This film noir-like novel offers realism (based on the author's experience) and the character reminds me of two of my favorite TV characters- Dr. House(walks with a cane and is not afraid to use it) and Monk(lost his loved one to an act of violence).

I LOVE the sidekick in the novel who seems a little like Barney Fife.

The author has an incredible authorial "voice". This is the first sentence in chapter 3:

Crime scene tape is like flypaper for busybodies; the second you put it up, they all come buzzing around and stick to it.

I was honored to receive an advance copy of "The Night Watchman" and delighted to dig deep into this enjoyable tale of medically retired and physically broken homicide detective Ray Quinn. Right from the start, I knew something bad had happened to Ray, a loner in Orlando who hangs out in his apartment with his apparently only friend "Jim" (Jim Beam whiskey) and a poster of John Wayne that embodies the qualities of the father Ray, a foster child, has never known. He's a tortured soul whose existence is made more difficult due to the physical injuries he still suffers and the guilt he experiences over his partner's demise.

To make ends meet, Ray works as a night watchman and whiles away his early hours doing Sodoku puzzles and sending his quirky sidekick Crevis Creighton out chasing after shadows. But the tedium quickly ends when Ray discovers the lifeless bodies of an unlikely pair, the pastor of Outreach Orlando Ministries and an exotic dancer. The deaths are ruled a murder-suicide, but the pastor's sister, Pam Winters, believes her brother was framed and asks Ray, who's initially reluctant, to look into the case.

What follows is an enjoyable, fast-paced ride dominated by masterful writing, strong characterizations, an insider's look into the cutting-edge tools of detective work, and an exciting plot. The writing is sometimes comical, other times poetic, but always gripping. Most refreshing to me was the clever way the author wove in the gospel message through the e-mails of Jamie, the murdered exotic dancer. The novel is meaningful without being heavy handed. I especially appreciated the discreet and tasteful way the author handled the exotic dancer angle. This stellar performance by a masterful author of crime fiction kept me reading late into the night. You won't want to miss this one. I look forward to future installments in this exciting new series.

If you like hardboiled detective novels, you'll enjoy The Night Watchman. That is, if you don't mind a bitter, angry, crippled cop on forced medical retirement. At first, I didn't like him at all, but as he investigated the case of a dead minister, I was drawn in, not only by the mystery, but by the emotions in the story. I watched the detective develop a soft spot and, although he didn't know it, it was clear that God was wooing him. He gradually and naturally lost some of his bitterness and even started caring about other people. The book has a good mystery with lots of twists and I didn't predict the outcome. It also has some great characters. I recommend it, if you like mystery and suspense.

Written in a snappy first-person narrative, this novel presents a protagonist who grabbed my heart from the beginning. I love Ray Quinn! He's far from perfect; he's damaged--physically, psychologically, and spiritually--a retired cop who now earns his pay as a "rent-a-cop"--a night watchman. Perhaps he's so believable because the author is a police officer.

The dialogue rings true, the action is lively, and the book is a must-read! Set in Orlando, Florida, this fast paced murder mystery is not at all typical. I found myself chuckling at some sections. Why, I even shed a tear! I guarantee, you won't feel as if you've read it before. The ending is far from predictable.

I hope that I will have an opportunity to meet Ray Quinn in a sequel. Included is a reader's guide which makes the novel a good book club pick.

Premise: Ex-cop Ray Quinn struggles with his past as he attempts to uncover the truth behind a case that is either a simple murder-suicide or a tangled plot of political intrigue.

Of course, nothing is ever simple in a good murder mystery. One of the most impressive aspects of the book is that Quinn has a gimp leg that actually causes him physical and emotional duress -- it's not just there for show. Mynheir manages to allow Quinn (and his not-so-trusty sidekick) to develop throughout the book while holding on to his personal quirks... such as a penchant for John Wayne and Jim Beam. The best part of the book, perhaps, is that Mynheir develops the murder mystery plot line and does not allow the Christian message to overshadow the suspense. It is, fortunately, first suspenseful and religous second. The author did an excellent job of weaving in the morality (through an unfortunately flat character) without sacrificing the excitement. By the time I realized Quinn will eventually become "Brother Ray" (I predict book #7), I was already hooked and had to finish.

Overall, the characters felt tangible and when coupled with a decent mystery they make this book worth reading.

I read the "Night Watchman" with great delight. I love the sarcastic quips which many made me laugh out loud. Great story with lots to ponder at the end of the story. I'm now reading "Rolling Thunder". Good writer.

Yes, yes, yes! Awesome! You can tell when an author really knows his subject matter and boy does Mark Mynheir know about detectives and police work. Of course it helps that he is actually a detective, but he can really bring a story to life. Mark introduces us to Ray Quinn, a medically retired detective that was shot 11 months ago when his partner was killed. He can hardly walk now but is thrown in the middle of a murder/suicide at the building where he is a nightwatchman. From there we meet an amazing and quirky supporting cast and get thrown in the middle of the private investigation Ray goes on. He is skeptical, sarcastic, cranky, rude and a loner. His best friend is Jim (Bean) and that is the way he likes it. He figures God ruined his life 11 months ago and that is that. Can he find purpose in his life and the killer at the same time? Things start to twist and turn back in on themselves and bodies start dropping. He's getting close, maybe too close. Can he get the right questions answered?

I thought I had figured out the mysterious inside bad guy about halfway through, I'm happy to say I was wrong and Mark keeps things turning til the end - I loved this book and can't wait to go back and read his other books!

This is an unusual novel for me. I read this when I had recently given up on some novels. This novel was enjoyable enough for me to finish it, but I can't really say that I couldn't put it down. I actually did for a couple of weeks to read the newest novel of one of my favorite authors (which, out of coincidence, "Night Watchman" author Michael Mynheir had written a recommendation for). I almost set it down a second time, but decided to finish it, and that night I just happened to have insomnia, so I did finish it.

The above paragraph reflects my subjective opinion. My father (also an Amazon reviewer) liked it enough that he read Mynheir's previous works. I can see why. It just was not my favorite novel.

One strength for me is Ray Quinn. I found that character an interesting narrator. His sidekick Crevis was a weakness. While Mynheir gave enough to make him human, he still came across a little cartoonish in my opinion.

Another thing about this book is that it is aimed for a non-Christian audience, and my hunch is that it would fit. I enjoyed this more than Frank Perretti's "The Oath", which also seems to be aimed for unbelievers (and I consider myself a Perretti fan). Relatedly, I found Quinn more interesting than a similar character in "The Resurrection File" by Craig Parschall (i.e. a non-Christian who lost his significant other and turned to alcohol).

One more strength -- Mynheir did an excellent job with the mystery. It made you think (e.g. it wasn't obvious), but it also had enough hints that you believe you should have picked up on it. My dad said it fit into the hard-boiled category of mystery.

Let me summarize. I struggled with this novel. But I realize that it is personal, and that it is good enough to recommend. You might possibly like it better than I did. My dad did.

"The Night Watchman" is my recommendation for the mystery lovers among us. I was excited to dig into this book from the moment it arrived. A cool cover, promising title, intriguing back cover copy, and the fact is was over 300 pages long gave me a sense of anticipation--and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. This book is the first in a series, so it doesn't conclude with a traditional ending. But... it doesn't end with a cliffhanger either (which I loathe, as it feels like a ploy to get me to buy the next book). Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the Ray Quinn series.

I was a bit surprised by the unfavorable reviews I read, even though there weren't many. This was a great book. I normally will not read any book whose main character is self-pitying, weak, or immoral. That's just my personal preference. Ray Quinn, despite his alcoholic journeys and initial self pitying, is such a strong and likeable character I had a hard time putting the book down. The plot was believable, the suspense was intriguing, and the secondary characters were interesting and contributed color and depth to the story. Sure, they could be developed a bit more, perhaps as the series continues. Looking forward to more!

Mark Mynheir's new series featuring former homicide detective Ray Quinn strikes just the right balance between action, hard-boiled detection and a Christian message. Ray Quinn has been dealt a raw deal in life and is portrayed as the classic cynical detective sinking in despair. Quinn is unable to cope with the shooting that left his partner dead and disabled him and led to his retirement from the force. His obsession with John Wayne handily sketches an outline of his belief system and not only his desire but his need to be a tough and honest man that can right the wrongs he sees. He is saved from a bitter life as a security guard whose only friend is Jim Beam by the request of a young woman to find out more about the death of her brother. He turns down her request but her persistence wears him down and leads to his investigation of the bizarre circumstances of her brother's and a prostitute's double murder. The young woman's strong Christian faith and belief in her brother's innocence in spite of compelling evidence lead Quinn to rethink whose strong arms it was that comforted him when he was shot. While not yet a believer Quinn in clearly intrigued by the Christian witnesses he encounters and has begun to rethink his stand on faith.
Mynheir's new book will be savored by not only Christian mystery fans but is one of those too rare books that Christians can give to unbelievers as a way to help open their hearts and minds to the way that God works in people's lives.