A Shroud of Tattered Sails

Garrison Gage #4

by Scott William Carter

A beached sailboat. A missing man. A distraught woman staggering ashore. There to greet her—Garrison Gage, full-time curmudgeon and part-time private investigator, who quickly finds himself thrust into his familiar role of crusader for the desperate and downtrodden. The woman claims to have no memory, but is she lying? When a body later washes ashore, the mystery deepens and the stakes ratchet up another notch. Dark money and even darker intentions. Violence both threatened and real. The woman may be at the heart of it all, or merely an innocent interloper who chose the wrong boat at the wrong time. Only Gage can discover the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2015

About the author

Scott William Carter’s first novel, The Last Great Getaway of the Water Balloon Boys, was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “touching and impressive debut” and won an Oregon Book Award. Since then, he has published many books and short stories, his fiction spanning a wide variety of genres and styles. His book for younger readers, Wooden Bones, chronicles the untold story of Pinocchio and was singled out for praise by the Junior Library Guild. He is the author of the popular Garrison Gage mystery series set on the Oregon coast, as well as the provocative Myron Vale Investigations, about the private investigator in Portland, Oregon who works for both the living and the dead. He’s also the cartoonist behind the Run of the House comic strip.

If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, in his “day job” life he works as an Instructional Designer and Digital Production & Publishing Specialist at Western Oregon University, where he manages the Digital Media Center and provides training and expertise to the campus community on a variety of topics, including Web page creation, digital video production, print-on-demand and ebook publishing, and many software applications related to publishing, distribution, and education in all its forms. He also teaches occasional classes for both the English department and the College of Education.

In past lives, he has been an academic technologist, a writing instructor, bookstore owner, the manager of a computer training company, and a ski instructor, though the most important job — and best – he’s ever had is being the father of his two children. He currently lives in Oregon with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Frosty61 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one up until the rushed, confusing ending. Garrison Gage is a little flawed but has a good heart and is a bit of a curmudgeon. His quest to find the identity of an amnesia victim is a noble one that leads to increasingly implausible events. It's still a fun story with a lot of action. Unfortunately, the ending was disappointingly convoluted.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entry in this enjoyable mystery series set on the Oregon coast. Garrison Gage is a curmudgeon with a past. He and his adopted daughter, Zoe, come across a large sailboat that has beached when out of it tumbles s woman who doesn’t know who she is or how she got there.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garrison Gage seems to be even more sarcastic and witty in this fourth installment, set again in Barnacle Bluffs, a beautiful tourist town on the Oregon coast. By the end of this book, Garrison's life seems to be coming together in a really positive way - both with Zoe and a new love interest for himself. And I'm not sure how I feel about that, to tell the truth. I'm not sure how having a close relationship will work for him. This was another good mystery, but not my favorite so far. But still a 4!

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 3 out of 5]

One star knocked off from rating because of cognitive jolt caused by repeated use of "chlorophyll" when "chloroform" was clearly intended - surely a thriller writer should know the correct name of the most famous knockout drug!

[Ruby Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

-In this 4th book which covers the life of the retired private eye, Garrison Gage, Gage is still living in the coastal town of Barnacle Bluffs, Oregon, and caring for his adopted daughter Zoe. Where Zoe had been very much into Goth and had been rebellious in her nature, she now seems to have matured greatly and has suddenly turned into a young woman with typical fashion taste.
-Zoe is walking with Gage on a beach that’s nearby the house that she shares with him. For years, Gage has avoided any talk of him getting a cell phone, preferring to use landlines and pay phones (which are quickly becoming extinct) but Zoe has now pressed him to accept a phone that she’s brought with her. He reluctantly accepts it, but, as they continue walking, he notices that a small sailboat has been pushed onto the shore by a recent storm. They walk towards it, but then see a woman leave the hold and she stumbles out and into the water, finally falling face down into the waves. Despite his having a bad knee, which forces him to use a cane, Garrison runs with Zoe to pull the woman out before she drowns.
-It was obvious that this woman hadn’t eaten for days, and they call for help. The woman revives before the paramedics come, but she seems to have no recollection of who she is or how she ended up on this boat. Though Gage is unsure if she really does have amnesia, he feels that she’s sincere and, because he was one of the people that found her, he feels protective over her.
-Days passed, which she spent in the hospital and the doctors feel that she’s getting physically stronger, but as to her memory, there’s nothing they can do. Their best guess is that it’s just a matter of time until her recollection of events returns, as she’s been through something traumatic. Gage and. Zoe arrange for her to stay in the Turret House, the boardinghouse run by Gage’s friend and confidant, Alex, a retired FBI agent and instructor.
-While the woman was in the hospital, a young doctor who Gage recognized as someone that he exchanged glances with when they passed each other in several stores in the town, was the one caring for the young woman. She offered to pass by Turret House to check up on the patient as Turret House was on her way home from the hospital. The doctor, Dr. Tatyana Brunner, who happened to have been a very attractive woman, had a slight Russian accent, and it seemed apparent to Zoe that there was some sort of chemistry brewing between Gage and her. Both Zoe and Alex had offered for the doctor to join them all in Turret House for dinner and it was there that Gage and Tatyana had the start of their relationship.
-The girl with amnesia, who suggested that she be called Miranda rather than Jane Doe, now had an additional problem. The boat she was found on was owned by Marcus Koura, an extremely wealthy owner who was in business with a financial processing firm with his brother Omar, but had just been bought out. His dead body had just washed up on the shore rolled up in a tattered sail from the beached boat, making her the prime suspect in what became a homicide.
-Gage feels that Miranda is innocent but the circumstantial evidence against her is overwhelming. With the added difficulty of her amnesia which may or may not be faked, Gage sets out to find out what happened on the boat and how Marcus, whose brother, Omar, was now in Barnacle Bluffs and looking for revenge, could have been killed by someone other than Miranda.
-This is another very well written story, in this excellent series and is a very interesting progression of Gage’s life and the changing lives of those around him. Gage has to admit certain faults about himself and his reactions and feelings for others, which makes his personality become more alive. There are also multiple relationships being developed, both in Gage’s life as well as Zoe’s and they blend into the story very well.

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great detective story!

Garrison Gage seems unable to stay out of trouble. But he seems to like it that way. He also seems to have incredible luck with the ladies! Not bad for a retired detective with a bad knee. Somehow he manages to solve cases that would (and do) leave the experts scratching their heads. This book ends on a lighter note than some of the previous ones which is nice for a change..

[Neva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the first book in the series, then for whatever reason, I had the opportunity to read this book, which is #4 in the series. It started out really good and I was thinking what took me so long to continue the series. Then the book got a little strange, far-fetched and not believable. So I kind of ended the book on a bad note.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the continued development of the recurring characters. The new mystery itself, as with all of his books, seem to have so much depth to them until it gets to the resolution at the end. Then it wraps up very quickly and rather unbelievably. If I can get the next one as a free book, I will. Otherwise will not bother to finish the series.

[Nancy Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the first three books of this series. However, in the fourth book, the author uses too many simiiles and metaphors, sometimes five or six within two or three paragraphs. Also, the MC survives beatings in fight scenes that are farfetched.

Nevertheless, the plot held my attention and the ending did not disappoint.

[Linda Mazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another win by this author.

I rate this book at 4.5. I have enjoyed all the previous books in this series but found this one to be slightly slow moving at times. The development of the characters and Garrison's relationship with each one is absorbing. Looking forward to the next book.

[Terry K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner as always. Garrison Gage is an intriguing character. The editing could have been better, but the story still flows.


Thanks. A very good read as always. The editing could use some work but the story flows along quite nicely.

[Sandra Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a most enjoyable Garrison Gage story back grounded by the beautiful beaches of Oregon. I am so impressed with Scott Wm Carter's writing that I am looking for another of his novels to download.

[Frank Racioppi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gage series gets better

Nice continuation of the series with growth in the characters and the introduction of a new character. The amnesia angle, while always a bit problematic, worked because Carter is such a good writer.

[victoria walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching.

Fast moving read,very mysterious,and trouble is every where..love takes the balancing even more confusing. What is the real mystery... money?

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this Garrison Gage character!

[Rebecca Boehringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this Garrison Gage series. The stories are interesting and plausible. I have read two of them and I need to read more.

[Rich Buickerood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoy all the Gage books as the setting is relatively unique. This book seemed to end rather abruptly, but it also offered many new insights to the main character.

[Lois Carkhuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

This book is very engaging. Some surprises and lots of humor. I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward Gages next adventure.

[David Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating but frustrating book and parts of it made me want to stop reading. While I love that Gage has found love, and Zoe too I’m looking forward to the end of this series as well.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving tale

Starts out slow,picks up speed,then races to the end with a crazy climax!! A great award winning author. Must read for mmm mystery lovers.

[sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

great series and great main character Garrison Gage. will definitely keep reading this series.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last. It was a very good story with great characters and scene building. I look forward to my next read.

[Ajoyim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the series, must say though... a little implausable

[Tanya Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BEST yet!!

I have read each Garrison Gage novel and loved each one, becoming more invested with each story and loving and knowing these recurring characters with a greater understanding and emotion as the experience progressed through each case, each mystery to be solved, each loss and brush with death. And it led to this final story, this exceptional and intriguing tale of a woman whose ship washes ashore and she's discovered aboard with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. It focuses on one of Gage's greatest weaknesses and best qualities, the need to help the damsel in distress even more than his undeniable compulsion to solve a mystery. This book is a fantastic journey that's completely surprising in it's unfolding facts, so relative to the world we live in today, and the greatest dip into understanding and self-discovery of Gage's emotional journey that has brought him to this place and the woman he can't resist and discovers that he can't let go of despite her mysterious past and all that he doesn't yet know about her. This was absolutely THE BEST book in the series!!! It has the same well crafted story that's thorough and answers all the questions that arise as it progresses in the sometimes swift and sometimes lumbering way that is Gage himself. All the characters that you come to know and love experience change and growth throughout the progression of the series but in believable and realistic ways and this author has a talent for creating exquisite and unique characters and revealing their complexity in subtle and captivating ways through each book in the series. The only downside to reaching this point in the series is that there's nothing else, no opportunity to spend more time with these imaginary friends and those who love and hate them. It's sad to part with them but sharing their stories was a fun, exciting, sometimes nail-biting experience that I'm glad I got to witness!! Excellent series that will have you addicted and wanting more even after you reach the end but I'm sure these characters will linger with you long after the last word on the page, the whisper of their voices reaching out from your memories at odd times like the memories and life lessons learned and shared with old friends will do!

[PF Albano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the best Garrison Gage mystery so far. Better than "A Desperate Place for Dying"- but not by much. In third place would be the introductory "A Gray and Guilty Sea". In last place, with its terrible mystery reveal, is "The Lovely Wicked Rain".

I did mention in my review of "The Gray and Guilty Sea" that the ending felt too contrived. So I was worried about the the ending of "A Shroud of Tattered Sails", waiting to see if Carter would "nail the dismount" so to speak. He doesn't, but it isn't as bad as "The Gray and Guilty Sea".

First of all I find Garrison's last minute strategy of smoking out the antagonist as a bit implausible. Essentially Gage called him names in the hopes he would be so pissed off he would attack. Realistically the killer already had a win; he would most likely just have left town and leave Gage gritting his teeth. Next there is the detail about Tatyana's capture. The timeframe is just too tight between Gage's online challenge, Tatyana's kidnapping, and the attack - it's just too compressed.

I would put this book in the same level as "The Gray and Guilty Sea" where it not for the brilliant twist that happens in the police precinct near the end. Just wonderful the most exciting plot twist I have yet seen in the series far. Please do not read the Synopsis below because it will spoil this plot twist. This detail rockets the book up to the level of "A Desperate Place for Dying".

The joy of the Oregon Coast Mystery series is in going back to familiar characters and seeing them grow from one book to the next. Aside from that, Carter very wisely writes about the Oregon Coast in a way that imbues the book with a distinctive aura - In this book I loved reading his descriptions of the skyscape and of the mists on the top of the trees. And the details. The wonderful, wonderful details. Gage's being strongarmed into using a cellphone. The Turret House. The dialogue between Gage and Alex. This was also the first book that I was chuckling over Gage's internal monologue. I also love the introduction of the colorful characters Buzz Burking and D. D. Conroy - they provided a lot of much needed "spice" to the story.

With a character like Gage it's tricky to balance his grumpy personality and during the beginning of the book Carter portrayed him as more of a jerk than a lovable curmudgeon, but course correction was done and Garrison reverted to his usual self during the rest of the book - the loveable Scrooge. Turret house was great but I did miss Books and Oddities. I'm glad Alex is back from his hiatus from the last book.

I think this was the most thrilling of all the books; action scenes were really, really good.

With the forth book its possible to comment on the series so far. Overall I'm still waiting for a perfectly plotted Garrison Gage book. Everything else is right though. Garrison is a character that I like and can empathize with and the support characters are all interesting. The Oregon Coast and Barnacle Bluffs is magic to me; a wonderful mystery setting. And there is always the hope, always the hope, that Scott William Carter will "nail the dismount".

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[ReneE · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) I love the character of Garrison Gage. The stories are interesting, as are the characters. I have read all of them and enjoyed them.

However, there are definitely issues with grammar and word usage, which get in the way of the story at times. One that I still remember is usage of the verb "regaled" --- someone "regaled" a group with the story of the body washing up. (??!!) Mr. Carter obviously does not know the definition of that word or it would surely have not been used in that context. You would think, however, that his editor would have quickly picked up on it.

From Merrian Webster: to give pleasure or amusement to
As is: He regaled us with tall tales

It is not the first time I have seen that word misused, which I find very surprising. Really, how can professional writers not understand the meaning of the verb "regale"? What a blatant, in your face mistake and very unprofessional. Perhaps a new editor is in order?

[Darlene Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read book #1 of the Garrison Gage mysteries and determined to read more of the series. This is #4, so I've missed 2 books, and I don't remember everything I read. The characters have changed, grown deeper. Garrison is still a compelling, flawed detective with a doggedness and compassion that causes himself harm. There is some violence and sex, although it's off-scene.

[Karen A. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garrison Gage is a character worth reading!



I have enjoyed reading this series of books, the characters, the Oregon coastline, the feeling of being there in the moment! Highly recommend for an enjoyable read.

[Karolynn Cechowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Scott William Carter's books with the character Garrison Gage. I feel as though I know the main characters after reading several of his books. Great writer. Love him.

[Amelia Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of the books in this series and I love them all.