Wolfe Trap

A Clay Wolfe/Port Essex Mystery, Book 1

By: Matt Cost

Narrated by: Jason Arnold

Clay Wolfe is a former Boston homicide detective who has left the police department to return home to Maine to care for his elderly grandfather and open a private detective agency. Haunted by being orphaned at an early age, and jaded by the corruption of the big city, Clay is happy to hit pause and investigate minor crimes. When he is hired to find out who sold the drugs that killed a six-month-old baby girl, he has no idea of the evil that he is going to uncover in the underbelly of his hometown.

Wolfe Trap is a thrilling ride set in a small Maine town with rich characters and shocking plot twists that will keep the listener rapt until the final chapter.

©2021 Matt Cost (P)2022 Matt Cost

Enjoyable Action, Suspense-filled mystery

A grandmother is seeking the arrest of the drug killer that brought about the death of her six-month-old granddaughter to a heroin/fentanyl overdose. Clay Wolfe is an ex-Boston Cop gone on to become a tenacious Private Investigator both with his cases and his love interests. Wolfe becomes embroiled in several cases that become extremely dangerous. Will he solve the cases or become a statistic?

The author, Matt Cost mixes humor, action, and suspense in this noir-styled mystery. His character development is strong. His plot line moves forward smoothly, and plot twists are unexpected. Cost is skillful at directing the listener’s anger, admiration, etc. to his characters. One should be upset at the mother for rubbing the mixture of drugs on the baby’s gums, but I found myself not as angry at her as I should have been but rather very angry at the drug dealer/network. There was more than one bad guy at the center of this novel, there were many. Given the number of bad guys, Cost kept the story moving forward smoothly and with clarity. Cost was detailed in building the story and kept the suspense strong.

The narrator, Jason Arnold delivered a clear and strong performance. He spoke clearly and promoted a strong connection to the characters. His tone and narration style reminded me of the noir style mystery. I enjoyed his performance and felt it enhanced the story.

This is a well-written noir-like-style mystery with suspense, action, and humor. This is an interesting and enjoyable listen that will have you listening to the end.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

A Grand Story!

Matt Cost tells a thrilling mysterious story in Wolfe Trap. I did read the print version of the story, and enjoyed it, but I also really enjoyed this audiobook. This narration really brought this story to life. The listener is introduced to Clay Wolfe, a former Boston Detective, who has moved to Maine to take care of his grandfather, and to get a break from all the homicides in Boston. He decides to open his own PI agency, and thinks that it will be a lot of minor crimes, compared to the intense ones he witnessed in Boston. His past has made him edgy and raw, but that is part of his charm, and his intensity, he hopes to lower it. Then, he gets his first case, and it brings him into a spiral of evil and plot twists that make his new home, a reflection of his old home. His new home isn't quite as it seems, and he learns that pretty fast. Whatever stories this author tells, I want to listen. This author brings the story to life. The characters are so real, it's like being with them within the story. This author is a great storyteller. The reader just embarks on a superb journey. You never know what is around the corner, or how far evil is really driven in this town. The big bad Wolfe is waiting. Wolfe Trap on audiobook is a definite listening recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to listening to many more titles by this author. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who listens to this book, to also write a review.