The protagonist of this book is someone I would never want to associate with. And, the situations he responds to are a little too unrealistic to stomach. While the writing is good, the story and the characters are not.

The Maze: A John Corey Novel, Nelson DeMille, Scott Brick, narrator
Although it is based on a true event, a multiple murder mystery with a suspected serial killer who may or may not have worked alone. it is filled with a good deal of humor and light dialogue between characters. However, halfway through, the humor grows tiresome as it is always of the same vulgar variety, the dialogue grows more hackneyed and meaningless, and the facts of the murder remain unchanged since they are well known and based on the Gilgo Beach Murders. In short, the plot never seems to grow from page one, and by the time the reader is a little more than half way through, the only thing that has been entertaining is the same type of narrative which promotes erotic moments and trivial conversation leading nowhere.
Yes, the reader learns that law enforcement is corrupt, made mistakes and lies down with the dogs of crime, therefore stands up covered with their fleas. These facts are already well known as any who have researched the Gilgo Beach Murders will know. In the book, based on the serial killer of that time, John Corey, retired and somewhat semi-disgraced hero who has served in several branches of law enforcement in the private and public sector, continues to be a happy-go-lucky, danger-driven man who seems preoccupied by his couplings with women. The women he is involved with also seem preoccupied with him. After several marriages and one divorce with another pending, he re-engages with a former girlfriend he dumped to marry wife number two, and begins to live in her house on the North fork of Long Island where his Uncle Harry also lives on a waterfront property, and he has kindly lent him his home to use on other occasions. He uses it to chill out from his real life experiences that challenge his very existence.
His former girlfriend, Beth Primrose is in law enforcement, and she manipulates him quite well, drawn as he is to females, until he too is back in the business, working as a PI for a rather questionable organization called Security Solutions, unknowingly at first, searching for a possible serial killer responsible for the deaths of several recently discovered murder victims, all women, all in the field of prostitution or related somehow to them. Security Solutions and the local Sheriff is suspected of being involved with the drug market, sex trafficking and worse, like the murder of these, at first, unknown women whose bodies were badly decomposed. This information is learned early on, and then, for more than 200 pages, nothing further is really learned, although suspicions of wrongdoing are more and more confirmed. The concentration on sexual references and the abundance of raunchy responses simply made the book feel less serious than it should have and impossible for me to continue. It seemed to have lost its purpose. Since it is about an unsolved murder, I knew from the get-go that I would learn little, but I hoped for a more literary book from such a reputable writer. It seems he has joined the woke generation in an attempt to attract attention with too much titillating sex, violence and filthy language.
When I closed the book for the final time, fed up with the sexual banter that no longer seemed funny, I hoped that Beth and he would find happiness, that his estranged wife would re-unite with her lover, and the people at Security Solutions, that represented the murderers, would get their just desserts. Using people as they did, everyone playing someone else, without regard for human dignity or decency should not go unpunished. If everyone has a purchase price, our system is doomed. I hope that soon a book will be written about those who cannot be bought for any price, a book that offers hope for a better world, with better citizens who are not so amoral, but rather are educated and honorable. The murders were reprehensible, and I hope someday they will be solved and those involved will be brought to justice, one way or another, since the FBI is currently investigating new leads that have developed in Alabama.

Another fun Nelson DeMille. He's lost none of his charm. Back on the island doing his thing. A enjoyable read.
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Nelson DeMille perfection as always. John Corey is his typical cynical self. I love this character. He has me cracking up from start to finish. It truly makes reading a murder mystery full of suspense 100% better, and I love murder, suspense! And reading what’s going on in his head is priceless, he’s so full of himself and I love that too! It doesn’t get any better. A definite must read. Book provided by NetGalley.

DNF 42%
This is the first book I have read in this series and the first by this author. Unfortunately, this isn't for me. I don't think I am the right audience for to appreciate this main character. I am not connecting with him nor do I particularly like him or his inner thoughts. There are a lot of women in his life that I wasn't interested in learning about..

I appreciate the free copy I received from Netgalley with no obligation to review it.

Hard boiled detective noir. Many loves and passions of former police detective. Undercover plots and former mean colleagues who now are in the private eye business. One day a week all out party, men only with special ladies and lots of alcohol. Contains many elements of paranoia and distrust. Action scenes and foreigners looking for revenge. All along a romance with a former lady and references to several previous marriages. The title Maze physically comes in toward the end. Although one could describe the plot as a maze. Ok read, not overly taxing.

This book did not end up capturing me, and I did not complete it. It was not quite what the summary suggested.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner books for this advanced reader copy. I love Nelson DeMille's books and John Corey is one of my favorite fictional protagonists. Here, John is recuperating from his last outing, laying low at his uncle's summer home fully expecting Russian agents to pop out of the woodwork at any second in retaliationfor his last outing. Instead he's visited by an old girlfriend, Detective Beth Penrose, who along with another old police officer friend suggest he join a local PI firm with dodgy participants and links to serial homicides. John instantly becomes suspicious and realizes he's being used in some way. As always, John's personality and character come shining through with witty dialogue and writing, but I found it hard to understand why it took almost half the book to get to the crux of the plot. Once the author got down to business and started moving the action along, the book picked right up. Would definitely recommend as it was very entertaining.

I've been a fan of Nelson DeMille's books for decades, but The Maze was a disappointment. John Corey seemed stale and predictable, and the plot twists were unsurprising. While I have enjoyed John Corey's sarcasm and wit in past books, in The Maze his "humor" came across as misogynistic and offensive. It's a shame his character hasn't evolved more with the times.

I appreciate NetGalley giving me an ARC. This is the rare galley that I found wanting

Has Nelson DeMille been living in a cave for the last few years? I found this book to be pretty offensive and one in which misogyny played a key role.

I have so enjoyed this author's previous books like Gold Coast being a former resident of the area DeMille is rather fond of, but unfortunately in his striving to be funny and quick witted, his character, John Corey comes off as a total Sh**head, and one that made my skin crawl. Everyone has met a man like John, and if smart has run the other way.

This book did both shock and sadden me as the author thought this kind of book was appealing. Sad to say, it did not appeal to me one iota.

Thank you for NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I have read all of the John Corey stories and have enjoyed all of them, matter fact, I don’t remember ever laughing so hard at a story as I have in the John Cory series. This eighth story in the series has me a little on the fence. It doesn’t seem to be of the same caliber has the previous stories before it. I guess I would say read it for yourself and see what you think.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Interesting story line of ex detective John Corey. He’s led an interesting life and now everyone wants him to work at a PI agency. As soon as he walks through the door he sees why everyone pushed him to go. At times the character can be a little vulgar but the plot keeps you entertained.

I haven't read any other Nelson DeMillie books so I was not aware of what I was getting myself into. The main character, John was not likable and that ruined a fair amount of the story. The plot itself was good as I am fascinated by true crime and it is based on a true crime case in long island where a serial killer was murdering sex workers. Overall I may have enjoyed it more if I had read the other books in the series first so I knew what I was getting myself into. I may go back and try the first book in the series but I am not decided on that for sure yet.

John Corey is getting to be a bit much with the jokes after the me too movement. He was once charming but has lost some of that as he ages and comes across at times a dirty old man. However, he still has mad skills and the action doesn't disappoint. Not a bad read just not my favorite.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

I enjoyed this book especially being I live on Long Island where it is based. Nelson DeMille never disappoints. Glad he is back!

Nelson DeMille has written yet another gripping tale of a serial killer who is systematically murdering women in the sex trade and dumping/hiding their bodies on a Long Island beach. The story is a fictionalized version of a real events that occurred on Long Island, New York. With few clues to go on, there was seemingly little effort to find the killer of these women. John Corey just can’t sit back and enjoy his retirement. After all he didn’t truly want it and he is his work. Initially he believed the lack of evidence mixed with incompetence & lack of concern were why there was no resolution to the murders. Once he starts to investigate he starts to believe something more sinister is afoot. And so he continues to relentlessly dig what he finds is chilling. It was a good read and nice to revisit with John. Not my favorite in the series, but still great to be back with John Corey and Nelson DeMille.

The was my first Nelson DeMille book with the John Corey character. I did not care for this character at all … finding him to be obnoxious and full of himself. This totally detracted from my enjoyment of the book.

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Maze is the eighth and latest book in the Detective John Corey series. I hadn't read any of the other books, so I was happy that this one stood fine on its own without requiring any previous knowledge.

The writing and pacing kept me reading and the plot was enjoyable, though predictable.

My main issue with the book lies with its main character, John Corey. He was fun for a while but became more and more difficult to like as the book progressed. I can't say for certain since I haven't read the earlier books in the series, but I'm going to guess that the character, who would have been your average cool detective two decades ago, hasn't evolved since he was first introduced back then. This is perfectly fine if the author is targeting a specific older generation to be his primary audience, but maybe not if he's looking to gain readers under the age of 50.

Criticism aside, I didn't dislike the book, I just wouldn't be interested in reading any of the others in this series.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF: 13%

I wanted to read this mostly for the inspiration material. I'm very familiar with Long Island and I've heard of the Gilgo Beach murders. I enjoy the occasional police/FBI/CIA procedural. Sarcasm and dry humor are my bread and butter. This seemed like it would be a slam dunk - an easy but entertaining read.

I could not have been more wrong.

John Corey is a terrible character. He's a crass, xenophobic, misogynistic pig. He reads like a Boomer who hates that the world has changed and who has almost zero self-awareness. The things that annoy him - the server's "No problem." in response to a request - are classic Boomer complaints. He doesn't fit into the world of today.

This feels like copaganda - and poorly done copaganda at that. Since the story is told in first person from John's point of view, we're able to see how he misses "the good ol' days" when cops were treated like royalty and weren't held accountable for their actions. But he's such an a**hole that it doesn't engender any sympathy. It just makes him seem more out of touch and cranky.

Based on other reviews from fans of this author's work, this is a despicable departure in quality from his existing body of work. Avoid this book at all costs!

Unfortunately, I will not be finishing this book. I did not connect with John Corey or relate to his sense of humor. I found him to be obnoxious and full of himself. I read just under 20% of the book before calling it quits and I had yet to see the start of the hunt for the serial killer. If you are a John Corey fan please do not let my review keep you from reading this book. I imagine fans of John's will be thrilled he is back.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.