Red Tiger Hunting

John Griffin Post Great War Mysteries #1

by Alexander C. Juden

“Griffin, I beg you. Go to Europe and find my daughter. I’ll give you any damn thing you want. I’ve got a bad feeling about waiting,…”

April 1919. Scarred and disillusioned, John Griffin has returned home from the Great War with no job and no real prospects. He is contacted by Harry Armistan, a very worried father and a rich New York City financier. While on her honeymoon, Harry’s daughter disappeared from her London hotel. Armistan enlists Griffin to find her after receiving a recommendation from Griffin’s former marine commander. With nothing better to do and against his better judgment, Griffin agrees. He returns to England and his haunted past. There, his only lead is the missing girl’s widowed sister-in-law. Intrigued by the young widow, violence and mystery follow.

The clues lead him to Paris, a city just beginning to recover from four long years of war. He encounters a host of diverse characters reveling in the war’s end, while still mourning their losses. With the help of this unlikely group, Griffin narrows his search. But as he closes on his quarry, he stumbles upon a terrible plot, which threatens to shatter the world’s chance for peace.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2022

Reviews

[Kathleen Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific book, and it’s hard to believe it is Alex Juden’s debut novel. The likable narrator, interesting time period and setting (Europe in 1919), clever plot, fast pacing with lots of action, well researched history woven into the story, and a little romance all come together to make this thriller a real pleasure to read. I definitely look forward to this author’s next book!

[Madeline Spector · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I enjoyed the thrilling path Griffin and his friend Mitchell took to solve the mystery of where Trisha and Galvin are, what they are really up to and who is really is behind the movement.
With a little romance and real life legends (Eugene Bullard and Walt Disney) thrown in the mix, it was a splendid read. Thank you and well done Alex Juden.
I have your next book - “Crossing Darkness” - can’t wait to see what you have in store for me next!

[Donna M. Hilsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction

A riveting post WWI thriller,that I enjoyed for the detail and richness of the plot and characters. It was historically correct, as well as weaving in the lives of actual American Veterans, heroes, and Hollywood legends. Very good read, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really grabs you from the start with a lot of intrigue and mystery. I liked John Griffin - he’s a great character - a young WWI vet unable to launch into normal life in post war US and then sent back to Europe on a dangerous mission to find a wealthy heiress and her new husband. I like that the reader is exposed to his internal struggles, vulnerabilities and even ignorant biases. Plus, the settings in early 20th century England and France are all fun for us historical fiction fanatics.
The story takes many shifts and restarts. I found the plot a bit complicated to follow at times but overall, a good read, and I look forward to John Griffin’s next adventure!

[Christy Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I'm a big fan of historical fictions and this one did not disappoint. There are so many books based on WWII so it was a nice change to read one set just after WWI. Griffin and Mitchell both served in the war and then embark on a private mission that has many twists and turns. Definitely recommend! I understand there is a second book in the works.... can't wait to read it too!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I alternated between reading and listening to this book. The narrator was not to my liking--very monotone and droll. I enjoyed more when I was reading myself. He did provide good pronunciations of the French words. I always enjoy historical-based fiction and this did give me some insights into post WWI France and the treaty negotiations. However, for me, the story dragged a lot and made it difficult for me to stick with finishing it. Action picked up in the end. Maybe a 3.5 rating.

[Ronald Roseborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Tiger Hunting, by Alexander C. Juden, follows the adventures of John Griffin, an ex-U.S. Marine who served in the trenches of France with the United States contingent of the Allied Expeditionary Force. It’s 1919 now. The fighting of the war is over, but a lasting peace is yet to be settled among the belligerents. Griffin is back in the States, but can’t shake the feeling that, after 4 months of intense fighting and suffering, he no longer has a purpose. He may be back home, but he feels lost and out of place. A friend recommends him to a wealthy financier who is trying to connect with his newly wed daughter and her husband who have gone to Europe. Griffin is tasked with searching for the elusive pair and bringing them back to the States. The first couple of chapters I slogged through like a doughboy traversing the muddy fields of France. Then the story took off with a bang. Finding himself back in France, Griffin flashes back to his time in the trenches, with the roar of explosions, the buzzing sounds of machine gun fire, prolonged suffering, and the weight of death constantly hanging over him. It also brings to mind remembrances of friends and comrades who were gone in an instant. One comrade has survived. William Mitchell, an ex-navy corpsman, joins Griffin in Paris as he searches for the phantom couple. Mitchell and Griffin faced death side by side for months during the war and formed a lasting bond. Griffin will need all the help he can get as the plot twists around the possibility of Patricia, the new bride, is being held against her will. There is also a possibility that her husband, Gavin is involved with foreign agents intent on sabotaging any possibility of a lasting peace, while hoping to continue the war. Is any of this true? Is some of it true? Is none of it true? Who is the Red Tiger? Griffin and Mitchell will have to seek out the answers to these questions. They will also have to face their own demons as they find themselves fighting those who seek to bring the war back to Europe. This book was provided for review by the author and the publishers, 5 Points Press.

[Ken J. Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction

Loved this book. Wonderful characters, edge of your seat intrigue and fascinating insight into this period. I highly recommend this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery/Thriller set in post WW1 Europe. The main character John is an American who fought for both England and the US in the war and is tormented by regrets. He takes a job to find a couple that went missing on their honeymoon. Book is full of twists and turns. The author weaves real people and events into the story line. Recommend it for WW1 and thriller lovers. *I received a copy of this book from the publisher *

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the history and character devolopment and everything else in this book with the exception of the Bolshevik plan. That part needed alot more detail to make it believable and not just a convenient plot mechanism.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great thriller with a compelling protagonist. I love how it explores the PTSD and fear that veterans of the Great War felt in a new and unique way. I also think it does a good job on expanding on the different political realities of post-war allied nations.

[Murray Brockman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hopelessly convoluted

The plot makes very little sense, driven by improbable love, wild aspirations and unlikely alliances. The historical characters who drop in for no particular reason are fun, though.

[Matt Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book and especially the historical fiction aspects woven throughout the story.

[GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Tiger Hunting -

This was a well told but long winded story. My actual rating would probably be a 3.5 but I chose to round up.