Forever Haunt

Jimmy McSwain Files Series, Book 5

By: Adam Carpenter

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Fifteen years ago, NYPD officer Joseph McSwain was gunned down while trying to stop a robbery. His murder was never solved. Until now.

For his son, Hell's Kitchen private detective Jimmy McSwain, his father's death has defined him, defied him, and denied him his chance at happiness. But the shooting death of a young officer named Denson Luke has reignited the investigation into the mysterious Blue Death conspiracy. Jimmy still must earn a living, so he cannot ignore a family in distress. New neighbors Carmen Ramirez and her young son, Sonny, are clearly running from danger.

Overnight, their case becomes one involving a missing father, a Chinese crime syndicate, and an abduction which threatens to overwhelm Jimmy's mission of solving his father's case. His relationship status with Frank Frisano on and off again, Jimmy tries to do double duty, jeopardizing his own safety. It's only when another murder occurs that Jimmy finally finds the path that has eluded him.

His investigation finally leads him back home, where a devastating family secret overshadows all he's learned, and the cost to the McSwain family may never be repaid. Jimmy realizes the blood on his hands will forever haunt him.

©2017 Adam Carpenter (P)2020 Tantor

Good story. Good narration.

Like the rest of the series, this book wraps up cases and introduces potential new ones. The pacing and development of the mystery were engaging enough to keep me listening with very few pauses.

I like the evolution of Jimmy's relationships, both romantic and with friends and family. The characters keep me interested even when I think I have the mystery solved. I do not like Salvatore. He is part of the problem in the realm of professional, personal, and social issues. I am worked up about a fictional character, so I would call that excellent character development.

The narration was nicely done and the various voices for the decent sized cast are performed well. The next book is already in my TBR list.

Why did you have to end on such a sad note?

As with all the previous ones, Joel's narration was brilliant (although as a Caribbean person I can say not all of us speaks like Jamaican). The suspense in this one was a slow burn and a surprise. Brilliant writing...excited for the next one or two