Blog Tour: Night Watchman

The Night Watchman
By Mark Mynheir
Published at Waterbrook Multnomah

What the book is all about
Ray Quinn is a tough, quick-witted homicide detective in love with his partner, Trisha Willis. She gives Ray something to live for—something to hope in. Until a barrage of bullets leaves Trisha murdered and Ray crippled.

Struggling with his new physical disability and severe depression, Quinn turns to whiskey, scorn, and a job as a night watchman to numb the pain. But when a pastor and dancer are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, the pastor’s sister approaches Quinn for help.
Reluctantly, Quinn takes the case and is plunged into the perilous Orlando. Soon he discovers that, not only was the pastor murdered, but the case may be linked to his and Trisha’s ambush. Torn between seeking revenge or responsibility, Quinn is thrust into the case of his life.

Author Mark Mynheir gives readers his most profound police thriller to date with The Night Watchman (first book in The Night Watchman Private Detective Agency Series). Readers of all ages will devour this gripping murder mystery that bristles with tension and intrigue. In a taut cop-style all his own, Mynheir delivers an inside look at the thoughts, feelings, fears, and challenges police officers experience while investigating violent crimes and the lost souls who commit them.

Who is Mark Mynheir?
A detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Palm Bay Police Department, Mark Mynheir investigates violent crimes and writes riveting Christian fiction. A U.S. Marine with a passion for martial arts and firearms training, Mark has worked on narcotics units, SWAT teams, and myriad high-risk situations. His four novels offer a realistic glimpse into the gritty world of law enforcement and the rarely seen raw emotions behind the badge. Mark lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

My thoughts on the book
I like suspense and mystery and this novel is packed with both. I had never read any books from Mark Mynheir and I enjoyed reading this novel. You can see that the author knows what he is talking about in the detective world. No wonder really since he himself is a detective who investigates violent crimes.

I can understand that going through a violent crime can mess your head to the point that you try to shut down the pain. But honestly, I find that the main character is drinking too much (even though at the end it seems that he has reduced the quantity) and is a bit too sarcastic. But at the same time his sarcasms make him an interesting character because he doesn’t get too emotional in the job. You can see his heart being softened during the course of events in the novel because at the beginning he is always pulling a leg on the younger character working with him as a night watchman but with time he takes him under his wings and teach him the nuts and bolts of investigating crime.

The main character also seems to soften a bit on “God talk” like he says after a long investigation on a suppose murder-suicide of a pastor and a young woman. Turns out that this was a murder and it is connected to his story.

Mark Mynheir uses his knowledge to keep you wanting for more as you get into the novel. You wonder what will happen next, who is the spy in the police department working for the bad guys, and if more will get killed during the investigation.

The way the book finishes makes you wonder if Mark has more story about Ray Quinn under his sleeves. I can sense a series about his adventures and his search for the “witness” who comforted him while he was down after being shot. And maybe, just maybe new relationships in his life – both with God and a lady he helped in this novel. And between you and me I would like to know if his protégée will achieve his dream of becoming a police officer.

If you like investigation and mystery novels, pick up the book from Mark Mynheir. I think you would like it.

The Night Watchman is available everywhere – even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.