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Rocky Meadow Mysteries #1
The Bench
Rocky Meadow, Vermont, seemed to be a quiet little town until people started dying or showing up in the emergency room under mysterious circumstances. Dr. Amy Daniels is a trauma surgeon, who recently moved to Rocky Meadow after a family tragedy. There she meets Father Michael Lauretta, a psychologist priest who counsels troubled clergy and pastor of the famous Rocky Meadow Retreat House. Together, they save lives and souls and try to solve a mystery before they become the next target of a greedy killer. Will they be able to put a stop to this deadly rampage? The unexpected conclusion awaits in The Bench.
232 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2011
9 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Linda Rawlins
17 books173 followersLinda Rawlins
Author of Misty Point Mystery Series, Midnight Shift, and Rocky Meadow Mystery Series- Sacred Gold, Fatal Breach, The Bench
As a child, I loved to read, whenever and whatever I could get my hands on. I started to write my own "Nancy Drew" type mystery in fifth grade. As a student, I studied Biology in Vermont, Sciences and Literature in college and eventually became a physician. I enjoy writing mysteries that contain medical and light spiritual content. Either way, a good murder mystery is always fun.
Misty Manor - Three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey Shore as Megan Stanford returns to her childhood home to find her elderly grandmother and the family Grand Victorian home in a state of shocking neglect. As the town threatens to sue to ensure demolition of the guest cottages behind Misty Manor, mystery unfolds in the once quiet town of Misty Point, NJ. A dead body found in the debris, threatening messages, and vandalism, combined with an eerie sixty year old photograph, bring the investigation closer to home. Megan continues to dig for the truth and unwittingly begins to unravel a decades old secret, which threatens her and the future of Misty Manor.
My first book, The Bench, is set in the fictional town of Rocky Meadow, VT. The Rocky Meadow Mystery series then continues with Fatal Breach and Sacred Gold, although each book can be read as a stand alone, just like your favorite episodes of a mystery show. Dr. Amy Daniels is a trauma surgeon who moves to Rocky Meadow, VT to escape family tragedy. There she meets, Father Michael Lauretta, the psychologist pastor of St. Francis church and Rocky Meadow Retreat Center. Together, they solve a mystery and search for a killer with the help of Katie, the church cook, Willow, a teenage millionaire, Father Victor, visiting priest from Chicago and Tony Noce, owner of Hasco's Bar and Grill. In Fatal Breach, the characters become involved with cybercrime and a murder at a local soup kitchen. Sacred Gold is about gold treasure buried in the catacombs of the church. There is murder as well as a race to see who finds gold first.
While solving crimes, the main characters deal with life, loss, starting over and developing an appreciation for the friends and loved ones in their lives.
Linda Rawlins lives in New Jersey with her family. When she is not working in medicine, she is writing.
Come visit at www.lindarawlins.com - sign up for my newsletter.
You can also find me www.facebook.com/lindarawlinsauthor , www.goodreads.com/LindaRawlins https://www.amazon.com/author/lindara... www.Twitter.com/@LRL8
www.Instagram.com/lindarawlins
Healthy Blessed Reading!
Linda
Author of Misty Point Mystery Series, Midnight Shift, and Rocky Meadow Mystery Series- Sacred Gold, Fatal Breach, The Bench
As a child, I loved to read, whenever and whatever I could get my hands on. I started to write my own "Nancy Drew" type mystery in fifth grade. As a student, I studied Biology in Vermont, Sciences and Literature in college and eventually became a physician. I enjoy writing mysteries that contain medical and light spiritual content. Either way, a good murder mystery is always fun.
Misty Manor - Three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey Shore as Megan Stanford returns to her childhood home to find her elderly grandmother and the family Grand Victorian home in a state of shocking neglect. As the town threatens to sue to ensure demolition of the guest cottages behind Misty Manor, mystery unfolds in the once quiet town of Misty Point, NJ. A dead body found in the debris, threatening messages, and vandalism, combined with an eerie sixty year old photograph, bring the investigation closer to home. Megan continues to dig for the truth and unwittingly begins to unravel a decades old secret, which threatens her and the future of Misty Manor.
My first book, The Bench, is set in the fictional town of Rocky Meadow, VT. The Rocky Meadow Mystery series then continues with Fatal Breach and Sacred Gold, although each book can be read as a stand alone, just like your favorite episodes of a mystery show. Dr. Amy Daniels is a trauma surgeon who moves to Rocky Meadow, VT to escape family tragedy. There she meets, Father Michael Lauretta, the psychologist pastor of St. Francis church and Rocky Meadow Retreat Center. Together, they solve a mystery and search for a killer with the help of Katie, the church cook, Willow, a teenage millionaire, Father Victor, visiting priest from Chicago and Tony Noce, owner of Hasco's Bar and Grill. In Fatal Breach, the characters become involved with cybercrime and a murder at a local soup kitchen. Sacred Gold is about gold treasure buried in the catacombs of the church. There is murder as well as a race to see who finds gold first.
While solving crimes, the main characters deal with life, loss, starting over and developing an appreciation for the friends and loved ones in their lives.
Linda Rawlins lives in New Jersey with her family. When she is not working in medicine, she is writing.
Come visit at www.lindarawlins.com - sign up for my newsletter.
You can also find me www.facebook.com/lindarawlinsauthor , www.goodreads.com/LindaRawlins https://www.amazon.com/author/lindara... www.Twitter.com/@LRL8
www.Instagram.com/lindarawlins
Healthy Blessed Reading!
Linda
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 10, 2014
Exciting story with charming characters! The tension and excitement builds as the story goes on...I hope this is the first of a series. I wish this were a real place as I would book a retreat there. I loved the descriptions of where the story is set and also the honest way the priests are portrayed...as men who can lead others and yet struggle with personal issues. And we all need someone like Dr. Amy as our primary physician! I did not want the story to end and hope too see more from this author/these characters soon.
September 4, 2020
Enjoyed reading, would read more from this author
April 11, 2016
Well, I did it again, not as bad as yesterday, but still. I couldn't seem to put this book down! The last time that happened to me was when I read the Hunger Games series, and the time before that was Angels & Demons. I just finished The Bench by Linda Rawlins and it's wonderful and if you like - dang, I don't know how to classify this book. Perhaps if I tell you a little bit about it, you can classify it for yourself.
One of the main characters is Amy. Amy is a doctor who worked in a big Boston hospital; but after a home invasion leaves her sister dead and her niece in a coma, Amy finds she can no longer deals with the pressure of Boston, so she moves to a more quiet hospital in Vermont.
Next is Father Michael, a fairly young priest and psychologist who presides over the local parish and a retreat for priests who are having trouble dealing with the various stressors of their job.
Then you have Willow, a fifteen year old, who was raised by her grandmother because her mother, Marty, was an alcoholic and her father, Bobby, didn't want anything to do with either of them. After the grandmother dies under questionable circumstances, Willow is left a very rich little girl, and now suddenly her parents are back in her life. Marty goes to rehab so she can finally get sober and try to protect her daughter from Bobby, who basically is threatening Willow's life so he can get his hands on the inheritance.
Rounding out the cast of characters are Tony, ex NYPD now bartender, three visiting priests, several doctors and nurses from the hospital and a local or two thrown in for good measure. The story weaves their lives together in a Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman meets Father Dowling sort of way. I have no idea what genre to stick this story in, but I know I love it!
Another reason I'm excited, and I probably shouldn't admit it, is I already have Linda Rawlins' second book in the series, Fatal Breach, which I can start the second I finish The Bench.
Five stars, five thumbs up, five cupcakes whatever you want to give it, it deserves it! GET THIS BOOK NOW! You won't be disappointed!!!
One of the main characters is Amy. Amy is a doctor who worked in a big Boston hospital; but after a home invasion leaves her sister dead and her niece in a coma, Amy finds she can no longer deals with the pressure of Boston, so she moves to a more quiet hospital in Vermont.
Next is Father Michael, a fairly young priest and psychologist who presides over the local parish and a retreat for priests who are having trouble dealing with the various stressors of their job.
Then you have Willow, a fifteen year old, who was raised by her grandmother because her mother, Marty, was an alcoholic and her father, Bobby, didn't want anything to do with either of them. After the grandmother dies under questionable circumstances, Willow is left a very rich little girl, and now suddenly her parents are back in her life. Marty goes to rehab so she can finally get sober and try to protect her daughter from Bobby, who basically is threatening Willow's life so he can get his hands on the inheritance.
Rounding out the cast of characters are Tony, ex NYPD now bartender, three visiting priests, several doctors and nurses from the hospital and a local or two thrown in for good measure. The story weaves their lives together in a Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman meets Father Dowling sort of way. I have no idea what genre to stick this story in, but I know I love it!
Another reason I'm excited, and I probably shouldn't admit it, is I already have Linda Rawlins' second book in the series, Fatal Breach, which I can start the second I finish The Bench.
Five stars, five thumbs up, five cupcakes whatever you want to give it, it deserves it! GET THIS BOOK NOW! You won't be disappointed!!!
June 22, 2014
I loved this book for many reasons. The story was solid, believable, engaging, uncluttered and written with authority. The characters were well developed, from the major characters - doctor and priest, to the supporting cast, such as the young girl, who is left a sizable inheritance and has to deal with a destructive, self serving father.
I found myself reading this without pause for hours on the day I picked it up. I guess this was because I was immersed in the story. I finished reading it with a lasting impression and for this reason will be buying Ms Rawlings next offering. She is a talented writer who manages to bring plot characters and story to live with ease.
I found myself reading this without pause for hours on the day I picked it up. I guess this was because I was immersed in the story. I finished reading it with a lasting impression and for this reason will be buying Ms Rawlings next offering. She is a talented writer who manages to bring plot characters and story to live with ease.
July 25, 2013
A very good thriller. The characters are well developed and likeable, especially Dr. Amy and Father Michael. The pacing is very good - the danger and tension growing as the book progressed and backstory given as juicy little tidbits here and there. This is one of those books that makes you rationalize that the chores will still be there tomorrow, but you must finish this book now. An excellent start for what promises to be a great series.
February 10, 2013
To me this book was the start of a master piece.
I loved the disjointedness of it, if that makes sense, loved the poetry and the twist (though I worked it out early) of who the poet was, it is a book I will read a second time just to enjoy teh flow.
well done Linda
I loved the disjointedness of it, if that makes sense, loved the poetry and the twist (though I worked it out early) of who the poet was, it is a book I will read a second time just to enjoy teh flow.
well done Linda
May 14, 2012
A great read with memorable characters.
Hopefully the start of a long series!
Hopefully the start of a long series!
July 14, 2012
Def recommendation!
June 11, 2015
I simply could not put this book down and literally stayed up all night reading it.
January 31, 2020
Enjoyable read!
This was an excellent introduction to MS Rawlins' books! I'm looking forward o more stories by this author. Thank you for such good entertainment.
This was an excellent introduction to MS Rawlins' books! I'm looking forward o more stories by this author. Thank you for such good entertainment.
September 19, 2012
Inspirational insight into priests life and interactions
December 19, 2024
The book opens with a priest hearing the confession of a woman who believes she is guilty of murder, then switches to the lead character, Dr. Amy Daniels, who has recently moved into the area and works at the local hospital. She has brought with her lots of baggage centering around the death of her sister that left her niece in a coma and caused great grief that has prompted her to move to a new and distant location. Amy soon meets Michael Lauretta on a bench along the trail where he runs, but he does not tell her he is a priest at the large Catholic Church nearby. Amy also meets a young girl, left alone after the death of the grandmother who raised her, and is now in line to inherit a great sum of money. Amy attempts to help the girl and talks her into working at the clinic she is putting together. This very well-written book, complete with realistic characters and many suspects moves swiftly to a suspenseful and surprising end. Highly Recommended!
March 8, 2019
Not a great book. Much of this is because it's not my usual type of book. I like a lot of excitement and plot twists. This one is pure vanilla, both the plot and the characters. Writing was not bad, but elemental to me anyway.
September 6, 2014
The surprise of finding out who the "confessor" is was great. I enjoyed reading this book. There were a few slow moments of conversations that were too long and explained too much. I could follow the story well enough though I skipped ahead when I saw the conversation was explaining what I had already surmised. The suspense ran the entire novel front to back and was very satisfying.
There are several troubled women in the story. They are racked with guilt and fear because of past actions. Throughout the story each one tries to come to terms with their problem in different ways. I thought the author did a superb job of tying all these women's stories together in a believable way.
I liked all the priests, they seemed genuine, with each of their stories very much part of the whole novel's story. I especially liked that the bad guy was dressed as a priest. This ramped up the suspense a lot.
The stories conclusion was a good one. I'm glad I read this book and I recommend it to others. It's a little bit of a mix between a "Mitford series" and a seriously scary suspense novel.
There are several troubled women in the story. They are racked with guilt and fear because of past actions. Throughout the story each one tries to come to terms with their problem in different ways. I thought the author did a superb job of tying all these women's stories together in a believable way.
I liked all the priests, they seemed genuine, with each of their stories very much part of the whole novel's story. I especially liked that the bad guy was dressed as a priest. This ramped up the suspense a lot.
The stories conclusion was a good one. I'm glad I read this book and I recommend it to others. It's a little bit of a mix between a "Mitford series" and a seriously scary suspense novel.
March 17, 2012
I could not put this novel down and did not want it to end. I hope this is the first book in a series. Very exciting and also inspirational. I wish St. Francis were a real place...I would book a retreat there!
Great Cozy- with a hint of medical suspense and spiritual lift.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews