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Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian #7
The Unsub Lib/E
HE WAS JUST AN ORDINARY GUY— SO WHY WAS HE QUIETLY WHACKED? In his seventh hard boiled tale, New York-based private eye Joey Mancuso travels to the lush, verdant shores of Miami Beach. But this is no vacation—Joey’s wading knee deep into a gritty cesspool of corruption, using his street smarts and industry connections to investigate a vast financial conspiracy. A young hedge fund employee—a kid right out of college, green as can be—was killed by an anonymous sedan while on a motorcycle ride after hitting the South Beach clubs. Miami Beach police don’t seem interested, but Joey does—the kid’s dad is a friend of a friend. And Joey Mancuso is nothing if not a loyal friend. So Joey and Marcy, his gun-toting F.B.I. agent wife, hole up on a boat in Miami Beach, hellbent on figuring out how an entry-level employee could provoke such tragedy. Soon, Joey and Marcy call in a favor of their they ask an old friend with Wall Street experience to play undercover agent at the fishy hedge fund. Joey’s rag-tag team quickly uncovers a dirty trail of wealth and greed—a big, fat, Eastern European crime syndicate that stretches from Miami Beach back to their new stomping grounds in New York. Returning to their beloved, bustling, Lower Manhattan bar, they team back up with Joey’s brother and PI partner, the quick-thinking Father O’Brian. But New York is the bad guys’ home turf, too—suspects are becoming victims and these villains are plenty adept at slipping around the shadows of the city, intent on murdering anyone who tries to mess with their money. Before you can say “Czech mob” Joey and Father O’Brian find themselves trying to stay one jump ahead of this deadly organization.
- GenresMystery
Audio CD
First published October 2, 2020
208 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Owen Parr
55 books85 followersThe Abduction of Patient Zero: Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brian Crime Mysteries Book 6
2020 FAPA President’s Book Awards Winner – Adult Fiction – Mystery/Suspense (Gold).
Happy to announce that this past December, 2018, I was honored to have won the Bronze Medal from Readers' Favorite during the Miami Book Fair. A "Murder on Wall Street" won for Mystery-Legal genre.
Owen was awarded the New Apple Literary Services award -Solo Medalist in Mystery, for his A Murder on Wall Street on February 14th, 2017. This is a REPEAt award, as Owen won the same award in 2016 for his Operation Raven - The Dead Have Secrets. Readers have compared Owen's novels to classics from Robert Ludlum and Michaels Connelly. One reader wrote: "If Ludlum and Connelly wrote a novel together, it would be an Owen Parr novel." Utilizing his experiences of over a quarter of a century working for Wall Street firms, he has crafted a series of political intrigue and crime novels, fusing fiction with facts. Born in Havana, Cuba, and later growing up in Miami. He enjoys reading fiction to transport himself to another world. And in his writing, he does that for his readers in a very successful way. His readers are fully wrapped in the plots and have fallen in love with his amazing characters.
Published author of articles in trade magazines. Hobby painter of acrylics on canvasses and middle of the road golfer, Owen spends his day still employed in the financial advice industry.
Married at the age of nineteen he pursued a career in electrical engineering until boredom set in. From there he went to own and operate his own multi-branch real estate firm and licensing school.
Since 1986 he has been employed in the financial advice industry. During this time he has written articles for the local paper, political ramblings for his blog and screenplays that he is now converting into fictional novels.
In 1959 my father and mother left everything behind in order to move to the United States. Miami Beach, to be more specific. It is interesting to note, before you say, “Owen Parr” a Cuban? That, my dad, also Owen Parr, was born in New York and his dad moved to Havana when my dad was eight years old.
Moving on, I grew up in Miami Beach, finished my elementary education at St. Joseph’s and attended high school at St. Patrick’s, both in Miami Beach and obviously Catholic schools. After high school, I began college seeking a career in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Parr, my dad, was a Civil engineer and had wanted me to study engineering. My two older brothers had declined that invitation, so I felt duty bound to comply with his wishes.
For six years I worked in the engineering department of our local utility, Florida Power and Light. Bored to death, I opened a side business during the construction boom in South Florida, circa 1970’s and sold floor coverings and appliances to builders for their newly constructed homes and condominiums. This was the time in Miami when the so-called “drug-wars” began, which lasted through the 1980’s.
I consolidated my efforts by selling my part-time business to my partner and left FP&L to go into real estate sales full-time. Four years later, I opened my own real estate company and grew it to five offices with over one hundred associates and a real estate school. In my thirties and in the middle of a personal boom, interest rates for mortgages climbed to 19%, with the Prime Rate at 21%, as Jimmy Carter left and Ronald Reagan became president. No one, I mean, no one bought homes at that point. So, I sold my real estate company for a minuscule fraction of what it had been worth and moved on.
In 1986, just prior to the stock market crash of 1987, I became a financial advisor with a major Wall Street firm. Proud to say, I swam upstream and thirty plus years later, I am still at it and enjoying it tremendously. Taking care of my clients is paramount. Today, I enjoy a partnership in my business with an associate, that will cate
2020 FAPA President’s Book Awards Winner – Adult Fiction – Mystery/Suspense (Gold).
Happy to announce that this past December, 2018, I was honored to have won the Bronze Medal from Readers' Favorite during the Miami Book Fair. A "Murder on Wall Street" won for Mystery-Legal genre.
Owen was awarded the New Apple Literary Services award -Solo Medalist in Mystery, for his A Murder on Wall Street on February 14th, 2017. This is a REPEAt award, as Owen won the same award in 2016 for his Operation Raven - The Dead Have Secrets. Readers have compared Owen's novels to classics from Robert Ludlum and Michaels Connelly. One reader wrote: "If Ludlum and Connelly wrote a novel together, it would be an Owen Parr novel." Utilizing his experiences of over a quarter of a century working for Wall Street firms, he has crafted a series of political intrigue and crime novels, fusing fiction with facts. Born in Havana, Cuba, and later growing up in Miami. He enjoys reading fiction to transport himself to another world. And in his writing, he does that for his readers in a very successful way. His readers are fully wrapped in the plots and have fallen in love with his amazing characters.
Published author of articles in trade magazines. Hobby painter of acrylics on canvasses and middle of the road golfer, Owen spends his day still employed in the financial advice industry.
Married at the age of nineteen he pursued a career in electrical engineering until boredom set in. From there he went to own and operate his own multi-branch real estate firm and licensing school.
Since 1986 he has been employed in the financial advice industry. During this time he has written articles for the local paper, political ramblings for his blog and screenplays that he is now converting into fictional novels.
In 1959 my father and mother left everything behind in order to move to the United States. Miami Beach, to be more specific. It is interesting to note, before you say, “Owen Parr” a Cuban? That, my dad, also Owen Parr, was born in New York and his dad moved to Havana when my dad was eight years old.
Moving on, I grew up in Miami Beach, finished my elementary education at St. Joseph’s and attended high school at St. Patrick’s, both in Miami Beach and obviously Catholic schools. After high school, I began college seeking a career in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Parr, my dad, was a Civil engineer and had wanted me to study engineering. My two older brothers had declined that invitation, so I felt duty bound to comply with his wishes.
For six years I worked in the engineering department of our local utility, Florida Power and Light. Bored to death, I opened a side business during the construction boom in South Florida, circa 1970’s and sold floor coverings and appliances to builders for their newly constructed homes and condominiums. This was the time in Miami when the so-called “drug-wars” began, which lasted through the 1980’s.
I consolidated my efforts by selling my part-time business to my partner and left FP&L to go into real estate sales full-time. Four years later, I opened my own real estate company and grew it to five offices with over one hundred associates and a real estate school. In my thirties and in the middle of a personal boom, interest rates for mortgages climbed to 19%, with the Prime Rate at 21%, as Jimmy Carter left and Ronald Reagan became president. No one, I mean, no one bought homes at that point. So, I sold my real estate company for a minuscule fraction of what it had been worth and moved on.
In 1986, just prior to the stock market crash of 1987, I became a financial advisor with a major Wall Street firm. Proud to say, I swam upstream and thirty plus years later, I am still at it and enjoying it tremendously. Taking care of my clients is paramount. Today, I enjoy a partnership in my business with an associate, that will cate
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 13, 2020
Another Good Mancuso Story
4.5 out of 5 stars
The Unsub is the seventh book in the Joey Mancuso & Father O’Brien Crime Mysteries series – a series that I absolutely love. Mancuso loves and sort of emulates Sherlock Holmes in the way that he approaches each different crime he’s send to investigate. So, each of these stories have that old-school feel without feeling old.
This is the first Mancuso book that I feel like you didn’t need a ton of backstory to follow or understand. I think that this one could be picked up by someone who hasn’t read the others and they wouldn’t be lost. A few of the themes that run through the other stories (loving Sherlock Holmes and things like that) come up and aren’t fully explained, but I don’t think that would confuse a new reader.
Like with other Parr novels, The Unsub sees Joey and team taking on the fight for someone who wouldn’t have been fought for. This time it wasn’t necessarily an “underdog” like in their other adventures but it was still someone that was going to ignored if they didn’t pick up the investigation. I thought it was even more interesting because Parr throws in multiple cases and even takes a couple 90 and 180-degree turns once things feel like they’re starting to be buttoned up.
The story was fascinating and definitely enjoyable. I love the way that Mancuso attacks his cases and the way that as things fall into place, me as the reader feels like they are accomplishing as much as Mancuso is. It’s great when a story can be written in a way that makes the reader feel so invested.
Randy McCarten does a good job with this book, but there were a few parts that I would have improved if I could. One of the most difficult things to do in an audiobook is change between characters. The jump, which is super obvious on the written page, isn’t always easy to describe or explain in an audiobook. Since The Unsub seemed to jump between Joey and the his author friend turned undercover investigator this became a problem if I was in the moment and not listening for the switch. I don’t even mind if McCarten didn’t change voices between the characters (though that’s the easiest way to make it stand out) – but there needed to be more than a “chapter 9, Joey Mancuso” between the switches. I don’t know how, but sometimes some music (the same music every time the Joey is on and different music when the other…?) Switching voices probably would have been a little easier. I thought that McCarten did a great job taking over this series and even keeping Joey’s voice similar. But if he’d changed it a bit for the other character it probably would have made this book slightly easier to follow.
4.5 out of 5 stars
The Unsub is the seventh book in the Joey Mancuso & Father O’Brien Crime Mysteries series – a series that I absolutely love. Mancuso loves and sort of emulates Sherlock Holmes in the way that he approaches each different crime he’s send to investigate. So, each of these stories have that old-school feel without feeling old.
This is the first Mancuso book that I feel like you didn’t need a ton of backstory to follow or understand. I think that this one could be picked up by someone who hasn’t read the others and they wouldn’t be lost. A few of the themes that run through the other stories (loving Sherlock Holmes and things like that) come up and aren’t fully explained, but I don’t think that would confuse a new reader.
Like with other Parr novels, The Unsub sees Joey and team taking on the fight for someone who wouldn’t have been fought for. This time it wasn’t necessarily an “underdog” like in their other adventures but it was still someone that was going to ignored if they didn’t pick up the investigation. I thought it was even more interesting because Parr throws in multiple cases and even takes a couple 90 and 180-degree turns once things feel like they’re starting to be buttoned up.
The story was fascinating and definitely enjoyable. I love the way that Mancuso attacks his cases and the way that as things fall into place, me as the reader feels like they are accomplishing as much as Mancuso is. It’s great when a story can be written in a way that makes the reader feel so invested.
Randy McCarten does a good job with this book, but there were a few parts that I would have improved if I could. One of the most difficult things to do in an audiobook is change between characters. The jump, which is super obvious on the written page, isn’t always easy to describe or explain in an audiobook. Since The Unsub seemed to jump between Joey and the his author friend turned undercover investigator this became a problem if I was in the moment and not listening for the switch. I don’t even mind if McCarten didn’t change voices between the characters (though that’s the easiest way to make it stand out) – but there needed to be more than a “chapter 9, Joey Mancuso” between the switches. I don’t know how, but sometimes some music (the same music every time the Joey is on and different music when the other…?) Switching voices probably would have been a little easier. I thought that McCarten did a great job taking over this series and even keeping Joey’s voice similar. But if he’d changed it a bit for the other character it probably would have made this book slightly easier to follow.
November 20, 2020
4.8 stars
woo hoo!! so glad there were more books in this series as i really like this series. Love the characters, the stories...I hope there will be more to come.
I’ll have to go back & read #6; while u can do this series out of order, it really is best to do it in order. The stories flow naturally from one book to the other.
This one has a cross over with the Ryder character which is another entertaining series by this writer. (jack ryder series) Yeah! Always cool when writers do that.
the POV shifts b/w Joey & Jack which was fine and not confusing at all.
The story moves at a good pace as the case evolves from a hit and run investigation to possible insider trading to the mafia.
Lots of turns along the way with some suspenseful action thrown in.
One of the things i love about the stories is the "off-Broadway productions" that Joey utilizes in order to solve his cases.
the negative i had was it was a little long but i think that's b/c i was reading it on my ipad in an ebook format.
but the writer recovers from that issue with the last chapter which was a brilliant way to wrap things up with all the characters.
thank you so much to book adrenaline, the fussy librarian & book bub who all offered this book.
woo hoo!! so glad there were more books in this series as i really like this series. Love the characters, the stories...I hope there will be more to come.
I’ll have to go back & read #6; while u can do this series out of order, it really is best to do it in order. The stories flow naturally from one book to the other.
This one has a cross over with the Ryder character which is another entertaining series by this writer. (jack ryder series) Yeah! Always cool when writers do that.
the POV shifts b/w Joey & Jack which was fine and not confusing at all.
The story moves at a good pace as the case evolves from a hit and run investigation to possible insider trading to the mafia.
Lots of turns along the way with some suspenseful action thrown in.
One of the things i love about the stories is the "off-Broadway productions" that Joey utilizes in order to solve his cases.
the negative i had was it was a little long but i think that's b/c i was reading it on my ipad in an ebook format.
but the writer recovers from that issue with the last chapter which was a brilliant way to wrap things up with all the characters.
thank you so much to book adrenaline, the fussy librarian & book bub who all offered this book.
November 15, 2020
I love this Joey and Father O'Brian series. This story has some new interesting characters and of course, the trusty friends from before. Someone is killing off people in Fla and NY that are part of a very questionable investment firm. You think you've got it worked out but then there's another twist. It's fast moving, keeps you interested and guessing the whole way through. We even learn more about Joey and his wife's starting a family. Yes, there were a few typo errors but nothing to take away from the story. Well written and very entertaining. This is a really good seties.
November 16, 2020
A father who does not think it was an accident, but rather a premeditated murder of his son. He was not in a position to step on the toes of those in blue of what he thinks. A call to Joey to check into it as a favor.
An investigation was being done about a hedge fund firm and inside trading
It included politicians, corporatize executives, sport team players, all for greed. A good flowing plot, and good wind up of how they closed the case, the people and the millions people had made.
An investigation was being done about a hedge fund firm and inside trading
It included politicians, corporatize executives, sport team players, all for greed. A good flowing plot, and good wind up of how they closed the case, the people and the millions people had made.
November 17, 2020
I very much like the series but I cannot understand why there is no proofing. Some of the mistakes are grammar, spelling, missing and improperly included words.
I would think that if one can write wonderful stories they would also be able to have their work proof read.
I see this constantly and my usual rating depends sometimes not on just the quality of the story but also the proofing.
Please if you want your book to be rated or even read proof reading is essential.
I would think that if one can write wonderful stories they would also be able to have their work proof read.
I see this constantly and my usual rating depends sometimes not on just the quality of the story but also the proofing.
Please if you want your book to be rated or even read proof reading is essential.
January 30, 2023
Another great book out of the stable!
It is always a pleasure to read these novels with Joey and the team had at it solving crimes. This one started off as a favour but soon developed into more than a hot and run. Just mention financial institutions and you know there is going to be more than just murder going on.
The author has researched his story very well and apart from a couple of silly editing errors that got through, this is a cracking good read.
It is always a pleasure to read these novels with Joey and the team had at it solving crimes. This one started off as a favour but soon developed into more than a hot and run. Just mention financial institutions and you know there is going to be more than just murder going on.
The author has researched his story very well and apart from a couple of silly editing errors that got through, this is a cracking good read.
November 16, 2020
Spell Binding
I love a good mystery and this 1 has All the Aspects of 1.
It took me to almost the end of the story before I realized who the actual culprit in the murder was for me That's unusual.
It was well worth the time spin reading, pick it up and enjoy it as I did.
I love a good mystery and this 1 has All the Aspects of 1.
It took me to almost the end of the story before I realized who the actual culprit in the murder was for me That's unusual.
It was well worth the time spin reading, pick it up and enjoy it as I did.
December 23, 2020
Poor editing. Lots of typos.
Enjoyed plot but found typos/editing tedious. Plot toward end of book somewhat weak. Characters smoked a variety of cigars. Added nothing to plot. Second book of series and not sure if I will read more from this author.
Enjoyed plot but found typos/editing tedious. Plot toward end of book somewhat weak. Characters smoked a variety of cigars. Added nothing to plot. Second book of series and not sure if I will read more from this author.
December 27, 2021
Yes, it's a mystery
I enjoyed the story and it was good to meet up again with the characters from earlier books. They are nicely developed and work well together. The only down side is the lack of a good editor.
I enjoyed the story and it was good to meet up again with the characters from earlier books. They are nicely developed and work well together. The only down side is the lack of a good editor.
March 6, 2023
Great police thriller
Love the Mancuso character. Love the way he pulls at threads and come up with the killer every time. His cohorts make up a colorful group. I've read most of his books and can't wait to read the next!
Love the Mancuso character. Love the way he pulls at threads and come up with the killer every time. His cohorts make up a colorful group. I've read most of his books and can't wait to read the next!
October 5, 2025
Great Movement
This was a great read with all kinds of twists and turns. The story takes place in NYC and Miami Beach, Florida. Joey gets called into a suspicious death, to investigate. He gets more deaths and many suspects! This book will keep you on your toes!
This was a great read with all kinds of twists and turns. The story takes place in NYC and Miami Beach, Florida. Joey gets called into a suspicious death, to investigate. He gets more deaths and many suspects! This book will keep you on your toes!
November 30, 2020
Great book great story and characters
March 8, 2021
Mancuso & Team Ride Again!!!
Well developed story and characters! Another great adventure with Joey and team! Great addition to the series and a must read!
Well developed story and characters! Another great adventure with Joey and team! Great addition to the series and a must read!
March 15, 2021
Good Read
Easy reading. Also there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Would totally recommend this book for you. I will be reading more by this author.
Easy reading. Also there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Would totally recommend this book for you. I will be reading more by this author.
April 28, 2021
Good book
This is a good book. I think other people will enjoy reading or listening to this book too. Good cintebt
This is a good book. I think other people will enjoy reading or listening to this book too. Good cintebt
May 8, 2021
A good story
This was an entertaining story. It kept my interest, not quite as much as some other stories, but I found it interesting. Worth reading.
This was an entertaining story. It kept my interest, not quite as much as some other stories, but I found it interesting. Worth reading.
April 26, 2022
I loved this book. This book kept me guessing until the end. It was a fast paced adventure with plenty of twists and turns.
December 30, 2022
The book started out rather slow; but things really picked up. Many murders to solve. And others to prevent. There were a few editing problems.
April 10, 2023
A riveting mystery that doesn’t go in a straight line, so the reader stays engaged. Sexual situations intimately described. Some LGBA content (if…Use fast forward). The narrator is excellent.
October 30, 2024
Still excellent
As intricate a plot as ever, with the characters maturing as the series unfolds. Needs a bit more careful editing
As intricate a plot as ever, with the characters maturing as the series unfolds. Needs a bit more careful editing
May 11, 2025
As usual Owen Parr puts together and intersting story. A lot of twists and turns but very
attention holding.
attention holding.
December 29, 2020
Top story
January 5, 2022
This is a good addition to the Mancuso/ O'Brian series with a few caveats. First, the plot is very well done. However, the editing is sloppy, with proofing errors. There is also some character concern, particularly Joey's attitude towards his employees/ friends. He has no (or very few) qualms about putting them in danger, as is demonstrated twice in this book. It's a little off-putting. The story is well done, however, with good characters ranging from the bigwig politician to an enraged cop. There are some signs that the team is changing and maybe a new member or two will change the chemistry. I am not giving up on Joey, Dom and the crew yet.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews