I am reading everything I can find by this author now. The book was well paced and I enjoyed the protagonist very much. Will be looking forward to more in this series.

IN IT FOR THE MONEY: A Blu Carraway Mystery by David Burnsworth: A fast paced cozy mystery with nonstop action from beginning to end. These quirky Lowcountry characters are delightful. Eagerly awaiting the next volume of this four-star- read.

I was introduced to this writer when I read the prequel, <a href="http://wp.me/p370vC-4bq">BLU HEAT</a>, where the reader meets Blu Carraway P.I. I also read <a href="http://wp.me/p370vC-4du">BIG CITY HEAT</a>, a Brack Pelton, P.I., series.

Blu Carraway is running out of money to pay his bills so the timing couldn't have been better when a very wealthy socialite drives up wanting to hire him to find her son. She has been estranged from him but monitors his activity by his withdrawals of his trust fund but there has been no activity in 2 weeks.

How hard can this case be trying to locate a young man with purple hair and many piercings? Blu realizes a lot harder when bodies start to pile up, he is being set up and a hit is now out on him!

David Burnsworth, as in the previous books I have read by him, constructs a story that grabs the reader from the first page and doesn't let go until the final word! The energy and turmoil in the story is perceptible. I found myself having to read "just one more chapter" because I wanted to know how this was going to end. And the ending didn't disappoint.

Another tense read by Mr. Burnsworth! Can't wait for what's next!!!

In It For The Money, is the first book in the Blu Carraway Mystery Series by author David Burnsworth.

Set in the sultry lowcountry setting of Charleston, SC, the reader follows ex-Desert Storm Army Ranger turned Private Investigator Blu Carraway as he embarks on a Southern noir/mystery investigative adventure.

Three years have passed since Blu Carraway's last paying investigative case, and the bills are piling up including the outstanding taxes on Carraway Island, his private 9-acre family-owned island paradise. With no phone or means to get his investigative agency any business, Cynthia Rhodes, a wealthy Charleston socialite tracks Blu down at his island home and requests his services to find her missing son, Jeremy. Cynthia and Jeremy have an estranged relationship, and when Cynthia notices that Jeremy hasn't made any recent withdrawals from his trust account for the past two weeks, she becomes worried. Blu takes the case thinking it will be a quick high money paying job, but he quickly realizes that Cynthia hasn't told him everything, especially when the investigation suddenly turns into something more than just a missing twenty-something son, there are missing drugs and money, contract hits, and dead bodies added into the mix! Blu's investigation gets ramped up when his MIA best friend/business partner Mick Crome comes riding in on his Harley, so they team up with a motley crew of friends and engage in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a son who apparently doesn't want to be found.

Author David Burnsworth weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale that follows Blu and Mick's investigative journey as it takes them all over Charleston in search of Jeremy Rhodes. The reader is easily drawn into this well-written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting, it is filled with enough action and unsuspecting twists and turns that takes the reader on one hell of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

As a fan of Southern fiction, I loved the richly descriptive Charleston setting and the surrounding lowcountry SC areas, especially Blu's private Carraway Island that features a free-roaming herd of Carolina Marsh Tackey horses that include the lovable Dink and Doofus.

With an intriguing cast of characters; witty dialogue and dramatic interactions; a complicated romantic relationship; and a richly descriptive setting that makes a person want to visit the picturesque city of Charleston, its historic landmarks, and the surrounding lowcountry areas; In It For The Money is an intriguing tale that will entice fans of classic Southern noir mysteries to follow along on Blu's investigative adventures!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Here's the thing that makes this title so difficult to review. It has tremendous strengths--strong concept, engaging protagonist, fearless prose. I like his animal sidekicks, Dink and Doofus. Crome is one of the finest sidekick characters I've seen in a mystery.

On the other hand, there are some serious issues with pacing, which is clearly uneven, and also some of the worst grammar disasters I have ever come across in prose written by an adult. "Had brang" comes to mind, but they are legion. I wanted to ignore this aspect, given that it's a galley, but I've seen hundreds of them, and yet nothing that isn't self-published has grammar this awful. The result is a deeply frustrating read.

What I suspect is that this could be a terrific series given the services of a high profile editor.

This is the first David Burnsworth book I have read. The book description sounded interesting on Netgalley which caused me to request it. I consider this more of an action/adventure than a mystery.
Blu Carroway is an ex Desert Storm Army ranger who is under employed. He needs some clients in order for him to pay his mounting bills. Luckily a woman needs her missing son found. Blu is a stereotypical ranger that does not play well with others and may be considered a loose cannon to those outside of the ranger field.
I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to further installments of this series.

No review did not complete the book. Not as interested in it as I thought.

Terrifically interesting, wryly funny, involved with characters well drawn and different than most pi novels. Even the horses have their own personalities. Who did it? What was done? Just who ARE the good/bad guys? The action goes to the end

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Blu Carraway has bills to pay, including his phone bill and the taxes on his island paradise. His last investigation paid well but that was 3 years ago. The ex-Desert Storm Ranger, now Private Investigator really needs a new client. Unable to reach him by phone a well to do woman and her driver show up at his home to ask him to find her son. They are estranged but he hasn’t made any recent withdrawals from his trust fund and she is worried. Blu thinks this will be a quick, high paying job but was he wrong. Drugs, money, and dead bodies litter the path of his investigation. Soon he just hopes to stay alive long enough to close the case and spend a little bit of the money he is earning.

Blu Carraway is a lot like Brack Pelton, the lead character in the author’s other series. In fact Brack pops up occasionally in this series. They are both war vets that have experienced things that have extremely changed their lives. Their training also gives them the necessary tools to be great PI’s. Blu does have his weaknesses and tries to be mindful and keep himself in check. His friend Mike Crome, also a vet, rides in on his motorcycle just in time to help with the case. They hadn’t seen each other since he rode off 3 years ago.

Blu has cultivated plenty of sources over the years including a contact at the DMV and a detective that helps to keep him out of jail when things go sideways. Blu also reaches out to an old girlfriend but getting that relationship back on track is going to take some work.

Mr. Burnsworth writes vivid characters, they truly come alive within these pages. They are all flawed in their own ways but like Blu and are ready to help him. I loved that there are some four legged characters too. Some very special horses, Dink and Doofus, who act more like watchdogs instead of grazing horses.

The story has a lightning pace, there is always something happening. Blu is quite a man, he can take a man or three down with just a couple of moves and remove all their guns at the same time. Whether the be bullets flying or people to question, Blu and Crome make a great team. I was holding my breath a few times as I was afraid Blu was as invincible as he thought. I was unable to put the book down and read it all on a Sunday afternoon.

I knew from the start David Burnsworth was an author to watch and he has exceeded my expectations with every book he writes. These are thrillers with plenty of violence and gritty places and situations but it is an excellent read that has no foul language. I appreciate that.

I am looking to visiting these characters again in future stories. The author has laid the groundwork for what I hope will be a long running series.

Blu is leery of taking Cynthia Rhodes' case and looking for her son Jeremy, but bottom line - he needs the money. He reminds himself of this as he tries to approach this in a straightforward, find the son, manner and hits lots of curves. His friend/some times partner, Crome, comes on board as well as two young women with the local press and things just keep getting complicated.

Blu doesn't live fancy and the descriptions of the animals that favor his piece of land add to the feel of his existence. A far cry from Cynthia Rhodes, and even from his would be lady friend Billie. Crome pays even less attention to rules, but then nothing is as it seems. The quirky characters and twists, not to mention Blu's life philosophies, keep the story moving and add a unique quality to the mystery.

For sure, if you like southern style, down to earth mysteries with quirky characters, you will enjoy IN IT FOR THE MONEY. This is identified as Book 1 in the Blu Carraway Mystery series; however, Blu is introduced in BLU HEAT (published in March 2017) with a spin off of Burnsworth's Brack Pelton Mystery series - possibly a prequel to IN IT FOR THE MONEY, but I haven't read that one - yet.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

i am a fan of Southern based noir writing and this author has his finger on the pulse of Southern Culture. This is the first book in a very promising series. The location is Blue's Island and the location descriptions are very pleasing and include the story of the wild horses of the island.
In this first in series we meet our main character Blue who is a struggling Private Detective with terrible money problems. He welcomes a case to take on but soon finds himself in hot water without much help along the way. He is a bit of a fumbling goofy detective and the author has written him with humor throughout.
This is a enjoyable read for any fan of detective fiction.

Blu is a unique character that I was enjoying getting to know through this book. It was compelling and a new style of book to add to my mystery collection. It was suspense and mystery with a sleuth that is in it for more than the money.

Former Army Ranger turned Lowcountry PI Blu Carraway is almost broke and needs a new client to pay his bills and property taxes on his island home. Luckily, a rich client Cynthia Rhodes shows up and gives Blu a huge retainer to find her missing son Jeremy. But it's not so easy to find Jeremy and soon Blu finds himself dealing with contract hits, nosy and sexy newspaper reporters and plenty of bullets and punches. With the help of his errant business partner Mick Crome, Blu eventually finds a trail leading to a beat-up minivan, dead strippers, and a missing briefcase filled with money and cocaine that the owner wants back at all costs.

This book is filled with lots of action and an intriguing lead protagonist. The Lowcountry setting is also well portrayed.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Henery Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Reminiscent of Impact Action on Demand, In It for the Money is an action-packed mystery.

Blu is, South Carolina PI, was hired to find the missing son of a wealthy woman. Fueled primarily by the size of the retainer, Carraway and motorcycle-riding partner find there is more to the story than missing bank account activity.

All characters are well-developed.

Burnsworth created an action-filled plot, with several subplots leading to the final resolution. Every piece of information the story provides is relevant to the ending.

I really enjoyed this story. The multiple layers weredeep, rich, complex and very satisfying. I highly recommend anyone to grab this,

A cozy mystery, the first book in a new series about Blu Carraway, a private investigator, and his friends. I like his friends, Door is and Dink. The reading flew smoothly and the persona is developed in great depth. The background is the low country. If you like gun battles, fights, and violence, you will like this book. There is plenty. I felt the author was trying to show the male person and missed it. Blu, an ex-Desert Storm Ranger is broke and takes a job of locating a missing son for the boy's Mother. His Ranger partner, Mike Crome arrives on a motorcycle. Together they managed to have a few gun battles and fights with the unknown "bad guys". There are several turns in the storyline to keep you guessing.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Henery Press through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I liked this novel. I liked the setting, introducing me to the low country of the south. The scene descriptions were good. The plot was a bit complex, with layers of bad guys that needed to be confronted in the search for a missing person.

The aspect of the novel I liked best was the characters. Blu is a likable private eye. He'd been a Desert Storm Ranger so knows how to handle himself in a difficult situation. But he is also the kind of guy who knows his weaknesses and drinks sweet iced tea when in a bar. His investigating sidekick, Crome, is an interesting character too. He's a bit more rough than Blu but his connections with questionable people helped move the investigation along. The other characters in the story gave me a sense of the darker side of life in the area.

This novel is a good mystery with many quirky characters, from southern rich to drug dealers. There is a high body count but I don't remember much foul language. There is casual sex but not at all descriptive.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This was an interesting story that centers around Blu, a private detective suffering from under-employment.  When a missing person case comes his way, he jumps at the chance to pay his bills. However, he case turns out to be more complicated than expected, and he is soon joined in his efforts by his mostly absentee partner, Crome.  Although both men are macho ex-military types, Blu has a more sensitive side to him and is definitively more likeable than Crome. The story was well written, however, it did take time for me to get into it.  Once the pace picked up, I enjoyed reading about Blu's efforts to find the kid and connect the dots between the various plot points.
As someone who hasn't visited the low country, I also enjoyed the touch of southern charm and the description of Blu's island and his semi-tame wild horses.  Sounds like a place worth visiting some day.

David Burnsworth launches a new PI series with In it for the Money. Set in South Carolina, Burnsworth brings the Lowcountry to life, but it is Blu Carraway that will have reader's begging for more adventures. A series needs a central character readers can relate to and root for, and Blu has that in spades.

A simple missing person job is anything but simple when Blu Carraway is hired by a wealthy socialite, Cynthia Rhodes, to find her missing son Jeremy.

Violence and multiple murders made this a fast paced investigation in the diverse locale of Charleston SC as Blu and his partner Mick Crome reconnect.

There is a prequel to this first in the series novel and I would recommend reading it first.

If you enjoy a hard-boiled, tough guy hero, you should enjoy this series. Though not my cup of tea it was well written.