In Boston 1985, ex-military operative turned PI Andy Roark is hired by Judge Ambrose Messer to stop a blackmailer threatening to expose a secret during a high-stakes bench trial. As Roark delves into the case, unraveling dangerous revelations, he becomes a target himself. Despite some formulaic elements, the story unfolds with surprises, gunfights, and a gripping conclusion. The vivid 1980s setting and Roark's engaging narration add to the enjoyment, reminiscent of classic PI novels from the era.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

For those after a good old-styled 1980s PI novel, Peter Colt’s The Judge certainly delivers the goods.

Set in Boston in 1985, it opens with ex-military operative turned private investigator Andy Roark, being offered a new job. Boston judge Ambrose Messer is being blackmailed, and he needs Roark’s help to stop the culprit.

Messer is judging the bench trial of a chemical company accused of knowingly dumping chemical waste in an unsafe manner, causing birth defects and cancer. The evidence against them is overwhelming, but the message from the blackmailer is clear: If you don’t want the world to know your secret, the chemical company wins. Messer doesn’t want to let a threat corrupt his judgement, but then again, he could lose everything if his secret comes out.

Roark agrees to the job and quickly plunges into action, determined to find the blackmailer before it’s too late. But the disturbing, unexpected revelations he uncovers make him a target of some very dangerous people, who soon seem determined not only to wreck the life of his client, but to destroy Roark’s too.

This is a very competently done and entertaining PI novel. The plotting is a bit formulaic, but Roark is a good narrator and there are some decent surprises, and gunfights, along the way to the exciting conclusion. The 1980s milieu is nicely evoked, and Colt’s descriptions really make you feel the cold and slippiness of a Boston winter.

An enjoyable, quick read that reminded me of the better PI novels written in the 1980s by authors like Robert Parker and Les Roberts. I also really liked the ‘drone view’ cover.

Book #5 in the Andy Roark series. Peter Colt is former military and active law enforcement and it shows in his characters and their story. When a Judge facing blackmail if he does not rule in favor of a chemical company hires Roark, the story picks up heat and speed. Some of the settings and characters do indeed remind me of Robert B Parker's Spencer but that's a good thing since I loved those books. Roark's actions stir up the bottom dregs of scum where he must choose between the lesser of evils.

Well written and gripping thriller that kept me on the edge. It surprised me and I was kept guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Quick read, active story, superficial characters, reminding me of Spenser books… I enjoyed it for entertainment and the descriptions of Boston scenes and landmarks. Plot and characters were not well-developed with some jarring disconnects. Best if read for fun and not taken too seriously.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I liked tbe premise but this just wasn't for me. I think I may be too much of a millennial but the whole over the top straightness and whatever just made my skin crawl. It all felt a but blah and like I was being mansplained to by the kind of guy who now goes on about how "you can't say anything anymore". It was fine but just not for me

My first introduction to this character, whom I enjoyed, as well as the 80’s Boston setting. The story however was a bit simplistic and there was a lot of repetition and mansplaining. A nice book but could have done with a lot more intrigue and excitement. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

What an odd novel. The author sets a scenario where a judge gets blackmailed over a homosexual affair, yet the character gets such little development that one realizes he is just a straw figure and could be bribed for anything. He is not developed a a gay character. It's just a convenience for the author Peter Cold. Colt makes sure to let us know that his PI is very straight, having him lust after females and spend a lot of time drinking. I was looking forward to a gay character who withstands the blackmailers rather than pay them off. He could have then stood proudly and be consistent with the man he was. Instead author Peter Colt seems quite uncomfortable wit such honor and integrity in a gay man.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Good PI action thriller that took a little too much time in introspection. Roark takes a judge as a client when the man in the robe finds himself being blackmailed. Ex-cons, shady lawyers, probation officers, court clerks, and others make appearances in a variety of roles in a story that entertains.

Perfectly competently written, but not for me. Bland hero, sluggish case that takes too long to develop without posing any kind of interesting problem at the outset. Way too many digressions into Boston color that illuminate nothing much (the first page's namedrops alone almost made me quit the book). Nothing really new in its perspective of the period, so it actually hamstrung the book; the investigation methods are all old and, by their nature, familiar. Really kind of read like an 80s TV episode.

If you want to read an old Spenser book and you've already read all of them, this is probably a decent fix. Aimed its sights a little too low for me, though.