Assessment:
Plot: Huffstutter’s novel moves fast and furious and is meticulously plotted. Just when the reader thinks that the detectives have it figured out, Huffstutter throws a curveball into the action and ends the book with a surprise that will leave the reader wanting more.
Prose/Style: Skillfully crafted prose engages the reader, while organic dialogue allows the characters to come alive.
Originality: A surprise ending and a crime that is financially motivated will leave readers enthusiastically waiting for another installment.
Character Development/Execution: Huffstutter balances numerous characters as the novel's mysteries are revealed and pieced together. The characters are true to their roles and grow throughout the story and in tandem with one another. The rookies are idealistic and overly eager, while the experienced ones prove to be more hardened. Readers will cheer for the team of sleuths in this appealing novel.
Date Submitted: June 15, 2021
Key Man reads like binge watching a Netflix drama/mystery series. Based on my 45 years as a practicing therapist, I can say that the psychological profiles of the characters in Key Man ring true.
If you like a mix of thriller and finance, take this one to the beach with you this summer. Glad I was recommended this book by a friend.
Key Man is a page turner of a great story...engrossing, challenging and fun! I appreciated the character details and the twists and turns of the plot. Thank you Allen Huffstutter for a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2021
Top review from Canada
Lisa Bilodeau
3.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read!
Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2021
Two detectives, with wildly different styles and experience, enlist the help of a victim’s family member and a financial whiz to review suspected serial murders. While the connection of these murders fly under the radar of different police districts, this team manages to tie them together and find the killer at the center of it all. But will justice be served? Weaving stories about characters backgrounds throughout the story, many suspects emerge during the investigation. An intriguing mystery with well-developed characters. And the ending provides a good, and satisfying, surprise.
Top review from United Kingdom
Maggie Garside
5.0 out of 5 stars Who's next?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 June 2021
LA detectives Sam and Ski are struggling to find clues as to how and why Henry Watson is murdered on New Year’s Eve. Watson’s granddaughter, Kate, urges them on and the three of them follow up a series of related murders. The fear grows: who’s next? Huffstutter writes this story with the confidence gained from a career in finance and the launching of start-ups and deals. It’s an exciting story which kept me turning the pages late into the night. If you like a ‘Who Dun It?”, then the ending of this one will come as one big surprise!
Blueink Review
Key Man
Allen K. Huffstutter
Cross Creek Books, 382 pages, (paperback) $14.95, 9781736900413 (Reviewed: March, 2022)
Allen K. Huffstutter's winning new police procedural follows two Los Angeles police detectives on the trail of an unusual serial killer.
When CEO Henry Watson is murdered by car bomb, grizzled LAPD long-timer Sam Siemen and his new partner, introverted rookie Ski Johnson, wind up with the case. The two cops are at a dead end until Katherine Newberry comes to see them. Like Watson, Katherine's grandfather, Jonathan, was also a wealthy man killed by a car bomb. Katherine is sure the two deaths are connected, and she insists on involving herself in Sam and Ski's investigation.
As the three discuss their investigation at a bar, they meet Donny Rausch, a stockbroker who, having eavesdropped on their conversation, accidentally gives them the key to the mystery. But there are plenty of twists to go - involving a former call girl, a homeless schizophrenic, and a sleazy time-share salesman, among others - before the killer is brought to justice.
The motive behind the killings is ingenious, and Huffstutter clearly brings his prior experience working in finance to the table. For instance, Donny offers a clear (and well-written) explanation of how and why to short a stock.
Sam and Ski are well-drawn and engaging, each archetypes, yet with quirky personality traits that make them layered and interesting. Huffstutter's smooth, often witty prose ("The rich aren't immune from killing off a spouse now and then, so prior investigations had exposed Sam to some pretty snazzy houses") is a delight.
The plot could be tightened by eliminating point-of-view chapters for some of the minor characters. But this is easily overlooked in light of the overall high quality of the book.
Key Man is an accomplished page-turner that should have particular appeal for fans of Christopher Reich and Michael Sears.
Dave really liked it
Nice. I thought this a good story with a good [growing] set of characters. Kept me entertained and turning pages to see what was next on everyone's agendas. Awesome ending that keeps the door open for a next installment? Love the cover. Just a few editing issues. Well done. .
Linda Mcguiret really liked it
This is a great crime/mystery that was hard for me to put down. Great characters and good plot. Ending leaves it open for a possible continuation of this story.
Kathy Stibal really liked it
I enjoyed reading this book. The pace was fast and plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting. The ending was a surprise but the perfect way to end it!
Lisa Bilodeau liked it
Two detectives, with wildly different styles and experience, enlist the help of a victim’s family member and a financial whiz to review suspected serial murders. While the connection of these murders fly under the radar of different police districts, this team manages to tie them together and find the killer at the center of it all. But will justice be served? Weaving stories about characters backgrounds throughout the story, many suspects emerge during the investigation. An intriguing mystery with well-developed characters. And the ending provides a good, and satisfying, surprise. (
Good read from a new author
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
A good read. Got me hooked on reading mysteries again. I always like it when I learn something new and I did learn some new things reading Key May. I also like it when there are lines or quotes or statements that I like so well that I want to highlight them and remember them.
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed Key Man! and I'm ready for a sequel!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
I’m a big fan of murder/crime mysteries. I especially enjoy books by some of my favorite authors like Vince Flynn, David Baldacci and Nelson Demille ... and now Allen Huffstutter.
I found the financial motivation for the Key Man murders to be a real surprise and a unique twist to a murder mystery. The urgency of the plot kept me turning pages.
I couldn’t put Key Man down and I'm now ready for a sequel!
