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Baer Creighton #2

The Mundane Work of Vengeance

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★★★★★ "A ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ Bᴀᴇʀ Cʀᴇɪɢʜᴛᴏɴ sᴀɢᴀ..."
Yᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ THE MUNDANE WORK OF VENGEANCE ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴜʀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀsᴛ ᴘᴀɢᴇ.

Sɪx ᴅᴀʏs ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ Bᴀᴇʀ Cʀᴇɪɢʜᴛᴏɴ ᴄᴜᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴀ ᴄᴀʙᴀʟ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴏɢꜰɪɢʜᴛᴇʀs, ᴀ sɪxᴛᴇᴇɴ-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ ɢɪʀʟ ᴅɪsᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ɪɴ Asʜᴇᴠɪʟʟᴇ, Nᴏʀᴛʜ Cᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴀ. Wɪᴛɴᴇssᴇs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ sᴀᴡ ʜᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘᴏʟɪᴄᴇ ᴄᴀʀ.

Tᴡᴇɴᴛʏ-ꜰɪᴠᴇ ʏᴇᴀʀs ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴇɢᴀʟ ꜰɪʀᴇᴡᴏʀᴋs ᴘʟᴀɴᴛ ʙʟᴇᴡ ᴜᴘ ɪɴ Bᴇɴᴛᴏɴ Tᴇɴɴᴇssᴇᴇ, ᴋɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴀɪɴɪɴɢ M100 ꜰɪʀᴇᴄʀᴀᴄᴋᴇʀs ᴏᴠᴇʀ ʜᴀʟꜰ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʏ. A ꜰᴇᴡ ᴅᴀʏs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ, ᴀ ᴛʜɪʀᴛᴇᴇɴ-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ ʙᴏʏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ʜɪs ʜɪɢʜᴇsᴛ ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ᴡᴀs ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ.

Tʜᴇ Mᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ Wᴏʀᴋ ᴏꜰ Vᴇɴɢᴇᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴs ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ Mʏ Bʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’s Dᴇsᴛʀᴏʏᴇʀ ᴇɴᴅ Bᴀᴇʀ Cʀᴇɪɢʜᴛᴏɴ ᴛᴀᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴄᴋᴇᴛs ᴏꜰ ɢᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏ Mᴀᴇ, ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴅʀɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴡᴇsᴛ.

321 pages, ebook

Published July 21, 2018

1412 people are currently reading
171 people want to read

About the author

Clayton Lindemuth

36 books127 followers
Am I right? You're smarter than most, embrace old fashioned morals, love your country, dogs, and guns... and dig ruthless fiction...

Hi! I'm Clayton Lindemuth, and my novels embrace rural noir truth. Mind your own business, be slow to anger. But don't ever back down to evil. Justice happens when the wicked die.

If we're tracking so far, I wrote My Brother's Destroyer, and all the rest, just for you.

You'll stay awake too late, underline fun new ways to cuss, muse about new philosophies and read random passages to strangers to make the world a better place.

Literary depth. Thriller pace. If you've got the stomach to watch evil men die, dress for the woods and grab a lamp. We've work to do.

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5 stars
561 (51%)
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378 (34%)
3 stars
122 (11%)
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22 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Eric.
436 reviews37 followers
January 3, 2020
The Mundane Work of Vengeance by Clayton Lindemuth continues on with the Country Noir/Rural Noir saga of master moonshiner Baer Creighton.

Mundane starts off right after the ending of the first Baer Creighton novel and continues on with continued good writing by Clayton Lindemuth.

Lindemuth introduces new characters, one especially nasty one, and at first, thought to be unrelated plot lines that eventually find each other and weave into an enjoyable crime thriller. Baer Creighton is trying to leave the area of North Carolina but keeps finding impediments blocking his way.

After finishing this novel, it is going to be interesting to find out what Lindemuth has in store for Creighton in the next novel.

Lindemuth's novels are highly recommended for those that enjoy the Country Noir/Rural Noire branch in the crime thriller genre.
Profile Image for Tammy.
38 reviews
April 26, 2019
Grit Lit

Never thought I would like reading about killers and the reasons why. The author has me turning another page and losing sleep doing it.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,426 reviews68 followers
June 16, 2019
"That’s the way with evil. You can’t give any slack, ever. Evil man’ll use your good agin you."

This book starts right up where the first book in the series MY BROTHER'S DESTROYER left off.

Baer Creighton is headed out of the small town of Gleason, North Carolina after killing a whole slew of people. If you want to know why, you should read book one. You should anyway if you're planning on reading this one.

He heads over to his newfound daughter's house to pick up her and his grandchildren but the FBI and police department show up along with the mother of his daughter. So Baer has make some quick, deadly decisions on how they're going to get out of this mess.

I didn't like this book quite as much as book one although it's still a great story. In the first book, the story focused on Baer, his dogs, and his lifestyle. I loved it. This book has more than one storyline going throughout, in different time periods, and it became a bit disjointed at times. I still enjoyed the story very much and highly recommend it and I would have rated it 4 1/2 stars if I could have. There are some interesting twists and I'm looking forward to reading book three in the series PRETTY LIKE AN UGLY GIRL.
51 reviews
January 4, 2020
I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I loved the first book and the character of Baer, who was a good man who had to do bad things to stop dogfighting, which I think most decent people agree turns men into savages. however, the murders in the second book are for less righteous causes and trouble me. Situation ethics and all that.... and I’m not sure the Joshia storyline added to the book and it was almost like Midsomer Murders, where each murder gets more grizzly.
Profile Image for Richard Myers.
509 reviews11 followers
November 18, 2018
Great book

I can’t write reviews very well but I can say that Baer Creighton keeps me laughing as well as good God, what did he just do? You need to buy this book.
74 reviews2 followers
April 26, 2019
The author is brilliant and doesn't disappoint his readers with the opening scenes. Baer running from the slaughter of his last rampage against those that caused him great harm by killing his dog and hurting people he loved and burning down his house. He goes to his daughter's house who believed all of her life that he was her uncle. Setting things straight as only Baer can do as he is on the run from the FBI. Baer is such a strong character and his electric force is in full power as he determines truth and deceit.


******************************** (side note)
[If I'm going to be totally honest about this book and about the character Baer I must admit that in my fantasy I am oddly and erotically attracted to Baer. I would love for him to be my friend, or my protector, my father, perhaps my lover in wild abandon. I would surrender to him in complete trust on many frightening levels. I am an ole Hippie, peace and love is my life but I'm able to understand his violence, his rage and the way he defends what he believes to be right . I'm actually amazed at myself that I can feel this. I would lay with him in a heartbeat ]
**************************************

Baer’s new dog Stinky Joe is his confidant and loyal friend and defender, voice of reason and in many ways his conscience. The story thickens and intensifies as other characters and story lines are added with dynamics such as a failing banking Institution and the family involved in it and how some died. Then to a young girl who is kidnapped by someone pretending to be the police. The captor is vicious and is sick in his treatment his victim.The author has amazing skills in making his readers wonder how this is all going to come together. I didn't want to put the book down. The harsh mystery of the 16 year old girl kidnapped by a police officer is quite unsettling along with the dynamics in a rural community where people are being murdered by a 12 y/o who is now one of the police officers Baer has held captive in the back of the car while he escapes, hoping to make it out West as he is now considered a dangerous fugitive on the runt. Each of the paralleling stories are unsettling and frightening and continue to haunt the reader as to when they were going to come together. What an exciting writing style, pure genius - and when the author skillfully brings the parallel stories together it all to make sensec - like fluid poison. I'm not going to ruin the story by telling anyone how it all unfolds but it is powerful, emotional, unsettling, rewarding, frightening and so well written. I was on the edge of my seat Well actually my bed because I read in bed :-)
Profile Image for William.
184 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2019
In my review of the first book in this series, I said that while this is a story about a "Man and his Dog" it was surely not the typical "Man and his Dog" story. Sadly, the first dog dies but, he's acquired another dog that he also begins to rely on for counsel.
The title of this book gives you a somewhat subtle clue of the contents. There is so much vengeance it has almost become mundane. As much as I hate to give away plot details, the reader should be prepared for our "Hero", Baer Creighton, to rain-down justice on the evil group of men that consider Dog Fighting to be a manly sport. They destroy so many dogs that they have begun stealing dogs to pit against skilled killer dogs. The shortage of "Bait-Dogs" needed to keep the killer instinct sharp has grown because even the victorious dogs need at least a month to rest and recover. These Dog-Men made a big mistake when they stole the main character's dog and deliberately left his blinded and near dead remains where he would be sure to find it. At first, he tries reasonable methods to express his dissatisfaction but, as they escalate their responses, so does he. This second book begins with the most serious revenge he's capable of. When he later returns to release the still caged fighting dogs they attack him and he realizes the men have so corrupted the dogs, they must be destroyed else they may vent their trained and ingrained killer instincts on innocent children.
Bare's livelihood, making Moonshine, has been destroyed and he recognizes he must depart his home area for the West he has long dreamed of. There are many obstacles in his way and these are the foundations of this second segment. The author interspaces this tale with the backstory of one of a person who becomes a significant character in this story and one of the major obstacles to Baer's plans to relocate salvaging as much of his former life as he's able. Lies, deceit, and betrayal seem to become almost as mundane as his vengeance.

Review by THE HOLEY ONE
Profile Image for Jeanne  Brewer.
272 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2020
Gritty situations make a mess of expectations

Bad cops, missing teenage girl, nebulous connections to Baer and his new canine buddy. The love of his life might finally be open to his love, but he doesn't think he can trust her and has to decide if he really wants her as he plans starting his life over far, far away from all the mayhem that has swirled through his life for so long. And then there's his daughter who needs his help to make a fresh start somewhere but isn't happy with what Baer has been up to lately. Personally, I don't like Baer as well as I did in the first book. Premeditated and heartlessly-carried-out vengeance seems too much for this basically good man to even consider, much less so cold-heartedly carry out. But he will have to live with the consequences of his actions, and so will those around him. I hope he will find a way to re-establish his center and his compassion.
Profile Image for Dusty Sharp.
Author 6 books34 followers
November 15, 2020
This story picks up immediately following the events in My Brothers Destroyer, the first book in the Baer Creighton series. I won't repeat all of my praises for the story, characters and narration I wrote in my review of that book, but they all apply once again here.

Baer Creighton is a simple, rough, backwoods (former) moonshiner who has run afoul of some bad people and dealt out justice in a biblical way, and now he's on the run. In The Mundane Work of Vengeance, Lindemuth skillfully weaves the aftermath of the incidents from the first book, with separate tales of police corruption, child abduction and the evolution of a serial killer. They all come together in a spectacular conclusion that will leave you satisfied by ready for more Baer Creighton. This book expands Baer's world considerably, taking him beyond the comfortable familiarity of his backwoods home and surrounding areas.

Once again, Kain Foster's performance is masterful.
Profile Image for Penny.
66 reviews
April 27, 2020
Did not equal first

I was ok with this book, but it was not written the same way as the first. In this one, Baer has lost most of his backwoods vernacular and therefore, his charm.
I still liked the character, but he seems so different I don't know if I want to continue the series.
I will probably give #3 a chance, but see little hope of the Baer that was so refreshing in #1 return.
Those that found the first a little too rough for themselves will probably like this book. It contains a much milder form of Baer and the three main storylines are interesting. In at least 2 if not 3 places the author referred to a character by the wrong name. Sometimes it is hard to name and remember so many characters, but that's what an editor or jr. editor is for.
23 reviews
January 27, 2021
Mundane work of Vengeance

His unique writing style does not take anything away from the narrative. This story requires a strong stomach and an open mind to evil in all it’s forms. Poetic justice for a serial killer and Baers disregard for life as he kills and justifies his actions as he flees the scene of the mass killing of his brother and the ring of the dog fighting group is the setting is the story line.The killing of a number of police officers is justified, in his mind, by the fact that if they hadn’t tried to arrest him, he would not have killed them. His twisted sense of right and wrong somehow even seems logical! His wretched and complicated family life adds a sidebar that leaves you shaking your head
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,712 reviews10 followers
January 31, 2019
For a lot of series, you do not need to start from the first book. This one you do or you will never catch up as it starts right where the first one leaves off. This is different than any book I have ever read. Almost like a parallel universe. Baer Creighton is a murderer, but seem to be the only one in the story with any morals. The cops are on the take, or at the very least, crooked. Creighton spent many years as a moonshiner. He only made the best. He invested his money wisely and turned his investments into gold coin. So now he has a couple buckets of gold coins and is on the run from the crooked cops. when you don't know who to trust, don't trust anybody.
Profile Image for Bill.
330 reviews21 followers
January 31, 2020
I have enough shelves and I really can't begin to guess what a proper shelf name would be for these books. This is the second Baer Creighton book I've read and it's even zanier than the first one. Perhaps I SHOULD create a shelf and call it ZANY or BIZARRE. Even those two names wouldn't do these stories justice. I think INSANE might be a better bet. Anyway, I really like Clayton Lindemuth's style, he must be dropping acid before he writes. I've already begun reading the third book in the series and loving the hell out of it! I'll warn you: It's not for everyone. If you abandon this book, I'll understand - even if you love violence by giant firecrackers.
2 reviews
December 19, 2019
This is the second book of the series. Murder and mayhem continue right where the first book left off. The author creates memorable characters, even out of inanimate objects and describes the action in minute detail so it is easy to visualize the settings. It was one of those books I could not put down until I finished it. I can see a Netfix coming with this series. If you are sensitive to cussing and coarse language/dialect there is an option to download a copy without it but IMHO this would take away from the characterizations the author has created.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
209 reviews
December 25, 2020
I read the first Baer book on kindle and then listened to the second of the trilogy on audible. The narration is excellent, although the 'Baer' section takes a little getting used to. Even when you read it actually. The story is crazy, a roller-coaster of violence and drama. Baer is a real Robin Hood character who slaughters evil left and right. Most of the people he takes on hurt animals, so that was all fine with me. They cleverly play a bit of the 3rd book at the end of the second so now.... There will be another book purchase in due course I guess.
8 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2021
This series ....

Mr. Lindemuth has a good ear and dead reckoning on back country / small tow North Carolina. He tempts you to take sides.

But he always returns to the imponderables of what we are made of: vanities, fears, misconceptions, delusions and mostly love.

His stories read like Carl Hiaasen without the crazy Florida Man meme. It’s like that but replace that bizarre, crazy foil to the rest of us and make us all part of the foil. We are all partners in the crazy.

I like that, somehow.

PS: what a f****ing ear for dialog and accent. Unbelievable.
437 reviews5 followers
January 10, 2020
The Mundane Work of Rengeance (B

I don't know how to start, this book was absolutely wonderful, amazing and so good you won't want it to end. This Author work is fantastic, you will be thinking about it all day long. The excitement, gore, secrets revealed, drama good and laughable. He's got you after a few pages. I love his work and a fan. Definitely a must read so far the characters and the series are amazing,! So many thanks, Honey Bee 🌬🐝🎭📚💙❤😍😱🎶
114 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2021
Not sure what I think of this. It's a story of a man, a moonshiner, who gets even with a lot of bad guys for killing his dog. Kind of like a hillbilly John Wick. A lot of it is written in what purports to be a hillbilly vernacular. I usually really dislike things written that way (I recently started a book of Damon Runyon shorts and just couldn't get through it). In this case, it wasn't so bad.
1 review
February 18, 2020
A Fresh Voice that Needs to be Heard.

This is the kind of writing that we need more of. Clayton does an awesome job of delving into the human condition and laying bare all of its faults and motives behind them. I'm not going to go into the details because this book needs to be read to be appreciated.
Highly recommended!
67 reviews
May 1, 2020
Hellofaread

Good continuation of My Brother's Destroyer. Baer and Ruth haven't turned out like I expected but is interesting. Baer can get in some tight situations but manages to pull through. Baer's special abilities to know when someone is lying helps him out a lot. Can't wait to start Book 3.
Profile Image for Karen Simmons.
36 reviews3 followers
July 9, 2019
Baer has a new adventure

Oh wow! I am in love with this country boy! Baer's character is all about just how far to not push a man. He lived a simple life, just him and his dog. When they pushed him into a corner, the way he comes out is powerfully written!
Profile Image for Debs.
53 reviews
May 2, 2020
A virtuous man doesn't let evil live

Everyone has their own idea of evil and how to deal with it. Baer has a special way of dealing with what he considers evil. And it will keep you up all night.
15 reviews
June 5, 2020
Great Series!

I prefer the narration to reading. Narrator brings the characters to life. I have already started the next book in the series. I have downloaded the available books in the series 😁 I highly recommend this series!
115 reviews
August 18, 2020
WOW

Looking for a truly unique concept in a novel? You have to continue this series with a main character that defines a crude integrity with a story you cannot stop reading. This author has a unique and delightful imagination.
10 reviews
October 1, 2020
This is the second in the Baer Creighton series. It continued where book one ended and was split into three interesting stories. I enjoyed it more than the first book and now looking forward to reading the third book in this series.
Profile Image for Tim Davis.
132 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2021
Excellent read. Very clever screenplay and especially bringing it all together so smoothly. A bit confusing until well down the road! I actually thought I was reading 3 books in parallel. Onto the next book in the series now.
2 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2021
Strong follow up to Book 1.

This storyline may not be for everyone, but this main character is so earthy and real, I find easy to follow right on his heels and believe everything he sees and says.

Looking for Book 3.
18 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2018
Mr Lindemuth can do no wrong.

Another perfect story. I chanced upon his work and gave it a shot. Hooked in two lines. Can’t wait for the next.
68 reviews2 followers
November 23, 2018
Intertwined

Plot and characters are thought out and planned extensively. Not hard to follow two story lines when they are composed so well! Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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