Bury the Lead

A Joe Gunther Mystery

By: Archer Mayor

Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Joe Gunther and the VBI team are investigating a murder and an arson case - both potentially related to an outbreak of Ebola.

When the body of a young woman is found near a trail at a popular ski mountain, the case falls to Joe Gunther and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI). They quickly have a suspect, Mick Durocher, and a confession, but not everyone on the team is convinced. Despite Mick’s ready admission, investigators quickly sense there might be more going on than is immediately apparent.

At the same time, a large local business is being targeted with escalating acts of vandalism - a warehouse fire, a vandalized truck, a massive cooling system destroyed - resulting in loss of life. And either by coincidence or not, Mick Durocher, the self-confessed murderer, was once employed by this very company.

These two puzzling cases - now possibly connected - are further complicated by the sidelining of a key member of VBI, Willy Kunkle, who undergoes surgery at a hospital that appears to be having an unlikely - and suspiciously timed - outbreak of Ebola.

Joe and his team pursue these cases, uncovering motives that might link them, while proving that trust betrayed can be a toxic virus, turning love into murderous loathing. Indeed, behind the mayhem and murder, Joe must uncover a tragic history before another victim dies.

©2018 Archer Mayor (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Two characters

Many thanks to Archer and Tom for their really great performances! Looking forward to more adventures!

Ever Expanding Cast…

I like how the cast is constantly evolving yet stays the same. Willie is still my favorite.

Very Good, enjoyed listening. Good, good, good!!!!

Loved the book, great story, loved the narrator!! Enjoyed listening. Good, good, good, good, good, good!!!

Tom

I love Tom and of course the series!!!You always make me want more. Thank you for your writings.

Silly word pronunciation choices

Bury the “Lead” — for the narrator’s pronunciation, should have been spelled “Lede”. This title’s spelling means it should have been pronounced Lead, as in a bullet. And annoying (because I live in Vermont) that no research was done on how to pronounce “Bromley” mountain. They said Brome-ly, it’s Bromm-ly. Dumb

Lots of Potential, ends with a thud

The first 2/3 of this Joe Gunther mystery was engaging, well written and promised an exciting denoument....As it all wrapped up, I found myself questioning whether or not a character would really behave in a particular way, and feeling like Mayor moved things to a believable crisis point and then didn't know how to make it work...I am a fan of Archer Mayor and enjoyed more of the personal relationship stories of both himself and Willie Kunkel, but almost wondered if they had to fill in for a story line not entirely worked out.

Ridiculous Ending

Normally, I would say it’s great that a male writer spends so much energy on his female characters. But having read all of the novels up to this point, I’m seeing a tendency on Arcger’s part to idolize rather than esteem women. Gail was smarter than Joe. And now, of course, Beverly is smarter than Joe and the wisest possible mother and respected by everyone. But the ending of this novel topped them all. The absolutely ridiculous, irresponsible, unprofessional, and illegal actions of Rachel in her attempt to get the story, and save mankind, were ridiculous. First of all, I can say, as an ex reporter, that no reporter is just let loose on the community without any kind of guidance or training. Nor is one likely to become a sensation and a hero after just two or three assignments. Come on Archer. I agree that women are wonderful, but you’re making them so superior as to be ridiculous. I’m left trying to figure out whether you like women or are killing them with kindness.
I still like Willy the best. Like most real human beings, he’s flawed. It was a good story, and I liked how convoluted it was your attention to detail and tendency to teach us something new every time, it’s thoroughly enjoyable, Just knock down a few of those pedestals please.

Couldn’t stop

I love Archer!!!! Couldn’t stop listening and got really frustrated when someone called me. But finished the book tonight and really for next one.
Lots of twists and turns that kept my interest not to mention the Vermont setting with a lot of familiar sites

Nothing ever is as it seems

I love how the characters develop through the series and the narration is spot on

Another good Joe Gunther read

Liked the story, really liked the continued character development because especially Willie's continued journey and Beverly's daughter.