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Joe Gunther #3
Scent of Evil
When the body of a fast-living young stockbroker is found in a shallow grave, suspicion first falls on a cuckolded policeman. Lt. Joe Gunther investigates the increasingly bizarre details of the crime, but finds that he’s too far behind events to prevent a second murder. Indeed, whoever is responsible always seems to be a few steps ahead, as if there’s a leak on the force. Sweltering August heat does nothing to calm the increasingly agitated town selectmen, who demand results. Fast-paced and intricately-plotted, with the unflinching attention to forensic detail that his readers have come to expect, Scent of Evil is the third of Archer Mayor’s critically-acclaimed Joe Gunther mysteries.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Archer Mayor
48 books692 followersOver the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 30, 2021
the pleasure grows as you get to know the characters more and more. Love the sense of humour and lack of over the top descriptions of violence and sex scenes - the reader is presumed to have imagination.
June 28, 2018
Again a good mystery from Mayor. He has created a believable police officer in a small Vermont town. I am so glad I found this author. It is a good read without too much gratuitous violence. I just hope that more of this series is available as audiobooks.
April 8, 2018
I've read the 1st in the series & was thoroughly entertained & Mayor provides another solid police procedural in the small Vermont town of Brattleboro...Joe Gunther & the characters of this Vermont hamlet provide as much page-turning excitement as the big city boys...a young stockbroker is found in a shallow grave & Gunther & his department must solve the growing mystery amongst charges of departmental incompetence & maybe corruption...I like this series!
December 15, 2020
Not nearly as riveting as the first two in this series. In fact, bordered on tedious.
April 3, 2024
This series continues to deliver. What a twisted tale of a devious mind. This story had many red herrings and the final ‘who’ came as a shock. It’s amazing how some people can hang onto a grudge and plan a hell of a convoluted retribution.
June 2, 2013
I enjoyed this book until the last bit which proved to be the resolution of the crimes. We'd spent so much of the book "looking elsewhere" following plausible motives for the deaths of the main victim and subsequent victims that the person who proved to be the killer almost seemed forced. When the build up is so lengthy and the resolution so short - it leaves me wondering if Mr. Mayor suddenly realized "oh, I need to have a killer" and then penned one in. It wasn't a bad choice per se but it seemed a bit less satisfying than some of the other motives presented. The whole resolution and final drama seemed almost out of character for the person Mr. Mayor designated as the killer and since we'd met him earlier in the book and there was nothing that spoke of his potential as the killer - it seemed to have come from out of nowhere.
Again - the overall book was a good read - I like the way Mr. Mayor is developing Joe and his colleagues - I will read more in the series because I'm curious to see what he does next.
Again - the overall book was a good read - I like the way Mr. Mayor is developing Joe and his colleagues - I will read more in the series because I'm curious to see what he does next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2020
Loved this book! The plot is very well thought out, characters come alive and the writing puts you right in the middle of the action. Moving on to the next in the series.
July 11, 2013
The third Joe Gunther novel, this begins with the discovery of a young, upcoming stockbroker murdered in a coldly brutal fashion. Gunther looks into the man’s lifestyle – drugs and a lot of sex – and before you know it, three other people are dead, including a disgraced police officer.
This is exciting cops and robbers drama, like its two predecessors – but minus points to Mayor for falling back twice in three books on the preternaturally clever supervillain, capable of manipulating the police and the most elaborate frame-ups. Still, Mayor delivers gritty realism in another way: the characters are fully drawn, with background and motives; the geography and climate of Vermont is palpable (where in the previous books the cold was almost like an extra character, here it’s an unseasonably hot summer); and Mayor delivers lessons on every plot point, from EMT techniques to how poisons work to the ins and outs and validity of various kinds of warrants. It’s a police procedural leavened with romance and harrowing chase scenes.
This is exciting cops and robbers drama, like its two predecessors – but minus points to Mayor for falling back twice in three books on the preternaturally clever supervillain, capable of manipulating the police and the most elaborate frame-ups. Still, Mayor delivers gritty realism in another way: the characters are fully drawn, with background and motives; the geography and climate of Vermont is palpable (where in the previous books the cold was almost like an extra character, here it’s an unseasonably hot summer); and Mayor delivers lessons on every plot point, from EMT techniques to how poisons work to the ins and outs and validity of various kinds of warrants. It’s a police procedural leavened with romance and harrowing chase scenes.
August 14, 2012
1992, #3 Lt. Joe Gunther, Brattleboro VT Police Department; police procedural.
A dead body in an all-too-easily found grave, a policeman with secrets, money laundering and drug deals gone bad: a nasty situation seems to be escalating for Joe Gunther and his Vermont cops, as they discover more bodies, and bugs and snitches and reporters also show up.
Another interesting visit with Joe, as he shows us the darker reaches of his old town, and its less than illustrious folks, while trying to unravel an extremely complicated case of revenge. Very good setting, excellent plotting and twists, (although I did twig to the actual killer a couple of steps ahead of Joe) and not much romance, makes this a tidy and satisfying procedural, as we see the effects of a nasty heatwave and stress work their way through the department.
A dead body in an all-too-easily found grave, a policeman with secrets, money laundering and drug deals gone bad: a nasty situation seems to be escalating for Joe Gunther and his Vermont cops, as they discover more bodies, and bugs and snitches and reporters also show up.
Another interesting visit with Joe, as he shows us the darker reaches of his old town, and its less than illustrious folks, while trying to unravel an extremely complicated case of revenge. Very good setting, excellent plotting and twists, (although I did twig to the actual killer a couple of steps ahead of Joe) and not much romance, makes this a tidy and satisfying procedural, as we see the effects of a nasty heatwave and stress work their way through the department.
March 28, 2014
You know that you are in for a 'good read,' when you have a Joe Gunther book before you. This one is no exception. Whose body is found partially buried? How does it relate to the policeman whose wife loves two men? Milly isn't a woman but the nickname of Millard, who has gotten himself involved deeply in drug dealing. There isn't a lot going on between Joe and Gail--perhaps it is meant that way--to be a teaser. Brattleboro, Vermont is the setting--enjoy!
July 21, 2015
#3 in the Joe Gunther series. Joe Gunther is a Brattleboro, VT detective Lt.
Joe Gunther leads the investigation into the murder of a local stockbroker and his burial in a construction project. All the clues seem to implicate a local cop and a drug connection. As Joe investigates, amid tirades from the vice-chair of the City Selectmen, the bad guys always seem a step ahead and Joe suspects a leak in the department.
Joe Gunther leads the investigation into the murder of a local stockbroker and his burial in a construction project. All the clues seem to implicate a local cop and a drug connection. As Joe investigates, amid tirades from the vice-chair of the City Selectmen, the bad guys always seem a step ahead and Joe suspects a leak in the department.
November 8, 2015
I continue to enjoy the characters in Mayor's books and his plots are pretty interesting. This one gets a little messy with a lot of suspects cropping up as the story moves along. While I did have some suspicion early on as to who the culprit might turn out to be, I didn't figure out how that would happen until Mayor let us know. To his credit it wasn't one of those totally out-of-the-blue suspects either.
Looking forward to book number 4!
Looking forward to book number 4!
November 28, 2016
Excellent police procedural/thriller. The heat's on in both senses, and there is a killer on the loose. Catching him seems beyond the capability of the small police department, but Gunther and his cohorts persist and bit by bit they unravel the mystery. The thriller label applies only the the very last part of the story, but Mayor puts one on the edge of one's seat. Another great entry in a great series.
September 27, 2011
I like the Joe Gunther detective series because they take place in Brattleboro VT. Gunther is an interesting, believable character and the plot is complicated enough that you have a hard time figuring out who did it. On to the next one...
January 25, 2013
I really like the book. This is the 3rd of his that I have read. I find them well written, interesting and complex. They are of course, dated in the 1990's, so all of the detective work is done without the technology super highway we are used to now. I highly recommend his work.
May 17, 2015
This 3rd book in the Joe Gunther series is even better than the first two, and I wouldn't have thought that possible. The author comes up with some very unusual plot ideas, and I'm enjoying this series very much. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2022
Kept me guessing all the way thru. Ending is a real knockout!! What an exciting read. Narration, as usual, is clear and added to the characters dimensions. Reviewed audiobook version 2022 A.D.
Like this series- well narrated and recommended. Reviewed text version ... 2/10/17
Like this series- well narrated and recommended. Reviewed text version ... 2/10/17
May 13, 2014
Non-stop mayhem in Brattleboro, Vermont. Even on a second reading, this mystery holds up as a solid page-turner. Archer Mayor at his best.
October 21, 2019
I am really enjoying this series with Joe Gunther. No disappointment as of yet
February 25, 2021
3.5; Definitely the best in the series so far!
June 6, 2022
Audio one for finishing + one star for Tom Taylorson's narration. The story wasn't bad but was written with reality (boring) versus the the exciting embellished fiction.
April 10, 2022
THIS NOVEL IS ONE OF THE JOE GUNTHER BEST. Excellent “dark and vengeful psychology” with several out-sized egos for suspects.
Joe starts the investigation with a hand sticking up out of the earth on a city construction site; it’s made more horrible by having to quietly start the investigation of a likeable, yet enigmatic young officer that looks like the logical candidate. And there is no avoiding the press looking for hot headlines. You can’t keep a secret in a small town like Brattleboro, Vermont, especially when the victim has salacious secrets of his own. Joe soon finds himself with more murders and their biggest load of drugs to investigate -- triple the trouble when he suspects the town’s most influential prosperous citizens’ involvement, possessing the most money and biggest egos. At first he shares his suspicions with no one but his superior, Brandt, who is back in charge after a suspension when Gunther was the acting sheriff. They have very different styles. People’s secrets and connections will too soon explode into the lime-light. New information keeps coming to just complicates the entire investigation with the avid, intrusive interest of the press nd others.
The “doer” was someone I wondered about only because his personality/manner caught my attention, along with his proximity, but I never seriously considered him a suspect for the complicated big picture with so many other “better” suspects. No one notices him or suspects him of anything.
A riveting, nerve-wracking ending to this psychological suspenseful novel.
JOE GUNTHER is one of my favorites for realism and down-to-earth rare common sense -- AND brains to spare with a "normal" ego. I finally read some of his bio to understand what makes his stories so believable. There’s an event in this novel that made me wonder how anyone could write such a first-person narrative in detail about an emergency operation that had a riveting impact without grossing me out; I couldn’t watch something like that, but I couldn’t not read it. I gained an increased respect for EMTs and talented surgeons, AND Mayor’s talent for compelling writing. There is a chase scene worthy of Hollywood’s best. No special effects needed for either of these scenes. Also, I absolutely admire and appreciate his analogies. But mostly his intricate, analytical plotting with psychological suspense.
online bio: “Archer Mayor is currently a death investigator for Vermont’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Over the past thirty years, he has also been a detective for the Windham County Sheriff’s Office, a volunteer firefighter/EMT, the publisher of his own backlist, and a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers …. Mayor’s novels are based on actual experience in the field. The result adds a depth, detail and veracity to his characters and their tribulations that has led The New York Times to call him “the boss man on procedures”.
Joe starts the investigation with a hand sticking up out of the earth on a city construction site; it’s made more horrible by having to quietly start the investigation of a likeable, yet enigmatic young officer that looks like the logical candidate. And there is no avoiding the press looking for hot headlines. You can’t keep a secret in a small town like Brattleboro, Vermont, especially when the victim has salacious secrets of his own. Joe soon finds himself with more murders and their biggest load of drugs to investigate -- triple the trouble when he suspects the town’s most influential prosperous citizens’ involvement, possessing the most money and biggest egos. At first he shares his suspicions with no one but his superior, Brandt, who is back in charge after a suspension when Gunther was the acting sheriff. They have very different styles. People’s secrets and connections will too soon explode into the lime-light. New information keeps coming to just complicates the entire investigation with the avid, intrusive interest of the press nd others.
The “doer” was someone I wondered about only because his personality/manner caught my attention, along with his proximity, but I never seriously considered him a suspect for the complicated big picture with so many other “better” suspects. No one notices him or suspects him of anything.
A riveting, nerve-wracking ending to this psychological suspenseful novel.
JOE GUNTHER is one of my favorites for realism and down-to-earth rare common sense -- AND brains to spare with a "normal" ego. I finally read some of his bio to understand what makes his stories so believable. There’s an event in this novel that made me wonder how anyone could write such a first-person narrative in detail about an emergency operation that had a riveting impact without grossing me out; I couldn’t watch something like that, but I couldn’t not read it. I gained an increased respect for EMTs and talented surgeons, AND Mayor’s talent for compelling writing. There is a chase scene worthy of Hollywood’s best. No special effects needed for either of these scenes. Also, I absolutely admire and appreciate his analogies. But mostly his intricate, analytical plotting with psychological suspense.
online bio: “Archer Mayor is currently a death investigator for Vermont’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Over the past thirty years, he has also been a detective for the Windham County Sheriff’s Office, a volunteer firefighter/EMT, the publisher of his own backlist, and a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers …. Mayor’s novels are based on actual experience in the field. The result adds a depth, detail and veracity to his characters and their tribulations that has led The New York Times to call him “the boss man on procedures”.
February 13, 2022
This was sorted tale, with so many players I thought I had it figured out a few times, but was quickly proven wrong. Detective Joe Gunther is a great detective, but what I like is he is far from perfect and even make mistakes. He owns them and learns. He has a great mind and is a good man. I am enjoying see his relationships evolve. Great story once again. I am so happy the this is a 30 plus book series. I have a fun ride ahead of me! Narrator is fantastic.
December 12, 2020
This series is Vermont small town police protocol. Joe Gunther is a lieutenant of detectives in the small town of Brattleboro where homicides rarely happen (in rural Vermont), except in this series where they happen all the time.
I like the series because the writing is easy to read and follow and the author spends a lot of time on his characters. The books aren't edge of the seat exciting and sometimes can get long winded but I'm on book #3 now and I think the writing is getting better.
Spoilers: In this book a man is found dead buried in concrete and a young policeman (John Woll) may be to blame. As Gunther investigates, more and more clues point to Woll but are the clues too pat and too contrived? When another man is found dead, more people in town appear to be involved and all the suspicious characters seem to vanish in the wind when the police try to interview them. Patient footwork eventually leads them towards the murderer.
A pretty solid character driven book. Not at Michael Connelly levels but improving. I'm on the 4th book now.
I like the series because the writing is easy to read and follow and the author spends a lot of time on his characters. The books aren't edge of the seat exciting and sometimes can get long winded but I'm on book #3 now and I think the writing is getting better.
Spoilers: In this book a man is found dead buried in concrete and a young policeman (John Woll) may be to blame. As Gunther investigates, more and more clues point to Woll but are the clues too pat and too contrived? When another man is found dead, more people in town appear to be involved and all the suspicious characters seem to vanish in the wind when the police try to interview them. Patient footwork eventually leads them towards the murderer.
A pretty solid character driven book. Not at Michael Connelly levels but improving. I'm on the 4th book now.
February 11, 2021
SPOILER ALERT
Mayor writes such a fascinating story, convoluted and detailed, leaving one suspect after another in the wake of dead bodies. Lt Joe Gunther is pulled into another conflict with the nasty and obstructive selectmen group as a body is found and member of the police of Brattleboro, John Woll, is seen near the burial site. After a short period it is clear that the man is being set up. He is the perfect patsy, having had a problem with alcohol for many years, and he and his wife were friends and lovers of the victim Charlie Jardine in high school. But the multitude of evidence is too perfect. And Charlie is an enigma. He is an owner of ABC Investment of only one year and yet is very successful. His home is a glory to sexual obsession with mirrors on all the surfaces of his bedroom and bathroom.
Another corpse Milly Crawford is found immediately following Joe finding out about his fingerprint on some drugs found at the victim's home. The killer was probably still at the apartment when he sends in Dummy Fredericks to set up a buy. Various criminals are sought, and chased. Eventually they determine that there has to be a bug in the department. Finding that and setting up a sting to catch the person yields a man with a deep need for revenge. It leads to Lumen Jackson of the Selectman who is being blackmailed about his early indiscretion at the high school, the rivalry of other students, and others. The janitor, Buddy Schultz, is on a campaign to kill all those who thwarted his moving ahead in life, and Joe is the last. He injects him with curare to make his last minutes agony. But Ron Klesczewski comes to his rescue.
Well done.
Mayor writes such a fascinating story, convoluted and detailed, leaving one suspect after another in the wake of dead bodies. Lt Joe Gunther is pulled into another conflict with the nasty and obstructive selectmen group as a body is found and member of the police of Brattleboro, John Woll, is seen near the burial site. After a short period it is clear that the man is being set up. He is the perfect patsy, having had a problem with alcohol for many years, and he and his wife were friends and lovers of the victim Charlie Jardine in high school. But the multitude of evidence is too perfect. And Charlie is an enigma. He is an owner of ABC Investment of only one year and yet is very successful. His home is a glory to sexual obsession with mirrors on all the surfaces of his bedroom and bathroom.
Another corpse Milly Crawford is found immediately following Joe finding out about his fingerprint on some drugs found at the victim's home. The killer was probably still at the apartment when he sends in Dummy Fredericks to set up a buy. Various criminals are sought, and chased. Eventually they determine that there has to be a bug in the department. Finding that and setting up a sting to catch the person yields a man with a deep need for revenge. It leads to Lumen Jackson of the Selectman who is being blackmailed about his early indiscretion at the high school, the rivalry of other students, and others. The janitor, Buddy Schultz, is on a campaign to kill all those who thwarted his moving ahead in life, and Joe is the last. He injects him with curare to make his last minutes agony. But Ron Klesczewski comes to his rescue.
Well done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2015
Another solid mystery by local author/sometimes coworker of mine Archer Mayor. I love the fact these books are set in Brattleboro and i spend time letting my mind wander to the exact locations and imagine the scenes from the book. I think book #25 in this series comes out this year, so i've got 22 more to go before i am caught up!
February 3, 2020
All clues to the murder of a young stockbroker point to the patrol officer for the area, since the two had been high school classmates and rivals. Fast forward a few years, and the murders and clues pile up, making one wonder if there is a leak in the force or if the force protects a murderer. Very good read.
September 4, 2011
Enjoyed the Vermont setting and the wide variety of possible suspects. I'll read more of this series.
August 14, 2012
All Archer Mayor's Joe Gunther series mystery books are page turners. As soon as I finished one I began another.
March 27, 2015
I enjoy Archer Mayor's books because they are good solid mysteries, and they take place in Brattleboro. The sense of place familiarity is always fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews