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A Nick Williams Mystery #26
The Derelict Dad
Monday, October 15, 1962
It's way too early on a Monday morning, but Nick and Carter are making their way across the country to a clandestine meeting in Miami with Bobby Kennedy at the Attorney General's request.
During a stop in New Orleans, they meet a kid who catches Carter's eye. He seems to be smart and on the ball and might be just the right fit for leading up the newest division of WilliamsJones, Inc.
On their last leg into Miami, they receive a radiogram that R.F.K. has had to cancel at the last minute. Determined to get some good poolside time in the hot sun, they continue on to the Sunshine State where they meet a man who turns out to recognize Carter's latest hire.
What the two have in common is a third man: Henry Thibodeaux, the kid's long-last father and the man's long-last lover.
And, as so often happens, Henry Thibodeaux has disappeared into the wilds of San Francisco.
So, the team at the newly-renamed WilliamsJones Security sets out to scour the City for any trace of the derelict dad.
As they do, they discover the man they're looking for is also being hunted down by someone bent on seeking revenge...
Will Nick and Carter and all the gang find Henry Thibodeaux in time?
Find out in this, the first book in a three-part story arc, that's all about what happens when a father, who has abandoned his family to find his fortune, finally has to come to terms with his past.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2018
16 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Frank W. Butterfield
123 books106 followersFrank W. Butterfield, not an assumed name, loves old movies, wise-cracking smart guys with hearts of gold, and writing for fun.
Although he worships San Francisco, he lives at the beach on another coast.
Born on a windy day in November of 1966, he was elected President of his high school Spanish Club in the spring of 1983.
After moving across these United States like a rapid-fire pinball, he currently makes his home in a hurricane-proof apartment with superior water pressure that was built in 1926.
While he hasn't met any dolphins personally, that invitation is always open.
Although he worships San Francisco, he lives at the beach on another coast.
Born on a windy day in November of 1966, he was elected President of his high school Spanish Club in the spring of 1983.
After moving across these United States like a rapid-fire pinball, he currently makes his home in a hurricane-proof apartment with superior water pressure that was built in 1926.
While he hasn't met any dolphins personally, that invitation is always open.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 27, 2019
A Good Story
I love Nick Williams stories. This one didn't disappoint me.
It was well written with a great storyline. Also I enjoyed it.
I love Nick Williams stories. This one didn't disappoint me.
It was well written with a great storyline. Also I enjoyed it.
November 15, 2018
Yippee - a three story arc in this series - can't wait to read more.
December 13, 2018
The Derelict Dad (Nick and Carter #26)
By Frank W. Butterfield
Published by the author, 2018
Five stars
When this story takes place, in October of 1962, I was in second grade across the country from San Francisco. It would be a hard year for me; I’d get the only F on my report card in my whole life.
Brought to you by nostalgia, and as a reminder that Nick and Carter could be my parents. This simply makes their story, as gay men and as a couple, resonate more deeply with every volume.
As the title suggests, abandonment is the core theme in this story, which is the first of a three-part plot arc in the ongoing Nick Williams epic prose poem. A jaunt across the country in their stylish but limited-range Caravelle jet takes Nick and Carter, indirectly, to a house party in New Orleans’ Garden District. There they learn about a man on the lam for murder, his abandoned family, and the gay son who becomes the latest in Nick and Carter’s extended family of marginalized gay folk.
Nick’s great-uncle Paul makes another appearance here, carrying on the thread of dreams that might be more than dreams. Fans have learned something about Paul Williams from these dreams. Interestingly, this time around it somehow reminded me that Paul Williams seems to have lived his life entirely for his own pleasure – an understandable response to a world that despised and shunned him for what he was. The fact remains that the only really good thing Uncle Paul did for the world was leaving his vast fortune to his pariah great-nephew, who has used it to good purpose in the aid of truth, justice and the American way. That, of course, includes gay men and women as part of all three of those virtuous values. Again we’re reminded in this book that Nick and Carter lavish their wealth on other people, too, supporting hospitals and other important charities through their foundation, renamed in this book the WilliamsJones Charitable Foundation. Nick and Carter have touched thousands of lives. If living well is the best revenge, doing good to those who shun you is pretty good revenge, too.
One thing that always strikes me in these books is how often men kiss each other. This doesn’t happen all that much today (my family being an exception). Certainly in 1962 America, men did not kiss each other. The kissing culture in Nick’s created family is one of his weird super powers. Being kissed by Nick Williams means you are forgiven, you are valued, and you are loved. Nick’s kisses mean more than money to those people who love him best.
I’ve already started on “The Shifting Scion.” Book three will be along soon.
By Frank W. Butterfield
Published by the author, 2018
Five stars
When this story takes place, in October of 1962, I was in second grade across the country from San Francisco. It would be a hard year for me; I’d get the only F on my report card in my whole life.
Brought to you by nostalgia, and as a reminder that Nick and Carter could be my parents. This simply makes their story, as gay men and as a couple, resonate more deeply with every volume.
As the title suggests, abandonment is the core theme in this story, which is the first of a three-part plot arc in the ongoing Nick Williams epic prose poem. A jaunt across the country in their stylish but limited-range Caravelle jet takes Nick and Carter, indirectly, to a house party in New Orleans’ Garden District. There they learn about a man on the lam for murder, his abandoned family, and the gay son who becomes the latest in Nick and Carter’s extended family of marginalized gay folk.
Nick’s great-uncle Paul makes another appearance here, carrying on the thread of dreams that might be more than dreams. Fans have learned something about Paul Williams from these dreams. Interestingly, this time around it somehow reminded me that Paul Williams seems to have lived his life entirely for his own pleasure – an understandable response to a world that despised and shunned him for what he was. The fact remains that the only really good thing Uncle Paul did for the world was leaving his vast fortune to his pariah great-nephew, who has used it to good purpose in the aid of truth, justice and the American way. That, of course, includes gay men and women as part of all three of those virtuous values. Again we’re reminded in this book that Nick and Carter lavish their wealth on other people, too, supporting hospitals and other important charities through their foundation, renamed in this book the WilliamsJones Charitable Foundation. Nick and Carter have touched thousands of lives. If living well is the best revenge, doing good to those who shun you is pretty good revenge, too.
One thing that always strikes me in these books is how often men kiss each other. This doesn’t happen all that much today (my family being an exception). Certainly in 1962 America, men did not kiss each other. The kissing culture in Nick’s created family is one of his weird super powers. Being kissed by Nick Williams means you are forgiven, you are valued, and you are loved. Nick’s kisses mean more than money to those people who love him best.
I’ve already started on “The Shifting Scion.” Book three will be along soon.
November 3, 2018
I've jumped from Book 8 so there is a lot I've missed in the nine years since 1953. (It looks as though I'm going to be catching up on the backlist... ) However the ongoing tale works well - Nick and Carter are still making and distributing money, still fighting prejudice... It's a very different San Francisco, certainly - and while Nick's money may confer a certain security he is by no means immune, whether in petty instances (a cab driver declining to take him to the hospital) or more serious ones (a police officer not passing on a message to a more senior officer).
Some famous names - Bobby Kennedy doesn't actually appear but Bette Davis (plus various studio names) does. The research seems good and the period detail rings true, though I'm no expert. The relative ease with which Nick can fly around the US is I feel somewhat different to the current security climate.
Some famous names - Bobby Kennedy doesn't actually appear but Bette Davis (plus various studio names) does. The research seems good and the period detail rings true, though I'm no expert. The relative ease with which Nick can fly around the US is I feel somewhat different to the current security climate.
February 19, 2020
Frank's books are getting harder and harder to not read in one day. This book was a thrilling page turner, especially the latter half. But what is making these books even better than ever is how richly developed so many of the characters have become. The subtle expressions; the looks shot across the room; the off screen conversations you only find about much later. I have never read a series of books where the vast array of returning characters are so real, so consistent, yet growing and evolving along side Nick and Carter.
Someone at Netflix or Amazon Prime really needs to read these books cause I just can't stop visualizing this as a hit TV series!
I am in awe and every so appreciative of Mr. Butterfield and his talents!
Someone at Netflix or Amazon Prime really needs to read these books cause I just can't stop visualizing this as a hit TV series!
I am in awe and every so appreciative of Mr. Butterfield and his talents!
January 28, 2019
Interesting, but ...
The introduction of David and his quick inclusion felt a bit rushed, which is not the standard in this series. It eventually works out and the rest of the story develops swiftly. This book ends without resolving the story so we look forward to the next book.
The introduction of David and his quick inclusion felt a bit rushed, which is not the standard in this series. It eventually works out and the rest of the story develops swiftly. This book ends without resolving the story so we look forward to the next book.
March 15, 2020
Loved
More Nick. More Carter. More dreams of Uncle Paul, oh and of Sam, much to Carter’s chagrin, lol. More is always better with these two. A lot of stabbings going on in this book, yeah that’s multiple. Mums the word, you’ll have to read the book.
More Nick. More Carter. More dreams of Uncle Paul, oh and of Sam, much to Carter’s chagrin, lol. More is always better with these two. A lot of stabbings going on in this book, yeah that’s multiple. Mums the word, you’ll have to read the book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews