Relative Danger

by Charles Benoit

In Pottsville, Pennsylvania, young Doug Pearce, just fired from his steady job in the brewery, has never strayed far from home. But he's always been fascinated by stories of his Uncle Russ, the family black sheep murdered in Singapore in 1948. In comes a letter from an old friend of his dead uncle inviting him to Toronto. On arrival, Doug learns that wealthy and glamorous Edna has an she's assembled enough clues to solve the murder and recover a legendary red diamond Russ was thought to be smuggling.

Doug, nervous but game, agrees to play detective. But by the end of his first day in Casablanca, Doug knows he's made a mistake. While he meets people eager to help - a retired museum curator, a beautiful and self-absorbed heiress, and her elderly father, a colleague of Russell Pearce - it becomes clear that someone else is looking for the diamond.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

340 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

When he's not traveling around the globe in the search of exotic, tax-deductible settings for his mysteries, Charles Benoit spends his days pumping out subliminal-laced advertising.
Nominated for an Edgar and a Barry, Relative Danger won the Franklin award and was the darling of fans and critics alike. Out of Order (2006) is set in modern India while Noble Lies (September 2007) takes place in Thailand.

Reviews

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

RELATIVE DANGER – EX
Charles Beniot – 1st book
Doug Pearce, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, leaves his small town at the request of Edna, an exotic older woman who knew his black-sheep uncle, Russell Pearce. It seems that Russell was murdered in 1948, apparently while trying to smuggle an outrageously big red diamond out of Singapore. Beginning in Casablanca and continuing through Morocco and Egypt, Doug eventually lands in Singapore, where his uncle's life ended. Along the way, he meets a stately museum curator and a stunning heiress, among other exotic characters.

This book has it all. Doug is a wonderful naïve-but-not protagonist, fabulous sense of place, great characters, wonderful dialogue that at time had me laughing aloud, and an ending that definitely makes you want to go along with Doug on his next adventure. A contender for my annual top 10 list, I loved this book!

[Morgan Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read the book because the author was paying a special visit to the school I work at. I had read his young adult book "You" and figured I should read something for an adult audience as well. I was suprised and how quickly I was hooked by the story line. I love a good mystery and, although I knew one of the main characters had to be the "bad guy" I truly couldn't figure it out until the very end of the story. Very enjoyable!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, adventure, travel, intrigue...
This was an amazing book that I could not put down and made me a fan of Charles Benoit for life. I recommend this book to a ton of people and I have not met a person yet who didn't love it.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

I've never been so bored. I contemplated DNF'ing every time I stopped reading for the day. I also hated Doug, the MC, which made this even harder to read.

I started skimming around the 35% mark because I just couldn't take how slowly this "action packed mystery" was moving. Nor could I stand the objectifying of women and the touch of racism.

And honestly, I don't feel like I missed much by skimming. Once all the key people were introduced, I could have gone straight to the final three chapters and easily have understood the twist and conclusion.

The only thing I did enjoy was the ending. It wasn't the greatest, but I liked that it wasn't the typical reveal & justice type of ending one usually expects with mysteries.

[Julie Pentacoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

brought this book on CD for road trip only to discover that we had heard it before (years ago). I remember it was Okay, but not good enough to listen to twice.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Doug is likable and the author surrounds him with an interesting cast of outrageous characters. A good read for an afternoon in a hammock!

[Fairport Public Library]

March 2008

Recommended by Holly W

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, interesting

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/29/07
TITLE/AUTHOR: RELATIVE DANGTER by Charles Benoit
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/2004/256 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone
TIME/PLACE: Present/PA; Toronto; Morocco; Egypt; Singapore
CHARACTERS: Douglas Pearce/brewery worker
FIRST LINES: The 1st shot went throught the oriental patterned upholstery & lodged in the wood frame of the chair. Later, Singapore police were able to match this bullet to the 7.62 Russian TT-33 Tokarev pistol w/ the initals CH engraved along the back of the grip that they found under the stairwell behind the New Phoenix Hotel.

COMMENTS: borrowed from Bev. Doug Pearce has worked for the brewery for 18 yrs and never ventured very far from his home of Pottsville, PA. When he is suddenly laid off he receives a mysterious summons from Edna in Toronto. Edna, wants to discuss his Uncle Russell, murdered some 40+ yrs ago in Singapore. Edna is convinced that there is more to Russell Pearce's murder than has been disclosed and pays for Doug to travel and discover the truth. Doug sets out on an exotic adventure to Morocco, Egypt, and Singapore to follow the clues that led to the final days of Uncle Russell's life.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader of international thrillers, I must say that this book, in my opinion, is the best of its type I've read to date. This book has everything I look for - a central character who holds my interest - international travel - and a realistic plot. Like Doug, the hero, I'm easily distracted; and poor writing and bad editing distract me from a good read. I found neither throughout Relative Danger. The character and plot development are as good as the continuity; and every sentence makes sense. All the words are spelled correctly, and the punctuation is done well. Seems as if the only editing issues I have are the lack if errors, which made my experience beneficial. I like how Mr. Benoit has left no loose ends; a job well done . . . has all the elements I look for in a book, realistic amateurs, dames, suspense, travel, money, jewels, chases, murder, keystone cops ! ! !

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 3 out of 5]

First novel for PA native Benoit, whose effort is made more endearing to me for its occasional references to the Pirates, Steelers, and Three Rivers Stadium. Otherwise, however, this is just a bit better than pedestrian first outing, with an unbelievable plot, too many red herrings that require too much dialogic explication at the end, and wooden and overheated attempts at passionate relationships.

On the good side, the plots moves quickly and the fast pace keeps the reader engaged and helps them overlook some of the holes.

This is a writer who could get better with practice.

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read by this author. Both deal with naive Americans in foreign countries on unusual quests. This book deals with a young man who is dispatched to Casablanca, Cairo, and finally Singapore to conduct research on his Uncle Russ, the black sheep of the family who was murdered in Singapore. Lots of fun in this mystery/travelogue.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hapless schlub Doug Pearce goes on a multi-country search to find out the truth behind his uncle's death. Flitting from Casablanca to Cairo to Singapore, Doug meets plenty of English-speaking people and lands in amusing and far-fetched situations which seem not to bother him a bit. Pretty unrealistic but amusing.

[Joel Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book was OK. i liked the basic plot/premise (a great suspense/thriller writer could do amazing things with it), but the author's execution on the action narrative and some of the dialogue left me a bit disappointed. also, i thought most of his "twists" at the end were very predictable.

[Neil Plakcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the start of this book, and it's certainly well-written. But the nebbishy main character just didn't excite me. Great locations and intrigue but I skipped to the end, read the last chapters and didn't feel like I missed much.

[Bernadette Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very relatable and likable main character that you can't help but root for. The story was at times a little slow, but not annoyingly so. I listened to it on audio book and was impressed by the number of different voices and accents used.

[Cajun97 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very good. The reader is excellent! It has a lot of humor too.

[Beverly]

Enjoyed this book. The (reluctant) hero travels around the world. I think the author captured the flavor of each city. I saw the author at Bouchercon and he was very funny.

[Jenn Estepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2, really. reminded me a bit of "travels with my aunt." funny, adventurous romp with a wee bit of mystery.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes, when the author creates characters whom I both dislike and am also annoyed by, I just abandon a book.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, Doug Pearce aka Dick Tracy goes on a hunt involving his uncles past. Very entertaining read!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and quirky read. Loved the book. The main character is clever and the plot is fast paced. Made me laugh out loud several times. You have to read this one.

[Lil Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story to read though, Benoit has written a story that makes this part of the world come alive around you. While unrealistic to some degree, the characters draw you in, leaving you wanting more.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, quite predictable, but I'd read more of this author. Fun to take a novice to the middle east, I was naive as well as the lead character.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a goofy suspense, sort of, with a kind of goofy guy who is trying to hunt down a supposed treasure and he encounters goofy people who help and hinder him.

[Barbara Dunbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relative danger

In the vein of the Maltese Falcon with many international twists and turns keeping me rooting for our anti-hero. I recommend this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just good enough so I would finish it.

[RUSA CODES]

This title was a Listen-Alike selection for the 2012 Listen List. For a complete list of winners and listen-alikes, please visit http://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/listen....