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The Jimmy McSwain Files #10
Perfect Death
A new year always teases new beginnings. Except for Jimmy McSwain, who, as the calendar turns, is about to come face to face with a person from his past. Bringing with him a case that will challenge the delicate line between guilt and innocence.
Jake Sauter and Jimmy were best friends growing up and shared an intimacy few knew about. When Jake appears after years of silence, he’s come not to rekindle their relationship but to hire the private investigator to save him from the jaws of the law. He claims he’s about to be arrested—for the murder of his wife.
Meanwhile, the NYPD is facing a case that is spreading fear throughout New York City. A body had been found floating in the Hudson River, and Captain Francis X. Frisano has been called to solve the crime. A sudden development throws both of their cases into one.
What is truth? What is manipulation? What is fabrication? Is there such a thing as a perfect death?
Jake Sauter and Jimmy were best friends growing up and shared an intimacy few knew about. When Jake appears after years of silence, he’s come not to rekindle their relationship but to hire the private investigator to save him from the jaws of the law. He claims he’s about to be arrested—for the murder of his wife.
Meanwhile, the NYPD is facing a case that is spreading fear throughout New York City. A body had been found floating in the Hudson River, and Captain Francis X. Frisano has been called to solve the crime. A sudden development throws both of their cases into one.
What is truth? What is manipulation? What is fabrication? Is there such a thing as a perfect death?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Adam Carpenter
88 books99 followersADAM CARPENTER is the best-selling author of many titles of gay mystery, intrigue, romance, and erotica.
His series featuring P.I. Jimmy McSwain is, in order: HIDDEN IDENTITY, CRIME WAVE, STAGE FRIGHT. GUARDIAN ANGEL, FOREVER HAUNT, FRESH KILL, SECOND SHOT, FALSE JUSTICE and JERSEY SCORE, co-written with Joseph Pittman.
Jimmy McSwain's Early Files features SILVER SHIELD, HEART BEAT, DOUBLE EDGE, and the forthcoming BURIAL PLOT.
Adam's is also the author of the soapy drama, "The Cane's Inlet Mystery" trilogy: SCANDALOUS LIES, SINISTER MOTIVES, and SUSPICIOUS TRUTHS.
He is also the author of the "Edenwood Saga" trilogy, EDEN'S PAST, EDEN'S PRESENT, and EDEN'S FUTURE, now back-in-print.
The European Flings Quartet includes the short story, PASSPORT TO A FLING, PASSION IN PARIS, RAPTURE IN ROME, LUST IN LONDON, and NUPTIALS IN NICE, all to be reissued in 2025.
His series featuring P.I. Jimmy McSwain is, in order: HIDDEN IDENTITY, CRIME WAVE, STAGE FRIGHT. GUARDIAN ANGEL, FOREVER HAUNT, FRESH KILL, SECOND SHOT, FALSE JUSTICE and JERSEY SCORE, co-written with Joseph Pittman.
Jimmy McSwain's Early Files features SILVER SHIELD, HEART BEAT, DOUBLE EDGE, and the forthcoming BURIAL PLOT.
Adam's is also the author of the soapy drama, "The Cane's Inlet Mystery" trilogy: SCANDALOUS LIES, SINISTER MOTIVES, and SUSPICIOUS TRUTHS.
He is also the author of the "Edenwood Saga" trilogy, EDEN'S PAST, EDEN'S PRESENT, and EDEN'S FUTURE, now back-in-print.
The European Flings Quartet includes the short story, PASSPORT TO A FLING, PASSION IN PARIS, RAPTURE IN ROME, LUST IN LONDON, and NUPTIALS IN NICE, all to be reissued in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 19, 2026
Can’t say that it was a light read as murder mysteries rarely are, but it was an easy read, like so many in this series. The book just draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very end. While the main plot keeps you wondering what happens next, it’s the subplot with Jonathan that gives this book its heart.
January 30, 2026
⭐ 5 Stars
The previous book in the series is a dual POV book with Jimmy McSwain and newly introduced and only appearing in the one book character, Todd Gleason. I was pretty hesitant to continue on with the series finding this out but when I saw this came out I skipped the last book and jumped right over to this and can't say I was lost at all. So if you're like me feel free to give this a go you won't be missing much. i will take any second I can get with Jimmy McSwain so might go back to book 9 someday.
There's not much else to say, everyone should be quite familiar with Jimmy by now and this time he's hired by his his ex best-friend, former lover and the man he lost his virginity to, Jake Sauter, to solve the murder of his wife. We get to find out if this is a crime-of-passion, or if there's a serial killer about.
The previous book in the series is a dual POV book with Jimmy McSwain and newly introduced and only appearing in the one book character, Todd Gleason. I was pretty hesitant to continue on with the series finding this out but when I saw this came out I skipped the last book and jumped right over to this and can't say I was lost at all. So if you're like me feel free to give this a go you won't be missing much. i will take any second I can get with Jimmy McSwain so might go back to book 9 someday.
There's not much else to say, everyone should be quite familiar with Jimmy by now and this time he's hired by his his ex best-friend, former lover and the man he lost his virginity to, Jake Sauter, to solve the murder of his wife. We get to find out if this is a crime-of-passion, or if there's a serial killer about.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews