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Walt Fleming #4
In Harm's Way
Sun Valley sheriff Walt Fleming's budding relationship with photographer Fiona Kenshaw hits a rough patch after Fiona is involved in a heroic river rescue. Then Walt gets a phone call that changes everything: Lou Boldt, a police sergeant from Seattle, calls to report that a recent murder may have a Sun Valley connection. Walt knows there's a link-but can he pull the pieces together in time?
506 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2010
172 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Ridley Pearson
186 books2,102 followersRidley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
December 16, 2018
A friend gave me this book to read. I did not realize it was book four of a series until I started reading it. I have read a number of books by Ridley Pearson in the past and have enjoyed his storytelling ability.
The book is well written. In this book there is less action and more dialogue than other books by Pearson that I have read. Our protagonist is Walt Fleming, Sheriff of Sun Valley. In this book he is working with Seattle Police Sergeant Lou Boldt to solve a murder. The story is interesting as are the characters. Pearson is an excellent storyteller. I wish I had not started at book four of the series.
I read this as a paperback published in August 2010 by Jove Publishing. The book is 506 pages.
The book is well written. In this book there is less action and more dialogue than other books by Pearson that I have read. Our protagonist is Walt Fleming, Sheriff of Sun Valley. In this book he is working with Seattle Police Sergeant Lou Boldt to solve a murder. The story is interesting as are the characters. Pearson is an excellent storyteller. I wish I had not started at book four of the series.
I read this as a paperback published in August 2010 by Jove Publishing. The book is 506 pages.
January 23, 2020
Up front, I'm admitting to enjoying stories about law enforcement in the Western state's high country...I love CJ Box and Craig Johnson tales and now, after my 2nd Walt Fleming, will add Ridley Pearson to the list...Walt is a sheriff in Sun Valley, Idaho where he rubs shoulders with the "rich & famous in and around Hailey...Divorced, father of two precocious tweener girls, Walt is muddling through this demanding life that is further complicated with a budding relationship with a local fishing guide and crime scene photographer...in this one, a former NFL linebacker is found murdered and that crime may be tied to another in Seattle that connects Walt to two interesting LEOs from there...Good stuff!!!
March 17, 2019
Overall: Good story, but too complicated and confusing.
I was often lost. Too many mysteries.
The writing doesn't flow like I would like. It didn't pull me along.
I liked the characters and the setting, but the narrative is way too complicated.
There seemed to be mysteries inside other mysteries.
And at the end, as is often true of mysteries, the solution was disappointing, seemed to come out of left field.
Still, Pearson wraps up the loose ends and the finale is satisfying.
Almost makes me want to read another one. But not quite.
My grade: C+.
I don’t see what the hoopla is all about.
It’s passable, workmanlike.
I did like Walt and Sun Valley, a beautiful place where I have been.
It's OK, sort of fun. Better than watching a bad movie on TV.
I was often lost. Too many mysteries.
The writing doesn't flow like I would like. It didn't pull me along.
I liked the characters and the setting, but the narrative is way too complicated.
There seemed to be mysteries inside other mysteries.
And at the end, as is often true of mysteries, the solution was disappointing, seemed to come out of left field.
Still, Pearson wraps up the loose ends and the finale is satisfying.
Almost makes me want to read another one. But not quite.
My grade: C+.
I don’t see what the hoopla is all about.
It’s passable, workmanlike.
I did like Walt and Sun Valley, a beautiful place where I have been.
It's OK, sort of fun. Better than watching a bad movie on TV.
July 5, 2019
This one was not nearly as good as the others in the series. It dragged in several spots and was disjointed in others. When Fiona finally tells Walt why she has been acting so hot & cold and deceptive, it really didn't fit to the degree of her behavior. Other parts were pretty far fetched, especially who the killer ends up being and why. And we never got any real resolution about the step-father and his pregnant step-daughter. All in all, I found In Harm's Way lacking and disappointing.
August 5, 2010
[This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy won through the Goodreads First Reads program.:]
It is refreshing to read a crime novel that recognizes that thrills are not borne out of extremes. The most exciting parts of In Harm's Way are not action sequences but conversations. Pearson knows how to write dialog. There is never the sense that his characters are engaged in a conspiracy to advance the plot -- they say what real people would say under the same circumstances. Frequently a conversation will involve two people with different motivations, but who are unwilling to belie those motivations. Such scenes are packed with dramatic tension for the very reason that Pearson does not pack them with dramatic tension. If that doesn't make sense, I'm afraid I can't help you -- I don't understand it either. What I do know is that I looked forward to Pearson's dialog more than anything.
The story concerns the sheriff of a resort area of Idaho. Fiona, his crime scene photographer, rescues a boy from a raging river. She has one request – that her photo not appear in the paper. Sheriff Fleming does what he can, which is not enough, and the photo runs. Later, there are break-ins that would look like the work of bears to the untrained eye. The sheriff's eye is anything but untrained. His one exceptional trait is, with the help of us loyal dog Bea, his tracking ability. Then an outsider is killed, his body left at the side of a highly-traveled road. Fiona suffers a head injury and loses a few hours of her memory as a result, and the young woman in her care disappears. Are any of these events connected?
Many crime novels will take the occasional side road to explore the personal lives of the lead characters. Often this feels like filler. Not here. The story is Sheriff Fleming –- his professional life, his personal life, and the many ways they intersect. No part is any less significant than any other.
This is Pearson's third book about Sheriff Fleming. It is the first I have read. It will not be the last.
It is refreshing to read a crime novel that recognizes that thrills are not borne out of extremes. The most exciting parts of In Harm's Way are not action sequences but conversations. Pearson knows how to write dialog. There is never the sense that his characters are engaged in a conspiracy to advance the plot -- they say what real people would say under the same circumstances. Frequently a conversation will involve two people with different motivations, but who are unwilling to belie those motivations. Such scenes are packed with dramatic tension for the very reason that Pearson does not pack them with dramatic tension. If that doesn't make sense, I'm afraid I can't help you -- I don't understand it either. What I do know is that I looked forward to Pearson's dialog more than anything.
The story concerns the sheriff of a resort area of Idaho. Fiona, his crime scene photographer, rescues a boy from a raging river. She has one request – that her photo not appear in the paper. Sheriff Fleming does what he can, which is not enough, and the photo runs. Later, there are break-ins that would look like the work of bears to the untrained eye. The sheriff's eye is anything but untrained. His one exceptional trait is, with the help of us loyal dog Bea, his tracking ability. Then an outsider is killed, his body left at the side of a highly-traveled road. Fiona suffers a head injury and loses a few hours of her memory as a result, and the young woman in her care disappears. Are any of these events connected?
Many crime novels will take the occasional side road to explore the personal lives of the lead characters. Often this feels like filler. Not here. The story is Sheriff Fleming –- his professional life, his personal life, and the many ways they intersect. No part is any less significant than any other.
This is Pearson's third book about Sheriff Fleming. It is the first I have read. It will not be the last.
September 19, 2016
In Harm’s Way was a bit of a mixed bag. While the writing was professional and the story was compelling enough to keep me interested throughout, it had enough flaws to keep me from thoroughly enjoying it. Set in Sun Valley, Idaho, a hideout for the rich and famous, the start of the mystery portion of the novel and the subsequent events that unfold occur when Sheriff Walt Fleming finds the dead body of a former professional football player with a very violent past. The player has ties to several people in Sun Valley. There are several seemingly unrelated crimes that are occurring, but all tie back in some way to the murder.
The trouble spots for me are primarily with characterization. Although I found Walt to be a solid character, his love interest, Fiona, who also happens to be a person of interest in the case was not particularly likeable or consistent as a character. Their relationship didn’t work for me at all, and were some of the least entertaining aspects of the novel. She also conveniently had temporary amnesia to manufacture fake drama in the story. There is also a major plot hole in the story that serves as a red herring to the story. In the end, this was an entertaining read that could have been a good novel if some of these issues had been cleaned up.
Carl Alves – author of Conjesero
The trouble spots for me are primarily with characterization. Although I found Walt to be a solid character, his love interest, Fiona, who also happens to be a person of interest in the case was not particularly likeable or consistent as a character. Their relationship didn’t work for me at all, and were some of the least entertaining aspects of the novel. She also conveniently had temporary amnesia to manufacture fake drama in the story. There is also a major plot hole in the story that serves as a red herring to the story. In the end, this was an entertaining read that could have been a good novel if some of these issues had been cleaned up.
Carl Alves – author of Conjesero
September 19, 2020
i just found out i won this! cant wait to start it!! thank you goodreads!
this was a good mystery, kept me guessing to the very end! i liked the characters, they seemed very real. i hope Ridley Pearson writes more books with the sheriff. i really liked that character and would love to see more stories about him. i dont want to give the ending away to anyone who has not finished it but im glad he isnt killed!
wish i could read the rest of the series
sheriff with 2 daughters, divorced, x wife re married another cop that works for him. he falls in love with the police photographer. there is a murder, hes not sure if the photographer or her friend did it. turns out it was a man living in the woods who killed 2 men.
this was a good mystery, kept me guessing to the very end! i liked the characters, they seemed very real. i hope Ridley Pearson writes more books with the sheriff. i really liked that character and would love to see more stories about him. i dont want to give the ending away to anyone who has not finished it but im glad he isnt killed!
wish i could read the rest of the series
sheriff with 2 daughters, divorced, x wife re married another cop that works for him. he falls in love with the police photographer. there is a murder, hes not sure if the photographer or her friend did it. turns out it was a man living in the woods who killed 2 men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2010
Walt Fleming is the Sheriff in Sun Valley. He gets a call from Lou Boldt, police Sergeant in Seattle, regaring a murder that may have a Sun Valley connection. Next a badly beaten body is found at the side of the highway and Walt has this feeling the two may be linked.
Fiona Krenshaw, a crime sceen photographer who is romantically involved with walt, was involved in a river rescue. She pleads with Walt to keep her face out of the papers, which has him perplexed as to her reasoning. The drama increases as the case continues, Walt and his dog Beatrice are hot on the trail.
A well written who-done-it, fast paced and leaving a list of suspects. Twist and turns leave you guessing up until the shocking perfect ending.
* Won on GoodReads Gives give-a-ways
Fiona Krenshaw, a crime sceen photographer who is romantically involved with walt, was involved in a river rescue. She pleads with Walt to keep her face out of the papers, which has him perplexed as to her reasoning. The drama increases as the case continues, Walt and his dog Beatrice are hot on the trail.
A well written who-done-it, fast paced and leaving a list of suspects. Twist and turns leave you guessing up until the shocking perfect ending.
* Won on GoodReads Gives give-a-ways
January 1, 2011
This was my first experience with this author and I enjoyed it. I like that the book was set in the Hailey, Idaho, area because it's where so many famous people have homes and I could learn something about it. I loved the characters of Walt Fleming and Lou Boldt and even though they are characters in earlier books, I was able to read this as a stand-alone and fully invest in the characters.
August 9, 2010
This was another disappointing book by Pearson. His character Walt Fleming does nothing for me. He had his great character Lou Bolt play a small part in this boring book but it was so small it didn't liven it up. I found myself rereading pages because my mind kept wandering.
October 26, 2017
Another huge disappointment reading the fourth Walt Flemming series book from author Ridley Pearson. The first two books in the series were just okay, (Gave both 3 Stars each). The third book in series was a dud, (2 Stars). So I didn't have high hopes starting, "In Harm's Way". Another far too long and over reaching tale that keeps getting lost in the woods. At 490 pages paperback there were points I though I'd never get through it. Super detective Lou Boldt popped in from Seattle to puff up the story. I'm just weary hearing about Walt's damaged home life. He's still pining over wife Gail leaving him for deputy Tommy Brandon. It's been four books Walt, she's not coming back. Meanwhile Walt's twin girls get left unattended by their father as he agonizes over making a move on CSI photographer Fiona Kenshaw. This tale has Walt chasing a former NFL linebacker, and several other bad guys while he trudges through gardens and highway bluffs. I know Ridley Pearson is a heck of a story teller, his Lou Boldt novels were all excellent. However his Walt Flemming books fall far short. Keeping this brief because I hate to dwell on negative reads. Just two stars out of a possible five stars for, "In Harm's Way". This one was in harm's way from the onset.
July 30, 2010
Walt Fleming is a sheriff in Sun Valley investigating the death of a star athlete which might be connected to another murder, Caroline Vetta, who was assumed to be a call girl. Maybe this is a series (I haven't read Pearson before) because I was dropped into a "budding" romance between Fleming and his crime scene photographer, Fiona Kenshaw. He is divorced from his wife who took up with one of his deputies. Neither Fleming nor Fiona his girlfriend were that interesting. Fleming is sensitive about his 5 ft 7 in height as well as his father's opinion of him, and the author took until page 200 to explain Fiona's "secret." (In the opening she had saved a young girl from drowning but was frantic about her picture not appearing in the news.) The author repeatedly breaks a golden rule critics always point out: He describes characters by saying they look like famous people thereby getting the reader to draw the description visually by planting the famous person's image in their head. There are also names that are too similar and get confusing. The dead guy is Gale yet the sheriff's ex-wife is Gail. But this is an uncorrected proof so perhaps some of these will be corrected. Author endorsements on the cover call this a thriller but I thought it was more a police procedural/cozy.
September 4, 2010
This is the first book that I have ever read by Ridley Pearson and I have to say I find his work pleasantly enticing. I love reading mysteries and was thrilled to win this book from the Early Reviewers program. I started reading the book as soon as it arrived in my mailbox.
In Harm's Way is the 4th book in the Walt Fleming Novels. I am honored to say that I was able to enjoy the book even though I was not familiar with the characters in the novel prior to reading this book.
Walt Fleming is sheriff in a small town in Idaho who is raising two twin eleven year old girls. I found Walt Fleming to be a complex character while still being interesting and entertaining. He has a small staff of deputies and a photographer whom is the love interest of Walt. I found some of the characters of little interest and didn't create a bond towards them while reading In Harm's Way.
In Harm's Way is a well crafted story of intrigue and suspense. As I read the book I found myself getting more and more drawn into the story and thinking I knew who did it before I finally reached the end. It is enjoyable when reading a book and not being able to figure out who committed the crime before the end. I was getting to the point where I started to actually talk back to the characters while reading the book. When that happens you know I am drawn into the story.
In Harm's Way is the 4th book in the Walt Fleming Novels. I am honored to say that I was able to enjoy the book even though I was not familiar with the characters in the novel prior to reading this book.
Walt Fleming is sheriff in a small town in Idaho who is raising two twin eleven year old girls. I found Walt Fleming to be a complex character while still being interesting and entertaining. He has a small staff of deputies and a photographer whom is the love interest of Walt. I found some of the characters of little interest and didn't create a bond towards them while reading In Harm's Way.
In Harm's Way is a well crafted story of intrigue and suspense. As I read the book I found myself getting more and more drawn into the story and thinking I knew who did it before I finally reached the end. It is enjoyable when reading a book and not being able to figure out who committed the crime before the end. I was getting to the point where I started to actually talk back to the characters while reading the book. When that happens you know I am drawn into the story.
March 23, 2013
A well-done crime / mystery / drama sort of a tale and a satisfying read. This the first book I've read by Ridley Pearson and I really enjoyed it. I'd burned out on Faye Kellerman's Peter Decker-Rina Lazarus mysteries and was looking for something in a similar crime/mystery vein. Pearson's book fit the bill VERY nicely. A lot like Kellerman in that the internal psyches and emotional states of the main characters (one man and one woman, again, just like Kellerman) really take the front row in the story. The twists and turns of the (several) crimes and mysteries that make of the book's plot mainly serve to highlight and focus these characters' internal hopes, fears, desires and weaknesses. And Pearson is a thoughtfully observant writer when it comes to his characters. They're quite "real" seeming -- each has their light and dark sides. He allows inconsistencies, mis-speaking and other "human-ness" into his writing. It adds a lovely touch of believability to the characters: we don't normally speak in perfect sentences with exact grammar and perfect diction! Apparently this particular book links two different sets of series' main characters. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more about the lives of both sets of main characters; Sun Valley Sherrif, Walt Fleming, as well as Seattle detective, Lou Boldt. Can't wait to dig into BOTH these series!
November 9, 2011
I like this author and his characters. Walt Fleming is the Sheriff of a small resort town out West that is inhabited by the rich and famous. In this book he finally breaks through with his paramour Fiona. After being divorced and conflicted for the past three years he finally lets himself off the hook. What happens with this story is a former steroided out football star gets released from jail for beating up his ex-girlfriend. He comes to Walt's town to track down the people he had hurt in his past as part of his 12 step program. Problem is everyone hates him and is scared to death of him. When he turns up dead there are quite a few suspects to choose from. Some Walt doesn't like and some others are to close to home giving Walt a huge moral dilemma. At the same time there is a vagrant running around in the woods who is breaking into homes to steal food and money and also a man who is molesting his step daughter. A very tight story with a lot of emotion from Walt. I liked the fact that Detective Boldt was introduced here and that him and Walt worked together quite well. A future book collaboration later I think. Also liked how he used his dog Beatrice for tracking and as his conscience. I heartily recommend this book.
July 12, 2010
This book is, in my opinion, the best of the three books in this Walt Fleming series, although all of them are good.
When I won this book from Goodreads, I felt obliged to read the first two books in the series before reading and reviewing this one. That said, I think that someone could read this novel without the benefit of the other ones, and still enjoy it. This book stands well on its own.
Without giving away the plot, suffice it to say that anyone who likes solid adventure/mystery novels will like this book, particularly if you like books that are easy to read and take very little brain-power to follow along. (C'mon, everyone gets in the mood for that kind of book now and again.)
It is well-written, logical, and a good ride. As I have started to say about books of this ilk: it is decidedly "flashlight worthy."
When I won this book from Goodreads, I felt obliged to read the first two books in the series before reading and reviewing this one. That said, I think that someone could read this novel without the benefit of the other ones, and still enjoy it. This book stands well on its own.
Without giving away the plot, suffice it to say that anyone who likes solid adventure/mystery novels will like this book, particularly if you like books that are easy to read and take very little brain-power to follow along. (C'mon, everyone gets in the mood for that kind of book now and again.)
It is well-written, logical, and a good ride. As I have started to say about books of this ilk: it is decidedly "flashlight worthy."
August 1, 2010
In Harm's Way is a good mystery/police drama with a likeable main character. Walt Fleming is a single dad trying to balance his difficult, time consuming job with the time he needs to spend with his children.
There are interesting interactions with his coworkers, including his new romantic interest, Fiona Kenshaw. I thought Fiona's emotional issues were a little over-the-top without a complete explanation, and the character of Kira got a little lost in the story. Lou Boldt from another of Pearson’s series is introduced in this book and I think it was a good addition.
The mystery story itself fell a little short for me. Although I did not figure out the end ahead of time, it still left me unimpressed. I still found the book interesting enough that I would like to read the other Walt Fleming series books, Killer Weekend, Killer View, and Killer Summer.
There are interesting interactions with his coworkers, including his new romantic interest, Fiona Kenshaw. I thought Fiona's emotional issues were a little over-the-top without a complete explanation, and the character of Kira got a little lost in the story. Lou Boldt from another of Pearson’s series is introduced in this book and I think it was a good addition.
The mystery story itself fell a little short for me. Although I did not figure out the end ahead of time, it still left me unimpressed. I still found the book interesting enough that I would like to read the other Walt Fleming series books, Killer Weekend, Killer View, and Killer Summer.
August 9, 2010
Sheriff Walt Flemming's increasing friendship with his part time crime scene photographer Fiona Kenshaw hits a bump when Fiona is photographed herself following her rescue of a young girl from a storm swollen river. Fiona is adamant about not having her picture published in the papers and asks Walt to intercede with them to keep the pictures out, but she won't divulge the reason behind the request. When Fiona disappears after receiving a text msg during a banquet he becomes worried. Walt is asked to help a Seattle Detective in a case that involves some high profile residents in the Ketchum area and when a ex pro Football player and ex con turns up dead beside a local road things get much more complicated. It was a good read, Ridley keeps things interesting and the plot moving along.
August 13, 2010
I am a big fan of Ridley Pearson's Lou Boldt novels and his more recent Walt Fleming series. Sun Valley, Idaho, adds to the conflict between the beautiful natural setting of the stories contrasting with the ugly human nature encounters as sheriff of the county. Sun Valley's draw brings celebrities--Hollywood and sports--to the area that Fleming has to deal with. In Harm's Way also brings some romance to the sheriff's personal life and his attraction to a local photgrapher involved in a murder makes him question his professional judment. The book is an enjoyable read that all thriller fans will find hard to put down.
April 29, 2011
I first became aware of Ridley Pearson's young adult series Kingdom Keepers. I have finished the first two books of this series and then had the opportunity to meet the author at the book signing for his fourth book. Shortly after meeting the author, I was in the library and In Harm's Way was on the return rack behind the counter. I decided to check out the book to see what kind of stories he wrote.
I really liked the story and the characters. The story is solid and the characters are likeable. I would read another Ridley Pearson book.
If you like David Balducci, Phillip Margolin, or James Patterson; you will find Pearson a familiar read.
I really liked the story and the characters. The story is solid and the characters are likeable. I would read another Ridley Pearson book.
If you like David Balducci, Phillip Margolin, or James Patterson; you will find Pearson a familiar read.
June 24, 2010
Sun Valley sheriff Walt Fleming finds his burgeoning relationship with crime scene photographer Fiona Kenshaw constrained after Fiona's photo winds up in the paper after her dramatic rescue of a child. Meanwhile, legendary Seattle lawman Lou Boldt arrives in Sun Valley to follow up on a connection to a recent murder on his home turf. When a former NFL star is killed in Sun Valley, Walt struggles to pursue his investigation -- and assist Boldt's -- without compromising Fiona. In Harm's Way is an enjoyable, fast-paced addition to Ridley Pearson's Sun Valley series.
September 7, 2011
Walt Fleming, sheriff of Sun Valley, returns to sort out a murder in this small community of locals mixed with vacationing celebrities. A Seattle homicide draws Detective Boldt to Sun Valley and the two men become friends as well as allies in solving the crimes.[return][return]An apparent bear intrusion, a steroid-driven ex-football player and a new love interest for Sheriff Walt Fleming make this a character driven mystery. The action is slow until the somewhat predictable ending. A good read, but not one of Pearson's bests.
July 3, 2010
I won this pre-release book off Goodreads Firstreads. Pearson does an excellent job weaving characters, plot, evidence, and suspense into a book hard to put down! While, the reader, unfortunately encounters some foul language, the story in itself is exceptionally done! Not fully understanding the past of the crime scene photographer, Fiona Kenshaw keeps you questioning her actions and motives from the first chapter to the end. If you're looking for a good mystery, you won't be disapointed!
July 10, 2011
This turned out to be a really good mystery. Sheriff Walt has developed a relationship with crime scene photographer Fiona Kenshaw. Unfortunately he doesn't know about Fiona's background, which she chooses to keep private and try to handle herself. Then someone from Fiona's past ends up dead and the evidence is directing Walt to her as the prime suspect. Should he trust her or trust his evidence?
February 5, 2013
Interesting story with twists and turns that gets a bit conveluted but manages to be saved by ending. Personality of angry divorced sherrif wanting nothing but his father’s praise is more than necessary. 7 of 10 stars
November 2, 2012
A little slow ...
October 21, 2020
Not to be confused with the novel about WWII by Herman Wouk, In Harm’s Way is another of those Ridley Pearson novels with elements of both a mystery and a thriller. And depending on where one is in the novel, either the intricacies of the procedural mystery or the anxiety-inducement of the thriller takes the forefront. For me, In Harm’s Way would work equally well for fans of both “instances” within the broader genre of mystery/suspense. Sometimes, In Harm’s Way is listed among Pearson’s other Lou Boadt novels, but even though the Seattle detective plays an important role in helping to solve the mystery, he only appears for roughly one-third of the book.
Don’t get me wrong. I like it when there is an “author-verse” where the characters from one novel series make strategic appearances in the novels featuring other characters. My patience for this may be related to my appreciation of comic book “universes” where crossovers have been a staple for decades, but it’s interesting to me when Michael Connelly’s “Lincoln Lawyer” is assisted by Bosch and vice-versa. To me, it adds to the continuity. To others, I know, it starts to fray the strings of verisimilitude.
But that’s beside the point! In Harm’s Way takes place in Sun Valley, Idaho—a get-away spot for the wealthy and famous. As you might suspect, the protagonist, Sheriff Walt Fleming, (apparently, this is #4 in a series) sometimes has to walk a tightrope when dealing with such powerful personalities. And, just as problems with short-sighted bureaucrats and ambitious superiors might be a factor in the tension regarding and conundrum in solving the case in other mystery series, one senses that Walt may have to tip-toe into solutions whenever he is involved in mysteries.
There really are multiple parallel mysteries in In Harm’s Way. From the start, one of the characters who is supposed to be on the “good” side is clearly hiding something from her past. Immediately after that aspect has been introduced, there is what first appears a bear break-in and then, suggests a faux bear break-in, and then, a tie-in with a murder in Seattle and, at least apparently, with the afore-mentioned powerful men before the central murder case of the story occurs. Sound as complex as a fine, vintage Rothschild Bordeaux? In many ways it is. And to top it off, there’s a bit of father-son interaction that many of us can resonate with.
For me, In Harm’s Way doesn’t break any new ground and didn’t surprise me, but as with all of the Ridley Pearson novels I’ve read to date, it’s very satisfying.
Don’t get me wrong. I like it when there is an “author-verse” where the characters from one novel series make strategic appearances in the novels featuring other characters. My patience for this may be related to my appreciation of comic book “universes” where crossovers have been a staple for decades, but it’s interesting to me when Michael Connelly’s “Lincoln Lawyer” is assisted by Bosch and vice-versa. To me, it adds to the continuity. To others, I know, it starts to fray the strings of verisimilitude.
But that’s beside the point! In Harm’s Way takes place in Sun Valley, Idaho—a get-away spot for the wealthy and famous. As you might suspect, the protagonist, Sheriff Walt Fleming, (apparently, this is #4 in a series) sometimes has to walk a tightrope when dealing with such powerful personalities. And, just as problems with short-sighted bureaucrats and ambitious superiors might be a factor in the tension regarding and conundrum in solving the case in other mystery series, one senses that Walt may have to tip-toe into solutions whenever he is involved in mysteries.
There really are multiple parallel mysteries in In Harm’s Way. From the start, one of the characters who is supposed to be on the “good” side is clearly hiding something from her past. Immediately after that aspect has been introduced, there is what first appears a bear break-in and then, suggests a faux bear break-in, and then, a tie-in with a murder in Seattle and, at least apparently, with the afore-mentioned powerful men before the central murder case of the story occurs. Sound as complex as a fine, vintage Rothschild Bordeaux? In many ways it is. And to top it off, there’s a bit of father-son interaction that many of us can resonate with.
For me, In Harm’s Way doesn’t break any new ground and didn’t surprise me, but as with all of the Ridley Pearson novels I’ve read to date, it’s very satisfying.
July 23, 2020
When I was a kid I used to enjoy Superhero crossover stories in the comic books. Who didn't want to see the Fantastic Four's "Thing" go after "The Hulk?" Who didn't want to see Spiderman team up with Iron Man? On top of that-- I always dreamed of a western reunion film (there was one, but I didn't get to see it) where the Rifleman met the folks from the Big Valley and the Ponderosa-- with a little visit from Will Paladin and Josh Randall, etc.
Unfortunately, when it comes to prose fiction, I'm not a huge fan of the crossover. I hated what Robert Parker did with his Sunny Randall and Parker novels.
Pearson goes after it this time by combining his two most popular characters, Lou Boldt and Walt Fleming. The sad thing is that they are almost the same character-- just operating in different settings. Boldt is more big city police department and Fleming more rural. Both have a strong sense of justice and a keen intuition when viewing a crime scene. Sadly, rather than being foils and adding tension to the novel, the two men quickly form a relationship that is far too much like a mutual admiration society.
The mystery is pretty decently handled. The author manages to create great uncertainty among the suspect and uses some prosaic sleight of hand to keep the reader guessing-- in fact, he manages to get us so focused on a group of suspects that a less than astute reader (me) might lose sight of another possible suspect.
Fleming is faced with a moral problem. One of the suspects, is Fiona, his crime scene photographer, and Walt has just initiated a romantic relationship with her. This creates a problem-- If she committed the crime or is protecting another suspect, how far will he go to protect her. His opinion was that if either Fiona or her friend committed the crime it was committed in self-defense-- but will he conceal evidence. Will he shield them fully from the law? Since neither one is cooperative, Fleming spends a good deal of the story conflicted which is the major source of the tension in this novel.
A good book-- though my favorites are the Lou Boldt series, this is the second of the Fleming novels I've read and they appear to be worth more time.
Unfortunately, when it comes to prose fiction, I'm not a huge fan of the crossover. I hated what Robert Parker did with his Sunny Randall and Parker novels.
Pearson goes after it this time by combining his two most popular characters, Lou Boldt and Walt Fleming. The sad thing is that they are almost the same character-- just operating in different settings. Boldt is more big city police department and Fleming more rural. Both have a strong sense of justice and a keen intuition when viewing a crime scene. Sadly, rather than being foils and adding tension to the novel, the two men quickly form a relationship that is far too much like a mutual admiration society.
The mystery is pretty decently handled. The author manages to create great uncertainty among the suspect and uses some prosaic sleight of hand to keep the reader guessing-- in fact, he manages to get us so focused on a group of suspects that a less than astute reader (me) might lose sight of another possible suspect.
Fleming is faced with a moral problem. One of the suspects, is Fiona, his crime scene photographer, and Walt has just initiated a romantic relationship with her. This creates a problem-- If she committed the crime or is protecting another suspect, how far will he go to protect her. His opinion was that if either Fiona or her friend committed the crime it was committed in self-defense-- but will he conceal evidence. Will he shield them fully from the law? Since neither one is cooperative, Fleming spends a good deal of the story conflicted which is the major source of the tension in this novel.
A good book-- though my favorites are the Lou Boldt series, this is the second of the Fleming novels I've read and they appear to be worth more time.
February 10, 2018
Sheriff Walt Fleming has a high profile murder to solve; a ex football player is found on the side of the road dead. So many clues, and only a few suspects. Was it the players ex agent, an NFL team owner or perhaps someone else? Was it a man, or could a woman have bludgeoned a huge linebacker to death? Walt has his hands full trying to solve the murder of Martel Gale, find a person that is breaking into homes, and juggle it with his two daughters, and a blossoming romance with the mysterious Fiona Kenshaw. Nothing new for the Sheriff of Sun Valley, an affluent area of Idaho where the rich and famous live. This time Walt is also helping Seattle Detective Lou Boldt in solving one of his murders. Perhaps they can help each other.
This was a really good mystery/thriller! I have to say I had to stay in my car to listen to the end of certain chapters because I had to find out what happened. Pearson not only can write Young Adult books - The Kingdom Keepers - he writes a great mystery! There was great suspense in the book, and I found myself yelling at some of his characters for being so stupid at times! He had me going until the very end of the book. Several times I thought I knew the murderer but found out I was wrong! Now I have to read some more of Walt Fleming's books.
This was a really good mystery/thriller! I have to say I had to stay in my car to listen to the end of certain chapters because I had to find out what happened. Pearson not only can write Young Adult books - The Kingdom Keepers - he writes a great mystery! There was great suspense in the book, and I found myself yelling at some of his characters for being so stupid at times! He had me going until the very end of the book. Several times I thought I knew the murderer but found out I was wrong! Now I have to read some more of Walt Fleming's books.
February 16, 2023
Obviously, my low score for this book is 100% subjective and was strongly influenced by the fact the detective/police investigative stories aren't a genre I enjoy much. The book was gifted to me, so I read it.
At first, I really like the protagonist, a recently divorced sheriff struggling to be a father and single parent. He's smart, empathetic, ethical....and he got a freaking amazing dog. That carried me for the first half of the book.
Enter the love interest. A crime scene photographer with her own trauma and baggage who begins to look like the primary suspect in an investigation. I hated her. She never answered a question with an answer. She always answered with a question or a "how could you?" Since she is in law enforcement, how could she not know that impeded investigation AND made her look guilty? Also, she NEVER did what she was told, even when it came as a direct order from the sheriff who was still her boss. Every single time, her decisions made things worse.
Oh yeah. Let's throw in the clichéd head injury with the all-too convenient amnesia.
But, what I really hated was how the sheriff started unraveling his ethics to protect a woman he very much suspected. Really????
No. Not the book for me.
At first, I really like the protagonist, a recently divorced sheriff struggling to be a father and single parent. He's smart, empathetic, ethical....and he got a freaking amazing dog. That carried me for the first half of the book.
Enter the love interest. A crime scene photographer with her own trauma and baggage who begins to look like the primary suspect in an investigation. I hated her. She never answered a question with an answer. She always answered with a question or a "how could you?" Since she is in law enforcement, how could she not know that impeded investigation AND made her look guilty? Also, she NEVER did what she was told, even when it came as a direct order from the sheriff who was still her boss. Every single time, her decisions made things worse.
Oh yeah. Let's throw in the clichéd head injury with the all-too convenient amnesia.
But, what I really hated was how the sheriff started unraveling his ethics to protect a woman he very much suspected. Really????
No. Not the book for me.
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