Boston private eye, Daniel Cormac Gallagher, Jr., is hired to investigate the death of Jennifer Clark, tragically killed in a car bombing in her own driveway. Jennifer's secret lesbian lover has also mysteriously disappeared. As Gallagher begins to unravel the complex plot involving government agents and a treasonous scheme, he finds himself under deadly attack from two powerful forces--one he knows and another he never expects.
Deadly Codes: A Gallagher Novel has been awarded Editor's Choice and Reader's Choice (2009) by iUniverse and has also been adapted to a screenplay.
Excerpt
From Chapter One:
Sometimes a simple decision can change everything.
Professional Reviews
Norm Goldman of Book Pleasures: O'Donnell has a gift for well-paced story telling.
Author: JP O'Donnell
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc
ISBN: 978-0-595-51411-3
When I began reading JP O'Donnell's second novel, Deadly Codes: A Gallagher Novel I was wondering if this thriller would be a repeat performance to his debut novel Fatal Gamble: A Novel. After reading a few chapters, it didn't take me long to realize that, here is an author, who has natural talent and is certainly not a one time phenomenon.
Our principal protagonist Gallagher, who made his first appearance in Fatal Gamble as O'Donnell favorite sleuth, is about to retire. His recently married wife Kate has convinced him that if they want to stay married, he would have to change careers. Kate is fed up with the near death escapes that she and he recently endured is now looking forward to a more normal and peaceful life with her special guy. However, Gallagher is a glutton for punishment and when Jeanne Campbell approaches him to investigate a car bombing that killed her twin sister, he couldn't refuse.
The initial reports concerning Jeanne's twin sister Jennifer's death was that the killing was directed at her husband Bill, who works for the National Security Agency (NSA) as a top cryptographic analyst.
On the fatal morning of the bombing Jennifer decided to drive her husband's car to the corner food store when the bombing occurred on the couple's driveway.
Jeanne had all kinds of theories concerning the killing of her sister Jennifer, particularly that she had been informed by her sister that she was having an affair with a woman, Marcie Williams.
After Jennifer's death, Marcie just vanished into thin air leaving no trace of her whereabouts. What was even more disturbing was that Jennifer had revealed to Jeanne that one day while she was coming out of the shower in her home, where their love encounters generally took place, she spotted Marcie roaming around the house and in her husband's study, standing behind his desk. Marcie's excuse was that she was just interested in how the house was decorated. Thrown into the puzzle was Jeanne's belief her sister's husband Bill was having an affair and that he and Jennifer only stayed together because of their children.
Gallagher is asked to find Marcie Williams, who may possess all the clues as to why Jennifer was killed. Although reluctant to immediately accept the assignment, Gallagher could still feel the undeniable forces drawing him back into the fray. As he struggles to decide if he should take on the case, he reminds himself that his wife was right, he just can't resist. The tracking down of a mysterious lesbian lover of a woman married to someone who holds a very important position with NSA and who was killed in a car bombing was far too tantalizing for him to pass up. Who is this woman and was she connected in any way with the car bombing? Was this a terrorist act? What about the dead woman's husband? Was he connected in some kind of illegal activities pertaining to his top secret position in counter intelligence with the National Security Agency and was the bomb meant for him?
To complicate matters and to add more zest to our thriller, one of O'Donnell's shifty characters from his debut novel Fatal Gamble reappears in Deadly Codes. Lan Tauber is someone you wouldn't want to mess with as he is a very devious and conscienceless underworld figure. Moreover, he hates to be outfoxed. In Fatal Gamble, Tauber had ordered a hit on Gallagher and Kate, however, miraculously and to the dismay of Tauber, the couple survived.. Tauber was not about to let sleeping dogs lie and with a vengeance this evil character decides that Gallagher and Kate must be eliminated.
The real magic here is that mystery is piled so tantalizing on mystery that we can't put the book down. Once again, O'Donnell manages to suck his readers into this wild thrilling and imaginative intrigue inserting some supporting characters that are brought to life with quick, spare phrases. His principal protagonist Gallagher is a memorable creation, all the more attractive to having some flaws. He is someone so resilient who endures more than we can imagine and somehow hangs on even though he realizes that he often enters into treacherous territories. Does O'Donnell once again have another sequel up his sleeve? Moreover, O'Donnell has a gift for well-paced story-telling and a perfect sense of timing that effectively delivers all the hair pin twists and turns that you would expect from a suspense thriller.
Feathered Quill: Another great read in the Gallagher detective series
Feathered Quill Book Reviews (Goshen, MA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) This review is from: Deadly Codes (Paperback)
Having recently read JP O'Donnell's debut novel, Fatal Gamble (highly recommended), I was eager to get started on his newest book, Deadly Codes. Both books center on murder cases and Daniel Gallagher, a private investigator who gets hired to solve them.
In Deadly Codes, Gallagher has married his beloved Kate and promised his new wife that he'll find a safer occupation. He and his faithful assistant Diane are in the process of closing down his business to fulfill his pledge when Jeanne Campbell enters the picture. Jeanne's twin sister Jennifer has been killed by a car bomb. Because Jennifer's husband works for the NSA in counterintelligence, the authorities are convinced the bomb was meant for him. But Jeanne isn't so sure. When she supplies information the police don't have, Gallagher agrees to take on one last case.
Gallagher is quickly on the case, tracking down Jennifer's mysterious lesbian lover, a contact supplied by Jeanne. The intrepid private investigator is dogged in his pursuit, and is able to uncover leads that both the police and government investigators have missed. While the formal investigation stalls, Gallagher, who comes to several dead ends himself, continues his search. Relentless in the hunt, Gallagher is rewarded with bits and pieces of the puzzle and refuses to give up. Will he jeopardize his relationship with Kate for the need to solve just one more case?
Like his first book, O'Donnell has skillfully created a fun, quick reading detective story. His easy-going writing style and short chapters keeps the story flowing at a brisk pace. The reader is brought into a realistic world of espionage to stand alongside Gallagher, picking through each scene, looking for clues. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, O'Donnell would throw in a curve. I too, along with Gallagher wondered why "...a part-time Methodist from Massachusetts would suddenly start going to a Catholic church in Virginia." Does it have to do with selling US secrets to a foreign country or has the not-so-faithful husband found God?
O'Donnell has crafted a likeable person in Gallagher in contrast to so many fictional private investigators who are one-dimensional characters with little or no redeemable qualities. The reader cares about him, wants him to solve his case, but also hopes he hurries home to Kate.
There is also a subplot in Deadly Codes that ties into the previous book. Is it necessary to read Fatal Gamble first? No, and the author does a good job of explaining what is happening, but you might still wish to start with Fatal Gamble as it's a good story and provides background on Gallagher that helps bring him to life.
Quill says: Don't miss Deadly Codes - it's a great detective story that will have you looking for more Gallagher exploits.
My Reading Room: Another wonderful exciting foray into Gallagher's world
5.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Codes, February 17, 2010
By N. D. O'Connor (West Palm Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Deadly Codes (Paperback)
Still love Gallagher in another great story line. Please write a third mystery for him. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | Permalink
Comment Comment
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT AIRPLANE BEACH READ, February 9, 2010
By Saul Gurowitz (valley stream, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Deadly Codes (Paperback)
I really enjoyed Deadly Codes. It was fast paced with many unexpected twists. The characters are interesting and believable which is unusual for a thriller type of book.
Plan to spend an entire afternoon or evening reading this book straight through. Can't wait to read furthur adventures of Gallagher. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | Permalink
Comment Comment
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tom T from Steeler country, January 30, 2010
By F. Tackage (Steeler country) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Deadly Codes (Paperback)
Dr. O has scored another hit with our man Gallagher. Once again our friend Gallagher weaves his way through a life web filled with love, joy, pain, disappointment, and life threatening experiences but you know he is going to come out on the back end somehow. Dr. O has provided his readers with a new friend that you keeping pulling for.
Awaiting number 3. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | Permalink
Comment Comment
5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful exciting foray into Gallagher's world, January 16, 2010
By Crystal Fulcher (Beaufort, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Deadly Codes (Paperback)
Deadly Codes takes up a little while after Fatal Gamble ends with Gallagher married now to his love Kate and giving up his beloved PI business to keep Kate happy. However Gallagher is not sure he will be happy without the PI business, especially when a woman walks in with what looks like to be a simple missing person case, which he can never turn down. He's intrigued and just can't help himself and after some dilemma takes the case.
However with J.P. O'Donnell books, the simple ends up never being simple and Gallagher is on the case that keeps him intrigued and guessing as he starts making headway into something that puts him way over his head. Add in the NSA, the CIA and a widowed husband and you get the case of a lifetime.
The second novel in the Gallagher series is outstanding. It's not necessary to read the first (though you miss a great book if you don't) as enough background is given in this one that it can be read as a standalone. J.P. O'Donnell delivers again with non-stop intrigue and action. Gallagher is a great character, flawed but in a good way - he really wants to do the best for everyone involved. Some more background is given into his character in this book and it just endeared him to me further. Gallagher is one of the good guys, going the extra mile to help those who need closure on the case.
The plot, characters and dialogue in this book are just amazing. I started this Thursday morning and had it finished by that night. I was so engrossed in it that I was able to tune out my husband on the phone right next to me in our truck (which is very difficult to do). I felt very drawn into the story and I was still thinking about the story and the characters this morning. I truly hope there is more to come in the Gallagher series because I miss Gallagher when I finish a book and just want to read more about him.
