Loot the Moon

Billy Povich #2

by Mark Arsenault

From the Shamus Award nominee of Spiked comes this much-anticipated sequel to the highly acclaimed Gravewriter

In this next electifying thriller from up-and-coming author Mark Arsenault, former journalist and beaten-down gambler Billy Povich returns to aid Martin Smothers, the Patron Lawyer of Hopeless Causes.

Martin’s old law partner, the well-respected superior court judge Gilbert Harmony, has been shot by a thief who dies in a car crash. The cops close the case, but Martin doesn’t believe a two-bit shoplifter would suddenly kill a judge---somebody must have paid him to do it.

The suspects range from a vengeful mobster to a jealous brother to the judge's widow, and---oops---his mistress and her son. And as Billy comes closer to the truth, it isn't long before the killer takes aim at him.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

MARK ARSENAULT has been a reporter since 1989 and presently covers state politics for The Providence Journal in Rhode Island. His previous novels include the Shamus finalist Spiked and Speak Ill of the Living. He lives in Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In LOOT THE MOON, Billy Povich is approached by his friend Martin Sommers, a lawyer he used to do some investigative work for. Martin's mentor and a Superior Court Judge has been murdered and though the police have wrapped the case up, Martin feels there is more to the story and asks Povich to see what he can dig up. The man police say killed the judge, a low level thief, was also killed during the murder and it all seems just a little too convenient to Martin. There are facts that come to light that just don't add up. A few weeks before the judge was killed, he sentenced a local mob boss's son to life in prison and a public threat was made against his life. There's also the fact that the judge apparently was living a double life that his wife and son didn't know about. Then there is the judges brother, who is also a judge, but not as successful, who is sick and tired of living in his brother's shadow and is contesting the will. There's too many unanswered questions and Billy agrees to help his friend and soon finds his own life in danger, which tells him he must be getting close to the truth.

One of the things I liked about LOOT THE MOON is that it didn't matter that I hadn't read the first book in the series. The characters were easy to get to know and there weren't so many that it was hard to keep up with. I find that some mysteries have so many characters I get lost trying to keep them straight. That didn't happen here. Another reason I liked it is Mark Arsenault gets right into the meat of the story and you're off! It was fast-paced, kept my attention and was not unrealistic. The writing was smart and even had me chuckling at times at the wit. There's a personal story happening in Billy's life at the same time he's trying to figure out the mystery, and that balances out the book nicely.

The story is told from a few character's perspectives, which helps to get to know them, but is mostly told through Billy's eyes. The plot was very well thought out and kept me guessing until the end. All in all, I found this to be a very satisfying and entertaining mystery that I look forward to continiuing.

I will definitely be reading GRAVEWRITER very soon and I will be keeping up with this series. I like that the mystery was wrapped up in the end, but still allows Billy's story to continue. I think there will be many more interesting stories for Billy Povich to write.

Full review at: http://southerngal-lisa.blogspot.com/...

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Sentence: Tobacco smoke and moonlight filled the car.

Billy Povich lives with his ill, aging father and 6-year-old son above a funeral home in Providence, Rhode Island. Billy, a former investigative reporter, has a gambling problem and has been demoted to writing obituaries, but writes them with caring and respect. Defense attorney, Martin Smothers, asks Billy to dust off his investigative skills. Martin’s friend, Judge Gilbert Harmony, has been shot by a supposed intruder, but Martin believes there is more to the story.

Of his character, Arsenault writes, “…his writing gave the paper a depth of soul it never had before.” That’s how I feel about Arsenault’s writing. There are writers who happen to write excellent mysteries; then there are excellent writers who happen to write mysteries. He is the latter. From the first sentence, the descriptions of both place and people bring the book to life. I appreciate the Rhode Island setting as very few books are set there.

His characters are imperfect and wonderful. William Povich senior, who abandoned his family but is back and needs his dialysis sessions, and makes tapes for his grandson, Bo. Bo is a boy who’s favorite toy is an Albert Einstein doll and who sneaks down to the funeral home each night to say goodnight to the dead. Martin, with an avid vegan wife and who, “performed a disrespected virtue—he legitimized justice. By defending villains who inflicted their sick dreams on the community, Martin redeemed all of us who lived under the law. Criminals brutalize us; in return we brutalize them by ending their lives in steel cages. The difference between what we do and what the villains do is the criminal defense lawyer.” It’s that ability to make me stop and think which sets Arsenault apart as a writer.

That’s not to say the book also not a very good mystery. The plotting is excellent and includes illuminating advice from a dying mobster. There is wonderful, breath-catching suspense, an excellent twist and a very poignant ending. I highly recommend this book but do suggest first reading “Gravewriter.”

LOOT THE MOON (Unl Inv/Jour-Billy Povich-Providence, RI-Cont) – Ex
Arsenault, Mark – 2nd in series
Minotaur, 2009, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312555764

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attorney Martin Smothers requires Billy Povich’s assistance. Billy is a former journalist and gambler. Martin’s mentor, Superior Court Judge Gilbert Harmony was shot and killed. Judge Harmony’s death at first glance looks like a break in gone wrong. It seems though that Judge Harmony’s killer got it in the end. The killer died in a car crash.

Martin believes better that the killing was personal and someone paid to knock Judge Harmony off permanently. Billy starts doing some digging. He uncovers a whole slew of shady characters. Billy’s father is in the hospital, fighting for his life. Martin doesn’t want to let his former mentor down. With Billy’s hound dog attitude and Martin’s quick wit, these two won’t give up till justice is won.

Loot the Moon is the first book I have read by this author. I liked this book. Martin and Billy were engaging. I like that Martin did not come off as a sleazy lawyer. Though in my book, it was Billy who really stole the spotlight. He did most of the work…tracking down people, obtaining evidence and piecing it all together. There were a few times in the book, where I would start to lose interest but overall, I thought this was a good book. I would read another one by this author.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very satisfying read. This is the fourth in the Billy Povich mystery series by Arsenault. Billy is currently an obituary writer. He had been a journalist but gambling, getting in with the wrong crowd and being hounded by people he owed money to got in the way of that. Now, after the death of his wife (from whom he was separated), he has his young son Bo to look after and his father has shown back up in his life after having abandoned the family when Billy was young. Billy is asked by his friend Martin, to investigate the death of Martin's friend and mentor Judge Harmony. The plot moves along well, with a few twists and turns but not so many as to make it really confusing. There is a lot of interplay between Billy and his father and son that adds to the depth of the book. The writing is crisp. I have read the first in the series, Gravewriter, which liked but which was harder to get into and to keep the characters straight. This one shows better organization and tighter plotting.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 of the Povich series and decided to read this one. I enjoyed this one as much, if not more than book 1. I love how the author introduces characters and tells the stories of the characters but doesn't tell you how they interconnect till the story starts to unfold. I love all the unexpected twists and turns because it keeps the reading interesting. I had a lot of theories on who had ordered the judge to be murdered but I didn't see what was coming to the very end.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course, as it is set in RI, I was bound to like it.
A great followup to GRAVEWRITER. I did not see the final outcome coming. Liked the way he wrote it from the "bad guy" angle but you didnt know what character WAS the bad guy! Very nice tale with great local area descriptions.. even Waterfire has a guest spot!!

[Pamela Nicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story at times. Kinda difficult to read for long periods of time. Found I had to put it down after a chapter... not too terribly engaging. There is an event that happens and nothing is explained... don't know what the heck happened there.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great plot, interesting mystery.