MRC RECOMMENDS: The Pawn (The Lemaster Files Book 2) by John David
“…I did not want to put the book down.“
– The Mystery Review Crew
The Pawn
By John David
Series: The Lemaster Files Book 2
Genre: Thriller, International Mystery
When TV reporter Pete Lemaster gets an after-hours call from a college friend, he doesn’t expect it to catapult him into another big story in his reporting career. Scott “Uncle Scotty” Wilkins—a globe-trotting, charismatic businessman—has been arrested at a Singapore airport with enough drugs to guarantee a life sentence.
The case explodes into an international spectacle. Viral images of Scotty charm the public, fuel conspiracy theories, and attract opportunists eager to profit from the scandal. For Pete, it’s personal—he owes the family a favor. But pursuing the truth could compromise his career.
Teaming up with police lieutenant Rebecca Dawes, Pete follows a trail that leads from glossy boardrooms to Singapore’s prisons. Every clue exposes another enemy: betrayed lovers, vengeful spouses, shady investors, and rivals with millions at stake.
But the closer Pete gets to uncovering who framed his friend, the more he realizes he may be the next pawn in a deadly game of deception.
*Affiliate links are used in this article. The Mystery Review Crew is an Amazon Affiliate and, as such, earns from qualifying purchases. See our privacy policy and disclosures for more information.
Find it on Goodreads, Amazon, BookBub, and Tule Publishing.
Review of The Pawn by John David
The Pawn is the follow-up to this author’s first novel, The Bystander, featuring reporter Pete Lemaster. I loved the first book, and this one was no exception. The pacing, dialogue, and banter keep the reader engaged in the story. There were many times I did not want to put the book down.
Pete is asked to help “Uncle” Scottie, who is detained in Singapore because drugs were found in his luggage. Singapore is not known to go easy on criminals, and it is up to Pete to help suss out what happened and how those drugs ended up in his luggage. Luckily, he has his girlfriend and Police Lieutenant, Rebecca, on his side. She helps balance out his impulsiveness. She also provides insight into police procedure in general, which helps in the investigation.
As they uncover clues about Scottie and his background, it leads to more questions. And when the truth is revealed in the end, it left me stunned. It was not what I was expecting at all. It proves that you can’t trust everyone, and not everyone is out for justice.
I appreciate the author’s research into how crimes are treated in Singapore because it lends authenticity to the book. It is also something we have heard about, how foreign governments might treat those from another country.
I can’t wait to see what Pete will be up to in the next book in this series.
About John David
John David is a long-time public relations and crisis communications consultant, author of a non-fiction business book, and a corporate ghostwriter. His debut novel, The Bystander (The Lemaster Files Book 1), was longlisted for the BPA First Novel Award and was named a finalist for the 2025 Story Trade Book Award for traditional mysteries. It will be released by Tule Publishing in September of 2025. Though not a big joiner, he is a member of the International Thriller Writers Debut Author program. When not working or writing, he enjoys fishing, talking about politics, and following the Florida Gators. He and his beautiful wife Pamela live in Pinecrest, Florida.
Subscribe to his Substack at: https://byjohndavid.substack.com/
