Peter Pan Must Die

Written by John Verdon

Narrated by Robert Fass

The daunting task that confronts Gurney, once the NYPD's top homicide cop: determining the guilt or innocence of a woman already convicted of shooting her charismatic politician husband. Gurney quickly finds himself waging a dangerous battle of wits with a thoroughly corrupt investigator, a disturbingly cordial mob boss, a gorgeous young temptress, and a bizarre assassin whose child-like appearance has earned him the nickname Peter Pan. Startling twists and turns occur in rapid-fire sequence, and soon Gurney is locked inside one of the darkest cases of his career – one in which multiple murders are merely the deceptive surface under which rests a scaffolding of pure evil. Beneath the tangle of poisonous lies, Gurney discovers that the truth is more shocking than anyone had imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media Audio
• Release date: Aug 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781629237763

John Verdon

John Verdon is the author of the Dave Gurney series of thrillers, international bestsellers published in more than two dozen languages — Think of a Number, Shut Your Eyes Tight, Let the Devil Sleep, Peter Pan Must Die, and Wolf Lake. Before becoming a crime fiction writer, John had two previous careers — as an advertising creative director and a custom furniture maker. He currently lives with his wife Naomi in the rural mountains of upstate New York — raising chickens, tending the garden, mowing the fields, and devising the intricate plots of the Gurney novels.

Reviews for Peter Pan Must Die

[mysterymax_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Retired police officer, Dave Gurney, is asked by Hardwick, a fellow retired police officer now a private investigator, to help prove that his client did not receive a fair trail when she was convicted of murder. Not far into the investigation Gurney realizes that it is impossible that the murder could have happened the way the police say it did. So how could she get convicted? Was it just a poor defense attorney? Was she framed? Were the police corrupt? If she didn't do it - who did? As Gurney answers one question, twenty more open up before him.So many mysteries are either plot driven or character driven. Verdon manages an extremely complex plot that twists and turns while building characters that are also multi-dimensional, making it an absolute certainty that you will have to read all the other Gurney books.

[alohaboy_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First, a quick rant. I was an April early reviewer winner of this book. The book did not arrive and I assume it was never sent by Crown, the publisher, as no reviews have appeared from the reviewers selected as winners. I contacted the publisher directly to request the copy but received no answer. I decided to purchase a published copy as John Verdon is one of my favorite authors. Lo and behold, an advance copy arrived from the publisher over the weekend just as I finished reading the book—over 3 months after being notified that I was an early reviewer! I cannot determine if the book was the early reviewer copy from the publisher or my inquiry to them initiated the sending of the copy. In any case, I now have an advance copy and finished copy.Dave Gurney is a highly decorated NYPD detective, now retired after 25 years on the job, who had the highest case clearance rate ever among his fellow detectives. Now he and his wide, Madeleine, live in upstate New York on a large piece of property where they are supposed to be doing the things retired people do. Instead, Gurney finds himself being called upon to assist law enforcement agencies or individuals in solving seemingly unsolvable crimes. He does so through a detailed analysis of the crime(s) and eventually is able to figure out the puzzle that leads him to the killer.Peter Pan Must Die is another such puzzle as Gurney is called upon by a former NY state investigator, teamed up with a publicity seeking lawyer, to find evidence that the convicted wife whose wealthy husband was killed--not by her--but by someone who set her up. Gurney quickly finds out that the woman could not have been the killer, but finding out who did kill her husband is far more puzzling. The remaining three quarters of the book takes Gurney through the case, the evidence, witnesses, and various others in order to solve the crime. The pyrotechnic ending is amazing as is Gurney’s introspection on why he is drawn to these sorts of criminals that regularly put he and his family in danger.The book is another outstanding effort by the author and is well worth reading by readers who enjoy suspense novels that have lots of twists and turns along the way.

[jenxy21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Peter Pan Must Die by John Verdon is an exceptional who-dunit! The details of the crime as investigated by the main character, David Gurney are thrilling and engaging. Gurney's introduction as a retired cop immediately gains the interest by involving the reader in Gurney's life away from "the job." His wife, Madeline, is doing her best to help him leave the dirty realities of crime behind as they enjoy a new life in country. As readers of crime drama know, once a cop-always a cop, so Gurney is drawn back into crime solving as a favor to a former colleague. The twists and turns of this drama are immense and the reader has no choice but to follow Gurney into the mystery. There are multiple suspects and motives that keep you guessing. The way Verdon creates a mystery that the reader is able to solve right before the protagonist is masterful! An excellent read!

[randall6hansen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A pretty good thriller/who-done-it and why murder mystery. The writing is strong, but most of the main characters have annoying aspects that grate on the reader as you go through the book. The main character is a retired NYC detective who has a gift for solving complex cases, but he also carries some professional and personal baggage. I will probably read the earlier Dave Gurney novels because I do like trying to solve the problem along with the author/characters -- and while there were some absurd moments here, I liked the intelligence and thought behind the mystery..

[majkia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book free through Edelweiss publishing in return for an unbiased review.I have not read the previous Dave Gurney books, and although I'm a serial reader and try to only read series books in order, I did not feel too confused regarding happenings in the previous books, even when they are mentioned directly.The characters were interesting and complex enough to keep me interested. The settings were interesting and colorful and fit the story quite well.As for the puzzle and the mystery, I solved it long before our crack detective got to it. Even so, I enjoyed the psychological complexity involved in trying to understand who the killer was, and what the motivation for the murders were in the first place. And I can see how assumptions can easily blind people personally involved into missing key pieces of a puzzle and thus be led astray.In short, I enjoyed the book and found it interesting enough to consider reading the series from the beginning.

[ollie1976 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a page turner. Lots of action, twists and turns that keeps readers interested. I haven't read any of the previous Gurney books but I didn't feel that I had to in order to grasp the type of character Gurney is-a true detective who will stop at nothing to get to the truth. A really fun read

[richard3432 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book went by fast and it was hard to put down. He author knows how to do it. He writes like ja Konrath. He know how to tell a story

[stanski_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Peter Pan Must Die is a well plotted, interestingly conceived novel. It is rare when so many disparate elements come together so neatly at the end. Verdon's characters (Dave Gurney, and his wife Madeleine) are developed in such detail that they really do come alive. You seem to know them as people not as characters in a book.My only gripe, is that the book seems overly long. There are a few places in the book that drag. But that being said, this is certainly a job well done.

[charlottem_63 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fast paced read with twists and turns and a surprise ending. Very good read.

[toades_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have never read anything by Mr. Verdon, but was pleasantly surprised. The retired NYPD detective still seems to want to stay involved in cases and takes one to prove that a wife who has already been convicted is innocent. Through the pages we meet the killer, a hit man who has been on the run for years. The ending came as a complete surprise and I enjoyed the pages up to it.

[johntgriffin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Peter Pan Must Die by John Verdon is an outstanding story. A retired NYPD detective is pulled into a case that has been solved and a person has been sent to prison. The twists and turns that Mr. Verdon leads you on while at the same time disclose to us the emotions that are at play between him and his family. For all you type A's out there you need to read this for I saw my working self over and over. But the main story will hold your attention and will keep you turning page after page long after everone else has gone to sleep.I am like several of the other reviewers in that this is my first read of the work by John Verdon. I have already ordered the other three books and can not wait for them to arrive. Mr. Verdon you have a new fan.

[oldbookswine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Retired NYPD Homicide cop, DaveGurney, finds himself involved in an unusual case. His friend Hardwick wants his help to put an appeal in for a woman sentenced for the murder of her husband. Dave is quickly involved to to set up an appeal but to find the real murderer.Step by step he peels back the layers of family discord, money, greed and vengeance . His wife Madeleine, happy with their move to rural New York worries about his involvement and wants a new chicken house for her cute chickens.I have not read Verdon before but will look for his books as this was a great mystery with lots of twists and turns before even the real mystery is presented. Recommended.

[bjbookman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dave Gurney novels are a treat. John Verdon is fast becoming one the masters of psychological suspense in my opinion.Dave, with the help of his old detective partner Hardwick, are back to solve another crime. Only this time people will die, including Gurney's family, if they don't find the legendary assassin, Peter Pan.Gurney is methodical in his following of clues, which to me is John Verdon's strongest writing. Not only in this novel, but in his previous novels.How can the assassin kill by making a impossible shot? Are there more then one murder involved? They know 'Peter Pan' will stop at nothing or kill anyone in his way.

[dketelsen_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won this book on Library Thing.Peter Pan Must Die is such an awesome title. John Verdon's book measures up to that title, as well. While I'd quibble a bit with a few early chapters in which the protagonist, Dave Gurney, has to suffer through too much character on the part of his wife, Madeleine, and his ex-policeman buddy Jack Hardwick, those issues quickly take a backseat as the plot kicks in. And what a plot it is! Peter Pan, aka Petros Panikos, is a fantastic villain. We only get small peeks at him until late in the book but the second hand descriptions that are garnered during the investigation are chilling---and very effective.Verdon tips his hand a few times too many with hints and clues but it's difficult to find fault with a plot this good or a central character as engaging as Dave Gurney. I'm definitely going back and reading the first three books in this series. Peter Pan Must Die is a winner!

[frogprof_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another excellent mystery provided by the Early Reviewers list! Dave Gurney is a recently retired NYPD detective who [of course] gets dragged into another mystery by a former colleague -- this time he's asked to help prove that a convicted husband-murderer didn't do it. There are plenty of other suspects to go around, with varying motives, but Gurney gets to the bottom of the case despite the best efforts of several "interested parties." The climax of the book definitely put me off ever going to a county fair or riding any theme-park rides [not that that's much of a consideration for me], but it's thrilling and heart-pounding and I read the whole thing in two [very long] nights. Highly recommended, and I've already ordered the previous books in the Dave Gurney series!

[librarian1204 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Although this is the 4th book in a series featuring retired NY detective Dave Gurney, it is the first one I have read. Gurney is know for his ability to peel back the layers in a murder investigation and solve any puzzles that lead to the crime. In this, the latest book, there are plenty of twists and turns and layers for Gurney to use his magic. He is a good guy living in rural upstate NY with a wife who would rather he do anything but solve murders. A straight forward plot that gets some what intricate, several not so nice characters (Peter Pan) and action, make this an enjoyable read. Read as a LibraryThing giveaway.

[everfresh1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is very well constructed murder mystery/thriller - just as another book by John Verdon I read before ("think of a Number') . The plot is original, smart and actually makes sense. Just like in previous novel the narrative sometimes slows down when switching to main character detective Gurney' personal matters. Fortunately, it is much less pronounced and even those pieces are written much better. This nobel was really a very pleasant surprise. It reminded me somehow British crime novels - if you substitute upstate New York for British countryside.

[twink_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Verdon has just released Peter Pan Must Die, the fourth book in his Dave Gurney series. I've been a fan from Verdon's first release, Think of a Number. Dave Gurney is a retired NYPD homicide detective, who had one of the highest clear rates in the department. Now, he and his wife Madeleine have moved to the country. Madeleine has embraced the change, but Dave can't seem to let his past life go. He's been approached over the past few years to help solve the unsolvable. He can't seem to say no, despite the danger that pursuing answers brings to his doorstep. Jack Hardwick (another recurring character) has left law enforcement to hang out his shingle as a private detective. His fledgling case is that of a woman already convicted of murdering her husband. He's been hired to re investigate the case - and he wants Dave's help. Dave agrees to have a look, but doesn't commit until... "It was little more that the clicking together of the first two pieces of a five-hundred-piece puzzle, but it felt good. A click was a click. And the first click had a special power." Sometimes a crime series has characters or plot as its strength. In Verdon's case, its both. Dave Gurney is a wonderful character. His puzzle solving skills, his reasoning and his careful, analytical mind make solving case along side of him great reading. It is intriguing to follow along with his thought processes as he links together seemingly disparate incidents and clues. But this character is not one dimensional. Instead Verdon also explores Gurney's psyche and the reasons he constantly puts himself in danger. This drive for answers also exposes his loved ones to danger, especially Madeleine. I've come to appreciate Dave as a person more over the course of the last three books. But, I have to say that I really, really enjoy Madeleine. Her view of life, her intelligence, her joy in everything she she sees and does makes her my favourite. The relationship between her and Dave has been explored further with every entry in this series and is as much of interest to this reader as the cases. As Dave says: " Our minds work differently. I get into something and just sort of stay in it. Madeleine has a way of changing her focus, of paying total attention to whatever's in front of her - adapting to the moment. She's always present, if you know what I mean." Verdon does a spectacular job with his plotting. Where you think the story will go is turned around several times over the course of the book. A few plot devices seemed a bit far fetched, but didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I quite enjoy this series and will be watching for number five. You could read any of the books as a stand alone, but I bet you'll be hunting down the other three!

[rosenstern · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

David Gurney is a retired NYPD cop with sharp intellect but a collected manner. However, he, as his wife speculates, has a lust for danger and death. Gurney is pulled into another homicide case, with his rough and highly offensive colleague Jack Hardwick. Hardwick was kicked out of the force for bad police work in a previous case, and Gurney owed him a favor.The case they take on is that of Kay Spalter, who is accused of murdering her polictician husband, Carl Spalter, at his mother’s funeral. Gurney slowly unravels a complex plot, only to find that he had tangled it back up on the other side. One step forward, two steps back. All the while, a mysterious figure is present. Said figure has an ambiguous gender, is small, almost pixie- like, and has been spotted at several of the crime scenes.The writing is interesting. While the plot pulled me in, the characters annoyed the hell out of me. If the character wasn’t a cop, he or she was a clichéd version of something. Some characters were annoyingly one dimensional. Furthermore, the strained and almost tense relationship between Madeline and Gurney was not properly, in my opinion, defined. Because the narrative was from Gurney’s point of view and Madeline’s arguments fell flat, I ended up irritated at her. I had no real reason to be, but she was a rather dull character with infuriating arguments. I blamed it on Gurney. Honestly, I think a lot of people unjustly hated Madeline because of the way Verdon wrote her. All she ever did was complain about Gurney’s psychological issues and her chickens. When she wasn’t complaining, she was silently fuming. A lot of the characters were made to have several faults whereas Gurney never really had any faults nor did he develop. Not once did he curse in an offensive manner. Hardwick would be dropping f-bombs like a F-16 and Gurney would calmly explain to Hardwick what an ass he was being, without using the word “ass” or other offensive manners/behaviors. He probably didn’t even shout, really. Overall, I believe the multifaceted plot made up for the oft flat characters. I would have been happier if Gurney had a secret bad habit. For instance, he would throw his non recyclables in the recycle bins just to piss of the sanitation workers because of a run in and a deeply buried grudge. I also would have been happier if the rest of the cast didn’t fall out of a obviously cliched cop movie from the 80s. One of the criminal/informant guys was a Greek guy, who owned a Greek restaurant (called The Odyssey I think), spoke with a Greek accent (trust me, the author conveyed it quite well) and was called.. this is the pièce de résistance, Adonis Angelidis. I am a bit critical, it was a fun read. Sometimes. When I didn’t want to shove Madeline into her chicken coop.