Genre: Mystery
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
A recent graduate of the NYPD’s cadet academy, Jimmy McSwain dreams of anything except being a cop. He has a complicated history with the police, and it isn’t from a rap sheet. Years ago, his police officer father was gunned down during an off-duty incident, leaving Jimmy bitter that his killer was never found.
Now, trained in the art of law, Jimmy decides to embark on a new career: that of private detective. But he just can’t get his own license; he needs experience. What happens will lead Jimmy into a part of New York he doesn’t know, realizing he’s the stranger in a neighborhood that lives by its own rules.
His mother, Maggie McSwain, is skeptical about his job but there’s nothing she can do to stop her headstrong son from entering this shadowy new world. As a warm spring settles over the city, a twist of fate has Jimmy taking on his first case, one that is a time bomb ready to explode.
What he can’t leave behind is the memory of his father, and the silver shield which he earned only out of respect. Can he live with his decision?
The Review
It was a day to celebrate, as James McSwain watched over his son Jimmy McSwain.
Jimmy was born into an Irish clan, to Maggie and Joseph McSwain, who also have two daughters. Mallory is working her way up in law, and Meaghan is now a disinterested teenager. Jimmy followed in his father’s footsteps and went to the Police Academy, and was top ten in his class. He excelled at it, earning the gold cords and blue citations, not just with the necessary requirements, but with achievement in physical strength.
Though it’s a day of celebration with his Ma, Maggie, her brother and uncle Paddy in attendance, he requested they not celebrate. Somewhere in the sea of people was Ralphie. Ralphie Henderson was his father’s best friend and his NYPD partner. Jimmy chose Mario’s an Italian restaurant for the gathering of his Irish family, and even Grandma Hester came.
Over four-hundred cadets had graduated that day. Some would be assigned to their neighborhood or the five Burroughs. Once home, Jimmy removed his uniform and silver badge and placed it back in the case, never to be worn again. He told his mother “today was for Dad” and “tomorrow is for me.”
At twenty-three, Jimmy is ready to party in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen at the Ninth Ave Food Festival, one of the neighborhood’s biggest block parties. He and Jack Sauter have been friends since high school and became friends with benefits. They never actually dated, nor were they committed to each other. They hid their sexuality, but not behind closed doors. Jimmy’s Ma knew he was gay from a very early age, but it was never discussed with his father.
After a long night of partying, drinking and sex Jimmy is ready to face a new day and hopefully his future. He has a plan – he’s ready to help people like himself – souls who were lost and helpless. And maybe find redemption.
He heads to Woodlawn and Little Ireland. At the pub Neamh, with barkeep Mads looking on, Jimmy makes contact with Finley Sullivan, a licensed PI from Boston. Jimmy needs the experience in order to become a licensed PI himself. Sullivan agrees to give him an appointment for the next morning, but Jimmy will have to do his homework and study up on restraining orders.
Jimmy’s life is about to change. He is confident but, he also has his fears. Will he be able to prove himself as a PI? Can he find the justice he needs to heal his heart?
Just when I thought Jimmy McSwain would never be heard from again, Carpenter springs a surprise on us with the first novella from “Jimmy McSwain’s Early Files,” Silver Shield. Once again, the author tugs at our heart-strings, as he shows us Jimmy from the eyes of Joseph McSwain, his deceased father. Jimmy has grown up around strong-willed women -his mother, Maggie McSwain, and sisters Mallory and Meaghan. Jimmy is hard headed, but his respect for his mother and siblings is clear, as is the love that keeps this Irish family together.
One of my favorite characters is Ralphie Henderson. Now sixty-five and retired from the force, he and Jimmy have a special connection. He never hesitates to give Jimmy much needed advice, especially when Maggie calls for help.
I highly recommend Silver Shield, a great new start to the “Jimmy McSwain Early Files”. It’s a very emotional story, with moments of intense suspense, sadness and steam.
The “Jimmy McSwain Files” started with the first book, Hidden Identity, in 2014, and I was hooked. The original series ended 2023 with book eight, False Justice. I am very excited to see what Carpenter has in store for us with the rest of the “Jimmy McSwain’s Early Files”. Outstanding comeback.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
