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A Nick Williams Mystery #27
The Shifting Scion
Thursday, October 18, 1962
Nick is in trouble. He's obstructing justice and might possibly be an accessory to murder, after the fact. The cops are on to him and his lawyer is very concerned.
How did this happen?
It's all because Sam Halverson, a close friend and an operative for WilliamsJones Security, has murdered a man and is on his way to Mexico to hide out from the law.
At Nick's instruction... Oh, boy!
Meanwhile, Nick's latest attempt at matchmaking appears to be falling apart. It seemed like such a perfect pairing but, apparently, the prospective couple won't be living happily ever after.
Will justice (and love) prevail?
Find out in this, the second book in a three-part story arc (beginning with The Derelict Dad), 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.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2018
16 people are currently reading
12 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 8, 2018
Okay, I read this one faster than I usually do - come on, it was my birthday... I really like these books that take place over two or three days.
December 1, 2018
Short but filled with wonderful details. Can't wait for part 3.
December 14, 2018
The Shifting Scion (Nick and Carter 27)
By Frank W. Butterfield
Published by the author, 2018
Four stars
“Someone should write all this down somewhere.”
“It would make a great book, that’s for sure.”
That line made me laugh in this latest from Nick and Carter, the middle volume of a three-part story-arc with which Frank Butterfield is torturing his fans at the moment. Most of the plot is carryovers from the first book in the trio, The Derelict Dad: Sam Halvorsen’s predicament that threatens him with serious consequences, and Hank Thibodeaux’s propensity to run when the heat’s on. Indeed, people never seem to be where they’re supposed to be in this story, prompting Nick’s rueful comment: “I wish everyone would just stay put for a few hours.” That provoked a chuckle, too. Poor Nick. Why does everything suddenly feel so out of control?
But poor Nick for other reasons, too. Once again, Nick has followed his gut, newly energized by confronting his broken feelings about both of his parents. This has led to an understandable but serious mess, in which Nick, once again, might have gotten himself into water hot enough that even Carter can’t pull him out.
At the same time, another of those mystical dream/revelation/visions involving Nick’s great-uncle Paul Williams has Nick convinced that he understands Carter better than ever. This transcendent moment doesn’t really help to defuse the troubles that our boys are facing, but it offers another of those little seismic rumbles that remind every follower of this epic series that Nick and Carter are not just your average gay boys. Nick realizes that Carter has made him into a different man, a better man, just by being who he is.
Much remains to be resolved in part three. I note that there were 58 volumes in the original Hardy Boys mystery series. Butterfield has a long way to go to catch up.
Oh, the word “gay” is being used with a sort of offhand ease now. When did that happen? Maybe as recently as the last book, or maybe even in this book. The sixties are upon us, and Nick and Carter are only 39 and 42. Still young enough to learn and change as our shared history unrolls. At the time of this story, I am 7.
By Frank W. Butterfield
Published by the author, 2018
Four stars
“Someone should write all this down somewhere.”
“It would make a great book, that’s for sure.”
That line made me laugh in this latest from Nick and Carter, the middle volume of a three-part story-arc with which Frank Butterfield is torturing his fans at the moment. Most of the plot is carryovers from the first book in the trio, The Derelict Dad: Sam Halvorsen’s predicament that threatens him with serious consequences, and Hank Thibodeaux’s propensity to run when the heat’s on. Indeed, people never seem to be where they’re supposed to be in this story, prompting Nick’s rueful comment: “I wish everyone would just stay put for a few hours.” That provoked a chuckle, too. Poor Nick. Why does everything suddenly feel so out of control?
But poor Nick for other reasons, too. Once again, Nick has followed his gut, newly energized by confronting his broken feelings about both of his parents. This has led to an understandable but serious mess, in which Nick, once again, might have gotten himself into water hot enough that even Carter can’t pull him out.
At the same time, another of those mystical dream/revelation/visions involving Nick’s great-uncle Paul Williams has Nick convinced that he understands Carter better than ever. This transcendent moment doesn’t really help to defuse the troubles that our boys are facing, but it offers another of those little seismic rumbles that remind every follower of this epic series that Nick and Carter are not just your average gay boys. Nick realizes that Carter has made him into a different man, a better man, just by being who he is.
Much remains to be resolved in part three. I note that there were 58 volumes in the original Hardy Boys mystery series. Butterfield has a long way to go to catch up.
Oh, the word “gay” is being used with a sort of offhand ease now. When did that happen? Maybe as recently as the last book, or maybe even in this book. The sixties are upon us, and Nick and Carter are only 39 and 42. Still young enough to learn and change as our shared history unrolls. At the time of this story, I am 7.
December 13, 2018
This one was phoned in
Lots of grammar and spelling errors. I don't remember reading one of Butterfield's books with so many noticable errors. His books are usually better edited than this one.
The plot wasn't somehow important, or at least I didn't see much of one. It's obvious that they author is trying to build up suspense for the Cuban Missile Crisis, but didn't seem to know how. Everything seemed so aimless, including the matchmaking. Learning that a Havilland Comet could legally travel cross country was nice but superfluous.
The legal issues of Sam being arrested and charged for the shooting are ridiculous. I'm trying to imagine a fixer like Sam owning/using a gun registered to him or the company. Plus there wouldn't be any gun powder residue on him to make a case. So is Nick being seriously charged for any crime related to the shooting.
This book is easily skipped.
Lots of grammar and spelling errors. I don't remember reading one of Butterfield's books with so many noticable errors. His books are usually better edited than this one.
The plot wasn't somehow important, or at least I didn't see much of one. It's obvious that they author is trying to build up suspense for the Cuban Missile Crisis, but didn't seem to know how. Everything seemed so aimless, including the matchmaking. Learning that a Havilland Comet could legally travel cross country was nice but superfluous.
The legal issues of Sam being arrested and charged for the shooting are ridiculous. I'm trying to imagine a fixer like Sam owning/using a gun registered to him or the company. Plus there wouldn't be any gun powder residue on him to make a case. So is Nick being seriously charged for any crime related to the shooting.
This book is easily skipped.
April 5, 2020
Love love love Nick and Carter!
I love Nick and Carter. Their relationship is as solid and as real as the 4 seasons. I cannot get enough. This book sheds new light on what make Nick’s Nick. In one of his dreams he sees Carter in a whole new way. Carter has a new spring to his step. Perhaps in the next book we find out why. If not, that’s ok too.
I love Nick and Carter. Their relationship is as solid and as real as the 4 seasons. I cannot get enough. This book sheds new light on what make Nick’s Nick. In one of his dreams he sees Carter in a whole new way. Carter has a new spring to his step. Perhaps in the next book we find out why. If not, that’s ok too.
January 29, 2019
Interesting Installment
As the second book in a three book arc, this needs to be read in sequence. Good development and I like the sense of foreboding which runs through this volume.
As the second book in a three book arc, this needs to be read in sequence. Good development and I like the sense of foreboding which runs through this volume.
January 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this book - I love it when Nick spends some time with Uncle Paul - I do wish these were longer though, but it’s just because I love them so much!
March 16, 2019
Love These Stories
I ?I've to read the Nick, and Carter Mysteries. Their story was well written, and had a great storyline. I loved it.
I ?I've to read the Nick, and Carter Mysteries. Their story was well written, and had a great storyline. I loved it.
June 18, 2022
epub
It's a bit of a truism that the middle of a trilogy often marks time, building towards the final instalment and a climax. To an extent this book falls into that category - at the end Nick and Carter are flying east, to New Orleans, more or less where they were at the start of Book 26. However a lot has happened since the opening pages of that book - a shooting, a minor stabbing ('only a flesh wound') for Carter, a family reunion (or two), a run for the border with Mexico... Along the way we learn more about the personal histories of some of the cast and Nick discovers a hitherto unsuspected ability while Carter acquires a unique collection of Jack London novels.
Regular readers will need no prompting to pick up this volume. New readers - possibly not the best place to start... Why not go back to the beginning and enjoy the ride from the start?
It's a bit of a truism that the middle of a trilogy often marks time, building towards the final instalment and a climax. To an extent this book falls into that category - at the end Nick and Carter are flying east, to New Orleans, more or less where they were at the start of Book 26. However a lot has happened since the opening pages of that book - a shooting, a minor stabbing ('only a flesh wound') for Carter, a family reunion (or two), a run for the border with Mexico... Along the way we learn more about the personal histories of some of the cast and Nick discovers a hitherto unsuspected ability while Carter acquires a unique collection of Jack London novels.
Regular readers will need no prompting to pick up this volume. New readers - possibly not the best place to start... Why not go back to the beginning and enjoy the ride from the start?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews