In this first book, the reader meets Mark Hunter a detective on the New York city police force. The story is a tongue-in-cheek, as it focuses on a dim-witted, inept, farcical president-elect with an office in Manhattan. Here’s another chapter...
Winston Cooper is a man of unfulfilled dreams. His plans to forge a career in the realm of fine art were curtailed by a war injury he suffered in Afghanistan. A lengthy recuperation restored the use of his legs, but PTSD continued to dominate his life. Nothing had eased his persistent anxiety, his tormenting self-doubt.
His years of military service as an M.P. opened the door to a career in law enforcement. He became a detective with the New York City police force. His past continued to plague him. Would he be reliable, unflinching, dependable in critical situations? Could his brothers in blue rely on him? His self-doubt eventually prompted him to resign his position with the police force.
At this stage, Winston despaired of finding a career that entailed real responsibility, that imposed serious consequences for error: in short, a grown up job. A personal inventory proposed a plan. He would start his own business. His education had prepared him for a career in the arts and his life experience had groomed him as an investigator. He would create his own niche: a private investigator specializing in the recovery of stolen art.
He would provide his expertise to the police, to insurance companies, and to private collectors. He was finally in his comfort zone.
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A Mark Hunter Mystery
First, Family
In First, Family, Winston Cooper’s inaugural case, two murders occur that have him bumping heads with Felix Wolff, an incompetent narcissist who is currently the President-elect of the United States. The deaths of the two men Cooper is investigating had both dated Wolff’s daughter, Marguerite, which makes the President-elect and his family persons of interest. Wolff, vain and arrogant, has no time for the detective’s questions. Marguerite, a son, Archer, and the old man, himself, have closed ranks to stymie Cooper at every opportunity.
Winston, teamed with fellow officer, Austen Beauchamp, persists with their investigation, probing Wolff’s family operations and, so, they learn deep family secrets that eventually solves their case.
A Mark Hunter Mystery
First, Family
In First, Family, Winston Cooper’s inaugural case, two murders occur that have him bumping heads with Felix Wolff, an incompetent narcissist who is currently the President-elect of the United States. The deaths of the two men Cooper is investigating had both dated Wolff’s daughter, Marguerite, which makes the President-elect and his family persons of interest. Wolff, vain and arrogant, has no time for the detective’s questions. Marguerite, a son, Archer, and the old man, himself, have closed ranks to stymie Cooper at every opportunity.
Winston, teamed with fellow officer, Austen Beauchamp, persists with their investigation, probing Wolff’s family operations and, so, they learn deep family secrets that eventually solves their case.
A Mark Hunter Mystery
Fate Prevails
A Gothic Mystery
In Fate Prevails, Winston Cooper finds himself in Charleston, South Carolina, assisting an investigation into the theft of a rare and valuable painting—a previously unknown work by the sixteenth century Dutch artist, Hieronymus Bosh. He is partnered with local cop, Adam Newman. The investigation gets complicated as their suspects start showing up dead.
Most of the action occurs in Dyke Huis, a mansion in Charleston’s historic district which has a reputation of being haunted. The two detectives have experiences in the house that defy explanation and set their nerves on edge. Eventually, the painting is recovered and the killer is identified. The climax visits calamity on the detective and the killer.
About the Author
P. Schaeffer
I’m Mark Hunter, a private investigator and the protagonist of my debut novel Framed. I started writing late in life after working as a geneticist at the Universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota for many years. My wife, Beth, and I have been married for over fifty years. We have two daughters and eight grandchildren—the oldest is 26 years old, and the youngest is around nine years old.
In a 110-year-old home in south Minneapolis, I compete for my time writing and other interests such as gardening—flowers and veggies (cippolini onions, haricots verts;) I also enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen (foie gras torchon, anyone?) Whatever free time I have is spent reading or listening to music, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, and Dvorak are timeless.
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What People Say
I’ve recently read Jack Baker’s “Paper City” and I can say I’m a big fan of this writer now! It was well-written and easy to read. At the same time there are romantic and sentimental moments which reveals the main character.
Steven Larocette
I follow up on Jack Baker’s bibliography since 2005. I’ve read all his books, business ones and fiction as well. I find him a talented author who gives a lot of useful tips and generously sharing with his readers.
Mary Chambers
I like to read while I’m travelling. Last year I took The Immoralist by Jack Baker and was surprised with his vision, language and points of view. This year I’m going to read Clerk & Writer!
Steven Larocette