Product Description

Seattle p.i. Leo Waterman isn't looking for trouble when he and his forensic pathologist girlfriend Rebecca escape into the Washington wilder for a few days of relaxation -- it just seems to find him. An old friend has purchased some choice property here in North America's only rain forest and his posting of "No Trespassing" signs has incurred the wrath of every sportsman for miles around. But what starts as irksome harassment by the offended locals soon escalates into the real of the lethal. And it's just Waterman's luck to be in the epicenter of this murderous mess at the very moment it bursts into flames.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #496308 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-01
• Released on: 2001-01-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 352 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Lots of smooth, wiseacre talk powers this agreeable caper past two major shortcomings: a near-overpowering intro section and a woefully underdeveloped big-scam ending that falls seriously flat. Freelance sleuth Leo Waterman memorably rescues a teenage girl from the Seattle streets, then heads deeper into the state of Washington to hang out with J.D. Springer, a fisherman pal. J.D. and his family have bought a place close to Native American land. He's made several enemies among the surly locals by denying them all fishing, hunting and boating rights. Soon J.D. is a charred corpse at the bottom of a hill, his cabin is burned out and his family has fled. Leo's initial inquiries lead to a car crash and copious injuries to both himself and Rebecca, his forensic pathologist girlfriend. All but abandoned by the more sensible Rebecca, Leo assembles a ragtag collection of career criminals for a projected megascam to root out the villains. The scam is barely under way before Leo incurs the wrath of the local cops and embarks on a romance with a wealthy local woman. Kindhearted, street smart and fast-mouthed, Leo possesses more than enough panache and personality to carry this slick yet slight work.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman travels with girlfriend Rebecca to a friend's place in the Pacific Northwest rainforest. Unfortunately for the friend, local residents become murderously angry over his no-trespassing signs. A solidly entertaining series addition.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From The Washington Post
"The most likeable private eye to make the scene since Travis McGee...If G. M. Ford writes five more years' worth of Leo Waterman novels, I'll be happy to read every one of them."

Customer Reviews

A very intense read
When he turns forty-five, Seattle private detective Leo Waterman will inherit a large trust fund. Currently, Leo lives with his long-time partner, forensic pathologist Rebecca, who loves him. Leo still has a foul taste in his mouth from his last case even though he successfully rescued a sexually abused teenage girl and placed her with her grandmother.

To escape the city, Leo and Rebecca visit her goddaughter Claudia and her family at their newly acquired fishing camp in Steven's Falls. Claudia's husband J.D tells Leo that the locals are out to destroy him because the town wanted the property he purchased. Leo figures J.D. being an outsider is just a tad paranoid by the aloofness of the townsfolk. After returning home, Leo reconsiders his opinion since J.D. is reported dead and Claudia and their children are missing. Leo and Rebecca investigate, but are injured when two vehicles run their car off the road. Leo refuses to kowtow to pressure and continues to place his life in danger from a town without pity, one that prefers to keep hidden at any cost its dirty secrets.

As in most of the novels in this superb series, the Quixote-like Leo's caring for the down trodden motivates him into action that leaves readers with an exciting tale. The smooth flowing mystery is fast-paced as expected from this triumphant series. Talented G.M. Ford is clearly a BMW of a writer.

Harriet Klausner

Maybe the best of the series
A great addition to the Leo saga - jumps right into action on a sordid case of sexploitation, then changes gears into a small-town conspiracy mystery. Plenty of laughs and plenty of action. A real page-turner.

A fun read
Leo & Rebecca are at it again. This is the sixth book in the series and one of the best. Leo makes some new friends and revisits some old while untangling the circumstances around the death of an aquaintence. The scheming he uncovers leads him to some scheming of his own as only he can scheme. The 'Boys' new home is a riot, and the plot is involved enough to keep you guessing. This is a fun read, although there are a couple of darker undertones and some changes that will make Leo a different person when we meet him next. G.M. Ford has done it again!