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Finding a body in a pile of hurricane debris is definitely not how criminal investigator Larry Macklin wants to start his morning. The day turns even worse when the body is found to be that of millionaire Horace McCune, who’s bankrolling a smear campaign against Ted Macklin’s reelection as sheriff.

With only weeks to go until the election, Larry and his father are suddenly suspects in a murder investigation. And if that isn’t enough to worry about, Larry also has to contend with his eccentric future in-laws, who are camped out in his front yard and discussing pagan marriage rituals.

The list of people with a motive to kill McCune is long… and getting longer. The pressure is on to find the murderer before the election… or everyone just might be out of a job.

243 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2019

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About the author

A.E. Howe

40 books162 followers
A. E. Howe lives and writes on a farm in the wilds of north Florida with his wife, horses and more cats than he can count. He received a degree in English Education from the University of Georgia and is a produced screenwriter and playwright. His first published book was Broken State; the Larry Macklin Mysteries is his first series and he has plans for more. Howe is also the co-host of the "Guns of Hollywood" podcast, part of the Firearms Radio Network. When not writing or podcasting, Howe enjoys riding, competitive shooting and working on the farm.

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5 stars
748 (65%)
4 stars
322 (28%)
3 stars
66 (5%)
2 stars
8 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,714 followers
February 9, 2019

Although 12th in this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, this is one of those series that would have you enjoying a marathon of reading when starting at the beginning. The relationships between Larry and his father, the sheriff, is well worth watching. As much as I like the characters, the one who takes my heart is Mauser, the sheriff's Great Dane weighing in 190 pounds with floppy ears and a serious drool problem.

Today, Larry is sitting at home with his fiancee ...and her parents ... when he gets a call to investigate the finding of a body in the bucket of a bulldozer on the side of the road. It's gruesome enough with just a man's hand hanging over the side.. but it's even worse when Larry knows who it is.

The wealthy victim is behind the man running against Larry's father in a bid for re-election. There have been a lot of harsh words ... and both the Sheriff and Larry are going to be prime suspects.

And then there is another death ... an accident? or was this one murder, as well? Are they connected?

I have come to expect great characters, a good story premise, and excellent writing. This one, as all the others, did not disappoint. I like how Larry's personal and professional lives merge and blend with engaging results.

As secrets of the dead men are exposed, the detectives find plenty of suspects to investigate. This will keep you guessing until the very end.

Many thanks to the author for the advanced digital copy of this appealing crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson.
722 reviews58 followers
June 5, 2025
Damn fine reads!!

I just happened on this series about a month ago. I know it was wrote in 2015 or so. I'm not much for writing a review for ever book in a long series. So ill just break it all down short and sweet. Wow, what fun this has been to read. Up to this point, book 12 its been one hell of ride. These characters are so much fun to read about. They all have a flipped mouths. Then throw in the animals and you have a great mix.
Grabe the first book and give it a go you can't go wrong.
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2021
End of a series?

Or on to a new chapter... I must have liked this series more than a little; I've read all 12 in 10 days! Some were better than others, but most started out with a body, then another, and possibly a third. Clues and puzzle pieces came up at every turn, all building up to a surprise ending on the last few pages. All in all, not a bad series! (I did enjoy finding a very few typos in each book; I'm weird that way! :)
Profile Image for Scott Kalas.
536 reviews11 followers
September 13, 2020
Another entertaining read

Not bad, but not great, but as my wife will say, I’m a tough and fussy customer. So, I can see others giving it a four or possibly a five star.

I like the series for a quick read of entertainment, it’s one of the few stories, without excessive vulgarity, there is some but not to a level I get turned off. No detailed sex scenes, it’s mentioned that Larry and Cara made love. I could careless, but there are some readers who have heavy sighs when they read it.

So, if a easy, rather quick read with a whodunit plot and prefer some PG-13 and less, you will probably enjoy any of the Larry Macklin series.
68 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2025
I like this series of fast reading, well written mysteries infused with entertaining humor. Twists and turns with many suspects keep the reader guessing till the end. And I was very happy with the end of this book. The way the author wrote it led me to believe the outcome of the election was going to be different.
All the characters are great…..except Larry’s gf/fiance Cara! She has added nothing but aggravation to this series since book 1. Larry cow tows to her whining all too often….she’s made him appear to be a weak man! Ugh! Here’s a hint Larry: if you’re afraid to call your gf, cuz you know she’s gonna be p.o’d, to tell her you’re going to be late for dinner cuz you just bumped into another dead body, you shouldn’t be with her! You’re a LEO, you’re doing your job! Man up pal!
Profile Image for Lynda Lock.
Author 17 books40 followers
March 1, 2019
October's Fear is another couldn't-put-it-down entertaining read from one of my favourite authors - A.E.Howe. This is number 12 in the Larry Macklin murder mysteries featuring quirky characters, a drooling Great Dane, an uppity cat and a pug named Alvin. Start at the beginning with Book #1 November's Past and binge-read you way to this most recent book. Cheers Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mystery series).
384 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2022
Got me going and then left me flat over and over.

The characters kind of ran together. Howard Johnson has characters boy oh boy does he ever. Kill loop I'm

sharp a paper cut is likely. Dean koontz keeps Me up till 3am on it 76 yrs old and have been reading since i was 5. I've read 10s of thousands of books. But the best thing is after 10 yrs or so I forget them and cam read them again with just as much enjoyment
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,689 reviews39 followers
March 18, 2022
5++++*stars.
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SERIES, I HAVE ALL AS TO DATE (about 22-23 bks). PEOPLE HAVE SECRETS BUT KEEPING THEM IS THE PROBLEM. I LIKE WHAT PETE SAID ABOUT COMPARTMENTALIZING AND PRIORITIZE, THEN TRYING TO BALANCE EVERYTHING. I DO TRY TO DO THIS ON A DAILY BASIS AND IT ISN'T ALWAYS EASY TO ACCOMPLISH. ;D
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,700 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2025
Another feather in the cap of A. E. Howe

As clean-up continues after the big storm, a corpse is found amongst the rubble, and not just any ordinary bloke - it’s the body of a universally reviled fat cat industrialist.

Many threads make up the warp and woof of this tale of deception, murder, revenge and no honor among perpetrators.
Profile Image for Vicki Snyder davis.
26 reviews
February 9, 2019
Another hit

It is always a pleasure to read Larry Macklin Mysteries. Each one keeps me entertained until the end. This one was no exception. Love the stories and how they are not crude! Thank you A.E. How's for another entertaining interlude!!
Profile Image for Skye Taylor.
Author 24 books32 followers
February 22, 2019
Another great adventure from Mr. Howe. Larry Macklin, his dad the sheriff, Mauser, Darlene, Pete and so many more terrific characters and a plot you just don't figure out until the end. Larry's love interest and her crazy parents just add more spice to the pot.
Profile Image for Louise Pass.
283 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2019
Read this book and the rest of the series

This series is like visiting friends, people you like and an adventure from the comfort of your reading chair. The author keeps us involved in this small town, and makes us enjoy the visit.
1,116 reviews23 followers
March 2, 2019
I love this series. The author never fails to entertain. The characters, the plots, the setting, all combine to keep me turning the pages. And there's Mauser, the dog, who adds a bit of humor to each story. Always look forward to the next one.
63 reviews2 followers
March 21, 2019
Another winner in this great FL series

I thoroughly enjoy the Detective Larry Macklin mysteries set in north Florida. The characters are great, including Mauser the horse of a Great Dane.
Profile Image for Patti Miller.
6 reviews
Read
July 2, 2019
These books are entertaining reads. I’ve read every one in the series and enjoyed them all. Not brain surgery, but I’ve gotten to know the characters and look forward to the next mystery. I recommend them.
86 reviews
September 9, 2019
October and the entire series was excellent! Just wish it had not ended. Larry, Cara, Pete, Ted, and of course Mauser are unforgettable. Thanks for writing this series. Now is a good time to visit Florida!
188 reviews7 followers
Read
September 23, 2019
Good police procedural

I like the North Florida location, the characters and the plots aren't too predictable. The touches of humor with the Great Dane and pathos with families of victims add a feel of reality.
13 reviews
February 1, 2020
First to last

I have just finished reading every book in this series and, first to last, they were hard to put down! I loved the characters, flaws and all and hope to see more books by A.E. Howe in the future.
139 reviews
February 17, 2020
Who's scared ?

Another in a good series of police work ins and outs. With a little experience in that field the characters ring true and the events are quite plausible. I will continue to enjoy the author's work as I follow the series.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
58 reviews
November 11, 2020
A delicious detective story!

Murder! Murder! Is there one killer or two? Or more? Larry manages to deal with his personal life including his girlfriend's parents, her dog, his cat and of course the star, Mauser, while fighting crime and helping his dad.
141 reviews
May 30, 2021
A great way to end this segment

,I am so looking forward to the next step,The marriage of the century as far as I'm concerned!This particular murder mystery also had a wonderful surprise ending that was better Then I was expecting.
472 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2019
A E Howe

This was an excellent addition to the Larry Macklin series. I thoroughly enjoy these books and look forward to the next one!
116 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2019
Great read

Enjoyed front to back. Great story, interesting read. Good characters. I look forward to the next one , as always.
788 reviews
March 17, 2019
Another great book from this author

I will faithful follow this series until it is done. I love the stories, the characters and won't give up on them until they are no more.
Profile Image for Dave Hammett.
285 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2019
Too many

Suspects, plots, crimes; this one it's hard to keep track of every thing. I like this series and this one is no exception but a little busy.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,721 reviews
November 18, 2019
really have enjoyed this series, liked getting to know all the characters, great stories. I was happy to
see that there is another book in the series, hoping there will be more...
2 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2020
September fury

Really good had to finish couldn’t put it down recommend it to anyone interested in a good mystery book enjoy
71 reviews
April 4, 2020
I have read all of the Macklin series and thoroughly enjoyed them. The dog is a riot and plays a big part in these series. It has moments of humor besides the serious stuff. Would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews