“Nerdection Must Read”
Serves You Right is a mystery thriller novel published by Orion Gregory. The novel tells the story of Sydney Livingstone, a rookie Detective who tries to uncover some hidden dark secrets. Will she achieve her goals? Or will an overwhelming force stop her?
Spoiler-free plot
The story begins with Frank McBride, a man pushed to his breaking point by a crumbling marriage and a financial dispute. When his wife Sheila demands a divorce and claims half of his recently inherited fortune, Frank views it not just as betrayal but as an intolerable insult. Their open marriage had long since unraveled, especially after Frank fell in love with another woman, Andrea, who offered him the passion and excitement he felt Sheila no longer could.
When Sheila mocks Frank and refuses to back down from her demand, he snaps. Drawing on his past military training Frank strangles her in a calculated burst of rage. What follows is a cold, methodical disposal of her body. It was wrapped in a sheet, driven to a remote wooded area, and dumped down an embankment. Frank tries to avoid leaving evidence, confident that the world will believe his wife simply disappeared.
Two years after the murder of Sheila McBride, her husband Frank McBride is acquitted of all charges. This sends shockwaves through the Walsh County Police Department. Acting Commissioner Ed Lasek addresses the department. He criticized the botched work that allowed McBride who was widely believed to be guilty to walk free. He vows that Walsh County would not repeat the same errors and announces a department-wide review of the failed investigation.
New detective Sydney Livingstone, a former professional tennis player who recently graduated from the police academy, attends the briefing. She is also hoping to live a peaceful life with her fiancé, Enzo. Though she is still earning her place in the force, Sydney is determined to make an impact. As the meeting wraps up, she quietly notes to herself to dig deeper into the McBride case. Her instincts tell her that although the trial is over, the story behind Frank McBride is not finished.
An anonymous vigilante known as “The Enforcer” is causing a lot of difficulty for Walsh County Police Department on the murky reaches of the dark web. The Enforcer is roving over Walsh County, executing ex-suspects who have been found not guilty of murder, in the belief that they are administering justice. One thing is evident from The Enforcer’s thorough and current updates regarding the crime sites and the use of confiscated investigation materials while in police custody. Access to the Walsh County Police Department is unrestricted for the vigilante. One of the officers, perhaps, is in on it? Or could it just be anyone? An informant in the station?
According to the vigilante, they are pursuing two further targets. Before it’s too late, can Syd find out who they are and stop them? Or will she also become a victim of the circumstances?
My Take on Serves You Right
Serves You Right is a sharply plotted, emotionally intense mystery thriller by Orion Gregory. It is a Sydney Livingstone Detective Novel series.
Chaos begins when Frank McBride, a seemingly ordinary man who murders his wife, hides her body in a calculated attempt to preserve his financial future. But when he is later acquitted due to a flawed investigation, the community reels, and law enforcement are left angry and frustrated. The case leaves Sydney Livingstone, a former pro tennis player turned rookie detective, who finds herself drawn to the lingering questions surrounding McBride’s case.
What begins as a case of apparent vigilante justice soon evolves into something much darker, with layers of corruption, trauma, and revenge. Gregory’s writing is accessible yet vivid, with tight dialogue and immersive settings. Sydney is a compelling lead. She is smart, flawed, and navigating a male-dominated world where trust is as fragile as truth.
The ethical questions posed (especially about taking justice into one’s own hands) will linger with readers long after the final page. At its heart, the book asks a question: what happens when the system fails, and who steps in when it does?
The book is recommended for readers who appreciate a blend of crime, character study, and social commentary. It is embedded with emotional punch to keep readers hooked.
About The Author Of Serves You Right
Greg Milano writes under the pen name of Orion Gregory. He is an award-winning writer in the newspaper and advertising industries, and is a nationally published magazine contributor. He is a graduate of Wright State University with a degree in Communication Arts. Specializing in the murder/mystery genre, “Faults” was his debut novel, followed by “Serves You Right”. His favorite activities include spending time with family, exercising, teaching and coaching tennis, and cheering on the Cleveland Browns. Greg resides in Southwest Ohio.
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