Fishermen's Court - Overview

A hilarious murder mystery is as rare as dead fish that don’t stink. Fishermen’s Court by Andrew Wolfendon is a keeper. The main character, Finnian Carroll, sits at “a rural roadhouse with poor self-esteem and a truly frightening jukebox lineup, scarfing down a Cowboy burger and watching a cornball old movie starring George Segal and a fresh-out-of-acting-school Denzel Washington. Segal discovers he has a black son he didn’t know about, hilarity ensues.” This scene occurs after Finn has experienced a home invasion, been kidnapped and forced to involuntarily attempt suicide. Why do the deranged, masked, psycho assailants want him dead?

Stalked, assaulted, kidnapped again, Finn experiences fear. “Few fears are more deeply embedded in human DNA than that of being followed in the dark by an unseen enemy.” However, Finn’s attitude and brains keep him alive. He says, “I feel more alive than I have in years. Being almost murdered has done wonders for my state of mind. Can’t say I recommend it for everyone, but still…” Gallows humor livens the fast-paced plot as the reader tries to figure out who is messing with Finn’s head, who wants him dead.

A flashback, the “Carroll Family Holiday Tragicomedy Special,” gives clues to the mystery. There is also a clue of a $100 bottle of scotch. The plot thickens when Finn travels to a remote island off the coast of Maine. The author’s knowledge of fishing villages and island culture is apparent in his realistic description of the location and of the personalities of fishermen and resident artists.

There is a love interest, too. Jeannie, Finn’s ex-girlfriend, is living on the island. She’s the most beautiful women he’s ever known, and their break up was devastating to both. He’s heard that she had a child by his replacement dude. Does he want to see her? “on a selfish, testosterone-driven level” he does. But is it a good idea? Reader beware. The plot gets stranger and stranger. What is Jeannie’s part in the stalking? Would she believe his “bad-guys are after me, story” or think he is flat out bonkers.

Tension and intrigue build as Finn reestablishes his relationship with old buddy Miles. Does Miles also think he’s crazy? What about the secret he’s kept from Miles for 18 years? The chaos Finn gets himself into and escapes from is like a comic James Bond 007 plot. To get to the bottom of this madness, Finn says to stir the pot. See what bubbles up. The reader will be hooked on this novel like a sea bass.