Open Carry by Marc Cameron – a #BookReview

Title: Open Carry (An Arliss Cutter Novel Book 1) by Marc Cameron

Genre: Thriller and Suspense, Action-Adventure, #crime

Publisher: Kensington

Print Length: 304 pages

Publication Date: To be released February 26, 2019

• ISBN-10:1496721721
• ISBN-13:978-1496721723
• ASIN: B07DBR8Z7Y

Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title and Cover: Open Carry – Cover perfectly conveys site

Book Blurb:

Law enforcement veteran Marc Cameron brings an explosive authenticity to this powerful new U.S. Marshal series. Arliss Cutter is a hero for our times. And his hunt for justice cuts straight to the bone. . . .

U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter is a born tracker. Raised in the Florida swamplands, he honed his skills in the military, fought in the Middle East, and worked three field positions for Marshal Services. When it comes to tracking someone down—or taking someone out—Cutter’s the best. But his newest assignment is taking him out of his comfort zone to southeast Alaska. Cold, dark, uninhabited forests often shrouded in fog. And it’s the kind of case that makes his blood run cold . . . the shocking murder of a Tlingit Indian girl.

But the murder is just the beginning. Now, three people have disappeared on Prince of Wales Island. Two are crew members of the reality TV show, Fishwives. Cutter’s job is to find the bodies, examine the crew’s footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. But it won’t be easy, because the whole town is hiding secrets, every trail is a dead end—and the hunter becomes the hunted . . .

My Review:

Well, yahoo, I got to read the first in a new series (yes, me, who doesn’t usually discover a series until well into the ninth), and this Alaska based, (Supervisory Deputy) U.S. Marshall Arliss Cutter promises to be a humdinger! He recently transferred from Florida to the Alaska Fugitive Task Force to be able to help his sister-in-law with his twin nephews and niece after the death of his brother.  Arliss is a good guy, smart, experienced, capable. He exudes competence and more than commands the situation. BUT.

This series is full of a number of well-developed characters, most of which will pull engagement. In this narrative, a strong female (almost co-) protagonist, January Cross (who “lost a C-cup breast and a six-foot boob all in the same month.”) sets a standard. But Arliss is partnered with another strong and independent lady, Lola, several additional members of local law enforcement, including Trooper Sam Benjamin. Perhaps the most charismatic, you’d want to meet but cannot, is his grandfather. Grumpy taught Arliss everything he knows, engrained in Grumpy’s 20 rules and sayings, which he is now handing down to his nephews.

“Chihuahua courage, I shih tsu not.”

There is a reality TV show called FISHWIVES! Carmen Delgado, executive producer, created and sold the idea, but her original idea and the way it has evolved is definitely not her vision. The crew has created a cyclone of problems in the hamlet. This story wastes no time jumping into action and the well-plotted novel keeps up the hair-raising tension with each new development. Arliss is sent to Craig where events are piling on disturbing incidents. Whether or not tied to the original assignment of a missing teenage native girl remains to be seen but he is temporarily held there to continue with the investigation into several missing from the reality crew.

The author describes the Last Frontier from frosty mornings and the smell of decaying vegetation to the fishing habits and science behind a successful catch schedule. The bad guys are cartel nasty. The water, the islands, and the wildlife come to life in this fast-paced novel. There is no filler, no repeating theories, the storyline just moves into an exciting, explosive,  and satisfying conclusion. The dialogue is easy to follow and natural. This was a rather unique plot for me–just love the locale–and really enjoy Cutter.

I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and was thrilled with the opportunity to read and review. I can recommend to anyone who enjoys a great action-adventure thriller with strong male/female characters, bits of humor, and a location that adds mystery and beauty to a well-laid storyline.

Rosepoint Publishing:  Four point Five of Five Stars

The Author: A retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal, Marc Cameron spent nearly thirty years in law enforcement. His assignments have taken him from Alaska to Manhattan, Canada to Mexico and dozens of points in between. He holds a second degree black belt in Jujitsu and is a certified scuba diver and man-tracker.

An avid adventure motorcyclist, Cameron’s books heavily feature bikes and bikers–from OSI Agent Jericho Quinn’s beloved BMW GS to Harley Davidsons, Royal Enfields, Ducatis and…most everything on two wheels.

Cameron lives in the Alaska with his wife, blue heeler dog, and BMW GS motorcycle. Visit him at: http://www.marccameronbooks.com

©2019 V Williams