Westport (Nora Carleton #2) by James Comey
Publisher: Penzler Publishers | Mysterious Press
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Published: May 21, 2024

Westport is the second book in the Nora Carleton series by James Comey. I think I enjoyed this one more than the first book, Central Park West, which is saying a lot, because I really enjoyed that one too! Westport can be read as a standalone mystery or enjoyed as part of the series.

This story was fascinating!!! This fast read was one that I did not want to stop reading! I had to know what was going to happen next! I was hooked right from the start!

The characters are interesting, and the story was so good. I loved trying to solve this mystery and seeing it all come together in the end. WoW!!!

I highly recommend reading this book and can’t wait to see what comes next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

WESTPORT by James Comey again features Nora Carleton, the U.S. Attorney prosecutor from his debut novel Central Park West. Nora has left government service in Manhattan and taken a new, well-paying job at a hedge fund in Westport, Connecticut. The new lifestyle is working well for Nora and her family (daughter Sophie and Mom, Teresa) until Nora's boss, the Chief Operating Officer of the hedge fund, Helen Carmichael, is found murdered. Suddenly Nora seems to be the prime suspect and her friends, Benny Dugan, a mafia investigator with the U.S. attorney’s office, and Carmen Garcia, a lawyer and Nora's former boss, are anxious to help her. Comey has provided another twisty mystery with involved family dynamics regarding relinquishing control and at the hedge fund and concerns about improper trading. The values of this hedge fund - where truth is a paramount virtue and almost all conversations are recorded – appear in sharp contrast to the discovery of a series of "private" files stored by Helen and suitable for blackmail. Nora, Benny, Carmen, and local law enforcement combine forces to solve a mystery which Comey keeps evolving. And critics keep praising: Publishers Weekly describes WESTPORT as a "crowd-pleasing blend of financial thriller and Agatha Christie-esque whodunit" while Booklist notes "this one is intricately constructed with plenty of surprises."

James Comey always delivers a read filled with intrigue and delight (if you love espionage, murder, backstabbing, and a whole lot of lying). This is the second novel in the series, but would work okay as a standalone if you happen to pick this up first. For those looking for a twisty story with a great balance of plot and character development, this will be it!

Another great book from James Comey. Having so much experience in what he writes about really shows in his novels. This was a great thriller and I cannot wait until he writes the next one. Anyone who loves a book with intrigue, plot twists and great character development will love this book. Well done James!

This book grabbed me from the beginning. Finance, espionage, and murder, what more could a person ask for?

The second book in the series has Nora Carleton working at Saugatuck Associates in Westport, Connecticut, where honesty is paramount within the company. The only problem is that everyone is lying, backstabbing, and stealing. It is the reader's job to figure out the worst of the worst.

Of course, one of the players is found dead, and it looks like Nora is being set up. In comes Benny -- the best part of this series. His humor and perspective make this an enjoyable read.

When it comes to the killer, you must remember what Agatha Christie taught us -- to look hardest at the most unlikely suspect. That is who will be on your radar from the beginning, but getting to the end is a lot of who-else-could-it-be fun.

Comey weaves a lot into his books and I enjoy the ride every time.

The second book starts with Nora becoming the lead suspect in her coworker Helen's death. As the police investigate her, Nora calls in her old colleagues who discover that Helen had files on the people at the company. As all three try and show that Nora was not the murderer, they end up uncovering a plot within the company and find themselves the focus of the perpetrator. Overall, a relatively straightforward mystery from Comey, with a lot of explanations and questioning of suspects and not as much action.

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Westport by James Comey is a murder/mystery which takes place on the Long Island Sound. Mr. Comey is a lawyer, former Director of the FBI, and a published author.

Nora Carleton, former NYC lawyer, took a job at a Connecticut financial firm, Saugatuck, to give her daughter a better life. When a close colleague, Helen, gets murdered Nora realizes someone is trying to frame her for the murder.

To help her out, Nora calls her former colleagues from the US Attorney Office. Mafia investigator Benny Dugan, and lawyer Carmen Garcia. The three set out on a mission to clear Helen’s name and find the real killer.

Until the moment of writing this post, I had no idea that Westport by James Comey is the second in a series. That’s a good thing, for me at least, because I enjoyed reading the book without feeling like I missed anything.

This book was a well written mystery that kept me reading, even though I had an inkling who the murder was about half-way thru. The characters were interesting and engaging, and I enjoyed the court room banter which reminded of John Grisham’s earlier books.

One of the things I like about these types of novels, is that I always learn something new. Mr. Comey explains forensic techniques, legal consequences, trading shenanigans, as well as police procedural when it comes to murder. He does an excellent job explaining those aspects, I didn’t feel lost or over my head.

The characters of Nora, Benny, and Carmen are memorable and very well written. Each one is an individual with their own personality and nuance. The other characters come up but are used very well. I never got confused or distracted.

There are several twists, and red herrings incorporated in the book. I thought that about half of them worked, but often it seemed like Mr. Comey is trying to throw you off the trail, which only works if… it doesn’t feel like he’s trying to throw you off the trail.

The narrative is compelling, and I certainly enjoyed the explanation of the financial crimes aspect of the book. Throw in some corruption, conspiracies, and a very strange hedge fund manager and you got yourself a winner.

This book is the sequel to Central Park West but it works fine as a standalone.

*****

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Nora Carleton worked hard to prosecute criminals. Two years ago Nora left the U.S. Attorney's Office to become the general counsel for a huge hedge fund called Saugatuck Associates, located in Westport, Connecticut. The high-paying job allowed Nora to buy a large house in Westport, where she lives with her 8-year-old daughter Sophie and her mother Teresa. Sophie's father Nick lives nearby with his wife Vicki, and the situation is convenient all around.

Prosecuting criminals is a far cry from being a hedge fund attorney, but Nora was hired for that very reason. Nora's boss, CEO Helen Carmichael, uncovered chicanery at Saugatuck, and she needs a talented prosecutor to find out who's 'front running' the company: selling or buying just before Saugatuck does to take advantage of the way Saugatuck's trades will move the price. Finding out who's front running and how - corrupt broker, systems breach, or bad Saugatuck employee - is a difficult task, but Nora knows how to chase down criminals.

Nora settles in at Saugatuck, where a culture of 'total honesty' is demanded by the company's 70-year-old founder, David Jepson. Jepson insists that Saugatuck employees be truthful at all times - no lying or gossiping or backstabbing allowed. In practical terms, the lower echelon employees abide by these rules, but the Management Committee (MC) - the senior leaders of the company - not so much.

Nora is making progress with the 'front running' investigation when her boss, Helen Carmichael, is brutally murdered. Helen's body is found in an overturned red canoe belonging to Nora, and when Detective Demi Kofatos comes to Saugatuck to interview Nora, the cop spots blood on Nora's car. Nora soon becomes the prime suspect for Helen's murder, and one cop in particular, Captain Tom Dunham, is CLEARLY out for Nora's blood.

Nora knows someone is framing her for Helen's murder, and she calls her long time friend Benny Dugan, a legendary Mafia investigator at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan. Benny hustles to Westport with Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Garcia, and they quickly set out to prove Nora's innocence. Meanwhile, Nora discovers that the victim Helen had secret files on all the members of the MC, with damaging information on each person. So Benny gets together with Saugatuck's chief security officer, Laslo Reiner, and together they interview the senior people at Saugatuck, to try to identify Helen's killer.

The MC seems loaded with churlish men, like Chip and Jeffey Jepson, the founder's sons, who think they can get away with anything; Louis Lambert, who believes he should have Nora's job and angles to get it; Arty Falcone - who has a reputation for groping women; and more.

There's some drama before the killer is unmasked, and this is the most exciting part of the book

I enjoyed James Comey's previous suspense novel, Central Park West, but this one was a little disappointing. The 'honesty' culture at Saugatuck Associates struck me as phony; I don't love modern suspense plots composed largely of questioning one suspect after another (though I'll admit it worked okay for Agatha Christie); and I thought the story lacked excitement.

I still consider Comey a talented mystery writer, and I'd read more of his books

Thanks to Netgalley, James Comey, and Mysterious Press for a copy of the book.

Nora Carleton has left the US Attorney’s Office and is now working at a hedge fund in Westport, Connecticut. When Helen, her friend and colleague, is found murdered all of the clues point to Nora. The hedge fund puts an emphasis on honesty, but not surprisingly its employees are hiding some pretty scummy secrets. And it turns out that Helen had some secrets of her own.

As with the first book in this series, the author proves to be really good at legal fiction, and is adept at dialogue. Because of the new setting, there is less emphasis on the inner workings of the FBI and US Attorney’s Office, and I missed that insider knowledge. However, I did enjoy the plot and its twists. Even though I figured out the bad guy early on, their reveal still had surprises. I also liked the characters including Nora, her mother and some colleagues from her former career. I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series (or really anything else the author wants to write). 4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Westport is the second in the legal thriller series by former FBI director Jim Comey. If you haven't read the first one, it's OK. I had read it, and appreciated the return of some fun characters. Be prepared for the author to slip in lots of inside facts about how the FBI, NYPD and lots of other law enforcement agencies work. I like Nora and her makeshift family, and think this was a good way to move her to another world outside the USAO, but also get her back to being a prosecutor in a later book.

This is my second novel by James Comey. I really enjoyed this pageturner. I even purchased copies for my husband as well as a friend. Comey has a gift for painting multidimensional characters. Westport is an intriguing story that is fast-paced, with a few twists thrown in for good measure. Adding to my pleasurable listening experience, the narrator is one of my all-time favorites. I highly recommend listening to the book as opposed to reading it. The character of Benny and his late-in-life romance added color and humor to the story. I can't wait for James Comey's next novel!

* I listened to the audio version.

A red canoe sits abandoned on Seymour Rock, right where the Saugatuck River hits the Long Island Sound. The elegantly dressed corpse of a woman lies inside. It’s been two years since Nora Carleton left the job she loved at the US Attorney’s Office to become lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. The career change also meant a change of scenery, relocating her to Westport, Connecticut, fifty miles north of New York City. But it was worth it to get her daughter, Sophie, away from the city. Plus, she likes the people she works with. Especially Helen, who recruited Nora because of her skills as an investigator. Then Nora's new life falls apart when a coworker is murdered and she becomes the lead suspect. Nora calls in her old colleagues from the US Attorney’s Office, Mafia investigator Benny Dugan and attorney Carmen Garcia. To clear Nora’s name, Benny and Carmen hunt for the true killer's motive, but it seems nearly everyone at Saugatuck has secrets worth killing for. As Benny sets out to interrogate her colleagues, Nora examines her history with the company to determine who set her up to take the fall. This is a follow up to his first book and it’s even better! Coney missed his calling but I am glad to see he finally found it in writing these mysteries! Looking forward to the next.

In the book Westport, author James Comey writes about Nora Carleton who left her job that she loved at the US Attorney’s Office to become lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates. Relocating to Westport, Connecticut, fifty miles north of New York City brought a change of scenery and also got her daughter, Sophie, away from the city. All was good and they were settling in to their new lives. But then things begin to go bad when a coworker is murdered and Nora becomes the lead suspect. Who is setting here up? And can she find the real killer before its too late? This was an ok story. I expected more since this is Comey’s second book. But like his first book, the ending was predictable and the characters who were suppose to have all this experience made simple mistakes. I’m not sure I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

James Comey has penned another intriguing mystery featuring Nora Carleton. In his first novel, Central Park West, Nora was working in the US Attorney's office in NYC. Now she's lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates in Westport, Connecticut, the world's largest hedge fund. She was recruited two years earlier by her friend Helen Carmichael, Chief Operating Officer for Saugatuck, who suspects someone in the company is using insider information to make early trades, known as 'front running.' When Helen is found dead, it becomes obvious someone tried hard to set Nora up as the guilty party with circumstantial evidence. Nora calls on her friends to help her prove her innocence and, perhaps while they are at it, unearth the real culprit in this world of high finance.

Comey does a credible job of creating a well-rounded cast of characters and of course his stories benefit from his vast knowledge of legal and courtroom matters. Nice twist to the plot brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. Where will Nora work next? Can't wait to see!

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Nora is lead counsel for a hedge fund company, Saugatuck Associates. When her friend and colleague is found murdered and all the evidence points towards Nora, she calls in some old friends from the US Attorney’s office, Benny and Carmen. These two leave no stone unturned in trying to clear Nora’s name.

I enjoyed this author’s last novel, Central Park West. So, when this book became available for review, I jumped on it. And it did not disappoint!

Nora is a cool customer. She knows she is in trouble but she keeps her wits about her. But her friend Benny is my absolute favorite! He is someone I want in my corner all the time!

This author is so smart when it comes to the law and police procedure (I mean…look at his background!). So, I am always taken a bit by surprise by some of the law aspects during his novels. I always learn something new.

Need an all around good drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.

James Comey’s most recent novel, Westport, is a binge worthy crime thriller. I switched back and forth between the e-book and audiobook so I finished this book in less than 24 hours!

The main character, Nora Carleton, is the type of female protagonist that I love - smart, strong, and not afraid to voice her opinions. She is lead council at the world’s largest hedge fund when a coworker is murdered. She is set up to become the police’s main suspect so she must figure out who the real killer is!

If you read Central Park West, some characters will be familiar, however either book can be read as a standalone novel. I really enjoyed both books and this seals Comey as a must read author for me.

Thank you @highbridgeaudio and @mysteriouspress for allowing me to read and listen to this book/audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

After really enjoying James Comey’s first novel , Central Park West, I was looking forward to seeing what he had in store for us next. Westport was another great read, full of twists and unlikeable characters.

This book follows U.S. Attorney Nora Carleton. We learn that Nora has taken on a new role as lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. Nora believes that this company is built on painful honesty and truthfulness. So when Nora is the main suspect in her co-worker’s murder, she finds that the hedge fund is not what it seemed. Nora calls on her friends to help her prove her innocence. Benny works for the US attorney's office and Carmen is an attorney. When they start to dig and investigate Saugatuck and the hierarchy that actually runs the show.

This is a fast paced, well plotted, and intriguing mystery thriller. It is packed with suspense and tension, that had me turning the pages right up to the tense conclusion with the revelation of a surprising killer. I can’t wait to see where James Comey’s next novel takes us.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, James Comey and the publishers Penzler Publishers/Mysterious Press, for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book.

A really good second outing for (former Assistant US Attorney) Nora Carleton- that will be just fine as a standalone. Nora took the job as Chief Counsel at Saugatuck to make some money and ease up on her work life so she could spend more time with her daughter Sophie but there's more going on at the company than she could have imagined. Her friend Helen is found dead - murdered- in Nora's canoe, Helen's blood is found on her car, and the murder weapon is in her kitchen drawer. Luckily, her friend Benny is willing to take leave from his job to help her, the investigating officer in Westport isn't convinced she did it, and neither is the prosecutor. The discovery of the files Helen kept on their colleagues opens things up- so many peccadilloes. And what about the financial shenanigans? The villain, and the reason for the murder, surprised me (always a good thing for a veteran reader of the genre). You'll learn a little about Connecticut law, about hedge funds, about lots of things and be entertained as well. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to seeing Nora (and Benny) again.

This is the second book in a fictional series written by James Comey. I definitely enjoyed it and will continue to read this series. I'm curious where this character will go. I could sometimes see the plot choices Comey made and where they were going, so in that sense this felt a bit predictable and clunky. I think I liked the first one better. But sometimes the sophomore slump is real and I'll definitely give his characters and writing another chance.

This, the second in the former FBI director's series featuring U.S. Attorney Nora Carleton, takes her from her high-stakes, high-pressure New York job to posher-than-posh Long Island Sound, where she's been named lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. Joining her is her young daughter, Sophie. The hedge fund leaders are a quirky bunch, but they seem to like and appreciate Nora - especially one friend, Helen Carpenter, who recruited her - so all's right with the world.

Until it isn't. One not-so-fine day, a fisherman finds a dead body in a canoe, and it's Helen. Of course, Nora is devastated; but when evidence puts Nora in the role of prime suspect, she - together with her New York friend and investigator, Benny Dugan - realize that someone is out to get Nora as well by framing her for Helen's murder.

Nora's work with Helen included sleuthing in hopes of determining who, if anyone, inside the company has been using top-secret company information to make lucrative trades on his or her own, thus undercutting the company's profits. Beyond that, though, there apparently was more - much more - to Helen than met Nora's eye. In fact, she'd been collecting "dirt" on all the firm's top brass - giving more than one person at the firm good reason to want her dead and gone.

The investigation offers plenty of action that ensured my reluctance to put the book down; that said, it was fairly easy to make an educated (and ultimately accurate) guess early on as to the culprit's identity. I was also a little annoyed at Nora's actions near the end - a bit uncharacteristic in my mind - but overall it was a well-crafted adventure I thoroughly enjoyed. I certainly look forward to seeing more of Nora, Benny and (hopefully) a couple of other intriguing characters. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this one. Well done!