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Garrison Gage #0.5
A Plunder by Pilgrims
It starts with a knock at the door, something reclusive ex-detective Garrison Gage hates. When it's his teenage neighbor, whose girlfriend has gone missing just before Thanksgiving, Gage gets reluctantly pulled back into his old line of work—and ends up facing some fears of his own in Oregon's dark woods. A short story introducing Garrison Gage, who also appears in THE GRAY AND GUILTY SEA. ------------------------- IT WAS A KID, sixteen or seventeen by the looks of him, painfully thin and soaked to the bone. His short-cropped brown hair, made nearly black by the rain, was plastered against his forehead. His Stanford sweatshirt and acid wash jeans clung to his bony frame. The skin on his neck was cratered like a moonscape, the survival scars of a nasty bout with acne. The pounding rain made tiny white explosions on the gravel driveway, and crackled on the overgrown ferns surrounding his house. "Well?" Gage said. "Candy bars for the track team? A subscription to Good Housekeeping so the band can go to Disneyland?" "No, sir," the kid said. "You look familiar." "I'm your neighbor, sir. Marty Kleppington. I live--um, just on the other side of that hedge." That explained it. The kid had just been a runt when Gage moved in five years earlier, hardly recognizable in the young man before him, but he remembered a few terse exchanges when the kid's basketball bounced through the arbor vitae. "Well, congratulations," Gage said. "Now if you'll excuse me--" "I'd like to hire you, sir." It was such a wholly unexpected thing to say that Gage actually froze--door cracked open, frigid air snaking past him into the house. "I think you're confused," Gage said. He didn't open the door. He couldn't see the kid's face, but there was a long pause. "I know what you do, sir," the kid said. "I know--I know you were once a great detective. Garrison Gage. That's you."
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 9, 2022
This is a 3.5 star read.
The perfect introduction to ex-detective Garrison Gage! A super short story highlighting Gage's reclusive demeanour (and what brought it about) juxtaposing nicely against his inherent need to help people.
The perfect introduction to ex-detective Garrison Gage! A super short story highlighting Gage's reclusive demeanour (and what brought it about) juxtaposing nicely against his inherent need to help people.
October 16, 2024
A Plunder By Pilgrims
I had just opened my kindle app to read The Gray and Guilty Sea and learned A Plunder for Pilgrims is it’s prequel. For 99c I downloaded this short story off Amazon, then read and enjoyed it very much. In this prequel, Garrison Gage is introduced as a brooding, bitter, bruised retired police officer yet within the story he demonstrates a large amount of courage and resolve to help others, even if a bit grudgingly. Slightly reminiscent of A Man Called Ove or the Jesse Stone stories/films. Highly recommend.
I had just opened my kindle app to read The Gray and Guilty Sea and learned A Plunder for Pilgrims is it’s prequel. For 99c I downloaded this short story off Amazon, then read and enjoyed it very much. In this prequel, Garrison Gage is introduced as a brooding, bitter, bruised retired police officer yet within the story he demonstrates a large amount of courage and resolve to help others, even if a bit grudgingly. Slightly reminiscent of A Man Called Ove or the Jesse Stone stories/films. Highly recommend.
October 28, 2025
Great plot. This is a new author for me and I'm enjoying his style.
August 15, 2017
Pretty good for what it is: an intro to the series.
December 31, 2018
Okay I guess for a short story
I have read several other Garrison Gage books before this short story. Carter does a good job developing the characters as the books progress.
I have read several other Garrison Gage books before this short story. Carter does a good job developing the characters as the books progress.
July 9, 2021
-This is an introductory novel to the character of Garrison Gage, the detective in the series by the same author. It’s an extremely short story, but displays the lone wolf type of character that was initially portrayed, and which, in subsequent books, he was forced to forego as other people “intruded” into his life. The only change from the character in this book as opposed to the actual series is that in later books, Gage has no cell phone and not even a landline. Here, he does have a landline.
-As the story begins, Gage has been living an isolated life in Barnacle Bluffs, OR, for about 5 years. His only social contact has been his FBI instructor, Alex, who had come here to retire. He occupies his time reading newspapers and doing crossword puzzles, at which he’d become quite adept. A knock on the door reveals a teenager, who introduces himself as Marty Kleppinton, his neighbor. Gage has no patience to speak to anyone, but, after introducing himself, the boy blurts out that he wants to hire Gage.
-Gage brings him into his house and listens to his story. Marty’s girlfriend, Tammy Levin, has been missing since the day before. Tammy’s parents had reported it to the police, but the police force in this town are focusing on preparations for the upcoming Thanksgiving parade. Marty had heard of Gage being a detective, and asks him to locate Tammy.
-Though Gage insisted that he was retired but would try to help Marty by talking through what might have happened to Tammy, Gage manages to bring out a possibility. A deserted cabin is in the area and she may have gone there. Gage ends up accompanying Marty, and they find more than they realized. It’s at this point that Gage’s abilities and courage come to play as he faces down a danger to both teenagers.
-This book doesn’t provide further insights to the character that are not in the first book of the series, but it makes you think that sometimes, mysteries can be solved quickly. Though this is just a very short story, it still has a taste of the action that makes the books of the actual series so interesting, but this is not a must-read book.
-As the story begins, Gage has been living an isolated life in Barnacle Bluffs, OR, for about 5 years. His only social contact has been his FBI instructor, Alex, who had come here to retire. He occupies his time reading newspapers and doing crossword puzzles, at which he’d become quite adept. A knock on the door reveals a teenager, who introduces himself as Marty Kleppinton, his neighbor. Gage has no patience to speak to anyone, but, after introducing himself, the boy blurts out that he wants to hire Gage.
-Gage brings him into his house and listens to his story. Marty’s girlfriend, Tammy Levin, has been missing since the day before. Tammy’s parents had reported it to the police, but the police force in this town are focusing on preparations for the upcoming Thanksgiving parade. Marty had heard of Gage being a detective, and asks him to locate Tammy.
-Though Gage insisted that he was retired but would try to help Marty by talking through what might have happened to Tammy, Gage manages to bring out a possibility. A deserted cabin is in the area and she may have gone there. Gage ends up accompanying Marty, and they find more than they realized. It’s at this point that Gage’s abilities and courage come to play as he faces down a danger to both teenagers.
-This book doesn’t provide further insights to the character that are not in the first book of the series, but it makes you think that sometimes, mysteries can be solved quickly. Though this is just a very short story, it still has a taste of the action that makes the books of the actual series so interesting, but this is not a must-read book.
September 20, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down.
Garrison Gage #0.5
It starts with a knock at the door, something reclusive ex-detective Garrison Gage hates. When it's his teenage neighbour whose girlfriend has gone missing just before Thanksgiving, Gage gets reluctantly pulled back into his old line of work - and ends up facing some fears of his own in Oregon's dark woods.
This short story introduces Garrison Gage, who also appears in The Grey and Guilty Sea.
This short story is only about 71 pages long. It's kind of a prequel to The Dark and Guilty Sea. A teenage girl has disappeared, and her boyfriend tries to hire retired detective Garrison Gage to find her. Gage is a loner, he fills his days doing crosswords and reading the newspapers. This is the perfect introduction to Gage that highlights his reclusive behaviour.
#KindleFreeBook
Garrison Gage #0.5
It starts with a knock at the door, something reclusive ex-detective Garrison Gage hates. When it's his teenage neighbour whose girlfriend has gone missing just before Thanksgiving, Gage gets reluctantly pulled back into his old line of work - and ends up facing some fears of his own in Oregon's dark woods.
This short story introduces Garrison Gage, who also appears in The Grey and Guilty Sea.
This short story is only about 71 pages long. It's kind of a prequel to The Dark and Guilty Sea. A teenage girl has disappeared, and her boyfriend tries to hire retired detective Garrison Gage to find her. Gage is a loner, he fills his days doing crosswords and reading the newspapers. This is the perfect introduction to Gage that highlights his reclusive behaviour.
#KindleFreeBook
June 6, 2022
"A Plunder by Pilgrims" is a very short introduction to the Garrison Gage series.
A sensible young teenager has disappeared and her boyfriend attempts to hire the retired and solitary investigator. Garrison promptly find hers, uncovering a dastardly plan along the way.
There's not much to it but the writing is a delight:- "He ambled to the fridge, favoring his right leg. The limp was a vivid reminder of what happened when he got involved - a three-hundred pound Iranian ex-strong man in the circus smashes up your knee with a baseball bat, that's what, messes it up so bad you can't even walk for six months."
That I've gotta read!
3.5 Stars - it certainly grabbed my interest.
A sensible young teenager has disappeared and her boyfriend attempts to hire the retired and solitary investigator. Garrison promptly find hers, uncovering a dastardly plan along the way.
There's not much to it but the writing is a delight:- "He ambled to the fridge, favoring his right leg. The limp was a vivid reminder of what happened when he got involved - a three-hundred pound Iranian ex-strong man in the circus smashes up your knee with a baseball bat, that's what, messes it up so bad you can't even walk for six months."
That I've gotta read!
3.5 Stars - it certainly grabbed my interest.
November 27, 2022
don’t like short stories
I did not realize this was just a short story. I do not like them so it wasn’t for me. Supposedly this follows The Dark and Gray Sea. It does not. I guess a prequel but facts in it don’t jive with the first book in the series. This short story adds nothing as far as I’m concerned.
I did not realize this was just a short story. I do not like them so it wasn’t for me. Supposedly this follows The Dark and Gray Sea. It does not. I guess a prequel but facts in it don’t jive with the first book in the series. This short story adds nothing as far as I’m concerned.
January 13, 2025
Retirement for Garrison Gage was meant to be exactly that. But when a youngster pleads for assistance to find his missing girlfriend, Garrison reluctantly agrees to help trace her.
Just as well
This short story by author Scott William Carter serves as an introduction to quite the garrulous old detective that has a habit of clearing up mysteries that tend to stump everyone else.
Enjoy
Just as well
This short story by author Scott William Carter serves as an introduction to quite the garrulous old detective that has a habit of clearing up mysteries that tend to stump everyone else.
Enjoy
July 16, 2021
This short story doesn’t add much to our knowledge of Garrison. It simply reinforces what we already know re his reclusiveness, reluctance to engage, and love of crossword puzzles. Just two questions and he had all the info he needed to solve the mystery. Really?
June 23, 2022
A very short story introducing the character of Garrison Gage. I have read all but the last few books in this series, and this was a nice addition but you could easily start with the first book and not really miss anything.
March 3, 2021
Okay
I was expecting to know the whole story of the murdered girl. I didn't know if it would be continued. I'm
I was expecting to know the whole story of the murdered girl. I didn't know if it would be continued. I'm
October 20, 2016
Great intro to Gage.
Gage is a troubled man with a past that I'm not to sure he's completely proud of. Or maybe he is truly just trying to get away from it all. Either way, this intro was a good look into his charts her and demeanor.
Gage is a troubled man with a past that I'm not to sure he's completely proud of. Or maybe he is truly just trying to get away from it all. Either way, this intro was a good look into his charts her and demeanor.
November 19, 2012
A very short review for a very short book! Garrison Gage is a retired private detective who was once a big shot until his wife died as part of a big job he was doing, he was severely injured and consequently retired. He is now living in a little seaside town.
His neighbour, a young teenage boy, asks to hire him to find his missing girlfriend and in a couple of conversations, Garrison has worked out where she is and they go off to rescue her, only the kid gets caught by the kidnappers and Garrison saves the day.
The excerpt for the next book was way longer (about 70% compared to 30%) than this novella, and that was quite interesting, so may read that one day. I guess this novella gave just enough to whet your appetite for the real thing!
His neighbour, a young teenage boy, asks to hire him to find his missing girlfriend and in a couple of conversations, Garrison has worked out where she is and they go off to rescue her, only the kid gets caught by the kidnappers and Garrison saves the day.
The excerpt for the next book was way longer (about 70% compared to 30%) than this novella, and that was quite interesting, so may read that one day. I guess this novella gave just enough to whet your appetite for the real thing!
April 16, 2011
Garrison Gage is a retired detective and does not want to do that job anymore. He limps from having been hurt doing a job. Garrison gets pulled back into his old line of work by his teenage next-door neighbor, Marty, whose girlfriend is missing. Gage figures out where she might be by clues Marty gives him. They find her locked up in a cabin by 3 men who are planning to rob the bank during a parade. Gage and Marty are almost killed, but of course, Gage saves them all...limp and everthing.
This was a pretty sappy story. It was a bit far-fetched how Gage figured out where Tammy was just by what Marty left out of his explanation.
This was a pretty sappy story. It was a bit far-fetched how Gage figured out where Tammy was just by what Marty left out of his explanation.
March 25, 2013
This wasn't even a book but a short story and then an previewd for another book. Actually there was more of the preview book than the title book.
The short story was good and but there wasn't a lot of suspense to it as the whole story was maybe 20 pages.
I didn't start the preview as I didn't want to get all rapped up in it and them have to buy the book to finish it. If I didn't have so many books in my library that I haven't read yet I might have read the preview, it was the same character so it might be a good read and I will probably come back in the future and check out some of Nolte's books.
The short story was good and but there wasn't a lot of suspense to it as the whole story was maybe 20 pages.
I didn't start the preview as I didn't want to get all rapped up in it and them have to buy the book to finish it. If I didn't have so many books in my library that I haven't read yet I might have read the preview, it was the same character so it might be a good read and I will probably come back in the future and check out some of Nolte's books.
February 22, 2016
This was short (23,000 words), and doesn't add anything to the MC that you couldn't get by reading the blurb. Gage's neighbor hires him to find his missing girlfriend; a little bit of action, gf is found, bad guys lose, end of novella. You wouldn't have missed anything if you don't read this. I listened tyo the first novel in the series immediately after the prequel and recommend skipping the latter (even if it's just 99 cents).
March 22, 2012
This is a Novella introducing an interesting new mystery series. The protagonist is an ex-detective, Garrison Gage. He lives in a small, seaside town in Oregon. This story give you just a hint of what has happened to him and why he is the way he is. Just enough to make you want more. This e-book also includes a sample from the first book in this series and I can't wait to read it.
February 20, 2014
The writer is a word craftsman. His mechanics are good. He is not verbose. I rate the short story four stars. A prequel to a novel was just as good as the short story, but I was reading in a short story frame of mind, and the chopped off ending of the prequel was a little annoying. Still, over all, I enjoyed the read.
Thank you, Mr. Nolte, for a good read.
Thank you, Mr. Nolte, for a good read.
June 21, 2016
This book is one of those "teases" you can read in less than an hour. An appetizer, if you will, of what's to come in the series, BUT it was the book that said "go get as many books written by Scott William Carter that you can find!" Incredible read! I was hooked immediately, and cannot wait to read the first in the series, The Grey and Guilty Sea.
April 26, 2012
This story had potential but fell short in many ways. It starts out as though the reader has already read half the book and should understand the charactersand setting. It was a good story-line but very underdeveloped. This story did not leave me wanting to read more from the series.
September 1, 2014
This was an OK short story, but at only 27% of the book, I was glad it was free. I also felt that while the concept was OK (an ex investigator gets drawn back in by a neighbour), it was just too short and lacked substance. I would consider reading others by this author.
April 8, 2011
Very, very short story then it has an excerpt from the upcoming book. Wish the short was a little longer but overall ok.
February 6, 2012
A pretty simplistic short story. Really quick-I read it in 20 minutes. I think it could have been fleshed out more with the main plot being a little more complex.
November 19, 2012
This was a entertaining short story.I actually enjoyed it.It was a little short , but all in all well written.
January 13, 2013
like these Garrison Gage mysteries!
August 19, 2013
4.5 stars
September 2, 2013
I'm not a fan of short stories but the characters were likable
October 19, 2014
I can't believe I paid .99 cents for 10 min of reading! I liked his previous book a lot but won't be getting ripped of again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews