The Heir Hunter

By Chris Larsgaard

Book Overview

Nick Merchant is an heir hunter--a little-known species of private investigator who searches for a dead person's next of kin when no will exists, and collects a percentage of the estate. Gerald Jacobs... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385333633
• ISBN13: 9780385333634
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Private Investigators With A Difference

The Heir Hunter is a book of suspense with a difference. The difference here is that the occupation of the protagonist is an heir hunter. A what? Nick Merchant is a private investigator, but he specialises in tracking down heirs to estates and matches them up, taking a percentage of the estate as a fee. It's this aspect that gives this story it's uniqueness and added appeal.When Nick and his partner, Alex Moreno, find out about an estate that contains assets in excess of twenty-two million dollars, they think this could be the payday they've dreamt of. As with all things that seem too good to be true, there has to be a problem, and in this case, competition from the opposition is the least of Nick's worries - only he doesn't know that. The deceased was in the FBI's witness protection program, and they're pretty keen for things to remain nice and quiet. Producing heirs to the estate would not be desirable. On top of that, there appears to be an unknown group of killers who use a far more permanent means of keeping things quiet.This is a face-paced story that takes place on both coasts of America as well as places in between, Germany and Switzerland. Nick and Alex make a very likable couple who work well together with none of the sexual tension other authors seem to feel is necessary when using a male / female combination.It's a first-class thriller that reminds me of the best work produced by the likes of Thomas Perry.

If you only read one book this year it MUST be The Heir Hunt

I aquired a copy of Chris Larsgaard's novel 'The Heir Hunter'and what an adventure it turned out to be. The topic was refreshingly new and the plot, which started of quite simple soon takes the reader on a journey of intrigue and political scandal. It moves at breathtaking speed but this does not in any way dilute the overall storyline. I often found myself holding my breath during the many twists and turns. This is an absolutely first class book. Congratulations Chris this must be a winner. I hope the film- makers read this also. I would sum it up in one sentence from the book..'he (Nick Merchant)had no desire to walk away from this case rich; all he wanted to do was just walk away alive.' What a great book

Dynamite debut!

I had a general impression of what heir hunting was, but I had the sense that a blown computer was about as dangerous as it got. Boy, was I wrong! Nick Merchant and Alex Moreno are heir hunters who've lucked onto a multi-million-dollar estate. If they can track down the dead man's lawful heirs before the competition does, they'll earn the payday of a lifetime. Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones searching for the heirs of the enigmatic corpse. Nick and Alex are poleaxed by competitors, bombed and shot at by assassins, framed for crimes they didn't commit, and threatened by the FBI which has a vested interest in sticking by their story that the dead man never existed. Forced into fleeing under assumed names, Nick and Alex are determined to clear their names and solve the case, even as the bodies pile up around them. Nick and Alex have a past and, hopefully, a future! The chemistry between them works and I hope to see them again in the talented Chris Larsgaard's next book.

GREAT, FRESH, EXCITING PAGE -TURNING THRILLER

If you love John Grisham or a great airplane read you will love this book! If you want to be introduced to the whole intriguing and dangerous world of heir finding then you will love this book! Imagine that your dream comes true. Somebody rings your doorbell and tells you that you have come in to some money - A LOT of money. Now see that dream turn in to a nightmare. Read one of the most exciting thrillers in a long time. If you really like thrillers you will see what I mean. Larsgaard does not reinvent the genre but this novel is one of those truly rare ones that grabs you and never lets go.

exciting premise

When reclusive octogenarian Gerald Jacobs died, he left behindan estate valued at $22 million. No record of Jacob having a lifeprior to a few years ago when he arrived at Hudson, New York exists leaving no heir.Through a bribe, Alex Moreno learns about the estate. Along with her West Coast partner, private investigator Nick Merchant, they begin a search for the missing beneficiary, knowing they can earn several million on this case. They break into the home of the deceased, but run into trouble with the law and rival agencies even more unsavory than Alex and Nick. Worse yet, the Feds want this investigation aborted because Jacob was in the witness protection program.THE HEIR HUNTER is an exciting look at the lucrative but extremely competitive heir hunting business. The story line is fast-paced and filled with non-stop action even though debut author Chris Larsgaard occasionally slows down the plot with too much explanation. The lead protagonists are an intriguing duo. They are not only partners, but former lovers as well. Alex resides in Albany, New York while Nick lives in San Francisco but even keeping a continent between them can not ease the state of sexual tension that exists between them. No matter how good the characterizations and the storyline are, the appeal of this novel lies in the authentic descriptions of the world of the heir hunter, a very intriguing and exciting place to be.Harriet Klausner