The Video Tape

by Brian O'Sullivan

Bobby McGowan is offered a seemingly impossible task—find a faceless killer from a decades-old video tape!

The Video Tape follows The Photo Album and The Other Annie as the third novel in the Bobby McGowan series.

Genres: Thriller

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Amy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one

This is the third installment of the Bobby series. They changed narrators, and although this is a good narrator, it was hard to envision this voice as the strong, 6' 2" criminal catching, gun wielding Bobby. I felt very disconnected from the Bobby character I had loved. I'm not going to take stars away for that because it's not an author or story issue, but it made it hard for me to connect with this third book initially. I didn't enjoy listening as much as I did the previous two, so I had to stop listening and read instead.

This book had a bit less mystery and case solving and more focus on Bobby's character and his love life. The story is well woven and believable. I hope there will be a fourth in the series.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like fun, witty and engaging mysteries, read all of this author’s books. I especially love this Bobby McGowan series. This is the third book, and I recommend you read them in order. I just love Bobby as well as his dad and other colorful characters! When you first learn the mystery, you will wonder how in the heck will it be solved. But Bobby always takes you on a crazy adventure to the truth! I loved it. His books are the kind you just enjoy reading without calculating how much farther it is until the end!

[Bernadette Seifert Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Release Day Brian D. O'Sullivan - Author ! Thank you for the privilege to be a part of your ARC team! The Video Tape is the third book in the Bobby McGowan Thrillers. The Photo Album is still my favorite in the series but The Video Tape is a well written thriller that can keep you reading for hours on end! It also can be read as a stand alone book, which is great! Very intriguing story! Lots of nostalgia moments going back in time! The ending will make you gasp! I highly recommend this book!

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for this book & i appreciate it so much! This book had me hooked since page one all the way to the end! This book was gripping, fantastic, a page turner & addicting! I LOVE me some Bobby & I’m hoping there’s a future for Robert because he needs some love lol all in all this book is a must read & you guys need to grab it on release day which is July 4th 💕

If you haven’t already, read the first two books of this series! This is the third book being released & you won’t be disappointed at all!

[Mandy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3rd Bobby McGowan series is a stellar read just like the first two. Bobby takes on his third case as a “kind of PI” when Ernest hires him to look into a mysterious videotape that showed up at a neighborhood yard sale in 1995. This video tape shows a woman possibly getting murdered. Bobby must first determine if the tape is a real snuff film or a very professional fake. Was a woman really murdered on film? We follow Bobby as he works the puzzle, follows the crumbs that serve as clues, and we watch as he puts it all together as only Bobby can do.

As always, the humor that O’Sullivan brings to the pages with his writing makes me laugh out loud and makes his characters more relatable. It’s just the right amount of funny without taking away from the story or forgetting that there is a murder to solve.

O’Sullivan’s cast of characters stand out as eclectic, colorful and original. I look forward to being introduced to each minor character to see what kind of charm they will bring to the story. This particular book is a crime thriller at its best with all the elements there to make this a 4.5 star read for me. We even see Bobby find some romance in this 3rd installment. The romance is nice to see and was appealing to the story without focusing too much on that story line and it did not detract from the mystery at all.

This story has a diabolical killer who isn’t messing around, bodies are hitting floor, literally. No one that Bobby cares for is safe from this maniac. Bobby must beat the clock, solve the case and find the killer before it’s too late. I highly recommend the Bobby McGowan series; they are fun and mysterious crime thrillers that will have you hooked from the start.

Thank you Brian O'Sullivan for the advanced digital copy.

[Raquel R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Me screaming*: OLIVE!!!

This 3rd book, in what I call the "Bobby Trilogy", is the best of all three in the series!! It is deep, nerve wracking, and heart pounding! I was lucky to be chosen as an ARC reader for the Video Tape and I blew through The Photo Album and the Other Annie earlier this week (feel free to check out my reviews) to read this one. I have not been disappointed! Bobby has grown in his ingenuity and you can't help but love his quirky jokes while rooting for his success. Brian O'Sullivan is brilliant and had me loving each book more than the last! I can not read for the next read!

[Erin Kaufmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so blessed to have been an ARC reader for this gripping, fast paced thriller that had me hooked from the first page. It’s a smart and chilling mystery with a nostalgic twist (a VHS tape!)
The writing is sharp, the plot is full of twists and the emotional depth really sets it apart. A must read for psychological thriller and crime fans. It’s tense, atmospheric and unforgettable (while having some sprinkled in good humor, banter)

[Tina A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Video Tape is the latest installment of The Bobby McGowan Thriller series. However, it is the first book I’ve read by Brian O’Sullivan and is absolutely NOT going to be my last. It can be read as a standalone, but past references to the previous cases that were solved by Bobby McGowan has only made me want to go back and start the first book after reading The Video Tape.

The beginning delves right into the conflict that sadly feels like a realistic situation, one that couldn’t be solved for decades in the hands of the police department. With so very little to go on, Bobby McGowen wastes no time. Characters are clever, observant, smart and determined to find the answers they seek. I appreciate the straight-forward and witty writing style and dialogue. I loved EVERY. SINGLE. THING!

Congratulations to Brian O’Sullivan for creating such a thrilling, engaging, unforgettable murder mystery, one that did not disappoint. I can finally understand the hype around him and his books! Now, off I go to Ch-1 of The Photo Album! I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be given an advanced reader copy.

[Linya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a thrill to read and I’m beyond grateful to have received an ARC of The Video Tape! It was my first time ever being selected for an advanced copy, and I couldn’t be happier that it was for this book.

I first discovered Brian O’Sullivan through The Photo Album, which completely blew me away. I jumped straight into The Other Annie after that, then Bartender and when I found out I got to read The Video Tape early, I was elated!

This book was so fast-paced, I finished it in under 24 hours. The way Brian writes just pulls you in—his scenes are so well described that you feel like you’re right there, in the thick of it. The pacing is smooth, the tension builds just right, and his writing is just really easy to read in the best possible way. You never get lost or bored—you're just in it.

One moment that stood out to me (in a really great way) was the mention of a Filipino nurse. As a Filipino reader, it honestly made me smile. It was a small detail, but it meant a lot to see that kind of representation, and it made me like Brian even more.

This whole series is something I can totally see myself re-reading in the future. And that last sentence?? I need the next one NOW!!!

Highly recommend this if you’re into smart, well-written thrillers that keep you turning pages.
Definitely read The Photo Album and The Other Annie first, you'll enjoy this book more!

[Sarah Ann Sisu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book! It was an amazing read!

I loved how you feel like you know the characters, they are described that well. Same for atmospherically and environmentally…you feel like you are there.

This book has two POVs and follows one timeline. Bobby an investigator but not an “actual” private investigator, discovers more than the police ever did in the 1990’s when a video tape came into their possession.

The suspense was palpable! I didn’t want to put the book down, the book streamed nicely together, so nice that by the time I knew it, I was at the end.

Bobby is amazing. The reappearance of his father is fantastic. A man dying is cracking jokes left and right. They were quite hilarious, they actually made me laugh.

Check out this book you guys! You must! You do not need to read the first two, to read this one. The author was great at navigating us through the essential information from the other two books, so you feel like you can just jump right in. I highly recommend reading his other two books in this series.

Will there be more of Bobby McGowan in the future? I hope so, because it is a ride worth jumping on, and seeing where it will take you.

[Sarah Klufas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing and thrilling continuation of Bobby McGowan’s story. I really enjoy Bobby’s sense of humor and wit. I feel that it keeps the reader interested during the parts of the story where there is not much “action” taking place.

I also love that we once again receive the killer’s perspective as the story unfolds. However, I feel somewhat conflicted as we did not get this perspective until about half way through the book. On one hand, I wish we had had more of the killer’s perspective earlier on in the book as I enjoy the back and forth. But on the other hand, I think not having this perspective until the character was brought into the story made it more thrilling and kept the reader guessing on where the investigation was leading.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think it was such a fun read! I can’t wait to see what Brian O’Sullivan comes up with next!

[Connie Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟🌟🌟🌟

I had the privilege of being a ARC reader for this book. Thank you Brian! This book intrigued me from the beginning. A snuff film?! Did anyone else not know what one was before this?! No, just me!? I have loved Bobby since book 1, he’s a very likable character. Book 1 was my favorite and I highly encourage you to read them in order. All three were great books. I read this book in two days. Super quick, easy read. I feel like some authors try to trip you up and make you feel dumb with their use of crazy big words and sentences you have to re read a few times to make it make sense. Not Brian’s writing…it is simple basic English and to the point!

I read a lot of horror/psych thrillers with body horror and k!lling. The Video Tape was tame in comparison and a palette cleanser if you will in between the more horrific books. The Video Tape gave me the serial k!ller/crime vibe I crave without going too overboard.

“You get a snuff film, and you get a snuff film.” 🤣 had me rolling.

Great job Brian! 👏

[Jennifer Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and it had me reading it all in a day. The third in the Bobby McGowan series, it follows Bobby on another case of trying to solve a decades old cold case that police never could. A great follow-up to The Photo Album and The Other Annie.

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC copy

This book was fantastic from beginning to end! The character dynamics and story were amazing. Bobby again is hired to solve a decades old murder based off of a video tape of it. He comes across many twists and turns and even finds love that is tested. This book made me feel all the feels and had to hold back from yelling at times so I didn’t wake my own kids. This was in my opinion the best Bobby McGowan book yet.

[Janelle Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was chosen as an ARC reader for this book and could not have been happier. I read the other two right before this one and I got to say this is my favorite Bobby McGowan story so far.

Bobbys ability to solve decades old cases with little next to nothing for clues is amazing!

Can not wait for the next one!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Video Tape” by Brian O’Sullivan is the third thrilling installment with Bobby McGowan at the center of another impossible mystery to solve. The writing is sharp and engaging, with suspense and tension that build perfectly as the story unfolds. It's a gripping crime thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

[Heather Hoards Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing in the world that could make me hate Bobby McGowan. so when I heard he was off to solve another crime I just knew I would be right there to see him through it. Brian O'Sullivan has done it again. He is a master story teller. I cross my fingers there will be more Bobby books. This is my first ARC read and it was everything I could have hoped for.

[Justine K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Video Tape and it was my favorite of the Bobby McGowan series. It was fast paced and kept me entertained and guessing the entire time. What a wild ride!

[Anne Mosena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a slow burn, but I appreciated it because it made it feel more natural for a cold case. After more than a couple of years, it's unlikely that there's a lot of evidence hanging around to be discovered so it's going to take longer to get going. I also appreciated that you know who the killer is halfway through the book because then you get to spend the second half of the book trying to figure out how to get the cops to believe the case is solved. I hate it when books spend 80% of the book stuck on one person only to pull a switcheroo in the last 20 pages and have it be someone else and have them be apprehended during that time too. At first, I found the book to be unbelievable because how would a PI be able to do a better job 20+ years later than the police department that originally had the case? Then I realized that your typical police department doesn't have the time to devote to a case for months on end on top of other cases they have like a PI hired to work a specific case does. For the next book, can Bobby keep the girl for once? Poor guy deserves to catch a break every now and then.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first two books in the Bobby series, but this one wasn’t the follow-up I was hoping for. The story felt a bit rushed, with some unnecessary statements and a few lines that made Bobby come across as immature. Also, I’m not sure why every book leans so heavily on awkwardly described sex scenes when it’s meant to be a crime/thriller. It just feels forced and takes away from the plot.

[Tanesh Buckner · Rating 3 out of 5]

very slow burn and the audible voices were horrible

[Sarah Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for this book! Thank you Brian for the early copy!

From the Library of Sarah Ashley: Book #43
The Video Tape by Brian D. O'Sullivan - Author

Warning: Do Not Watch the Tape (Read the Book Instead) 📼

Okay, listen… this book is a quick read—unless you’re me, trying to read it over holidays while life is out here doing the absolute most. I read chapter one and then 6 days later, I cracked it open and BAM—finished in one sitting like I had nothing better to do (because suddenly, I didn’t).

Let’s talk about the plot twists. My brain did a full gymnastics floor routine trying to keep up. I was trusting NO ONE. And Darian?!? I gasped out loud like I was in a live studio audience. That reveal slapped me right in the frontal lobe.

Now... the romance subplot? Mmm. I have notes. Nori really said, “Bobby who?” faster than you can rewind a VHS. Nori fell in love in 3.5 seconds and fell out just as fast. I get that trauma bonds people, but girl.

But let's be real—THAT ENDING?! Brian, sir, how dare you. The cliffhanger hit like a horror movie blackout scene. I need more. I need this not to end. I need a crossover. I need a support group. I’m already mentally camping outside the imaginary bookstore to get the next one, and I will cut in line.

4.5 stars for the twists, tension, and sheer audacity.

#TheVideoTape #PlotTwistCentral #VHSButMakeItTrauma #CliffHanger #BrianOSullivanOwesUsTherapy #MentallyPreOrdered #ReadThisBookNow #LibraryofSarahAshley
#WhenIsAutographedCopyDay

[Valerie Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby McGowan is back on the case, but things take a dark turn when he’s handed a grainy VHS tape from the 1990s that shows a woman’s brutal murder and the killer’s identity a mystery. Bobby is pulled into the twisted shadows of 1990s Hollywood, where corruption runs deep and every lead only raises more questions. When someone close to him turns up dead, Bobby realizes the killer from the tape isn’t just a ghost from the past—they’re watching, and they’ve already made their next move.


Bobby McGowan is back again, baby—and I ate this one UP.


I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for The Videotape by Brian O’Sullivan, the third and final installment in the Bobby McGowan series. With that said, I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 


Ok, now with the legal mumbo jumbo out of the way- 


The Videotape wrapped this series up perfectly. It delivered all the thrills, chills, and late-night page flipping I’ve come to expect from Brian O’Sullivan. That said, I’m lowkey heartbroken that it’s over. I would absolutely read more Bobby McGowan if O’Sullivan ever decides to revisit him. I mean, the man’s not a cop, not a PI, but somehow solves murders better than anyone in law enforcement. That’s the kind of unbothered excellence I respect.


This installment takes things deeper and darker, starting with a grainy VHS tape of a woman’s murder and spiraling into a case that’s as personal as it is twisted. Bobby once again proves he’s got the grit and the gut instinct to chase down the truth—even when it puts a target on his back. If you’ve read the first two, you’ll love how this finale ties everything together. If you haven’t read the first two... go do that first. 


O’Sullivan knows how to pace a mystery, and if you're in the mood for a quick, gritty whodunit with just the right punch of 90s nostalgia and emotional stakes, this series is it.

[Kelly Faulconer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently finished reading "The Videotape," and I'm still grappling with my overall impression. While I appreciate a well-crafted mystery, and the premise certainly intrigued me, I found the novel's length to be a significant drawback. By approximately chapter 35, I confess I nearly abandoned it, tempted to set it aside unfinished. I persevered, though often finding myself skimming sections to maintain momentum.

Beyond the length, the pervasive darkness of the narrative proved unexpectedly challenging. The graphic depictions of the murder(s) were, in my opinion, detracted from the overall narrative rather than enhancing it. While I understand the author's intent to create a sense of suspense and horror, the level of explicitness felt gratuitous in places and ultimately left me feeling somewhat disturbed. This impacted my enjoyment of what could have been a compelling mystery.

I really believe that not every story is for everyone. I know alot of folks love a dark story like this.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobby McGowan has again been tasked with solving a case that no one else could. This time, it involves a VHS tape that appears to depict the murder of a young woman. But is it real? And will he be able to find the woman in the tape some 25 years later?

This is the third (and final?) book in the Bobby McGowan series but again, it could be read as a standalone. I did enjoy this book, which was faster paced throughout. It does start abruptly, to the point where I was sure I had skipped ahead pages, but I hadn’t. Bobby is the same old almost-PI here, and I do enjoy his character. The story is again told mainly through his POV, with some later chapters written from the killer’s perspective. I did feel like the reader was given the killer’s identity a bit too early this time, just as Bobby had only started to put some pieces of information together. There was a romantic side story that I liked well enough until it came time for the ending confrontation and (without spoilers), I thought that Bobby didn’t act as he should/would have, given the rest of the book. The main plot involving a snuff film wasn’t my favorite, but overall, this was another well written, enjoyable thriller from a great author.

Thanks to Mr. O'Sullivan for the ARC copy of the eBook. All opinions are my own.

[Sherry Cammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Bobby McGowan series and this one did not disappoint. Bobby is hired by a terminally ill man to solve the mystery of a videotape he's had in his possession for years. The videotape is very disturbing. It looks to be a tape of a murder being committed. Ernest, the man who hires Bobby wants to know if this tape is real, and who was involved in this tape. Bobby meets many new people trying to solve this case including Nori. Bobby and Nori quickly become involved in a relationship, but as Bobby gets closer to solving the case, he realizes Nori could be in extreme danger being close to him. The book comes to a shocking conclusion, and all I can say is I don't want this series to end. I sure hope the author continues to write more Bobby McGowan stories. He's become a favorite. Just as Brian O'Sullivan is a favorite author. Thank you for providing me with the ARC to leave an honest review.

[KaetiWest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so before I say anything else, if you are a fan of Brian O'Sullivan and Bobby McGowan, then prepare yourself for a period of insomnia reading this. The world and everything in it will cease to exist for the duration of this book. In some ways I need to thank Brian O'Sullivan. The past few days have been some of the most emotional and toughest days but with the great writing and the fab distraction of Bobby it's been bearable. I devoured this book in a night, to hell with sleep, I needed to know how this ended. If this is on your TBR list just buy/download it. There will be zero regrets or disappointment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ would give it 10 if I could! Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader.... I hope I get to do it with the next one!

[courage and coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book to review and it was my first by this author. I was pleasantly surprised! I tend to prefer books that keep drawn to the story where you just don’t want to put the book down and this one did that for me! It appears there are other books in the Bobby series but I wouldn’t say they are a requirement before reading this one in order to understand the plot. However I will be going back to pick up the others to read because I truly enjoyed the style of writing and the ability to keep me drawn to the page

[Jeff Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest Bobby Mcgowan series did not disappoint. This author has a skill in storytelling that draws you in page by page.
A homemade VHS video tape ends up in a garage sale with a murder on it from 30 years in the past. Bobby sets out to solve the mystery of who was murdered and who was the killer. In doing so he stirs up the suspected killer and several deaths develop.
Looking forward to book 4.

[sarah_eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Bobby McGowan is once again called to solve a case the LAPD couldn't. This one of a possible murder that was filmed. With no idea of the victim, the killer, the time, the place, or if it actually happened, Bobby has a shot in the dark. Good thing he's good at that.
This series continues to be engaging and intriguing. Can't wait for more.