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Duck Darley #2
Against Nature
Perched in an airy penthouse above the corrupt streets of Manhattan, unlicensed P.I. Duck Darley has settled into an unlikely domestic routine with a wealthy divorcee and her precocious eight-year-old son. But old nightmares return when a desperate text from Cass Kimball, the former partner Duck once took a bullet to protect, lures him back into sworn-off vices and the sinister world of professional sports . . .
Cass cries murder after her boyfriend tumbles to his death in the Catskills while researching the tragic doping experiments that changed the lives of East German Olympic athletes during the Cold War. Following the brutal killing of a champion javelin thrower, Cass herself is arrested on charges of double homicide, leaving Duck on an impossible quest for answers while doubting everything he ever believed about his secretive sidekick . . .
Now, caught between the secret horrors of extreme performance enhancement and shadowy criminals who stalk him relentlessly, it's sink or swim as Duck stumbles through a reckless investigation that endangers both his life and that of anyone he allows himself to hold dear.
Cass cries murder after her boyfriend tumbles to his death in the Catskills while researching the tragic doping experiments that changed the lives of East German Olympic athletes during the Cold War. Following the brutal killing of a champion javelin thrower, Cass herself is arrested on charges of double homicide, leaving Duck on an impossible quest for answers while doubting everything he ever believed about his secretive sidekick . . .
Now, caught between the secret horrors of extreme performance enhancement and shadowy criminals who stalk him relentlessly, it's sink or swim as Duck stumbles through a reckless investigation that endangers both his life and that of anyone he allows himself to hold dear.
- GenresSuspense
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 2018
About the author
Casey Barrett
4 books31 followersCasey is the author of the Duck Darley crime series. The first in the series, UNDER WATER, will be released by Kensington Books on November 28th, 2017. Book two - AGAINST NATURE - will come out eight months later on July 31st, 2018. And Book three - THE TOWER OF SONGS - is slated for mid-2019 release.
Casey is also a Canadian Olympic swimmer and the co-founder and co-CEO of Imagine Swimming, New York City's largest learn-to-swim school. He has won three Emmy awards and one Peabody award for his work on NBC's broadcasts of the Olympic Games.
Casey is also a Canadian Olympic swimmer and the co-founder and co-CEO of Imagine Swimming, New York City's largest learn-to-swim school. He has won three Emmy awards and one Peabody award for his work on NBC's broadcasts of the Olympic Games.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 3, 2019
Casey Barrett has crafted a clever fast-paced thriller packed with plenty of action. This is the second book in the DI Duck Darley series, but I don’t feel as though I was at a disadvantage having not read the first. Duck is a hard-working, hard playing, and hard drinking flawed character. He prefers solving problems with his fists rather than his words, and as you would expect this tended to get him in some trouble. New York was the perfect backdrop for the unconventional enigmatic Duck’s antics.
Duck is currently hooking up with a rich divorcee Juliet who has a eight-year-old son Stevie. That is until his old partner Cass calls from the Catskills. Her boyfriend is dead and she is convinced it was murder. Cass’s boyfriend had been writing an article about doping and the East German Olympic team. What follows is a dangerous search for the truth.
This was an interesting story with a unique storyline packed with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. However the jury is still out on most of these characters especially Duck. I seriously had no idea what to make of him? I’d start liking him and then he’d go do something stupid generally while intoxicated and then I had to rethink my feelings, again. Cas was equally confusing, I felt for the girl but... Juliet was a piece of work and I straight up did not like her, but her son Stevie on the other hand was simply adorable. Thank goodness for Stevie, he save the day and redeemed most of the characters in this book.
Gritty and raw this was a well done crime thriller that will appeal to all that enjoy the genre!
*** many thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***
3.5 stars rounded up.
Duck is currently hooking up with a rich divorcee Juliet who has a eight-year-old son Stevie. That is until his old partner Cass calls from the Catskills. Her boyfriend is dead and she is convinced it was murder. Cass’s boyfriend had been writing an article about doping and the East German Olympic team. What follows is a dangerous search for the truth.
This was an interesting story with a unique storyline packed with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. However the jury is still out on most of these characters especially Duck. I seriously had no idea what to make of him? I’d start liking him and then he’d go do something stupid generally while intoxicated and then I had to rethink my feelings, again. Cas was equally confusing, I felt for the girl but... Juliet was a piece of work and I straight up did not like her, but her son Stevie on the other hand was simply adorable. Thank goodness for Stevie, he save the day and redeemed most of the characters in this book.
Gritty and raw this was a well done crime thriller that will appeal to all that enjoy the genre!
*** many thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***
3.5 stars rounded up.
April 10, 2019
When I signed up for the book tour, I didn’t realize this was a second book in a series. It didn’t change anything for me though I wasn’t lost or confused it was a quick read! Duck Darley is an unlicensed private detective. He’s a hard drinker who lives in Manhattan. Duck recently lost an easy job of teaching a socialites son how to swim. When his former partner Dominatrix Cassandra comes to him for some help solving a case he accepts. Cassandra’s lover she believes was murdered before he got a chance to write a tell all about how athletes are illegally doping. Duck doesn’t realize when he accepts this case how many crazy turns this case will take him on like neo nazis and more! This book does bounce back and forth from past and present. The characters were well developed and the author did an amazing job with with writing an intense thriller! I highly recommend this book! Four stars!
May 4, 2019
I received this book from #sponsored #suzyapproved #suzyapprovedbooktours
Thank you @suzyapprovedbookreviews @suzyapprovedbooktours for the free copy for honest Review.
This is the first time me reading anything from this author. This is book 2 of the trilogy. So need to read book 1.
This book is an all-nighter, thoroughly engaging, thought-provoking, and cleverly keeps you guessing throughout with many unexpected twists, leaving you begging for more. Author Casey Barrett has laid the groundwork for a thrilling and suspenseful trilogy. The writing style is enticing and unique, drawing the reader in from the beginning. I loved this book! It is smart, creative and has characters that make you love them. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a good read.
What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. What a Rollercoaster! The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel would have you guess and thinking all the way to the end. What a great thrill and suspense. I love a great suspense that would have me think and guessing. This novel did just that to me. To the point that am wrong. When the ending comes am on shock. I wouldn't of never believe or guess. Like OMG!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbookreviews @suzyapprovedbooktours for the free copy for honest Review.
This is the first time me reading anything from this author. This is book 2 of the trilogy. So need to read book 1.
This book is an all-nighter, thoroughly engaging, thought-provoking, and cleverly keeps you guessing throughout with many unexpected twists, leaving you begging for more. Author Casey Barrett has laid the groundwork for a thrilling and suspenseful trilogy. The writing style is enticing and unique, drawing the reader in from the beginning. I loved this book! It is smart, creative and has characters that make you love them. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a good read.
What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. What a Rollercoaster! The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel would have you guess and thinking all the way to the end. What a great thrill and suspense. I love a great suspense that would have me think and guessing. This novel did just that to me. To the point that am wrong. When the ending comes am on shock. I wouldn't of never believe or guess. Like OMG!
April 18, 2019
This was a fast-paced suspense thriller that I really enjoyed reading. The writing was great and the characters were well-developed. The narrator was quite unreliable, but I was still drawn to him. I’ve never actually read any books that incorporated the doping element of professional sports, so it was quite interesting to read about. My favorite part about this book, though, were the parts in Miami. Although heavily based in NYC, the trip to Miami was well-described and took me back to my college days in Coral Gables.
March 10, 2019
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Against Nature” by Casey Barrett , Kensington Publishing Corporation, July 2018
Casey Barrett has written an intense, intriguing, mysterious, suspenseful, riveting and page-turning novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller. The timeline for this story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes his dramatic cast of characters as complex and complicated.
P.I. Ducky Darley is being called away from his present job by a text from his former partner, asking for his help. Both of them had taken a bullet for each other.
His former partner Cass, has just lost her boyfriend, and feels that it is foul play. Cass’s former boyfriend was writing a book about doping experiements during the Olympics. There are dangerous emotional and physical threats, brutality, deaths, and betrayals. Who can Ducky depend or count on? Each person seems more shady than the last. There are twists and turns, and quirky and strange characters.
I would highly recommend this intense action packed adventure for readers who enjoy these genres.
March 17, 2019
This book was crazy good! A murder, dope scandal! I mean this was all around up and down to the very end! Very intense and good!
February 15, 2019
Against Nature
Mysterious Book Report No. 361
by John Dwaine McKenna
Before Germany was reunified some thirty years ago, it was divided into east and west halves after World War II. West Germany was controlled by England, France and the United States, and was democratic. East Germany was under the auspices of the Soviet Union and was communist, dictatorially ruled and collective in nature . . . the state owned and ruled everything. It was totalitarian. The individual existed only to serve the state in what was sometimes referred to as a “workers paradise,” where everyone was equal . . . equally poor, equally unhappy and equally downtrodden . . . and that included elite athletes, who were expected to perform at the highest levels and win, to prove the superiority of communism. In order to give those athletes a winning edge, they were doped; injected with steroids and human growth hormones from childhood. The competitors, or their parents, had no say in the matter.
Against Nature, (Kensington Books, $26.00, 335 pages, ISBN 978-1-4967-0971-4) by Casey Barrett is the second installment in his critically acclaimed series featuring an almost Olympic swimmer and ex-con tough guy named Lawrence “Duck” Darley, a hard drinking, unlicensed PI with a nose for trouble and an affinity for hopeless causes.
As the novel begins, it finds the age twenty-something Duck giving swimming lessons to an eight year-old boy named Stevie, and living the boy’s mother. She’s a woman in her forties who has a three-hundred million dollar divorce settlement, a snotty disposition and expensive tastes, from whom Darley accepts an occasional envelope of cash for “services rendered.” They’re in bed together when Duck gets an emergency text from Cass, his partner in the first Duck Darley mystery, Underwater. Her boyfriend has fallen to his death in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York, and she needs help. The cops are saying that he jumped, but Cass thinks he was pushed, because he was writing a book about doping by the East Germans, and the present-day whereabouts and whatabouts of the doctors who did the deeds. That’s when the hard-drinking Duck gets kicked out of the penthouse on his butt, and the threats, beatings and murders begin in this fascinating, propulsive and relentless novel in which every page is compelling and action-packed. You’ll find yourself pulling for the heroic anti-hero with all the good—and bad—qualities, as he plumbs the money filled, dark and evil world of modern athletic competition, seeking truth, justice and a fair fight. If you like the work of Ken Bruen and his Jack Taylor series, you’ll love Casey Barrett’s Duck Darley. The MBR can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
Mysterious Book Report No. 361
by John Dwaine McKenna
Before Germany was reunified some thirty years ago, it was divided into east and west halves after World War II. West Germany was controlled by England, France and the United States, and was democratic. East Germany was under the auspices of the Soviet Union and was communist, dictatorially ruled and collective in nature . . . the state owned and ruled everything. It was totalitarian. The individual existed only to serve the state in what was sometimes referred to as a “workers paradise,” where everyone was equal . . . equally poor, equally unhappy and equally downtrodden . . . and that included elite athletes, who were expected to perform at the highest levels and win, to prove the superiority of communism. In order to give those athletes a winning edge, they were doped; injected with steroids and human growth hormones from childhood. The competitors, or their parents, had no say in the matter.
Against Nature, (Kensington Books, $26.00, 335 pages, ISBN 978-1-4967-0971-4) by Casey Barrett is the second installment in his critically acclaimed series featuring an almost Olympic swimmer and ex-con tough guy named Lawrence “Duck” Darley, a hard drinking, unlicensed PI with a nose for trouble and an affinity for hopeless causes.
As the novel begins, it finds the age twenty-something Duck giving swimming lessons to an eight year-old boy named Stevie, and living the boy’s mother. She’s a woman in her forties who has a three-hundred million dollar divorce settlement, a snotty disposition and expensive tastes, from whom Darley accepts an occasional envelope of cash for “services rendered.” They’re in bed together when Duck gets an emergency text from Cass, his partner in the first Duck Darley mystery, Underwater. Her boyfriend has fallen to his death in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York, and she needs help. The cops are saying that he jumped, but Cass thinks he was pushed, because he was writing a book about doping by the East Germans, and the present-day whereabouts and whatabouts of the doctors who did the deeds. That’s when the hard-drinking Duck gets kicked out of the penthouse on his butt, and the threats, beatings and murders begin in this fascinating, propulsive and relentless novel in which every page is compelling and action-packed. You’ll find yourself pulling for the heroic anti-hero with all the good—and bad—qualities, as he plumbs the money filled, dark and evil world of modern athletic competition, seeking truth, justice and a fair fight. If you like the work of Ken Bruen and his Jack Taylor series, you’ll love Casey Barrett’s Duck Darley. The MBR can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
April 21, 2019
I love a good series. Characters you get to know and are able to connect with. These characters sort of become your family.
I was introduced to @caseybarrettbooks and his Duck Darley series. Duck seems to be a down on his luck P.I. In Manhattan.
In Against Nature the second installment of the series Duck is called to the Catskills by his former partner, Cassandra. Duck is tasked with solving the mystery of Cassondra’s dead boyfriend.
This is the second book in the series but I don’t feel like you had to read the first book to understand what was going on in Against Nature. The author takes you from the past to the present seamlessly.
Against Nature is a fast-paced thriller with lots of action. You will love Duck the flawed P.I. The topic of this book includes professional sports and the doping scandal that I found super interesting.
This book is meant for guys and girls. Thriller lovers and sports lovers alike.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @kensingtonbooks for my copy of Against Nature.
I was introduced to @caseybarrettbooks and his Duck Darley series. Duck seems to be a down on his luck P.I. In Manhattan.
In Against Nature the second installment of the series Duck is called to the Catskills by his former partner, Cassandra. Duck is tasked with solving the mystery of Cassondra’s dead boyfriend.
This is the second book in the series but I don’t feel like you had to read the first book to understand what was going on in Against Nature. The author takes you from the past to the present seamlessly.
Against Nature is a fast-paced thriller with lots of action. You will love Duck the flawed P.I. The topic of this book includes professional sports and the doping scandal that I found super interesting.
This book is meant for guys and girls. Thriller lovers and sports lovers alike.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @kensingtonbooks for my copy of Against Nature.
June 20, 2018
Having loved the first in the series, I was thrilled to be approved by Netgalley to read the sequel. AGAINST NATURE was a killer follow-up of Duck Darley's (mis)adventures in and around New York City. This case brings Duck to the Catskills to investigate former partner Cass' boyfriend's death - was it an unfortunate accident, or was it murder?
Casey Barrett has crafted an epic anti-hero in Duck - he's flawed, but oh so smart (even though bad decisions abound). Following him into very real locations around NYC is just as exciting as it was in the first. Rooting for him is undeniably complicated, but I still did.
I recommend starting with UNDER WATER, and then reading this sequel. You'll be drawn in by Duck's reckless behavior, penchant for trouble, and desire for the truth.
I received this book through NetGalley, from Kensington Press, in exchange for an honest review.
taylorhavenholt.com/thhbooks.html
Casey Barrett has crafted an epic anti-hero in Duck - he's flawed, but oh so smart (even though bad decisions abound). Following him into very real locations around NYC is just as exciting as it was in the first. Rooting for him is undeniably complicated, but I still did.
I recommend starting with UNDER WATER, and then reading this sequel. You'll be drawn in by Duck's reckless behavior, penchant for trouble, and desire for the truth.
I received this book through NetGalley, from Kensington Press, in exchange for an honest review.
taylorhavenholt.com/thhbooks.html
April 25, 2019
Casey Barrett was a new author to me that I discovered by participating in a Blog Tour. AGAINST NATURE is the second book the Duck Darley series. Duck Darley is an unlicensed private investigator in Manhattan that isn’t your typical PI. He’s a PI that thrives on brute strength and doesn’t always approach a situation with the methodical level-headedness we generally expect to see with someone of his profession.
PI Darley receives a phone call from his ex-partner, Cass, telling him her boyfriend who was writing an exposé about doping on the East German Olympic team has been found dead and she’s suspects murder. This launches PI Darley on his search for the truth, with some antics that are both foolish and brilliant. This is a fast-paced book that was a joy to read.
I also read the first book, UNDER WATER, and the storyline is contained enough that AGAINST NATURE is readable as a stand-alone, it’s mostly character development you’ll miss out on if you read by itself.
PI Darley receives a phone call from his ex-partner, Cass, telling him her boyfriend who was writing an exposé about doping on the East German Olympic team has been found dead and she’s suspects murder. This launches PI Darley on his search for the truth, with some antics that are both foolish and brilliant. This is a fast-paced book that was a joy to read.
I also read the first book, UNDER WATER, and the storyline is contained enough that AGAINST NATURE is readable as a stand-alone, it’s mostly character development you’ll miss out on if you read by itself.
April 24, 2019
Five Reasons Against Nature Will Quench your Dark Suspense Thirst:
1. Were you one of those teenagers attracted to “the bad boy” you were sure you were going to fix? Then Duck is the perfect main character to reignite that bad boy desire. This self appointed PI is a true bad boy gone good.
2. The level of suspense is a quick start and maintains a high level throughout the entire book.
3. Looking for something to pass off to your significant other? This is a perfect suspenseful book that appeals to men and women alike!
4. If you’re into the darker type of suspense, this one is sure to be up your alley- less of a psychological suspense and more of a Big German Mobster chase- there’s a definite dark element to this one.
5. There were some definite “what?!” moments that left me feeling twisted, but then low and behold the twists unraveled and made perfect sense.
1. Were you one of those teenagers attracted to “the bad boy” you were sure you were going to fix? Then Duck is the perfect main character to reignite that bad boy desire. This self appointed PI is a true bad boy gone good.
2. The level of suspense is a quick start and maintains a high level throughout the entire book.
3. Looking for something to pass off to your significant other? This is a perfect suspenseful book that appeals to men and women alike!
4. If you’re into the darker type of suspense, this one is sure to be up your alley- less of a psychological suspense and more of a Big German Mobster chase- there’s a definite dark element to this one.
5. There were some definite “what?!” moments that left me feeling twisted, but then low and behold the twists unraveled and made perfect sense.
March 13, 2019
Miss W Book Reviews “Against Nature” by Casey Barrett , Kensington Publishing Corporation, July 2018
The author created a very captivating, intense mystery thriller. The storyline alternates between the present time and the past. The characters are well developed and well written.
Ducky Darley is a private investigator that receives an urgent text from his previous partner asking for help and he would do anything for Cass. Cass has lost her boyfriend and she thinks it was murder.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. It is very intense which keeps you flipping through the pages.
I would highly recommend this fast moving book .
The author created a very captivating, intense mystery thriller. The storyline alternates between the present time and the past. The characters are well developed and well written.
Ducky Darley is a private investigator that receives an urgent text from his previous partner asking for help and he would do anything for Cass. Cass has lost her boyfriend and she thinks it was murder.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. It is very intense which keeps you flipping through the pages.
I would highly recommend this fast moving book .
March 22, 2019
AGAINST NATURE by Casey Barrett was an interesting read that kept me guessing throughout. It is the second book in the Duck Darley series but I was not lost by not having read the first book.
Duck is a talented yet unlucky unlicensed private detective living a hard drinking life in Manhattan. He just lost a cushy gig with a socialite serving her under the guise of teaching her son how to swim.
His former partner, dominatrix Cassandra, seeks his help to solve what she believes to be the murder of her lover who was looking into writing a tell all about the illegal doping of althetes. This latest assignment takes Duck on a wild ride involving neo-nazis and near death experiences.
Duck is a talented yet unlucky unlicensed private detective living a hard drinking life in Manhattan. He just lost a cushy gig with a socialite serving her under the guise of teaching her son how to swim.
His former partner, dominatrix Cassandra, seeks his help to solve what she believes to be the murder of her lover who was looking into writing a tell all about the illegal doping of althetes. This latest assignment takes Duck on a wild ride involving neo-nazis and near death experiences.
April 14, 2019
“Against Nature” by Casey Barrett is the second book in the Duck Darley Series. Even though I jumped in and read this book without first reading “Under Water” I had no trouble. I think maybe I would have enjoyed this even more if I had read the first book. There was enough of a backstory so that you were never lost. The mystery had a few great twists I didn't see coming it kept me guessing and turning the pages. This was a very well written intense thriller with plenty of action. The characters were very well developed and realistic. I would highly recommend this book to readers that like Thrillers, Mysteries and Suspense type books.
November 24, 2023
Not a good book. The whole focus is on the character named Duck. This guy is a huge POS, an alcoholic that just talks and thinks about drinking and next drinks. Apparently in the world of this book that is attractive because all the ladies sleep with him. Just a bad book with a very shitty dude it focuses on. Skip this!!
December 10, 2018
Not bad. Loved the passages about swimming. And New York. Wish he would do a Canadian city or two. Fast, and enough of a puzzle to keep attention riveted. Look forward to another one starring Duck, if he can stay out of fights long enough to let that happen.
July 29, 2019
Duck in trouble again, ventures through helping Cass with her problems , Murder. Perphaps. Love it.
September 17, 2021
2.5
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
December 23, 2022
Not my kind of book - depressing characters
March 26, 2019
Being a PI is a tough career but for Duck Darley it just became a whole lot more complicated. He is just working and living his life with his son when he receives a message from his former partner.
Class has somehow gotten herself tied into two murder investigations and gets herself arrested. Darley is now stuck trying to find out what really happens all while keeping his son safe.
Class has somehow gotten herself tied into two murder investigations and gets herself arrested. Darley is now stuck trying to find out what really happens all while keeping his son safe.
March 7, 2019
**I just felt meh about this one...not even really sure I can pinpoint why. DO read the series in order as it does build a bit. The characters are ok, and the storyline moves at a decent pace.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews