Meet Joy Humbolt – Heroine Of Unleashed: A Sydney Rye Novel

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Welcome Joy Humbolt, the feisty, fearless and smart dog walker turned detective in Unleashed: A Sydney Rye Novel. For a review of the book, keep reading!

Do you regret not leaving the investigation into Joseph Saperstein’s death to the Police?

This is something I’ve thought about a million times and it was my trainer, Merl (who appears in the follow up novella DEATH IN THE DARK out 12/1/12), who made me realize my true mistake. It wasn’t that I went looking for a killer. It’s that I hesitated in taking action once I found him. I had an opportunity to take out the murderer long before my life was destroyed but I didn’t because I feared what that made me. Decisive action is something I work on everyday now to prevent another tragedy like New York.

What has been your greatest extravagance since becoming Sydney Rye?

Ha, good question. I buy nice clothing and I don’t skimp on the wine but the biggest extravagance is that I fly private. With Blue by my side it’s just easier to go on a Private Jet than to try and convince a commercial carrier that he is needed for my mental health.

What is your most treasured possession?

I don’t have treasured possessions. I treasure people and I treasure memories. Fleeing with only what I could carry from New York taught me how insignificant objects are. They are nothing compared to the people we love and the comfort they offer.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

I grew up in the Hudson Valley in New York which has the most beautiful Fall season. My whole family was together so I was probably about 5. We went apple picking. I remember my Mother reaching up to pick me an apple and my father smiling at her in a way that even a little kid could recognize as true love. My brother, James, helped me climb a tree and the oranges, red, and yellows that surrounded us still glow in my memory. My father caught me when I jumped through the foliage into his arms. That is the most perfect day I can remember from my whole life I think. Wow, now you’ve made me a little sad.

What is in your refrigerator right now?

Nothing, I’m on a plane, and no, I can’t tell you where I’m going. I’m sure there is a mini fridge waiting at my hotel and I can tell you that as soon as I arrive I’ll make myself a tequila gimlet with just a splash of cranberry juice.

If you would like to follow Joy Humbolt’s exploits in “Unleashed” or the sequels, “Death In The Dark” and “Insatiable”, you can read the first 10% of the books for FREE via the “Look Inside” feature or BUY NOW on Amazon.

Unleashed: A Sydney Rye Novel Review

The plot
Joy Humbolt’s life is turned upside down when she stumbles across a dead body as part of her new dog-walking job. There is a flurry of activity from there on in as she ends up investigating the murder by herself, although by asking too many questions, she endangers herself and those closest to her.

The heroine
She swears, she drinks, she doesn’t like being told what to do. She is not good at dealing with people but she is feisty, fearless and smart.

Joy is a dog walker turned detective who digs in when the chips are down. She will not go down without a fight.

She is refreshingly sassy and strong willed with flaws that make her easy to relate to. She tries to protect those closest to her as her world is turned upside down but by the end of the book she needs to be reborn as Sydney Rye, much like my character John Smith from Ethan Justice: Origins.

The cast of supporting characters
Blue, the dog from the pound – what an endearing companion. I was drawn in from the opening line.

Joy’s brother, James, and his partner – their heart-warming relationship and closeness with Joy was very engaging.

Detective Mulberry – whilst I didn’t like him at first, he comes up trumps in the end as he throws the rule book out of the window when corruption gets in the way.

The ‘could not put it down’ part
Joy, James and Kurt in Joy’s apartment. Breath-taking action.

The craziest part
Joy’s escape as she lowers herself through the hole in the floor into the boat and motions for Blue to join her. “Get in here,” she hisses at him but he doesn’t move so she grabs his front paws and drags him down.

I can just imagine trying to drag a big, reluctant dog down through a hole into a dark boat below. My German Shepherd, Spencer, would be whining and shifting nervously on his paws just like Blue!

Where I was left wanting more
Joy’s relationship with Declan rushed to a close a bit too quickly and the formatting for Kindle was a bit spotty in places.

Why it was good
This intriguing adventure unfolded at a nice pace with unexpected twists and turns to keep you guessing along the way. There was fast-paced action mixed in with Joy’s time alone with her thoughts so you could get inside her head.

There were some interesting titbits of information about New York City thrown in along the way to bring the setting to life.

The ending wrapped everything up neatly, explaining the murderer and his motives.