of gunfire. Or so it has seemed for years. When Lester is told that the motorist’s fingerprints were planted on the gun he’s supposed to have fired, it opens the question - who really killed the state trooper? 

Willy Kunkle’s case starts with a child’s discovery of three teeth on a railroad track, leading eventually to a case of possible sabotage against critical military equipment. 

In cases that lead the team all over Vermont and nearby, Archer Mayor once again shows why his novels featuring Joe Gunther and the VBI team are among the finest in crime fiction today.

©2017 Archer Mayor (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

My favorite book in the series so far.

Great narration.
Loved the triple story line and getting better acquainted with the secondary characters.

Another hit for Archer Mayor

As always, Tom Taylorson was in good form. I loved this book because we get a look at Joe's team's ability to work without his guidance. The team is charged with solving three high profile cases, and they each succeed in their own way. As they go, they learn something about themselves and grow because of it. The police procedure is on point, except for Willie who makes his own rules and owns up to the consequences. I loved the five endings (Joe's Family, Case 1, Case 2, Case 3, and The Group). Definitely recommend this book!

Joe and Tom and the best one yet!

3 incredibly interesting and complicated cases that lead from Albany to Windsor to Burlington and, of course, the main VBI office in Brattleboro. 1 starts when a child finds 3 broken and bloody teeth on the railroad tracks. Then the chief of the forensics fingerprint lab discovers that some prints in and old case were forged. And then Rachel meets a girl fleeing from Albany and they become friends and the girl gets murdered in their apartment.
Simple rural Vermont the home of political intrigue, counterfeit parts being sold to the Military, and what turns out to be very serious shenanigans in law enforcement.
And Joe's mother dealing with a serious ailment.

Terrific timely book too bad Woke last page

As usual a terrific book. Tom T’s narration is always great. But the last page candle lighting and Joe’s speech (not to mention….SPOILER) nonsense.

such good stories. love the characters

I love all the Joe Gunther books, this one was especially good because of all of the different cases that were being worked on by the main characters. Not only were the case is interesting but the characters in their development through it we're awesome. the narrator continues to do a wonderful job in fact I can't work without having his voice in the background!

Joe Gunther Bk 28

I was new to Joe Gunther mysteries //Archer Mayer and began listening with book 1. I was captivated by the character building of all the individuals in the series. I almost feel like I know each of their doppelgangers in my own life. As I was saying I began with book 1 and became so entrenched in the Joe Gunther mysteries I binged listened to all 32 books with fascination, escape, and enjoyment. I love the less than perfect characters, the thought processes each character manipulates and how each struggle with mental demons (some more than others) that make them real and come to life. I am also really impressed that not one of Mr Mayer’s stories (of all 32 books) repeat themselves in story line which is a impressive feat. My only disappointment is the next book isn’t out until Sept 2022.

another winner

I don't know how this book might work for those who don't already know the characters. it's not the place to start the series. but for those who do it's perfectly paced and well plotted.

Mayor’s best

Archor Mayor has incredible insight into people and weaves that into well written ,terrific narrative. And Tom Taylorson makes it real. .

See review on book 32 - I enjoyed them all

Another great mystery that comes at an important time as our country slides down into the swamp.

Finally!

Finally! After the last two books my faith had been restored in Archer Mayor’s storytelling. The few loose ends were gathered up and I was ready to set aside the book.

Also, Tom Taylorson is the best voice of the Joe Gunther series, IMO.

Excellent!!

One of the strongest in the series. Well read and a great three-line plot. Recommended.