Matt Royal is a retired trial lawyer and ex-Green Beret who has been enjoying a laid-back, beach bum existence on Longboat Key in Florida when one of his best friends Lawrence Wyatt is killed by a professional hit man. Why would anyone want to kill Wyatt? He was a history professor. Matt finds out it was a professional hit and knows he needs to investigate to find out what Wyatt was involved in that someone paid to have him killed. 

As Matt investigates, he finds out that Wyatt was doing research on Nazi Germany and he must have come across some sensitive material that has someone willing to kill to cover his or her tracks. Matt calls on two resourceful friends Jack Algren and Logan Hamilton, which is helpful as they journey to Frankfurt, Germany to solve the mystery. For Matt it is personal and he is out to get those who had his friend killed. Along the way though things change and he needs to be careful as he is now being pursued.

Griffin writes an exciting thriller as Matt travels not just in Florida but also to New York and Germany. Matt Royal, a likeable guy, “takes care” of those who are responsible for Wyatt’s death. Is it justice or revenge? Griffin knows how to write a real page-turner and I look forward to reading more of his Matt Royal works.

Reviewed on 05/30/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Janice Hidey

I received this book through Reviewthebook.com and am not required to write a positive review.

Wyatt's Revenge by H. Terrell Griffin  is a rollercoaster ride of a book.  When someone ordered a hit on Laurence Wyatt they didn't realize that his friend Matt Royal , a retired lawyer living on a small island in the Florida Keys) would take it upon himself to revenge his death.  But just why was Wyatt killed in the first place?  As Matt follows one clue after another and works his way up the chain of people involved in the hit he gets closer and closer to the answer.

This is usually not my kind of book.  I like mysteries but  more of the cozy type than the harboiled type.  I did find myself entertained though and I would recommend this to anyone that likes this type of book.  Very well done.  

There is violence and some language.  

Reviewed on 04/14/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Mindy Detweiler

 Matt Royal is a retired trial attorney enjoying the relaxed life on Longboat Key, Florida when his best friend and Vietnam War mentor, Laurence Wyatt, is murdered execution style. Though Matt has full faith in local law enforcement, this is personal so he sets out to find those responsible and bring them to justice. What he finds takes him to Germany to solve a mystery that goes back decades and will lead him where he never expected. He enlists his friends, Jock Algren and Logan Hamilton, to help unravel the mystery and get the revenge that Wyatt deserves.

“Wyatt’s Revenge” is the fourth installment in the Matt Royal series, written by author H. Terrell Griffin, but is the first book I have ever read by this author. He does a very good job of introducing the reader to characters that, no doubt, were part of the previous books and I really didn’t feel like I was missing any information regarding the main characters or their relationship to one another. The story moved quickly and, while I did figure out part of the mystery rather early, I think that was intentional as the reader is privy to some information that the characters are not. In this testosterone fueled, action packed mystery, knowing that little piece of information doesn’t matter as you will still be turning the pages furiously to find out what happens next.

My only complaint, now I have to go buy the other 3 books in the series to find out what kind of trouble Matt Royal was previously involved in. If it was even half as exciting as “Wyatt’s Revenge”, it will be well worth the expense.

Reviewed on 04/09/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member April Hanson

A retired trial lawyer should be relaxing in the Florida sun and that's exactly what Matt Royal is doing until one of his best friends, Laurence Wyatt, is murdered by a professional hit man. Royal needs to find out why his friend was murdered. With information gleaned from Wyatt's computer, Royal tracks down those behind the murder and attempts to extract justice for Wyatt's death, but finds himself a marked man. Royal relies on several of his friends from his military past to help him in a dangerous quest that takes him from Florida to Germany and back uncovering ties to Nazi Germany and the Middle East. He must dodge bombs and bullets to complete his mission.

"Wyatt's Revenge" is a fast-paced mystery with plenty of murder and male camaraderie. Matt Royal is a likable guy and I'd like to read more of his antics. Author H. Terrell Griffin even threw in a little romance. All-in-all a great read.

Reviewed on 12/13/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Darcy Odden

I think the main character in this great novel is one of my new favorites.  Matt Royal is a retired trial lawyer, now a laid back beach bum enjoying the fruits of his years of hard work as a trial lawyer.  When a good friend Laurence Wyatt is murdered, Matt is torn about what to do.  He wants to solve the crime and avenge the death, but he knows the local police force is on the job, and will do their best to solve the crime.    Our laid back beach bum starts his own investigation, and with a personal interest in the case, it becomes a very serious quest.  Following his lead, he becomes the hunted by a group of relentless and heartless criminals, who will kill with impunity.  Knowing he is in trouble, Matt contacts 2 good friends to help him out.  The investigation takes them into dangerous territory, from Florida to Germany and spots in between.  However, Matt Royal is no man who backs down from a challenge, regardless of the danger. 

Filled with twists, turns and suspense, this novel is enjoyable and great fun to read.  The characters are well drawn, and the reader finds himself taken along on a dangerous and suspenseful ride towards an ending that may lead them outside the bounds of the law to solve the crime. 

I really enjoyed the character of Matt Royal, and look forward to reading more of his adventures.  He may be a retired beach bum, but he is also a very exciting fellow!

Reviewed on 11/29/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member LAURI COATES