Two Bits Four Bits

by Mark Cotton

Buddy Griffin, a recently retired homicide detective, returns to his hometown of Elmore, Texas to attend a high-school reunion and becomes embroiled in a murder investigation when his high school sweetheart finds her husband, the president of the local bank, shot dead in their swimming pool.

Rumors of the dead man's infidelities lead Buddy to a missing female bank teller and a safe deposit box full of dirty money linked to the local mob. As he digs deeper, Buddy discovers the real motive for the murder may stem from a struggle for control of a twenty-year-old videotape of a United States Senator with an underage prostitute. And, he stirs up trouble when he pays a visit to a crime boss with a connection to the case. Buddy is forced to broker a deal with the devil to prevent more innocent people from being killed.

Two Bits Four Bits is a mystery set in the flat dry landscape of West Texas where the horizon is defined by pump jacks and oilfield equipment instead of trees and hills, and blackmail is a game best left to professionals.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2010

Reviews

[Boyko Ovcharov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is worth its praises, honestly. I enjoyed the very style of it, showing the author's intelligence, good sense of humor and broad general knowledge. Knowing very little about the area he refers to, I was able to vividly imagine the entire setting. The first-person account helped me understand the characters much better.
The overall tone of the story is quite positive. However, the reader is delicately prompted to asses the ethical issues behind the plot, without any moral stance being imposed upon them.
Personally, I enjoyed the secondary storyline regarding romance, family and relationship; which is very down-to-earth, but setting a great example.
I would definitely like to read more by this author and would recommend his books.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Buddy Griffin visits his fictional West Texas hometown of Elmore, TX, he's planning a short stay. Just long enough to attend his high school reunion and get the estate of his recently deceased parents in order. Hopefully the recently retired homicide detective will have a chance to reflect on what he wants in the next phase of his life. Then the president of the local bank and husband of his high school sweetheart is murdered and his plans get changed. Maybe he's found his next vocation and the world's newest private detective series is being born.

It could be said that "Two Bits Four Bits" fits a formula for this type novel. We've got the typical, some might say clichéd, characters. The potential love interest. The ex-hooker. The asshole cop who's also working the case. Both you and Buddy will have a decent idea of whodunit and why well before the end. But formula doesn't mean bad. Some formulas become that way because they're what works. If the characters are well drawn and the story is good the book will be too. That's the case here.

Several things help this book rise above the pack. Buddy is likable. You want to see him succeed. His relationship with best friend Ray, always trash talking and messing with each other, is one most guys will understand and appreciate. His portrayal of the oilpatch towns of West Texas is well done and, at least for someone who hasn't been there, seems accurate. The story is compelling and despite knowing where it's going you keep reading because you care about the details.

Fans of Texas music will also have fun catching the references to their favorite musicians. I'll give Mark Cotton bonus points if he mentions Kelly Willis or anyone named Robison in the followup.

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character is a likeable and interesting former homicide detective not quite sure what he wants for his future. He returns to his hometown for a reunion and to tie up some family matters. When the husband of a classmate is murdered, Buddy finds himself in the middle of the investigation.

I enjoyed the detail of some of the detective work that Mark Cotton provided in this mystery. Most mysteries overlook those details and just go for action, but I enjoyed getting immersed in the creative work of a detective.

There are many characters in Two Bits Four Bits that I see in regularly in small town America. I especially enjoyed the addition of the three older guys that met at the local restaurant every morning for coffee and gossip.

This is a good mystery with several suspects that reaches a satisfying conclusion. Buddy is a character that you look forward to seeing in a book series and I hope more are in the works.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this books from a Goodreads giveaway, from the author himself. This was an enjoyable book, and a quick read. The story is about a retired homicide detective, Buddy Griffin, who returns to his hometown for a class reunion and finds himself drawn into a murder investigation. There are a number of characters, but the author does a nice job of introducing them without you having to turn back to reread sections, which is something I personally appreciate. There could easily be more books about this likable character, as he is a clever and down to-earth man. I look forward to more books from this author, especially about Buddy Griffin! (There is more I could say, but I don't want to give anything away!)

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway...received it on Saturday, 8/21/10. I read it in 2 days!

This book reminded me of old style mysteries where the main characters were wise-cracking, hard-boiled detectives. It was a fun, quick read. I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so excited...I am fortunate enough to be getting a copy of this book thru the goodreads giveaway program. I can't wait to receive it. Thank you Mark for offering your book in this giveaway.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The characters were likable and believable. The story moved along nicely. It was a good detective/crime novel that didn't take itself too seriously.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, fun, some humour, great characters - I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, too!

[Uwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

most of the story was obvious to me ...but still funny and a good character or two ...

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle read while in China. Fast read, interesting plot and hard to put down.