Comments Section
Leave your comments or reviews using
Facebook or our Comments System
|
Eric C. Spector |
5.0 / 5
|
|
His Name Is John is an exciting debut of a new series by Dorien Grey featuring Elliott Smith. Elliott is a wealthy, urbane (but down to earth), gay real estate developer. After an accident, Elliott awakens in the hospital and finds himself connected to a ghostly spirit with "amnesia". In this intricately plotted mystery, Elliott attempts to discover the identity of this ghost and who murdered him. Or is Elliott delusional? With a host of well-developed and often humorous secondary characters(including his sister Cessy, Brad his brother-in-law cop, and potential new lover Steve), His Name Is John is reminiscent of the best of Hitchcock films of the 1950's - it questions the nature of reality (and the paranormal), identity and relationships with a mischievous sense of humor. Did I mention there's a heck of a mystery to solve as well? I look forward to the next book in the Elliott Smith series (as well as the next volume in Dorien Grey's Dick hardesty series).
|
|
|
|
Ventura Angelo |
5.0 / 5
|
|
Elliot Smith, a builder specialized in the restoratin of ancient buildings, wakes in hospital after an accident. Family and friends visit, and also a ghost whose name is John. He knows nothing else, and very discreetly partakes of Elliot's consciousness. Elliott learns that shortly after his admission to the hospital, a man with six gunshots wounds barely arrived at ER prior to dying, an unknown man called conventionally John. The John in Elliot's head prompts his host to initiate an investigation after a body is discovered in an old building, and Elliot will find strange secrets buried in the past. A curious mix of supernatural and mystery, in a dreamy athmospere reminiscent of Algernon Blackwood. A very original novel, supoerbly written, poignany and disquieting. A must read for the lovers of mystery and ghost novels
|
|
|
|
Laurie Monical |
5.0 / 5
|
|
I have enjoyed all of the Dick Hardesty novels by Dorien Grey and looked forward to meeting his new characters. I really enjoyed Elliott and his connection to John. I am curious to see how they play out in the future. I also enjoyed all the side characters and am looking forward to learning about them more in-depth. You can't help but like the people in the books and I think you will enjoy how the mystery wraps itself together.
|
|
|
|
British Bulldog |
4.0 / 5
|
|
Elliot hears a voice in his head. At first he thinks he's going mad. This impression persists even when he knows he's perfectly sane. The voice is that of the guy identified as a John Doe who died on the next gurney to Elliot in the ER. Perhaps the most touching of John's comments to Elliot was "Will we ever find me?"
John's murder is linked to others. We know fairly early on who's done it, but the most interesting aspect of the book is getting the proof. Elliot can't tell his cop brother-in-law how he gets his information from a ghost with a growing sense of awareness.
The story is enriched by Cessy, Elliot's delightful (if annoying) sister. I give special praise to Grey for his genious in creating engaging secondary characters.
John promises he'll stick around inside Elliot's head, so we're promised more adventures from the unlikely duo in the future. I can't wait.
|
|
|
|
J. Swanson |
5.0 / 5
|
|
This was the first of Dorien Grey's mysteries I've read, although I've read most of his short stories, and I absolutely loved it. I've gone ahead and gotten the first two stories from his other mystery series and can't wait to start them this weekend! I'm really looking forward to the second one in this new series.
|
|
|
|
Voracious Reader |
5.0 / 5
|
|
Dorien Gray is one of the best gay mystery writers and I greatly enjoyed this book. I have already ordered the next in the series. Well written, well plotted, good character development. In a hit and miss genre, this is a "hit".
|
|
|
|
interested observer |
5.0 / 5
|
|
For the last several years reading the ongoing installments of Dorien Grey's Dick Hardesty detective series has been one of life's pleasures. Since Hardesty's character arc was ending in a safe domesticity, it was time for a new detective series.
The new protagonist is a contractor who fixes up vintage Chicago apartment buildings for resale at their restored best, not the normal route for taking on murder cases. Elliott Smith comes from a well-to-do local family which finds his willingness to be associated with manual labor incongruous. More helpfully, his brother-in-law, Brad Priebe, is a detective for the Chicago police department. All the pieces are in place for Elliott to act.
The first case comes to him strangely. Elliott has an accident, hurting his head and putting him in the hospital. He become aware of an emerging, independent voice inside, knowing only that it is called `John' and wanting to find out about itself. Elliott is vaguely aware that another person had been present in the emergency room with him and later learns that the person had been shot repeatedly and had died quickly as a `John Doe.' Elliott questions his own sanity and wonders what he can do to help the alien presence, `John'.
The mystery brings in Chicago's Prohibition-era past, today's preservationist ethic, dynastic politics, memory recovery, photographic art, ruthless competition, and revenge. Viewed sympathetically, the final solution isn't that difficult but the need to overcome a series of barriers and a few surprises keep the story exciting.
Elliott has his own life to attend to. His younger sister, Cessy, always has the time to tell him about her life and to press him to settle down. Busy Elliott does try to get a steady boyfriend, first with a social worker and then with a handsome, Hispanic painter artist from Southern California. Elliott's rich parents jet about attending events. And what about `John'? Elliott has a lot of personal work to attend to as well.
This is a promising new series. If it's as good as the Dick Hardesty one, you shouldn't miss it.
|
|
|
|
Brian Birmingham |
5.0 / 5
|
|
This latest from Dorien Grey, "His Name is John" is a terrific read with characters impossible not to like. The story is completely engrossing and you won't want to put it down until the end. You can never waste money buying anything by Dorien Grey, and this book is no exception.
|
|
|
|
W. Eilek |
5.0 / 5
|
|
I have just finished "His Name is John" and can't praise it highly
enough. I have read all of Dorien Grey's mysteries and this is by far
my favorite. I hope he continues with this new series. His Name Is Joh
|
|
|
|
V. Berry |
5.0 / 5
|
|
"His Name Is John - An Elliott Smith Mystery" is the first book in a great new mystery series written by Dorien Grey. I have been a big fan of Dorien Grey's first (and continuing) mystery series that features Private Investigator Dick Hardesty. The Dream Ender (A Dick Hardesty Mystery)
In this new series, Grey introduces us to Elliott Smith, a Chicago real estate developer who becomes deeply involved in the investigation of the murder of John (Doe), a man Elliott makes a quick connection with as they briefly share a hospital room before John dies. Elliott becomes determined to discover John's identity and find his killer for a whole slew of reasons that sneak up on Elliott and his friends from all directions.
This was a fun book to read but I hesitate to discuss the plot much because you should enjoy this book like I did -- not knowing what to expect and getting more than you can imagine.
Elliott Smith and his supporting cast of characters enjoy living their lives even as they try to solve the early end of John's life. Elliott's sister Cessy is married to a Chicago Homicide Cop who gives Elliott some valuable assistance. Cessy takes care of their two children but is also determined to get Elliott to settle down and "find the right man." Yes, Elliott is gay, but you don't have to be gay to like Elliott! There is a great mix of characters involved in this story, some nice and others not so nice, but together they will keep you involved to the end. I was up past 3:00 AM because I had to find out who dunnit before I could go to sleep. Warning:This may keep you up for late evenings, too.
I really like Grey's books because even though they always involve a murder, they are not slow, dark or too gloomy. If you love reading a good mystery, meet Elliott Smith -- you will love reading "His Name Is John."
|
|
|
|
Become an Affiliate...
