Bøker av Gregory Payette

Private Investigator Henry Walsh thought trouble was done knocking. But when it arrives on his doorstep, he can't ignore the call to chaos...Eager to savor his newfound sense of home, Henry finds solace elusive in the same childhood haven he envisioned. Struggling to keep Walsh Investigations afloat, he yearns for a game-changing client. However, fate deals a different hand when an unwelcome specter from his past, Brock Mason, resurfaces, seeking Henry's aid.Reluctant to reopen old wounds, Henry turns Brock away, only to reconsider when his old friend vanishes without a trace. The catch? The truth lies in the enigmatic streets of Miami.Against the stern warnings of his partner and fiancée, Alex Jepson, Henry dives into the Magic City's intricate web, where danger flows through the veins of the streets like a heartbeat. As lies and deception weave a treacherous narrative, Henry grapples with regret and discovers the hard way that Alex's instincts are seldom wrong.In this riveting tale of tangled loyalties, Henry Walsh faces a city that holds secrets as tightly as its embrace, and the choice to uncover the truth may prove to be his most perilous yet.

In a small Maine town, secrets are hidden beneath the surface along the shore...Summer. 1978.Private investigator Jake Horn is looking forward to a weekend with his daughter, away from the busy streets of Boston. But an early morning jog leads them to a shocking discovery on Goose Rocks Beach.Within less than twenty-four hours, the cops arrest the brother of a local restaurateur for murder. But something doesn't seem quite right. And it doesn't take long for Jake to realize it's not just the low tide that smells somewhat fishy...While the evidence against the suspect looks damning, Jake has little doubt the cops have the wrong guy.Is it all just a setup?Jake soon finds himself caught in the crosshairs of some powerful locals who want him out of the picture. But even when his hands are tied, it'll take more than a threat to stop him from finding the truth.But the closer he gets to the truth, the more tangled the mystery becomes...

Now that Henry's on his own, it's not just his PI business that's falling apart...After a trip to the West Coast of Florida to visit his parents, he's not exactly sure what he's supposed to do next. With his partner, Alex, now gone, he's feeling a bit lost. He's even considered walking away from Walsh Investigations for good.But everything changes when he receives a call from a woman who wants to find her father's killer. The problem is, the murder took place over a decade earlier.The last thing Henry needs is a cold case nobody's been able to solve. But finding answers, when nobody else can, is the one thing that drives him. And he's somewhat intrigued when he learns the woman's never actually met the man she calls her father.He finally agrees to investigate, and his first step is to dig deep into the past. But it soon becomes clear someone's gone to great lengths to keep it there.Just as he starts to get traction, his new client disappears. And Henry's the one left without answers.But his whole world comes crashing down when he faces a threat he never sees coming. With his own life in danger, it'll take more than smarts and investigative skills to save him...

Nothing's ever gone right for Dennis Malloy. Why would this time be any different?Dennis is smart enough to know right from wrong, although his actions rarely show it. Now, after spending the past six years in prison, he wants to do the right thing. But life is hard for an ex-con. Especially one who's flat broke and someone's looking to get paid.After blowing what little money he had left on scratch-off lottery tickets, Dennis decides to make a move he knows he'll live to regret. But his luck seems to change when a bag full of cash lands at his feet after a hold-up he witnesses goes awry.His luck doesn't last...Dennis is mugged in the restroom of a local bar, leaving him with nothing but lint in his pockets.Bruised and battered, an attractive woman he meets takes him home for what he hopes will be some late-night fun. But it turns out she has something else in mind. And Dennis knows it's trouble...Presented with an opportunity to make some cash, he has to decide if it'll be worth the risk.If they can pull it off... it'll be the break he's been waiting for. But if they don't? He's guaranteed another five-to-ten in the can.Is one last crime the answer?

When justice fails, Charlie Harlow's not afraid to take the law into his own hands...Deputy U.S. Marshal Charlie Harlow refuses to stand by and watch when someone's in trouble. So when a teen he tried to help suddenly goes missing, he has a hard time stepping aside to let the local authorities do their job.And when he senses the case isn't being taken as seriously as it should, he decides to take matters into his own hands and bring the girl back to safety.But everything changes when the sheriff's office finds a body that matches the girl's description. Charlie takes the blame for what happened, and makes a promise to make those responsible pay the price.He won't stop until they do.He tracks down every lead. He follows every clue. And by the time the local authorities officially turn to the U.S. Marshals Service for help, Charlie's already two steps ahead of everyone involved. ¿But this time, his reluctance to follow orders might be just what brings him down. When the search takes a turn in the wrong direction, Charlie knows he has to change course, or it'll be more than his own life he's put at risk.

The one thing that can ruin a good night of fooling around is a murder in the morning...Former crime journalist Joe Sheldon has really taken to his new role, tracking down deadbeats for his bookie friend Dickie.It's a far cry from covering the dark side of Miami for the local rag.He enjoys getting to act like a tough guy, even if he goes out of his way to avoid the violence.But when Joe gets involved with the wife of the man he's trying to track down, things get... more than a little complicated.Especially after she turns up dead. Between an angry husband who has apparently pissed off the mob and cops who think Joe's somehow involved with all the murders taking place, this time it looks like he's in real trouble.If he can't bring the truth to the surface soon, he just may pay the ultimate price...

When your ex becomes your client, the only thing more dangerous is the truth.It's 1978. With an economy on the brink and a city plagued by corruption, the glory days seem to be over for the failing P.I. agency Jake Horn inherited from his uncle. And he's at a point where he'll take any job he can get.Of course, there are exceptions...When his beautiful and enigmatic former fiancé walks into his South Boston office looking to prove her husband's been cheating, Jake's best option is to turn her away.He may be desperate for work. But he's no fool.When the husband's dead body turns up in a dumpster behind a local motel, the cops look to Jake's ex as the suspect. But then, she disappears...The detective on the case is determined to see someone pay for the crime. And he has a hard time believing Jake isn't somehow involved.With a target on his back and his freedom at stake, Jake has to rely on his own grit and investigative skills to find his ex and uncover the truth. It's a race against time, and Jake's life won't be the only one on the line if he can't find the real killer.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Charlie Harlow is committed to serving justice. It's doing it by the book that's the problem...When a case goes wrong and a fellow law enforcement official is killed, Charlie once again finds himself in the crosshairs of the Justice Department. The only way he knows to get his mind straight for the way things went down is to throw himself back into another case. Bringing a fugitive to justice may be just what the doctor ordered...But when his chief deputy sends Charlie and his partner down to capture a fugitive hiding out on his girlfriend's farm, a routine case turns out to be much more than meets the eye. Deputy Kim Riggins is taken hostage, and Charlie throws everything he can into the hunt to save her. Soon the game of cat-and-mouse turns deadly, and Charlie must use his skills and cunning to outsmart those responsible and bring them to justice. But Charlie rarely does anything by the book. This time, his relentless and somewhat reckless pursuit sets him on a dangerous path. And if he can't bring the case to a close, the person he cares about most will be the one who pays the price.

In the sun-soaked streets of Miami, a former crime journalist becomes the headline of a dangerous game...Joe Sheldon is out of work. But he finds solace in his vodka cranberries, listening to vinyl records in his high-rise, downtown apartment.When a 68-year-old bookie, Dickie Caldwell, offers him a job tracking down a deadbeat gambler who owes some money, Joe's afraid he can't afford to turn his back on what seems to be a decent chunk of change. But before Joe even has a chance to get started, Dickie's younger girlfriend disappears. And the ransom note spells it out: If Dickie doesn't pay up, he'll never see his lovely lady again.The problem is, none of it seems to make much sense to Joe.Is it all just a setup?He promises Dickie he'll do whatever he can to help. But he soon finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of lies and deception. And when an old friend who tries to help him is killed, the guilt eating at Joe quickly turns to vengeance.It's about to get dangerous.But can a wordsmith outwit the bad guys? Or will Joe's determination and persistence cost him something he won't be prepared to lose...

A simple infidelity investigation gets turned on its head when a man under surveillance falls to a surprising death...Private investigator Henry Walsh won't argue with the actual cause of the man's ultimate demise. Not after he witnessed the victim land poolside from seven floors above. But how the man went off the balcony is up for argument. Too many questions remain...When the sheriff's office quickly concludes it was suicide, Henry's left scratching his head. And his suspicions are raised when his client, the victim's widow, declines his offer to investigate further.It just doesn't add up.With his partner Alex by his side, the two take the case into their own hands. But soon their relentless pursuit of the truth throws them into a dangerous situation they didn't see coming.On the run from those who are out to stop them, reality hits hard when the threats Henry ignored come back to bite him. He'll have no choice but to push forward with the investigation, even if it means the one person he cares most about will pay for his mistake...

<p><b>Another exciting investigation throws Henry deep into a mystery surrounding the death of someone from his past...<br></b><br>When local musician Bonnie Chapman''s husband shows up at Henry''s door, he makes it very clear he''ll pay whatever it takes to get to the bottom of his wife''s untimely death.<br><br>But Henry''s reluctant to take the case, and has a few questions of his own before he''ll decide.<br><br>With his partner Alex by his side, it doesn''t take them long to find some answers and a handful of suspects with something to gain with Bonnie gone...<br><br>Just when it starts to look easy, things take a turn in the wrong direction. Henry struggles with an unexpected threat, and it puts the investigation in jeopardy. Alex does all she can to protect him.<br><br>But Henry''s stubborn as a mule. He refuses to let his own dire circumstances get in the way of finding the truth. Even if it means his own life will be in danger...</p>

<p><b>In his most thrilling mystery yet, private investigator Henry Walsh dodges bullets, bombs, and married women to help find a friend''s missing fiancé...</b><br><br>Just as he''s about to begin the search, an explosion rocks the marina where his friend was staying. When divers from the Sheriff''s Office come up out of the water empty handed, Henry can only fear the worst.<br><br>But he keeps his promise, and leaves no stone unturned as he continues his search for his friend''s fiancé. And as he hunts for those responsible, it''s Henry who soon becomes the hunted.<br><br>The target on his back only grows, and he must fight to keep those around him out of harm''s way.<br><br>His normally hard-shelled partner Alex is worried they''re in way over their heads. She pleads with him to leave it in the hands of the Sheriff''s Office.<br><br>But walking away was never Henry''s thing. And he knows once he has all the pieces, he''ll have no problem making them fit.<br><br>As long as he can stay alive...<br><br>When Henry finally discovers the one thing everyone''s been after, getting it into his hands is his only option.<br><br>Apparently, it''s a treasure worth killing for...</p>

<p><b>It''s Henry Walsh''s first big case as a licensed private investigator. If he''s not careful...it could be his last.</b><br><br>One Sunday morning, John Thompson went out for a ride on his bike and never made it home.<br><br>But was it really just an accident?<br><br>That''s the question the victim''s ex-wife has for the Sheriff''s Office. But when they refuse to investigate further, she turns to Henry to find the truth. He''s reluctant to take the case at first. The truth is, the evidence is thin. But with the ink barely dry on his private investigator''s license, he''s willing to take his chances.<br><br>And he could certainly use the work.<br><br>But as it turns out, solving crimes isn''t as easy as he''d hoped.<br><br>That''s why he once again turns to Alex Jepson for help. She''s a tough-as-nails ex-cop with a firm grip on both reality...and Henry''s heart.<br><br>Questions about the victim''s past soon begin to rise to the surface. With his shady business dealings, an ex-wife, a dead wife, and the young widow he left behind...the list of suspects starts to grow.<br><br>When Henry and Alex dive deeper into the investigation, it becomes dangerously clear someone is out to stop them. And as they find themselves getting closer to the truth, the deadlier it becomes...</p>

<p><b>He knows he''s more than just another washed-up ex-cop. Solving a murder will help him prove it...<br></b><br>A straight-shooter who lives on his boat and likes a drink or two, Henry''s frustrated he can''t even land work as a dispatcher. And his job running security for a local baseball team is far from his idea of excitement.<br><br>But it pays the bills.<br><br>The morning after the season ends, Henry''s at his friend''s bar with a Bloody Mary in one hand and a phone in the other. He takes a call that could change everything...<br><br>Turns out a couple of fishermen pulled third baseman Lance Moreau''s body from the St. Johns River. And his teammate''s been arrested for the murder.<br><br>The team''s owner turns to Henry to help prove the cops have the wrong man.<br><br>Henry knows working security in an empty ballpark is one thing. But investigating a murder?<br><br>It won''t be easy.<br><br>Lucky for him he has Alex Jepson on his side. She''s beautiful. She''s tough. And as Henry likes to say...she''s the one with the brains.<br><br>They''re a good match, in more ways than one.<br><br>Now all they have to do is find the real killer...</p>

<p><b>Henry Walsh is back to solve a puzzling mystery in Fernandina Beach when a lifelong friend confesses to a murder...</b><br><br>He refuses to believe Charlie Senecal is a killer. But the circumstances surrounding the crime raise far too many questions.<br><br>If the man Henry''s known since the third grade is innocent, then &lt;em&gt;why would he confess to a murder he didn''t commit?<br><br><em>It just doesn''t add up.</em><br><br>But Henry knows Charlie hasn''t been himself since he lost his job as police chief. And with his wife now gone, his state-of-mind has to be questioned...<br><br>Henry''s instincts take over as he ignores the facts others choose to accept. But his way of thinking could lead him into trouble, as he heads north of the border looking for answers.<br><br>It''s clear the cops aren''t the only ones who want Henry out of their way. Just as he starts to make headway, he''s thrown into a dangerous situation. But he''s made a promise to his friend, and knows it''s more than just his own life that''s at risk...</p>

<p><b>When the drinks are flowing and the money''s good, crime is one temptation George Sisco finds hard to resist...</b><br><br>After three years behind bars in a Rhode Island state prison, all George wants is to live a somewhat normal life. Maybe he''ll meet a nice girl...open the restaurant he always talked about in the yard.<br><br>But after a couple of beers and a half bottle of bourbon, George heads out in the middle of the night and breaks into a local boxer''s home. He walks out six minutes later with a championship belt and a box full of cash he found bolted to the bottom of the bed.<br><br>When he meets Sam, a pretty waitress working her way through school at the diner, George promises himself he''s done with crime...and the only life he''s known will be a thing of the past.<br><br>If it were only so easy...<br><br>The floodgates open when George runs into some old friends. Violence and double-crossing follow when a simple plan goes a little too far. And every move they make drags them deeper into a hole they can''t seem to escape. With the cops on their tail, it''ll take everything George has to find a way out of a bad situation that only gets worse...<br><br>But what if one more crime''s the answer?</p>

<p><b>In his most challenging case yet, Henry struggles when his newest client is killed before he''s even had the chance to meet her...<br></b><br>The truth is, Sarah Jenner wasn''t exactly clear when she first called Henry. She wanted to hire him...but couldn''t say why. Not until they met.<br><br><em>And then she was dead.</em><br><br>When Sarah''s sister asks Henry to investigate what the cops are calling an accident, he has a hard time buying her questionable suspicions. Other than an apparent disdain for Sarah''s husband, the sister may not have much of a case.<br><br>But a surprising discovery opens the door to the secret Sarah may have been hiding. Henry and his partner Alex rethink the case and dig deep into the investigation. But it only leads them to more questions without answers. It starts to wear on them both. The strain on their relationship becomes clear, and neither one knows where to draw the line.<br><br>But everything is thrown into peril when an attack puts Alex''s life in danger. It''s up to Henry to get his head on straight and solve the puzzle before it''s too late. If he can''t, it''ll mean the end of the only thing he''s ever wanted...</p>