Harry Starke (The Harry Starke Novels Book 1)

Really enjoyed this book, I have never read a book where the author includes the reader. He explains things that may have happened in earlier books in the series, that was helpful since this was the first book I have read. Lots of action, twisted ending, never saw coming. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review."

Harry Starke watches a very beautiful woman jump off of a bridge in the winter time. The look of fright on her face is something he can not get out of his head, so he needs to find out why. Little did Harry know that this would lead to high powered people in a little known "by invite only" club that is a front for money laundering, blackmail. and murder. Does Harry find out how the young woman was involved? At what cost? The police won't help since it was suicide, but the dead bodies keep piling up. A very good read. Read it in one day. Had to find out the answers for myself. I received a copy of this book for an honest review from Reading Deals.

Harry witnesses a young women jump off a bridge and commit suicide. That is when the investigation begins. I love PI stories and this one is full of adventure. A crooked politician is at the center of the crime ring. I plan on reading the next novel in this series.

Great Book. You hooked me right from the start. I like the way you write. It is easy to read & you know
the people in the book. It is like you are there with them. I really enjoyed this book. I did not want to put
it down. I will be reading another one soon. There was so much going on, & had me guessing as I read,
why would she jump off the bridge. Thanks for such a great book.

Great book, I can't believe how invested I became in the characters. Really wanted good guys to win and wanted baddies to get smacked down! You do need a better proofreader though, lots of missing, and misplaced words. Also it's 'moot' not mute.

To keep it simple without creating a spoiler for the Authors creative directions - this was an epic journey with mystery,power, intense drama, satire, all created through realism of imaginable perceptions of venue. Had me from the first page! Great Work - I do hope this to be the beginning or more to come.

Very well-written mystery. This first book of the series offers a fast-paced story with believable characters and storyline. The dialogue is believable and the mystery unravels well. Can't wait to read the next one.

Great and intriguing plot – Action packed – filled with many twists and turns. Harry Starke is an ex-cop turned successful PI in Chattanooga. A page turner that pulls you in so much so that it is hard to put the book down. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.

I received Harry Starke by Blair Howard from the authors mailing list and agreed to submit a review. I found it to be a solid detective story, formulaic, but an entertaining five-hour read. If you liked it, sit back for a lot of entertaining reading. There are 12 books in the series. This is Book One. All are available singly for free through Kindle unlimited. The first nine books are available in boxed sets of three, also available through KU for free. Mystery fans, this will occupy your time. I found this book, Book One, too predictable. Although Harry Starke, the protagonist not the book, is well developed, the way the character is developed does not seem to me to be a consistent and believable character. The story and the mystery remain interesting, but the central character put me off. The reader meets Harry in the first few pages as a beautiful and classy Tabitha Willard runs towards him in the middle of the night on a bridge but, just before meeting him, decides to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge. Harry initially feels bad because his attempt to save her failed. How such a classy woman could have been in the low-class typical bar that Harry liked confused him, but he had seen her arguing earlier with low-life types in the bar. It looked like she was running from them but now was dead. Harry Starke is interested.

Harry Starke headed a private detective agency. It had nine employees, five investigators, three staff, and himself. He had not always been a private detective but had been a police officer of an indeterminate rank. As an archetypal detective character, he was no longer a police officer because he employed methods that pushed legal limits to extremes. While a police officer, he had a partner, now police Lt. Kate Gazzara, a necessary element to the story so that Harry could have access to police databases on a strictly informal basis with the acquiescence of Kate. Harry always likes his alcohol, throughout the day, and frequently to excess. Harry had a long-running affair with former partner Kate and is faithful to her except when he isn’t. Harry is the bad guy we don’t want our daughters to meet. Can there be any redeeming features to this man?

The answer is yes and the reason why I didn’t want to read the entire novel (although I did). In addition to taking on cases, delegating parts of them to his employees but solving everything himself, maintaining a complex relationship with Kate but still having several hours to dally with others, and unapologetically maintaining a time-consuming alcohol dependency; Harry cooks. This is not frozen TV dinner style. In several instances after he invites Kate to his apartment, he has time to go to the market and buy salmon fillet (no cholesterol) fresh vegetables and wine that does not come out of a box. Harry knows wine vintages; he knows varieties of alcoholic drinks and liqueurs. He also seems to know just what drinks will impress Kate or the dalliance du jour. And coffee is French Press. He even cooks interesting meals for himself when alone. It’s a good thing he doesn’t have to clean, it provides employment for the housekeeper. This just doesn’t fit a bad-boy image. Then there are the coincidences that at least are not related to this wanna-be Master Chef.

Harry wants to solve the mystery of Tabitha’s death; was it suicide or murder? The story will wind its way through labyrinths of political intrigue, a rather libertine look at sex, the story of a drug runner trying to become respectable, money laundering, off-shore accounts, and some interesting computer technology that should hold computer geek interest. And all of that is on top of complex human relationship portrayals. I was particularly taken with the character of Lt. Kate. Although not well developed in this book, there are lots of opportunities to explore her character in following editions. I believe I will give this series one more (book) chance just to see how Kate is doing.

And finally, Harry’s life is just too coincidentally easy. There is a friendly Federal Judge when Harry needs a warrant so that Kate can legally carry on her investigation. When Harry needs to meet a U.S. Senator in Washington D. C. on short notice, he just calls dad and borrows the Lear jet. When he needs access by appointment to a high political official, he calls dad who doesn’t mind setting up a guaranteed appointment by giving son Harry a check for USD 2 700 so the politician will agree to meet Harry.

There is enough “good stuff” in this book to make it an entertaining read. The “stuff” that is negative to me is enough to make me want to read another book in the series and see if anything gets better or more realistic. Because the writer has captured my interest in a way that I feel trapped into reading further, I gave this three the store stars.

I just finished the first novel in the series - Harry Starke. Within the first chapter it drew me in to an interesting world of crime vs law. I found the book hard to put down and finished it in just two days. Finding a new author is always a joy and I have already purchased the next two books in the series. I highly recommend this book!

An outstanding story. Harry Starke seems as real as they get. All the characters are alive. Great story line great characters with plot twists and surprises galore. One of the best mystery books I've read in years. I can highly recommend this to everyone that enjoys a good action mystery novel. Harry Starke will become one your favorites as well.

Blair Howard and the Harry Starke series are new to me. That having been said, I enjoyed the book very much and as others have said, it was difficult to stop reading. The chapters are short and I like that, it seems to make the story move along quickly. I would encourage anyone who likes mysteries to try this series.

This was a well-written, well-plotted story that kept me captivated through the whole book. Sure, a lot of it was formula PI with a cop friend, but that didn't detract from the novel itself. I'm looking forward to reading more in the Harry Starke series.

Blair has written a great character in Harry Starke a real no holds barred private investigator, the plot is riveting and well written. I highly recommend this book and will certainly be buying number 2 in the series.

Love these books, the characters interact nicely. Good plots, I was hooked within a couple of pages, if I am not into the story within the first chapter it's hard to finish, but I enjoyed the twists in this series. Bought all remaining books and binge read them in a week! Can't wait for book 11.

I thoroughly enjoyed books 1 - 3 of this series. However, I am disappointed that I cannot find it in print - either hardback or paperback. I guess I am from the old school who prefers the feel and smell of the paper book. I am delaying purchasing the rest of the series (in print form) until and unless I can find these in print also.

A wonderful read! Fast paced with great characters and a masterfully written plot. This story will definitely be a page turner, and Harry Starke is one of my favorite new characters.
Harry Starke (The Harry Starke Novels Book 1)

Another great read. Harry Starke is a P.I. Unlike most that you've read. He's an x-cop, and walks to the beat of his own drum! Howard Blair is one of my favorite authors. I love his writing style, and way with words. Don't miss out!

An interesting story involving power, sex, and intrigue. Harry Starke, a former cop turned private investigator, becomes involved in all of these things when he witnesses a young girl's suicide.

This is a fast paced story that will have you turning page after page until you finish and anticipating the next adventures of Starke.

This is an honest review in exchange for reading a complimentary version of this novel.

Very good PI novel. This PI is not an alcoholic, nor is he struggling to make ends meet. He has a successful business and a sense of humor but still has women issues. Action packed with good characters and story line. Loved it. Recommended.

Love this new detective series. Harry Starke is a true detective, following the clues and making things happen! The characters seem fresh and the author keeps you guessing until that last chapter. I plan to read the next novel in this series right away, cannot wait!

I absolutely loved this book! I'm looking forward to reading the other two in the series. Plenty of action, just enough sex, supporting characters that were interesting, and of course Harry himself. Once I started reading this, I didn't want to quit.

Loved this book! Like Harry, the main character, and want to know more about him. This is not the usual whodunit....makes you want to keep reading. Going to buy the boxed set so I can read the next two of the series. I received this free copy in return for an honest review. Would highly recommend!

I was riveted from the beginning when reading Harry Starkey. I have read Patricia Cornwell and J.D. Robb and Blair Howard ranks right up there as far as I am concerned. Easy to read; you will not want to put it down until the end......

I have read every book in this series and enjoyed ALL of them! Once you read the first one you'll want to continue to book #2, and so forth. The characters come to life and you'll want to follow them along in the series. I highly recommend the series.

Thoroughly engaging story! Captured my interest right from the beginning. Harry Starke has a successful business and takes care of business no matter what it takes! Enjoyed the plot and the characters!

Interesting read. This was like reading current events as well as a murder mystery. I ended up respecting Harry, but not sure I would work for him. I do have sympathy for him, he definitely hurts and has his ghosts.

i couldnt read these books fast enough - once you start you cant put it down until done and then you grab the next one - if you havent read any of the books in this series i highly recommend you try - at least the first one

Harry Starke is a modern PI with 1940's attitudes toward life and women. The plot is unique and swirls to the edge of believability, but Harry ties it all up at the end after a few twists. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone.

This book was a terrific read. I've already started on the second book in the series. Finally a new detective character that is not a cartoon character. I really liked Harry Starke and the world the author has drawn up for him to operate in. Highly recommended!