This was quite a story, but very hard to follow with all the characters involved. There were so many twists and turns and so many characters. I appreciate LibraryThing giving me the chance to read it, but I do not recommend it. ( )

A poorly planned smash and grab at a gun shop to obtain a M1c riffle goes bad almost from the start. Texas Ranger John Quarrie kills one of the burglars and arrests the other. While checking the hotel room of an apparent heart attack victim a short time later John Q finds a prescription bottle for Proloid from a New Orleans pharmacy. Things don’t seem right. The victim had no identification or credit cards, and no apparent way of getting to the hotel where he was found.

Suspecting murder, John Q is dispatched to New Orleans to talk to the pharmacist. The local police are not welcoming, the pharmacist disappears shortly after Q talks to him, and within a day he is in jail. Clearly someone in an influential position does not want a Texas Ranger poking around in New Orleans.

The premise of “The Contract” is interesting but the execution is disappointing. The writing varies from okay to slightly awkward. It is never so lacking as to be off-putting but it has an ineffable quality that sometimes jolted me from the story and I found myself examining the text to think how it could be revised.

The plot could be improved as well. John Q. is not depicted as a competent investigator but more as a man who stumbles into one situation after another. Some of his decisions seem foolish and unethical. He rescues a woman who has been kidnapped by local thugs and she tells him the missing pharmacist is being held captive in the same building. Instead of calling for an immediate rescue he leaves a telephone message for the detective who had arrested him earlier. The ultimate death of the pharmacist is due in part to Q’s indifference and lack of professionalism.

Although the central character has interesting potential, the quality of the writing, the plot, and the depiction of John Q. as indifferent to the fate of a helpless man are not appealing. Some 50 pages from the end I actively considered whether to read through to the end. In the classic time waste I decide to see how the author tied up all the plot lines. Big mistake. The ending, like much of the book, was a disappointment. ( )

Interesting mystery, set in the 1960s. While I enjoyed the story, I did find it hard-going at times due to the sheer number of characters trying to keep everyone straight. I also think it would increase people's enjoyment of the book if they were at least somewhat familiar with that time period in history, especially certain events in Texas. That said, I liked the lead character, and his family/friends. I'd like to read about him when he's at home and not traveling. ( )

I received this book as part of LibraryThing’s early reviewer program.

I enjoyed The Contract I liked John Q. And his old school ways and the setting in the tumultuous ‘60s. I liked the western feel and the secondary characters.

I would have liked more characterization and description of the scenes but I’m sure it will all be fleshed out for the finished publication.

In all a satisfying read.

I will look for book 3 when it comes out and plan to read book 1. ( )

Brief Synopsis:
The Contract is based in the 1960s and follows a Texas Ranger who is attempting to solve a Crime in a city outside of his Jurisdiction, following the main character as he tries to navigate very different culture than what he may be used to. By the end, not only is this a mystery/crime novel, but it also introduces quite a bit of Southern US history.

Opinions:
The Contract held my attention and pulled me back in several times. I like the detail that Gulvin uses as it is the type of book that had me picturing much of the book as I was reading - the equivalent to "getting lost in the pages". I also like that the book ended up representing a little bit of history that most may not be aware of - making the book both exciting and intriguing.

I will say that for the first 50-75 pages I was absolutely lost and almost put the book down for good. WAY too many characters introduced way to fast for me to keep up with and enjoy reading still. That may just be my preference. Also - several of these characters were never used again - to my knowledge anyway - so I'm not sure that their names were needed as it made it more confusing. Also, for the first 100 pages it seemed to me that several of the characters had two or three names that were used. Sometimes just a last name, sometimes a nickname, sometimes their first name before it was introduced as the same person as was the nickname. I didn't see any reason that this was needed to add to the "suspense" - so I feel it just made it difficult to get through adn frustrating at times.

However, after the first 100 pages I was fully involved and wanting to read more and more to find out what happens.

Overall, a very good book and well written with a good amount of description. I have not read Gulvin's other work featuring John Q and was not lost at all, able to follow the story well so you do not have to read this as a series. I will likely look up and read the first in the series now though. :) ( )