The Tony Quarry Series by Crime Fiction Writer RJ McCarthy

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My friend RJ McCarthy’s Tony Quarry series of crime fiction novels feature hero Tony Quarry who fights for the underdogs of modern society. What I find refreshing is he manages to do so without guns. His weapon is his body, and no he’s not a super-hero with superpowers like Superman or the Incredible Hulk. Tony Quarry is an expert in martial arts, and even then, he uses those skills only in self-defense. Quarry is an ex-con, who did time for the accidental death of a college student in a barroom brawl. Because of this Quarry not only does not carry a gun he abstains from alcohol. Our hero, Tony Quarry is assisted in solving mysteries and fighting crime by his dog, Russ, a priest, the local sheriff and even in one of the novels an ex-cellmate. McCarthy masterfully creates compelling characters in his writing that keeps the reader turning the pages.

RJ McCarthy’s newest addition to the series, Quarry Steps Between, is the fourth in the Tony Quarry / Carolina Mystery crime novel series. The story is set in 2013 in the fictional town of Henson Creek, North Carolina. Now forty years old, Tony Quarry remains as dedicated to the welfare of his family and community as he is to physical fitness. On his way home from work one night, he comes to the aid of a gay college student under assault by a local gang.

His selfless act triggers a series of interconnected events that involve a gay-bashing preacher; his more ominous, undertaker wife; an increase in the lethality of street drugs; and a local criminal gang driving the drug problem.

In the middle of the mayhem stands Tony Quarry, his fiercely faithful dog, Russ, and his resolutely loyal friends to battle for the health of an American community.

McCarthy answers the question, “Who is Tony Quarry?” in a recent post in “RJ McCarthy Blogs.” He writes, “In retrospect, I believe he’s an amalgam of my son, Tony, and me.”

He further writes, “Quarry is similar to my son in his twenties and thirties. Massive at six feet, two hundred thirty pounds, my son was quite strong, a weightlifter and martial arts practitioner. As important as physical strength is to the character I envisioned, it was ultimately potentiated by moral strength. One without the other, in my mind, equals an incomplete human being.”

I recommend these four books for crime fiction readers. While they are targeted to adult readers, they are appropriate for older teenagers. The books are packed with action and suspense while portraying a main character with high
moral values.

Find links of all of McCarthy’s books at Home (rjmccarthyauthor.com) and read his blog for insight into his writing process and more at https://rjmccarthyblogs.blogspot.com/

 

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