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Lucas Peyroux #1
Where the Devil Won't Go
On the heels of having shot an innocent girl while in the grasp of a killer, Detective Peyroux's first case back is a young Jane Doe washed up on the banks of the Mississippi River. After learning her identity, Detective Peyroux travels to the bayou to notify the family. When the dead woman's teenaged sister disappears and bad people start turning up dead, Detective Peyroux realizes he has a vigilante on his hands. Can Peyroux find her before she kills an innocent or possibly ends ups dead herself?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2015
29 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Findorff
10 books69 followersNew Orleans and all its dark weirdness laid the foundation for every story I've written since high school up to present day. I was born and raised in the Crescent City, but now live in Chicago. I graduated from the University of New Orleans and served six years in the Louisiana National Guard.
My mind easily delves into the twisted recesses, but I find to balance myself out, I watch a lot of comedies and love to make people laugh. I get into everything from witty British comedies to South Park and Family Guy. If you're easily offended... Sorry!
My mind easily delves into the twisted recesses, but I find to balance myself out, I watch a lot of comedies and love to make people laugh. I get into everything from witty British comedies to South Park and Family Guy. If you're easily offended... Sorry!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 13, 2017
Where the Devil Won't Go starts out differently than most detective novels - a detective acts the hero but a small backfire happens, something that he feels guilty about for most of the novel. I found it intriguing and plausible that this could happen, and I'm sure it would be natural to feel embarrassed about it. He's drawn into the life of the girl he saved first through rescuing her, and then by having to break horrible news - her sister has been killed in a vicious way. The story begins to take turns being told through the point of the view of the woman Cozy, who comes hardened from a damaged past and determined to solve the crime on her own, and the detective and his partner while they try to solve the case the legal way. Who will reach the finish line first?
It kind of has the femme fatale feel to it - Cozy is a tough as nails protagonist who does what it takes and isn't squeamish. She's not black-and-white tough, but she takes it far, being bitter from a violent past that has already formed a tough facade before her sister's death. I loved the main detective Peyroux because he was so realistic. He was tough and fair with a good heart, but he isn't stereotypical tough or dense when it comes to difficult situations.
The world-building is gritty - from stripper clubs to perverted parties, these touches add a sense of seediness for the dark and disposable lifestyle of these women. The strong sense of the deep south with alligator necklaces and a small community that turns its back on family as willingly as it would seek vengeance was intriguing.
The pacing isn't lightning-quick but it's evenly distributed. Since the book focuses on the mystery of the crime and the journey more than the outcome, the pacing suits it. There were a few plot twists and surprises I didn't guess, including an ending that dishes out some light on dark times in a way that doesn't feel fabricated.
Although it shifts point of view, it doesn't do it too often, and mainly sticks to the major two. Findorff writes well, especially dialogue, but every once in awhile there were editing errors.
Recommended for crime fans and those who enjoy vigilante focused plots.
It kind of has the femme fatale feel to it - Cozy is a tough as nails protagonist who does what it takes and isn't squeamish. She's not black-and-white tough, but she takes it far, being bitter from a violent past that has already formed a tough facade before her sister's death. I loved the main detective Peyroux because he was so realistic. He was tough and fair with a good heart, but he isn't stereotypical tough or dense when it comes to difficult situations.
The world-building is gritty - from stripper clubs to perverted parties, these touches add a sense of seediness for the dark and disposable lifestyle of these women. The strong sense of the deep south with alligator necklaces and a small community that turns its back on family as willingly as it would seek vengeance was intriguing.
The pacing isn't lightning-quick but it's evenly distributed. Since the book focuses on the mystery of the crime and the journey more than the outcome, the pacing suits it. There were a few plot twists and surprises I didn't guess, including an ending that dishes out some light on dark times in a way that doesn't feel fabricated.
Although it shifts point of view, it doesn't do it too often, and mainly sticks to the major two. Findorff writes well, especially dialogue, but every once in awhile there were editing errors.
Recommended for crime fans and those who enjoy vigilante focused plots.
August 23, 2016
Another fantastic mystery crime novel from the pen of E.J. Findorff. This one offers up lots of action and twists and turns along the way. A young woman who turns vigilante? Hell yes!
This is a great novel if you enjoy a fast paced read as the plot really keeps moving along and keeps you in suspense with plenty of surprises thrown your way. The author has written some strong characters in this novel and the atmospheric setting in the deep south of the USA is something that I really enjoyed. You really get the sense that you are there with them. The plot takes some dark turns which I absolutely loved.
On the heels of having shot an innocent girl while in the grasp of a killer, Detective Peyroux's first case back is a young Jane Doe washed up on the banks of the Mississippi River. After learning her identity, Detective Peyroux travels to the bayou to notify the family. When the dead woman's teenaged sister disappears and bad people start turning up dead, Detective Peyroux realizes he has a vigilante on his hands. Can Peyroux find her before she kills an innocent or possibly ends ups dead herself?
Our vigilante is a damaged young woman, her background story in itself is quite fascinating and she is by no means a boring character in this novel. If you like your characters on the darker side, a bit messed up and somewhat angry and unstable then you will really enjoy this book. The book ventures into the seedier side of life and has some really intense scenes that to be honest I did not see coming.
Detective Peyroux is on the hunt for the vigilante however the way his relationship to her evolves over time and becomes complex is something really different from your average crime hunter, it adds a nice element to the book and makes you really wonder how things are going to end up.
The book pelts along to a thrilling ending. This is certainly one that will have you engrossed from start to finish in the plot and invested in the characters. Enjoy the twists along the way! 4 stars from me! This is the second book from E.J. Findorff that I have enjoyed and plan on reading plenty more.
This is a great novel if you enjoy a fast paced read as the plot really keeps moving along and keeps you in suspense with plenty of surprises thrown your way. The author has written some strong characters in this novel and the atmospheric setting in the deep south of the USA is something that I really enjoyed. You really get the sense that you are there with them. The plot takes some dark turns which I absolutely loved.
On the heels of having shot an innocent girl while in the grasp of a killer, Detective Peyroux's first case back is a young Jane Doe washed up on the banks of the Mississippi River. After learning her identity, Detective Peyroux travels to the bayou to notify the family. When the dead woman's teenaged sister disappears and bad people start turning up dead, Detective Peyroux realizes he has a vigilante on his hands. Can Peyroux find her before she kills an innocent or possibly ends ups dead herself?
Our vigilante is a damaged young woman, her background story in itself is quite fascinating and she is by no means a boring character in this novel. If you like your characters on the darker side, a bit messed up and somewhat angry and unstable then you will really enjoy this book. The book ventures into the seedier side of life and has some really intense scenes that to be honest I did not see coming.
Detective Peyroux is on the hunt for the vigilante however the way his relationship to her evolves over time and becomes complex is something really different from your average crime hunter, it adds a nice element to the book and makes you really wonder how things are going to end up.
The book pelts along to a thrilling ending. This is certainly one that will have you engrossed from start to finish in the plot and invested in the characters. Enjoy the twists along the way! 4 stars from me! This is the second book from E.J. Findorff that I have enjoyed and plan on reading plenty more.
March 26, 2016
Detective Lucas Peyroux is back at work following some time off after accidentally shooting a young girl, Cozy, who was being held by a potential rapist.
The detective's first case is one in which a young woman who has washed up on the banks of the river. When the victims is identified, the detective learns it's the older sister of the lady he shot. Now he's going to have to tell the family that one daughter is dead.
Shortly after that, Cozy disappears. Cozy loved her sister and is determined to find who killed her. When bodies start piling up, the detective doesn't know whether Cozy is a suspect or a victim.
Detective Peyroux is determined to stop her at all costs.
There is lots and lots of fast paced action within these pages. There are shootings and stabbings and 'duck taping'. You get good cops and bad cops, strippers and prostitutes, leading to human trafficking of young beautiful women. Throw in a car bomb and plenty of politicians to try to find who's telling the truth and who isn't.
The characters are well drawn out. I was taken aback by Cozy, still a teenager, and jumping right in the middle of things without a thought to her own safety. She's determined and willing to do whatever it takes to avenge her sister's death.
Detective Peyroux is a family man and it was nice to see how he and his family communicate. Makes him much more human. And when the bad guys go after his wife and daughter, he goes ballistic.
The ending is fast and furious ....not exactly what I was expecting .. but it worked beautifully.
My thanks to the author and to Booklover Catlady Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The detective's first case is one in which a young woman who has washed up on the banks of the river. When the victims is identified, the detective learns it's the older sister of the lady he shot. Now he's going to have to tell the family that one daughter is dead.
Shortly after that, Cozy disappears. Cozy loved her sister and is determined to find who killed her. When bodies start piling up, the detective doesn't know whether Cozy is a suspect or a victim.
Detective Peyroux is determined to stop her at all costs.
There is lots and lots of fast paced action within these pages. There are shootings and stabbings and 'duck taping'. You get good cops and bad cops, strippers and prostitutes, leading to human trafficking of young beautiful women. Throw in a car bomb and plenty of politicians to try to find who's telling the truth and who isn't.
The characters are well drawn out. I was taken aback by Cozy, still a teenager, and jumping right in the middle of things without a thought to her own safety. She's determined and willing to do whatever it takes to avenge her sister's death.
Detective Peyroux is a family man and it was nice to see how he and his family communicate. Makes him much more human. And when the bad guys go after his wife and daughter, he goes ballistic.
The ending is fast and furious ....not exactly what I was expecting .. but it worked beautifully.
My thanks to the author and to Booklover Catlady Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
March 26, 2016
Detective Lucas Peyroux has to take time off from his job, when he accidently kills a young girl, when he was pursuing a killer. When he finally goes back to his job he is thrown into the case of a woman who has washed up on the Mississippi banks. When he finally locates her sister, she disappears also and suddenly criminals around the local area begin to show up. Is it a coincidence that the dead woman’s sister disappears at the same time that these criminal’s are showing up dead?
This book had the perfect setup for a five star book. The characters were written wonderfully, the story was engaging, but it was way too wordy. It was one of those books, where you could have flipped a few pages and still not missed anything. That was my only fault in this book and that is why I’m giving it four stars, because I loved the characters and the masterful way the author unfolded the plot.
This book had the perfect setup for a five star book. The characters were written wonderfully, the story was engaging, but it was way too wordy. It was one of those books, where you could have flipped a few pages and still not missed anything. That was my only fault in this book and that is why I’m giving it four stars, because I loved the characters and the masterful way the author unfolded the plot.
March 27, 2016
Detective Lucas Peyroux is still reeling from having hit a girl (Cozy) when he shot the man threatening her. The girl is eternally grateful as she believes that he saved her life. However, Peyroux doesn't find it easy to move on past the event.
He is called to a dead body found in the river which turns out to be the sister of the girl he hit. When he breaks the news to the family Cozy embarks on a one woman mission to track down the murderer using whatever means she needs to whilst Peyroux and his partner are having to use more conventional, legal means to solve the murder.
This is a well written book. The viewpoint of the story shifts between Cozy's and Detective Peyroux's and this does work well at providing us with lots of information and clues. Despite the story covering some very unpleasant topics it doesn't feel too dark and I found it was easy to read and I would look out for more by this author.
I am grateful to book lover cat lady for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
He is called to a dead body found in the river which turns out to be the sister of the girl he hit. When he breaks the news to the family Cozy embarks on a one woman mission to track down the murderer using whatever means she needs to whilst Peyroux and his partner are having to use more conventional, legal means to solve the murder.
This is a well written book. The viewpoint of the story shifts between Cozy's and Detective Peyroux's and this does work well at providing us with lots of information and clues. Despite the story covering some very unpleasant topics it doesn't feel too dark and I found it was easy to read and I would look out for more by this author.
I am grateful to book lover cat lady for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 1, 2015I read this as part of the Kindle Scout program in which it was titled A Cajun Vigilante. The book had potential and I had nominated it, although it was not selected.
I looked at the preview on Amazon (trying to determine if it was the same book with a different name)and noted that an additional chapter has been added at the front of the book which indicates that not only has the title been changed but that the author has done additional revisions. It's been a number of months since I read this, so I can't provide a specific review or rating.
Perhaps the changes are just what it needed. Best of luck to the author.
I looked at the preview on Amazon (trying to determine if it was the same book with a different name)and noted that an additional chapter has been added at the front of the book which indicates that not only has the title been changed but that the author has done additional revisions. It's been a number of months since I read this, so I can't provide a specific review or rating.
Perhaps the changes are just what it needed. Best of luck to the author.
April 1, 2016
Set in New Orleans this is a fairly light hearted detective story. Detective Peyroux saved a girl oddly enough by shooting her. Her sister turns up as a “River doe” and Cozy starts her own investigation. However taking things into her own hands repeats something she did years ago- murder. Or was it?
Peyroux feels protective for Cozy in a fatherly way- she is the same age as his daughter but has not had the same upbringing. She becomes a bit of a vigilante and things hot up to say the least. From small use drugs to human trafficking, home to a strip club, all sides of life are covered here.
The characters in this are very likeable and there is a real world feel about this. No excessive bad language, no extreme violence, just a good detective story from two angles. A book that keep you to the end and a decent one it is too. Made me smile just before the very end- but I am not giving anything away!
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
An enjoyable, easy read from a reliable author.
Peyroux feels protective for Cozy in a fatherly way- she is the same age as his daughter but has not had the same upbringing. She becomes a bit of a vigilante and things hot up to say the least. From small use drugs to human trafficking, home to a strip club, all sides of life are covered here.
The characters in this are very likeable and there is a real world feel about this. No excessive bad language, no extreme violence, just a good detective story from two angles. A book that keep you to the end and a decent one it is too. Made me smile just before the very end- but I am not giving anything away!
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
An enjoyable, easy read from a reliable author.
February 25, 2016
This was a great read and it kept me on my toes. Every time I thought I knew the outcome I would turn the page and be completely wrong. I love books that keep me guessing until the nd
December 8, 2021
Where The Devil Won’t Go is a great police procedural from talented author E.J. Findorff. Detective Lucas Peyroux is back at work with the New Orleans PD, but he is still struggling with guilt after a shooting in which the kidnapper got away and the victim was shot, by his hand. Alive and well, Cozy is pulled into Peyroux new case involving a murdered young woman, one who is identified as her sister. As thoughts of revenge fester, Cozy is pulled into a mystery involving strippers, prostitution, human trafficking. And as the bodies start to pile up, Peyroux is questioning whether Cozy is a victim or a suspect. His findings also show that the evil involves some very dangerous and powerful people. I loved the characters as well as the well-plotted storyline. A great mystery with quite a bit of action.
April 19, 2018
Another great book by Mr Findorff. With an intriguing plot and two very interesting protagonists, this is a book that will hold your attention and make you want to rush to the end.
I loved Cozy: she's hard as nails, strong and determined. And Detective Peyroux is such a believable character, so realistic! Both of them are battling not only against corrupted politicians and human traffickers but their own demons too.
The setting in New Orleans simply adds the cherry on top to this story.
A very recommended book for those who love thrillers.
I loved Cozy: she's hard as nails, strong and determined. And Detective Peyroux is such a believable character, so realistic! Both of them are battling not only against corrupted politicians and human traffickers but their own demons too.
The setting in New Orleans simply adds the cherry on top to this story.
A very recommended book for those who love thrillers.
September 29, 2020
A Cajun novel of sex trafficking murder and the old south.
Really good characters building. Interesting detective partners. Get a good feel for New Orleans and the food and music of the city. I liked the comparison of bayou life as opposed to life in the city. Shows how young girls go missing and can be trafficking easily in a city like New Orleans.
Really good characters building. Interesting detective partners. Get a good feel for New Orleans and the food and music of the city. I liked the comparison of bayou life as opposed to life in the city. Shows how young girls go missing and can be trafficking easily in a city like New Orleans.
February 21, 2019
Good story
This is the first book I read of this author. It was good but dragged out longer than necessary. I may read another of his books but I'm afraid it will drag on unnecessarily
This is the first book I read of this author. It was good but dragged out longer than necessary. I may read another of his books but I'm afraid it will drag on unnecessarily
April 13, 2019
A confusing murder mystery story with a nice ending
The story went in too many different directions for me to stay interested and the ending left too many questions unanswered
The story went in too many different directions for me to stay interested and the ending left too many questions unanswered
June 23, 2024
I thought that this was a pretty good read. Decent pace, gritty story, conspiracy, corruption, and betrayal.
May 26, 2016
I received this book from BookLover CatLady in return for an honest review. Thank you!
Wow, just wow.
Everyone who has a sister (or brother) will at one point have said that they would do anything for them, I know I have with both my sisters. Following Cozy, the fast thinking heroine; we see just what sisterly love can drive you too.
Cozy wants answers, and reading this so will you.
I was hooked from the moment I started, with lovable and relatable characters, although there was a lot going on in the book, it wasn't drawn out or confusing in the slightest.
I'm not one for overly wordy books, a lot of smilies and metaphors mixed in with overly developed vocabulary...I end up bored and feel as though I need the dictionary on hand.
This books is fast paced and natural, it flows well and is written to suit all sorts of readers.
I recommend this book to all crime lovers, and also those just coming into the genre.
Wow, just wow.
Everyone who has a sister (or brother) will at one point have said that they would do anything for them, I know I have with both my sisters. Following Cozy, the fast thinking heroine; we see just what sisterly love can drive you too.
Cozy wants answers, and reading this so will you.
I was hooked from the moment I started, with lovable and relatable characters, although there was a lot going on in the book, it wasn't drawn out or confusing in the slightest.
I'm not one for overly wordy books, a lot of smilies and metaphors mixed in with overly developed vocabulary...I end up bored and feel as though I need the dictionary on hand.
This books is fast paced and natural, it flows well and is written to suit all sorts of readers.
I recommend this book to all crime lovers, and also those just coming into the genre.
June 4, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book really surprised me. I read E.J. Findorff's "Kings of Delusion", and while it was good it didn't really grab me... "Where the Devil Won't Go" did.
I had trouble connecting positively with the characters, but that didn't matter because I felt plenty of distaste for several of them!
The story moves really fast with plenty to keep you guessing.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about Detective Peyroux.
This book really surprised me. I read E.J. Findorff's "Kings of Delusion", and while it was good it didn't really grab me... "Where the Devil Won't Go" did.
I had trouble connecting positively with the characters, but that didn't matter because I felt plenty of distaste for several of them!
The story moves really fast with plenty to keep you guessing.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about Detective Peyroux.
April 22, 2016
Fasten your seatbelts and go for a wild ride to New Orleans.
This fast-paced thriller has it all: a guilt-ridden cop, child-abuse, revenge, dirty politicians, human traficking, sex, violence, interesting characters and a story that will keep you glued to the pages (or your device).
This fast-paced thriller has it all: a guilt-ridden cop, child-abuse, revenge, dirty politicians, human traficking, sex, violence, interesting characters and a story that will keep you glued to the pages (or your device).
September 21, 2016
Good read. Great atmosphere (Louisiana) and a really feisty heroine. Recommend
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews