Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: 44.1644° North
AUTHOR: Josh Lanyon
NARRATOR: James Woodrich
PUBLISHER: JustJoshin Publishing
LENGTH: 6 hours and 55 minutes
RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2023
BLURB:
Two can play at this game….
Fledging PI Zachariah Davies’ wealthy and eccentric client, toymaker Alton Beacher, wants to hire an investigator who can pose as his boyfriend while figuring out who is behind the recent attempts on his life. And Zach, struggling to save the business his father built, is just desperate enough to set aside his misgivings and take the job.
But it doesn’t take long to realize all is not as it seems—and given that it all seems pretty weird, that’s saying something. The only person Zach can turn to for help is equally struggling, equally desperate, but a whole lot more experienced rival PI Flint Carey.
Former Marine Flint has been waiting for Zach to throw in the towel and sell whatever’s left of the Davies Detective Agency to him. But when the game, inexperienced accountant-turned-shamus turns to him for help, Flint finds himself unwilling—or maybe unable—to say no.
REVIEW:
Zach Davies has taken over his father’s PI business. The business is in real trouble. He and his sister are trying to keep it going, but he needs an infusion of cash. He does NOT want to sell despite the pressure that Flint Carey, a rival PI is putting on him to just sell him the business. The answers to his prayers seemingly walk in the door in the person of Alton Beacher. Beacher is a rich guy who wants to hire Zach to pose as his boyfriend for the weekend to force his wife to give him a divorce. He thinks his wife is threatening him and he wants to flush out her motive and be free of her. Zach doesn’t really get it, but the $12K will go a long way to keeping the doors open. So he agrees.
Thus begins a very bizarre case that has him wondering what in the heck he thought he was doing. Beacher gives him an odd gift on the way back from the weekend at Pebble Beach and Zach lets him know in no uncertain terms that this will never be anything but a business arrangement. He’s got enough on his plate fending off the buyout offers from Flint and dealing with his ex who doesn’t want to accept things are over between them. Then there is a very bizarre dinner date, unexpected confrontations and a fiery death. And why is Zach suddenly a suspect? Things get more and more bizarre and surprisingly Flint seems to be the one person Zach can trust.
Oooooh this is such a fun story! The characters go from antagonists to reluctant partner to more 😉 The mystery is satisfying, the action believable and fun, and the relationship surprising in the best possible way. Zach’s kid sister Brooke, Flint’s Girl Friday, the various suspects and exes and friends with benefits round out a cast of characters that kept me guessing. Lots of fun and a satisfying ending – who could ask for more?
This was such an unexpected treat. This the first audiobook from James Woodrich that I’ve listened to and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There aren’t a huge number of characters here, but I liked all the voice choices. Flint and Zach are two very different guys. They compliment each other however and that is true of the voice characterizations as well. There is distrust and then begrudging cooperation and finally respect and tenderness between these two men as they try to solve a murder that one of them is implicated in. Zach may be less experienced in investigation, but he’s not stupid. I thought the performance just enhanced this already absorbing story. I liked it so much that I wish it would be a series, but alas, I think this is our only story of Flint and Zach. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
[…] Reviewed by Sadonna […]