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Searching For Truth: A Jake Scott Mystery
Former journalist Jake Scott relies on his weekly breakfast gatherings with friends and a temperamental tabby cat named Oliver to keep his spirits up. He has lost his wife, retired from his job and watched his daughter move to Toronto with her boyfriend.
Things change when one of the breakfast attendees, a beautiful and tenacious police detective with a troubled teenage daughter, suggests Jake should write a book. When he takes her advice and researches a convicted murderer’s case, he finds out something is terribly wrong. Could a member of the breakfast group be hiding a secret deadly enough to commit murder?
Jake follows leads that uncover a mysterious and disturbing rollercoaster ride of clues, all while his attraction for the detective grows. An attempt to force the true murderer out of hiding results in a terrifying ordeal on the coldest night of the year.
Things change when one of the breakfast attendees, a beautiful and tenacious police detective with a troubled teenage daughter, suggests Jake should write a book. When he takes her advice and researches a convicted murderer’s case, he finds out something is terribly wrong. Could a member of the breakfast group be hiding a secret deadly enough to commit murder?
Jake follows leads that uncover a mysterious and disturbing rollercoaster ride of clues, all while his attraction for the detective grows. An attempt to force the true murderer out of hiding results in a terrifying ordeal on the coldest night of the year.
- GenresFiction
330 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2021
36 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Barry Finlay
18 books190 followersIn 2009, Barry Finlay went up a mountain as an accountant and came down as a philanthropist. After over thirty years in various financial roles with the Canadian federal government, he took his life in a different direction and climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with his son Chris. The climb and their fundraising efforts to help kids in Tanzania changed his life in a number of ways, including the start of his writing journey. He wrote his first book, the popular Kilimanjaro and Beyond: A Life-Changing Journey with his son in 2014.
He followed that up with the hilarious travel memoir, I Guess We Missed The Boat, and then The Marcie Kane Thriller Collection was born. Each of the thrillers has a socially relevant theme.
Now, he has introduced a new character named Jake Scott in a mystery series. The first in the series, Searching For Truth, debuted in 2021. The Guardians of Truth followed, and The Secret Truth was released in the fall, 2024. Shadows of Truth is scheduled for release on September 15, 2025.
In 2023, he decided to write a book around his popular quote, "Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing." He interviewed eight people facing a variety of challenges and wove his own story into the motivational Just Keep Climbing: Inspirational Stories for Overcoming Challenges and Living Life.
Barry's books have received multiple literary awards, and he was named to the Authors Show's list of "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" in 2012. In 2013, he received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his philanthropic work in Africa. He lives in Ottawa, Canada, with his wife Evelyn.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 21, 2021
Searching For Thruth was my first attempt to read a mystery novel that wasn't cozy and I've really enjoyed it. It was challanging, but after the prologue that made my heart rate spike high and made me so anxious I was scared to keep reading, it was all downhill.
I've never read a Barry Finlay novel but I assure you this won't be the last.
The writing is addicting, the plot is intricate, the freezing Ottawa scenery goes perfectly with the story's tone.
Jake Scott is a retired journalist, widower who lives with his grumpy cat. He interrupts his loneliness and boredom meeting some friends for the Saturday breakfast. One day at the table someone suggests to Jake to write a book as a hobby to be more active. That's why Daniela, one of the most recent member at their breakfast table and Staff Sergeant of the homicide squad, tells him to take a look to a murder case that has some shadows. Will Jake be more happy now that he has something to keep him busy? Or the risks to be involved in something bigger than him are too high?
It was interesting to see how the relationships between these characters changed throughout the story, as everyone is a possible suspect at one time or another.
I particularly liked the growing friendship between Jake and Dani and her daughter, I hope to read more about these characters.
September 24, 2021
Jake Scott was previously one of the most well-known journalists in the area. These days he's retired, his wife has passed, and his daughter has moved away. Other than his car, Oliver, he's mostly alone. He does, however, attend a weekly breakfast gathering with several friends, new and old.
One of his newer friends is Danielle, a Homicide Detective. At one of these morning meetings, she suggests that Jack write a book .... and she has just the thing for him.
Several years ago a man was accused, charged, and found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover. Danielle is of the belief that the man is innocent. Her partner at the time, was anxious to retire and wanted this case closed ..Pronto.
As Jake starts to investigate, he finds discrepancies, and as he questions, friends, families, co-workers, the closer to danger he gets. Someone out there wants Jake to stop poking his nose in ... his house is broken into, he's assaulted, and he's receiving threatening notes.
This is well written, a nicely paced mystery with solid characters. Intrigue and suspense with twists and turns lead to an explosive conclusion. The is the beginning of a new series for this author and I look forward to seeing what happens next to these engaging characters.
Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
One of his newer friends is Danielle, a Homicide Detective. At one of these morning meetings, she suggests that Jack write a book .... and she has just the thing for him.
Several years ago a man was accused, charged, and found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover. Danielle is of the belief that the man is innocent. Her partner at the time, was anxious to retire and wanted this case closed ..Pronto.
As Jake starts to investigate, he finds discrepancies, and as he questions, friends, families, co-workers, the closer to danger he gets. Someone out there wants Jake to stop poking his nose in ... his house is broken into, he's assaulted, and he's receiving threatening notes.
This is well written, a nicely paced mystery with solid characters. Intrigue and suspense with twists and turns lead to an explosive conclusion. The is the beginning of a new series for this author and I look forward to seeing what happens next to these engaging characters.
Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 8, 2021
First, let me just say that this is an author that is new to me, and I have to say that I will definitely be reading more works from Barry Finlay.
Searching for Truth was from the moment I started at page one to the very end was one that kept you engrossed and kept you glued to the book wanting to know what happened.
As Jake investigated and researched this case that he was writing about for his book, it became clear to him that things weren't what they seemed. I also wanted to figure out what had happened and who was the murderer.
Searching for Truth was from the moment I started at page one to the very end was one that kept you engrossed and kept you glued to the book wanting to know what happened.
As Jake investigated and researched this case that he was writing about for his book, it became clear to him that things weren't what they seemed. I also wanted to figure out what had happened and who was the murderer.
September 14, 2021
A very good character driven murder mystery novel set in Ottowa.
Jake Scott is a retired journalist with too much time on his hands. His regular Saturday breakfast crowd includes an attractive police detective and through her Jake hears of a double homicide. Everyone seems convinced that the convicted murderer is guilty but Dani has her doubts.
Jake investigates, thinking of writing a book on the case. At the same time he is getting closer to Dani and her teenage daughter. But as the case develops he gets more than he expected ...
This is well written and fast paced, with a cast of well developed characters. Barry Finlay is a new author to me, and I'm hoping to read more of the Jake Scot series soon.
Jake Scott is a retired journalist with too much time on his hands. His regular Saturday breakfast crowd includes an attractive police detective and through her Jake hears of a double homicide. Everyone seems convinced that the convicted murderer is guilty but Dani has her doubts.
Jake investigates, thinking of writing a book on the case. At the same time he is getting closer to Dani and her teenage daughter. But as the case develops he gets more than he expected ...
This is well written and fast paced, with a cast of well developed characters. Barry Finlay is a new author to me, and I'm hoping to read more of the Jake Scot series soon.
April 13, 2021
Having enjoyed my first encounter with this author (The Burden of Darkness), it was with great enthusiasm that I dived into this book, and what a joy. I was promised a new protagonist (Jake Scott), and he couldn't be more different than The Burden of Darkness's Marcia Kane.
Jake Scott is feeling his way around recent widowerhood and retirement. The highlight of his week: Saturday morning coffee with a motley crew: three men and Constable Danielle Perez. As a former investigative journalist, Jake is just the chap to help Danielle look into a double murder from three years previously. The pandemic has delayed so many things, not least the legal process, and it's taken a long time for the main suspect to be convicted. But Danielle isn't convinced the right man is in prison. With just a grumpy cat for company and little motivation in his newfound, reluctant singledom, Jake takes up the offer to help.
I really enjoyed this. Jake makes a refreshingly different hero. He's not young and handsomely six-packed. He's a bit of a Luddite, a technophobe, but there's a steadfastness and sincerity about him. And quietly smart. It's rather lovely witnessing his emergence from his cocoon of grief and loneliness after the tragic loss of his beloved wife. The attractive Dani and her stereotypically monosyllabic, grumpy teenager are quite the tonic. But little do the three of them know what serious danger will befall them by wanting to put right a wrong.
Don't let Jake's pipe-and-slippers persona fool you into thinking this is just a cozy mystery. It's not. It's merely a disguise for a sharp and compelling whodunnit. I consider myself quite a good guesser of whodunnits, but Mr F had me well stumped.
Jake (and Dani) have a sequel in them, I know it. I certainly hope it.
Jake Scott is feeling his way around recent widowerhood and retirement. The highlight of his week: Saturday morning coffee with a motley crew: three men and Constable Danielle Perez. As a former investigative journalist, Jake is just the chap to help Danielle look into a double murder from three years previously. The pandemic has delayed so many things, not least the legal process, and it's taken a long time for the main suspect to be convicted. But Danielle isn't convinced the right man is in prison. With just a grumpy cat for company and little motivation in his newfound, reluctant singledom, Jake takes up the offer to help.
I really enjoyed this. Jake makes a refreshingly different hero. He's not young and handsomely six-packed. He's a bit of a Luddite, a technophobe, but there's a steadfastness and sincerity about him. And quietly smart. It's rather lovely witnessing his emergence from his cocoon of grief and loneliness after the tragic loss of his beloved wife. The attractive Dani and her stereotypically monosyllabic, grumpy teenager are quite the tonic. But little do the three of them know what serious danger will befall them by wanting to put right a wrong.
Don't let Jake's pipe-and-slippers persona fool you into thinking this is just a cozy mystery. It's not. It's merely a disguise for a sharp and compelling whodunnit. I consider myself quite a good guesser of whodunnits, but Mr F had me well stumped.
Jake (and Dani) have a sequel in them, I know it. I certainly hope it.
August 30, 2021
The characters in this story are so believable - especially our lead character. Jake Scott is widowed, been somewhat forcibly retired from his job as a journalist, and must rely on long distance conversations with his daughter, Avery, who has moved to Toronto. He is fending off depression and loneliness through his Saturday breakfast meet ups with a diverse group of friends as he lives in uneasy companionship with his late wife’s temperamental tabby, Oliver.
Adding colour and additional layers to the plot are the Ottawa winter and the COVID-19 Pandemic. “Many business operators and government officials discovered that working from home was practical and continued to do so. The increased vacancy rate in office buildings reflected the downside.”
Our hero is in an emotional transition, ready to restart his life - just not sure how. One of the breakfast regulars (and lone female), Detective Daniela Perez, is concerned about him and his many stressful life changes - ‘You can’t just retire and do nothing’. He is persuaded to take up her suggestion that he write a true crime novel on a recently convicted murderer’s case. Daniela has ulterior motives but Jake soon finds himself going down the rabbit hole of inconsistencies and clues.
I really liked the book. At times, it appears to amble along, allowing us to get to know the characters and to unravel the plot and sub-plots. Then, we are entertained with the budding romance of Jake and Daniela, who is a package deal with a suspicious teen. Barry Finlay also makes sure to add in some near death experiences to assure the reader they haven’t mistakenly landed in a cozy mystery. It was all very satisfying and entirely relatable on many different levels. I received an ARC from the author for a fair review and definitely recommend you give it a try.
Adding colour and additional layers to the plot are the Ottawa winter and the COVID-19 Pandemic. “Many business operators and government officials discovered that working from home was practical and continued to do so. The increased vacancy rate in office buildings reflected the downside.”
Our hero is in an emotional transition, ready to restart his life - just not sure how. One of the breakfast regulars (and lone female), Detective Daniela Perez, is concerned about him and his many stressful life changes - ‘You can’t just retire and do nothing’. He is persuaded to take up her suggestion that he write a true crime novel on a recently convicted murderer’s case. Daniela has ulterior motives but Jake soon finds himself going down the rabbit hole of inconsistencies and clues.
I really liked the book. At times, it appears to amble along, allowing us to get to know the characters and to unravel the plot and sub-plots. Then, we are entertained with the budding romance of Jake and Daniela, who is a package deal with a suspicious teen. Barry Finlay also makes sure to add in some near death experiences to assure the reader they haven’t mistakenly landed in a cozy mystery. It was all very satisfying and entirely relatable on many different levels. I received an ARC from the author for a fair review and definitely recommend you give it a try.
November 10, 2021
It's no secret that I like murder mysteries, thrillers, crime dramas, procedurals - basically, if there's a whodunit, chances are good that I'll like it. I also really like it when I can get invested in a character and follow them through a series. Barry Finlay gives me that in Searching for Truth. Jake Scott is likable and relatable, and the case for this first in the series is to find out if an innocent man is in prison for murder. Of course, the first in the series is going to introduce us to the main character and those around him, and Finlay does it quite well. We get a handful of secondary characters that I hope to see more of in future books along with a possible love interest and her teenage daughter. There's also the Ottawa winter for the setting, and it's described so well, I may have shivered a time or two. While all those "introductions" may seem like a lot of page time, they happen organically throughout the story, so there are no bothersome infodumps to distract from the case at hand. Speaking of, we're given a couple of red herrings to ponder over as Jake and Dani suss out who did what, and poor Jake gets more than he bargained for as a retired journalist looking for a hobby. That's as close as I'm going to get to spoiler territory, so I'll just sum it up by saying Searching for Truth was my first time reading Barry Finlay, but it won't be my last. I'll be watching for that next Jake Scott book.
July 3, 2022
This was a good introduction to a new mystery series. It was definitely a great slow building start allowing you to get to know the characters and then became a medium pace book. I definitely enjoyed reading this story as I gave it a 3.5 story. What I loved the most was that it was set in Canada. Which can tick of another country in my world map of reading. I love reading books from all love the world like this one as it offers great culture. I did like the story although there were lots of names in the dialogue because 2 people were already talking so didn't need to be there.
There was a great range of different characters that really developed well throughout the story. I really likedhow the book reminded me of a true crime type format. Where one particular crime was looked into to form the bases of a book and then inconsistencies are found in the case and the main character then becomes intrigued into solving the case. This added another layer to the book.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for creating this very interesting story.
There was a great range of different characters that really developed well throughout the story. I really likedhow the book reminded me of a true crime type format. Where one particular crime was looked into to form the bases of a book and then inconsistencies are found in the case and the main character then becomes intrigued into solving the case. This added another layer to the book.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for creating this very interesting story.
September 30, 2021
Searching for Truth: a Jake Scott Mystery is a very good story to start a new series. This is the first book I read by Barry Finlay and I really enjoyed his writing style which is easy to read. The plot is well put together and the mystery keeps on growing and keeping the reader's attention. Jake has to find a new challenge in his life after retirement, and he also needs more friends and companionship. But as reality is settling in, more and more doubts as to whom he could trust and whom he should not keep on getting mixed up and it becomes difficult to find a safe path. Jake is easy to get accustomed to and friendly enough, he needs now to get a good grip of his retirement years and move on.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
August 13, 2021
WOW! What a great story. I was captivated from the beginning. An excellent read with just the right amount of tension and intrigue. Jake is a really genuinely nice guy that is basically reborn and refreshed into an excellent sleuth. Dani is a very concerned police officer that doesn’t want to let a possible injustice continue. Together they work it all out with many unnerving things happening along the way.
This is a must read for anyone enjoying crime fiction novels. I totally loved it.
This is a must read for anyone enjoying crime fiction novels. I totally loved it.
October 26, 2021
This was an interesting mystery. What starts as the desire to write a book soon turns into a full-blown murder investigation, on a case that was thought to be solved. Jake and Dani were wonderful, and I loved the interactions between the two and with Dani's daughter. The mystery was engaging, and had me guessing at whom it might be. There are plenty of twists to keep you reading, and you'll be dying to know who's really behind everything by the end. If you're looking for a not-so-cozy mystery, you've found it.
November 7, 2022
This was a fast pace story in which Jake Scott teams up with Detective Danielle to give another look into a murder case in which a man has been found guilty and is in prison for the crime of his wife and his wife's lover. The questions is, did he do it? Kind of late to be asking, but retired journalist Jake Scott is willing to look into it.
I enjoyed the path of the story and the characters that grew together as the story unfolded.
I enjoyed the path of the story and the characters that grew together as the story unfolded.
August 30, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 28, 2021
My first time reading this author and series. I enjoyed it. The book grabs you right at the first doesn't let go until the end. Wonderful characters and a little romance also help make it good. Look forward to more.
August 7, 2025
A very interesting introduction to a series featuring Jake Scott, a retired newspaper reporter. Well defined and intriguing characters and the descriptions of Ottawa, Canada are great. Definitely planning to read book #2!
August 29, 2021
A great author and a excellent book. I anxiously await to read more of this authors books
September 7, 2023
profanity
This was sooo slow moving! Felt like I had been reading forever but only to 30+% and really can no one write a book without profanity? Increase your vocabulary people!
This was sooo slow moving! Felt like I had been reading forever but only to 30+% and really can no one write a book without profanity? Increase your vocabulary people!
March 23, 2025
Very well written.
July 13, 2025
Excellent story. Riveting final few chapters.
August 25, 2021
Absolutely fantastic book for me from a first time author. Outstanding mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
November 4, 2021
Searching for Truth is the first book in the Jake Scott Mystery Series. In Searching for Truth we are introduced to the man Jake Scoot himself. We get to know a little bit about Jake, who he is, and what is going on in his life. Jake is a retired journalist, he is a widower and his only child/daughter has moved away with her boyfriend. Jake is all alone now except for his cat, Oliver.
Retirement is not sitting too well with Jake as he is used to having ways of spending his time. About all Jake does now is spend time with his cat, Oliver, and his breakfast club friends on Saturdays.
A member of the breakfast club, a police detective, Dani suggests that he write a book. Dani has plenty of material for him to write about. She has a case from a few years back. Something about this case never sat well with her. She believes that they put the wrong man behind bars for the murder. She thinks her partner at the time wanted one more closed case under his belt before he retired.
Once Jake and Dani reopen the case they do not lack suspects. The more they look into the case the more mystery unfolds leaving you hanging on every word wanting to know whodunit. Jake is the type of person that when he starts searching for the truth he never stops until he finds it. Can Jake and Dani find the truth this time? Is the wrong man behind bars? If so, then who committed the murder?
The more time Jake and Dani spend together the more Jake feels for her. Jake enjoys spending time with Dani when they're not working on the case. He also likes spending time with her teenage daughter, Emily.
Emily is just like any other sixteen-year-old. I felt for Emily with what she is going through with her parent's divorce and her being passed back and forth between her parents. I can only imagine what she is feeling as I have never been where she is.
I would recommend Searching for Truth to anyone who loves a good mystery! One-click your copy of Searching for Truth today!
Retirement is not sitting too well with Jake as he is used to having ways of spending his time. About all Jake does now is spend time with his cat, Oliver, and his breakfast club friends on Saturdays.
A member of the breakfast club, a police detective, Dani suggests that he write a book. Dani has plenty of material for him to write about. She has a case from a few years back. Something about this case never sat well with her. She believes that they put the wrong man behind bars for the murder. She thinks her partner at the time wanted one more closed case under his belt before he retired.
Once Jake and Dani reopen the case they do not lack suspects. The more they look into the case the more mystery unfolds leaving you hanging on every word wanting to know whodunit. Jake is the type of person that when he starts searching for the truth he never stops until he finds it. Can Jake and Dani find the truth this time? Is the wrong man behind bars? If so, then who committed the murder?
The more time Jake and Dani spend together the more Jake feels for her. Jake enjoys spending time with Dani when they're not working on the case. He also likes spending time with her teenage daughter, Emily.
Emily is just like any other sixteen-year-old. I felt for Emily with what she is going through with her parent's divorce and her being passed back and forth between her parents. I can only imagine what she is feeling as I have never been where she is.
I would recommend Searching for Truth to anyone who loves a good mystery! One-click your copy of Searching for Truth today!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews