The Padre Puzzle

by David Harry

When the body of a Texas Ranger working undercover in Mexico as a member of a drug cartel is found dead on a South Padre Island beach, Jimmy Redstone, an injured Ranger spending time on the island, is pressured into unofficially investigating. After the local Coast Guard Chief lands in the hospital after trying to give Redstone information he uncovered pertaining to the murder, Redstone begins to believe that more is going on than simple drug smuggling. Angella Martinez, an attractive rookie, draws the assignment of staying close to Redstone. Between fighting his unprofessional feelings for Martinez, keeping the rookie cop out of trouble and continuing their investigation, Jimmy’s plate is pretty full. As they continue to probe, it becomes clear that activities far more dangerous than drugs are involved, activities that could undermine the very essence of American life if Jimmy and Angella can’t stop them in time.

Genres: Mystery

292 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2010

About the author

David Harry is an attorney and the author of four mystery novels, The Padre Puzzle, The Padre Predator, The Padre Paranoia and The Padre Pandemic. Standard Deviation, a novel based on an autistic child, was just released.

All four mystery books are set on the rustically beautiful South Texas barrier island of South Padre Island and all three feature the crime fighting duo Jimmy Redstone and Angella Martinez. David’s first novel The Padre Puzzle is the all time bestselling book at the Paragraphs on Padre bookstore on South Padre Island.

Originally from the East Coast, David was introduced to South Padre Island in 1992. He now lives on the island full time with his wife and their dog. David is the Vice President of the Mystery Writers of American Southwest Chapter.

Reviews

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I say anything else about this book I want to mention that if it were possible I would have rated this book 4.5 stars. It may not be perfect, but it is a very good read.

Jimmy Redstone is a Texas Ranger currently on leave after having been shot in the shoulder during an operation which would have seen him charged with murder if it had not been for that injury.
Now, in a last ditch effort to get re-instated to the job that is his life, he's on South Padre Island trying to rehab his shoulder through an intensive work-out programme.
On South Padre Island, located on the Gulf of Mexico near the border between the USA and Mexico, Redstone meets up with Markus Cruses, the son of a former partner of his, who is the local Coast Guard Chief.
Redstone goes out with Markus on patrol after a call out, only to discover that the emergency they thought they were responding to doesn't exist. When they return to the Coast Guard base they discover that a body has been found on the beach and the police have started an investigation.
Unable to resist his curiosity, Redstone starts asking questions about the murdered man himself. Before long he is asked by his superior in the Rangers to conduct an unofficial and under-cover investigation into the murder since the victim on the beach was a Texas Ranger, working under-cover in a drug-running gang.
From there on things move quickly. A second man dies and Redstone soon finds himself officially included in the investigations, partnered with Angella Martinez, a beautiful rookie police-woman. The investigations appear to include every law-enforcement agency known to men and Redstone can't help thinking that he is not getting all the available information.
When Markus ends up in hospital, people start threatening Redstone, demanding he hand over something he doesn't have and Trich, Markus' fiancée turns out to be the daughter of an important Mexican drug-runner, things get murky and confusing.
But never in his wildest imaginations could Redstone have foreseen the magnitude of the threat South Padre Island, he and the USA as a whole face.

I was asked by David Harry to read and review this book for him. I'm usually a bit wary about requests like that because I haven't quite figured out what I will do if it turns out I don't like the book. But, fortunately, this was not the occasion where I had to answer that question.
This is a very well told story. Jimmy Redstone is a wonderful and very realistic main character, and the tale is told at a brisk pace while it also takes the time to give the reader a good picture of the characters and landscapes involved.
I downloaded a copy of this book to my ancient e-reader and for some reason something went wrong with the formatting. This resulted in the book showing up on the reader in sentences that were only one word long, spread over nearly 4900 pages. As soon as I noticed this I knew that the story had better be good and captivating if I were to read it to the end. The fact that I not only made it to the end, despite the desperate reading format, but also gave the book this 4.5 star rating proves beyond any doubt that this is a great mystery. I look forward to reading the sequel in the future.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on my blog, Ramblings of a Daydreamer. You can find it, and many more reviews at the blog.

I’m not used to reading books from a male perspective, but I really enjoyed The Padre Puzzle. Jimmy was a very real, well-developed character. He’s a cop through-and-through - sharp senses, good instincts, and a natural curiosity.

I thought the setting for the book was great. I’d actually never even heard of South Padre Island; without overdoing the details, the author gave a description that allowed me to picture it all clearly.

The concept for the book was very original and interesting, and had enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I loved that the author also threw in lots of action and some amusing anecdotes to lighten the mood, and that Jimmy had a good sense of humour.

The cliffhanger ending was very exciting, and I when I finished reading, I was glad the author was kind enough to send me the second book so I don’t have to wait long to find out what happens! The next book definitely has a lot of potential as far as the mystery goes, and as a romance junkie, I’m curious to see what will happen between Jimmy and Angella.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Padre Puzzle. I’d recommend it to mystery and police drama fans, both male and female. I’ve recommended it to my mum, and I’m also going to keep this book in mind if I ever need a present for a guy who enjoys reading!

[Luckngrace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture on the cover of San Padre Island is impressive and drew me into the locale of the Padre Puzzle as well as to the story. I liked the writer's voice as he tells his story. I only got the feeling that I'd love to "hang" with the author very few times before; one such author was Stephen King. David Harry gives the reader the feeling that he/she is right there in the story with Jimmy Redstone and Angela, his partner.

The plot involved police, sheriff, Texas Rangers and Homeland Security. We see that each agency, as in real life, is most concerned with covering its own butt. It made me tremble to think about our various government agencies (chuckleheads all)trying to avert disaster in the nuclear age.
Do you ever get the idea that it wouldn't take much to outthink our own crowd?

I also liked the lead character being an older, wounded Ranger. Each of us, no matter how terrific we perform our duties in life, must ask ourselves at some point if experience makes up for an ageing, wounded, or diseased body. When and how do we give up what we've spent a lifetime building...or can we just change direction?

I thank the author for giving me his book free of charge and look forward to reading David's other Padre books.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not hand out five stars very often but felt David Harry's "The Padre Puzzle" deserved it. I could not put the book down. The characters are well worth getting to know and the plot definitly was full of puzzlers. Who would have guessed the direction it took?Actually I was left with a lot to think about when it comes to protecting our borders. Being a Texas girl I really enjoyed reading about a place so close to home. Most people would think South Padre Island is a place for spring break ... think again ...David Harry introduces SPI in such a way that one could actually make their way around the island. Great mystery!!! I am definitly buying the next book in the series,"the Padre Predator."

[Rachel Simeone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading mysteries and The Padre Puzzle didn't disappoint. It is a well written, tightly woven mystery with a compelling premise: Can terrorists bring nuclear weapons in to our country via Mexico?

I especially loved the main character Jimmy Redstone, a middle aged seen-it-all, done-it-all personality and a very funny, understated sense of humor. It was also interesting to read a book set on South Padre Island. I had barely even heard of the place, but Harry makes it sound so interesting that now it is definitely on my bucket list!

If you are looking for a modern version of the classic mystery novel, this is the book for you.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great mystery about an injured Texas Ranger that is supposed to be rehabbing on South Padre Island. There is plenty of crime happening, Ranger Redstone is teamed with Angella a local officer to find out what is going on. The adventure is plentiful and keeps the story moving along nicely. This is the first in series, a nice addition for anyone that likes mysteries.

I received a signed copy from the author. Thank you.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great police/crime story set on South Padre Island near the Mexican border. The central character puts me in in mind of Ross McDonald's Travis Magee and James Lee Burkse's Sherriff Hackberry Holland. A great read with a strong sense of realism. This was a copy provideed by the author but that did not influence my judgement.

[Joni]

How can I not like this book, Paragraphs, the South Padre Island bookstore is mentioned.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!!Well written and good mystery involving drugs, terrorist,The good guys are Texas Rangers, Coast Guards. An exciting twist of events. Good from beginning to the last page.

[Adrian Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool story set right here on South Padre Island. It had everything - Homeland Security, Coast Guard, SPI Police and Texas Rangers, drugs and terrorists. My favorite genre. Coulda used more cia:fbi spy stuff but this will do. Though the story was fictitious the places are all real as of 2010 anyway when it was written. Easy read and captivating. Kinda short 289 pages on a kindle. This is book 1 of a series of 9 so far.

[Andrea Galvez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whoa misogyny!

Honestly, this doesnt even warrant a review, but to anyone considering reading this that isn't a 50 year old white man ... you're going to find yourself rolling your eyes at the jumps in logic and the separation from reality.

Also, really, really poorly written.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some typos like they meant to pantry but they put panty, but other than that it was very intriguing and suggest it to all who love a good mystery.

[Sophia Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the first and last time I’ll read about two characters going to eat a Louie’s Backyard LMAO

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun beach read and especially so if you live on South Padre Island, which is where the novel takes place. Also, it was written by a neighbor of mine.

[David Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I read this book out of order. I read its sequel before reading this one.The books are techinically stand alone stories, but I would recommend reading them in order because together they make a much bigger story.Also while I enjoyed both stories, I think my enjoyment would only have increased by reading them in their proper order.

This is the first story in the series.A lot of times a first book has the problem of trying to balance getting the reader to know the characters and telling the story.Another problem can be to make the character to seem they didn't just spring into existance with the first page.Neither of these problems are present here.All of the characters seem to be real people with backstories just waiting to be told from the first page.You get bits and pieces in a natural way while they set out to investigate the mystery without slowing down the action.Plenty of local color helps to bring South Padre Island to the front instead of just a backdrop.

Jimmy Redstone is an interesting character.He is far from perfect, but very capable at the same time.He does have a temper but it is tempered by his sense of duty.Loyal to his friends and his sense of right and wrong even when it threatens to cause him trouble.Angella Martinez is also a great character.She is still a fairly new police officer, but is a natural at the job.Together with Redstone,you have a great detective team.They also have an attraction to each other but circumstances and their pasts may not ever allow they to fully pursue it.

The mystery is very good.Starting as what seems to be a drug murder, it quickly escalates to something much bigger.The action is quick and fun.

A nice change from a lot of current novels is the lack of foul language.There are a few glitches in the book.One made me laugh.The u was left out of the word mouth so the line said something like,I couldn't believe that came out of his moth.It threw for a second as I pictured a talking moth.Another glitch happened when they went into The Pirates Cove restaurant.On the next page when he asked the name of the restaurant,he is told it is The Pirate's Landing.Nothing big , just enough to make you go hunh?

Overall this seems to be shaping up to a nice adventurous mystery series.Hopefully it will have a long run.

[J.L. Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Ranger Jimmy Redstone has been placed on a temporary leave of absence and has been sent to the South Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico for rehabilitative therapy. A body washes ashore and it isn’t long before he is embroiled in a crime drama that includes not only the local police department, but the Coast Guard as well. What starts off as an un-official inquiry turns into a full blown investigation relatively quickly. With the assistance of local police officer Angella Martinez, the investigation stirs up more questions than answers until the climax of the story.

The Padre Puzzle is a high level crime drama that embodies all of the components of espionage, surveillance and undercover detective work at its best. At times, the story moves like a slow moving hurricane that’s just about ready to make landfall and at other times, the pace is quick. The story reads like a curvy, highway that snakes it way through Redwood Canyon in California, making no apologies for its length or drop offs. David Harry cruises at a steady altitude and then brings his readers in for a safe landing, writing with the expertise of a well-trained pilot.

Although at times, the plot progresses slowly, the scenarios are unpredictable which is refreshing because no one reading a mystery wants to be able to figure it out before the final chapter. With that being said, the pace of the story was somewhat slow. This doesn’t translate to a bad story. On the contrary, The Padre Puzzle was anything but that. For anyone that enjoys a good espionage storyline, this is one worth picking up.

[Melanie Robertson-King · Rating 4 out of 5]

David has woven a suspenseful tale of intrigue and espionage. His main protagonist, Jimmy Redstone, is a Texas Ranger who has been off duty because of an injury. He's sent to South Padre Island for some rest and rehabilitation. If he wants to get back to active duty, he has to do this - like it or not.

Angella Martinez is an attractive rookie cop who Jimmy must fight his feelings for - especially after they end up working together when he's pressed back into active duty to solve the murder of a fellow Ranger.

David is exceptional at weaving in hints, red herrings and uses great descriptive narrative. When you're immersed in the book, you can visualize the location and the people just as if you were there.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to pick up a book or two by local authors and a trip to South Padre Island recently introduced me to David Harry. The Padre Puzzle is a delightful mystery - especially for anyone who recognizes the locations and establishments he mentions - Including the bookstore, Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard. This is the very bookstore I purchased my copy and wish I had purchased the other two books in this series. Having lived in Texas for many years, and missing it, I delighted in the feisty Angella Martinez holding her own when partnered with the Texas Ranger, Jimmy Redstone. Drug dealers and possible terrorist activity makes solving the murder mystery even more difficult but between the two of them, it comes to a satisfying conclusion. Can't wait to read about Jimmy and Angella's next case.

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to get this book through the Goodreads giveaways! I found it a bit hard to get into but after about the first 25 pages I could not put it down and resented everytime I was forced to do so.

This is a great mystery with lots of surprises. It kept me wondering right up until the end about the reason for the murders that began the mystery. I did not see some of the twists coming andthe ending was very satisfying.

The characters are engaging and I came to care about them. I would love to see more adventures with these characters. I would highly recommend this book for an entertaining read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't get any better then this! The Padre Puzzle was a great name, I keep thinking myself,there has got to be more pieces missing to this drama. It's hard to set this book down as it reaches out and grabs you by the throat. I can't wait to read The Padre Predator to see what hardships Redstone & Martinez will encounter next. SPI just got put on my vacation to-do-list. Hope they have the bad guys caught before I get there! I had to loan it to Mom too, she reads 3-4 books a week, and says "Suz that was one of the best books I've read in a long time". Ok Mom, ya need to thank David, who comes up with this stuff!!!!

[Ginney Etherton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Jimmy Redstone borders between a laid-back, fifty-something, old-school detective and a smarmy, wise-cracking, regular cop with an amazing amount of luck. There were times when my suspension of disbelief didn't hold up, but I kept turning pages. It is a complex plot, chockfull of characters, and a very interesting locale. Unfortunately, there are a few too many typos to ignore... my favorite is when Redstone says, "my doctor ... checked my prostrate."

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this to Pete out loud in the car on the way down to South Padre Island cause that's the setting of the book and in that capacity it was a very silly silly silly read. Had a few laughing moments but that's is because I found it so bad it hurt, but Pete thought it was great. The best cheesey mystery set on SPI that I've ever read.

[Sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love how the author incorporated real establishments from the island of South Padre as the backdrop of the book series. It brings the story so close to home being able to relate to my own 'backyard'.

[Cindy]

I've never read a book that included such detailed references to local restaurants/activities etc. A lot of these are my favorites too so that made it kind of fun. The story was great - looking forward to reading the sequels.

[Rachel]

Great book! Love books that I cannot put down. There was always a twist. Cannot wait to read the next one. Have to get through inter-library loan.

[Rb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't love the book, but it was cute and gave us good ideas for dining.