His Name Is John

by Dorien Grey

Book Overview

Elliott Smith wakes up in the hospital with a head injury...and an invisible companion. At first, he's convinced "John" is just a figment of a damaged brain, but when Elliott is fully recovered John is still around--and desperate to find out who he is. Reluctantly, Elliott agrees to help, and discovers Chicago PD has a John Doe on their hands with six bullets in him--who died in the ER at the same time Elliott was there. As Elliott digs deeper into...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1945447710
• ISBN13: 9781945447716
• Release Date: March 2017
• Publisher: Histria Fiction
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An intriguing read, happy to recommend

His Name Is John An Elliott Smith Mystery is another fine example of the fertile talent of writer Dorien Grey. I have long read, reviewed and enjoyed Grey's writing. Grey's PI Dick Hardesty novels packed with an abundance of charismatic players are good reading for those who enjoy succinct PI novels crafted in resolute, hard hitting style by a master novelist. His Name Is John An Elliott Smith Mystery is the introduction offering bringing readers a fresh, innovative mystery series written by Dorien Grey. In this latest series, the reader meets Chicago real estate developer Elliott Smith who almost immediately finds himself entangled in the investigation surrounding the slaying of one John (Doe). Waking up with a serious headache in addition to an aching shoulder, Elliot Smith wasn't positive just where he was. He came to recognize he was in a hospital room, although, he had no perception just how he got there. It doesn't take long before Elliot believes he must be going mad - someone, who is not there, is seated in the chair at the side of his bed. Not only that, Elliot hears a voice in his head. Only practical explanation he can come up with; is that it must be a consequence of the brain injury he has suffered. Even as Elliot knows he is entirely rational; Elliot continues to hear the thought/voice. The voice is that of a baffled fellow branded as a John Doe who has died on the gurney next to Elliot in the Emergency Room. It seems that John hasn't quite understood that he is dead. His mournful statement to Elliot "Will we ever find me?" motivates Elliot into action. John, a man with whom Elliot makes an unexpected connection as they briefly share a hospital room before John dies is a bit of an enigma. It doesn't take long before Elliott is driven to ascertain John's true identity and establish the killer. His motivations run a gamut of reasons that Elliott and his friends do not at first understand. Grey's narrative is boosted with the introduction of Elliot's sister Cessy. As always Writer Grey fashions an engaging grouping of recurring secondary characters in addition to the well detailed main characters in addition to the miscellaneous mixture of minor and not so minor players who materialize and often disappear after one or two books. Elliott Smith actually had never thought himself to be anything particularly out of the ordinary. And, disregarding his affluent, world traveling parents, his career of buying, restoring and reselling small apartment buildings around Chicago, in addition to being single and gay at 38, as well as having a police detective brother-in-law; Elliot IS pretty ordinary. Loss of memory, diverse relationships, photographs, a sister who is driven to see Elliot in a settled relationship, motor homes, a social worker who is more than a friend, a body hidden behind a wall for more than sixty years, old neighbors and old enemies, and a nun with a secret she does not know she holds, a Homicide Cop who is a relative, p

Promising New Series

For the last several years reading the ongoing installments of Dorien Grey's Dick Hardesty detective series has been one of life's pleasures. Since Hardesty's character arc was ending in a safe domesticity, it was time for a new detective series. The new protagonist is a contractor who fixes up vintage Chicago apartment buildings for resale at their restored best, not the normal route for taking on murder cases. Elliott Smith comes from a well-to-do local family which finds his willingness to be associated with manual labor incongruous. More helpfully, his brother-in-law, Brad Priebe, is a detective for the Chicago police department. All the pieces are in place for Elliott to act. The first case comes to him strangely. Elliott has an accident, hurting his head and putting him in the hospital. He become aware of an emerging, independent voice inside, knowing only that it is called `John' and wanting to find out about itself. Elliott is vaguely aware that another person had been present in the emergency room with him and later learns that the person had been shot repeatedly and had died quickly as a `John Doe.' Elliott questions his own sanity and wonders what he can do to help the alien presence, `John'. The mystery brings in Chicago's Prohibition-era past, today's preservationist ethic, dynastic politics, memory recovery, photographic art, ruthless competition, and revenge. Viewed sympathetically, the final solution isn't that difficult but the need to overcome a series of barriers and a few surprises keep the story exciting. Elliott has his own life to attend to. His younger sister, Cessy, always has the time to tell him about her life and to press him to settle down. Busy Elliott does try to get a steady boyfriend, first with a social worker and then with a handsome, Hispanic painter artist from Southern California. Elliott's rich parents jet about attending events. And what about `John'? Elliott has a lot of personal work to attend to as well. This is a promising new series. If it's as good as the Dick Hardesty one, you shouldn't miss it.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this book!

"His Name Is John - An Elliott Smith Mystery" is the first book in a great new mystery series written by Dorien Grey. I have been a big fan of Dorien Grey's first (and continuing) mystery series that features Private Investigator Dick Hardesty. The Dream Ender (A Dick Hardesty Mystery) In this new series, Grey introduces us to Elliott Smith, a Chicago real estate developer who becomes deeply involved in the investigation of the murder of John (Doe), a man Elliott makes a quick connection with as they briefly share a hospital room before John dies. Elliott becomes determined to discover John's identity and find his killer for a whole slew of reasons that sneak up on Elliott and his friends from all directions. This was a fun book to read but I hesitate to discuss the plot much because you should enjoy this book like I did -- not knowing what to expect and getting more than you can imagine. Elliott Smith and his supporting cast of characters enjoy living their lives even as they try to solve the early end of John's life. Elliott's sister Cessy is married to a Chicago Homicide Cop who gives Elliott some valuable assistance. Cessy takes care of their two children but is also determined to get Elliott to settle down and "find the right man." Yes, Elliott is gay, but you don't have to be gay to like Elliott! There is a great mix of characters involved in this story, some nice and others not so nice, but together they will keep you involved to the end. I was up past 3:00 AM because I had to find out who dunnit before I could go to sleep. Warning:This may keep you up for late evenings, too. I really like Grey's books because even though they always involve a murder, they are not slow, dark or too gloomy. If you love reading a good mystery, meet Elliott Smith -- you will love reading "His Name Is John."

Dorien Grey's Best Yet

I have just finished "His Name is John" and can't praise it highly enough. I have read all of Dorien Grey's mysteries and this is by far my favorite. I hope he continues with this new series. His Name Is John

Wonderful new series

This latest from Dorien Grey, "His Name is John" is a terrific read with characters impossible not to like. The story is completely engrossing and you won't want to put it down until the end. You can never waste money buying anything by Dorien Grey, and this book is no exception.