Opening Day: A Matt Davis Mystery

Matt Davis Mysteries #2

by Joe Perrone Jr.

Young girls are coming through a small Upstate New York village, but...they aren't all coming out--alive! Following a close brush with death as an NYPD homicide detective, Matt Davis takes early retirement, and accepts what appears to be a cushy position as Chief of Police of a three-man department in a small, rural Upstate New York village. While out fly-fishing on his favorite stream on the opening day of trout season, Matt stumbles across the murdered remains of a body, barely recognizable as a human being, killed approximately six months earlier. With no real physical evidence-no clothing, no identification, and no clues-it's up to Matt to not only identify the murderer, but to find the identity of the victim. But, in the end, it's the revelation of the unlikely killer's identity that will shock this tight-knit community to its very core, and leave the reader begging for more. Opening Day is the second in the Matt Davis Mystery Series, and picks up where As the Twig is Bent left off.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2010

Reviews

[Collette Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading just like a Patterson suspense, Opening Day does not disappoint. From the very start, Mr. Perrone weaves a mystery of epic and tragic events, starting with a body and ending with a bang. We have Police Chief Matt Davis, a former city cop trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and move to a slower pace. He has a wife who is his best friend, awesome friends who keep him entertained and offer stimulating conversation, a secretary who is as feisty as a spitfire, and a dead body that washes up on his favorite fishing hole. Weaved into the investigation is the tale of several runaways, poor girls with big dreams and hopes. The question is: when the body arrives, who is the victim? She is so severely decomposed they cannot even tell if it’s male or female at first. So, which one of these haunted young girls washed up in the fishing hole? Matt Davis has few leads on suspects. Is he local or just passing through? The mystery unfolds at a steady pace to a climactic ending that solves all of your questions and leaves you feeling very satisfied. Mr. Perrone entertains with his witty dialogue and very down to earth characters. I just loved his interplay with secretary, Nancy, and his friendship with fisherman, Frank. The setting was so well-depicted that I felt as though I was high in Catskills enjoying small town life. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Patterson's novels.

[Ryan Barnhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book has a good setup with the flashbacks of the girls but is too confusing. the author tries too hard to build suspense but instead just got me lost. I finished the book just to read to the end but was not too impressed. luckily it was only 4 bucks so I'm not too hummed out.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that Opening Day: A Matt Davis Mystery is a 2012 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree!

[Heather W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening Day is the second book in the Matt Davis Mystery Series and picks up where As the Twig is Bent left off.

This crime thriller provides Matt Davis with more character development as he investigates a six-month-old murder. The problem is that he doesn't know who the victim is or how he/she was killed. This book is well written and has great characters. I will be reading the next books in the series.

I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read written by Joe Perrone Jr; he has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of his books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy in setting and characters, gritty in detail, equally convincing in police procedure and the tying of flies for fly-fishing, Joe Peronne’s Opening Day takes Matt Davis out of New York City but keeps him firmly in the world of crime and victim. Village life is filled with well-drawn characters met at station, diner, on the road or by the river. But even the quietest, safest place can hide secrets, and a dead body found in the water may be just the first of many.

While Davis quietly fishes for clues, runaways look for freedom. And the mystery’s not just who-dun-it; it’s also who was done and how. The countryside’s ease lends a gentler touch to this second book as it follows As the Twig is Bent, though the dangers of life and road are depicted with the same clear-eyed honesty. I enjoyed seeing Davis continuing his career, still using his skills, but growing as a person, making this much more than just another police procedural. I’m looking forward to reading book three—Twice Bitten—and to spending more time in the company of good people, in the countryside of upstate New York’s good rivers and trees.

Disclosure: I am grateful for the author for giving me an ecopy of this novel after I reviewed As the Twig is Bent.

[Glenda Findley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed my first read from Mr. Perrone’s pen, Opening Day. While written in the first person and present tense from the perspective of Police Chief Matt Davis, a retired NYPD Detective moved to a small quiet town, I enjoyed this read.

I rather appreciated the short chapters and back history of three run-a-way girls. Not knowing which one was the murder victim. Good characterization throughout the plot, while also building a variety of possible local perpetrators. It wasn’t the surprise ending that I truly like. Yet the story continuity was sound.

I am looking forward to the next read, Twice Bitten.

[M.K. Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found likeable characters and storyline introduced at a steady pace, and I enjoyed the jumping back to the time of the murder with possible victims. The fact that you didn't know which of the unfortunate runaways had met their end until the reveal at the end of the story keeps you turning pages.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! It's been awhile but I remember. I especially like the relationship dynamics between Matt and...everyone. Fun book to read.