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Pete Culnane Mysteries #1
Blinded by the Sight
Police investigators Pete Culnane and Martin Tierney are as different as parchment and newsprint, and Martin's insecurities are fed by Pete's expertise and finesse. A homeless man wearing an eye-popping diamond ring is as inexplicable to both of them as the disappearance of the two boys who reported his body on St. Paul's Upper Landing. Blinded by the Sight demonstrates how good intentions can go awry, resulting in unintended, life-altering predicaments.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Smith
9 books21 followersA lifelong resident of Minnesota, I was born in Saint Cloud and attended Saint Catherine University in Saint Paul. The tall iron fence surrounding the campus provided a sense of security for this small-town transplant. Over the next four years, I grew to love the Twin Cities, in part because of the Minnesota Twins and my love for baseball. After graduating, I rented an apartment a few miles from Metropolitan stadium and rarely missed a home game.
During my thirty-two years with the state department of public safety, I worked with law enforcement and fire officials at the state, county and municipal levels. Those interactions assisted me with writing mysteries, but were just the starting point. Without the help of a friend who spent thirty-five years as a cop, I would never have ventured into writing police procedurals. He contributed to my understanding of the perspectives of my two protagonists, Pete Culnane and Martin Tierney Thankfully, this friend is still a resource. He proof reads each manuscript and performs a reality check on the law enforcement aspects.
Publishing family memoirs helped fine tune my research skills, and taught me to contact everyone in the book. I used that tactic on the first Pete Culnane mystery, Blinded by the Sight, and included those who assisted in the acknowledgments. That paid rich rewards as I worked on books two, three, and four in the series. An investigator in the medical examiner’s office provided a foot-in-the-door with the head of homicide at the Saint Paul Police Department, and with a retired investigator (detective).
I’m always amazed by how willing the professionals are to help. The Saint Paul Fire Marshall and an emergency medicine physician patiently and graciously answered my questions. Taking it a step further, I spent four days at the State Fair, while working on Murder on a Stick. While there, I spoke with law enforcement and fire officials. I questioned at least fifty food vendors, and an information booth volunteer. A ticket booth supervisor gave me the lowdown on their procedures. True to form, I was bent on getting the facts right. If I didn’t know the answer, I researched it.
My Road to Publication:
My first encouragement to become an author came from my maternal grandmother. She told me how much she enjoyed the letters I wrote her.
Creative writing became my avocation when I decided to try my hand at writing the type of books I devoured—mysteries. I completed my first novel in 1996, but filed it away and decided to try again. Finished book two, found an agent, and anxiously awaited a publishing contract.
Meanwhile, I believed someone must write a memoir, commemorating the life of my maternal grandmother. No, not just because she liked my letters. :-) Being a realist, I knew it was me or no one. I took up the cause. Made several attempts, was never quite satisfied. Finally, I decided to start with my moments at her death bed.
Like the other versions, I sent this one to a sister who is still my go-to critic and proofreader. She said, “This one is perfect. I laughed, and I cried.”
I could identify with that assessment. I cried while typing it.
Well, to make a long story shorter, that memoir became a memoir of both of my mother’s parents, and all four of her grandparents. Couldn’t stop there. Dad’s family deserved equal time. For four years, I dedicated every spare moment to these memoirs—and none to writing novels.
After completing the memoirs, I had yet to see an offer from my agent. The theme of that novel was no longer in the forefront, so I did a major re-write.
I dove in and, true to my obsessive-compulsive tendencies, spent every available minute writing. The completed novel was Blinded by the Sight. This time, before taking on the world of publishing, I paid a writing instructor to evaluate the manuscript. My final question was, “Does it merit publication by a major publisher?”
She said it did, but suggested limiting the t
During my thirty-two years with the state department of public safety, I worked with law enforcement and fire officials at the state, county and municipal levels. Those interactions assisted me with writing mysteries, but were just the starting point. Without the help of a friend who spent thirty-five years as a cop, I would never have ventured into writing police procedurals. He contributed to my understanding of the perspectives of my two protagonists, Pete Culnane and Martin Tierney Thankfully, this friend is still a resource. He proof reads each manuscript and performs a reality check on the law enforcement aspects.
Publishing family memoirs helped fine tune my research skills, and taught me to contact everyone in the book. I used that tactic on the first Pete Culnane mystery, Blinded by the Sight, and included those who assisted in the acknowledgments. That paid rich rewards as I worked on books two, three, and four in the series. An investigator in the medical examiner’s office provided a foot-in-the-door with the head of homicide at the Saint Paul Police Department, and with a retired investigator (detective).
I’m always amazed by how willing the professionals are to help. The Saint Paul Fire Marshall and an emergency medicine physician patiently and graciously answered my questions. Taking it a step further, I spent four days at the State Fair, while working on Murder on a Stick. While there, I spoke with law enforcement and fire officials. I questioned at least fifty food vendors, and an information booth volunteer. A ticket booth supervisor gave me the lowdown on their procedures. True to form, I was bent on getting the facts right. If I didn’t know the answer, I researched it.
My Road to Publication:
My first encouragement to become an author came from my maternal grandmother. She told me how much she enjoyed the letters I wrote her.
Creative writing became my avocation when I decided to try my hand at writing the type of books I devoured—mysteries. I completed my first novel in 1996, but filed it away and decided to try again. Finished book two, found an agent, and anxiously awaited a publishing contract.
Meanwhile, I believed someone must write a memoir, commemorating the life of my maternal grandmother. No, not just because she liked my letters. :-) Being a realist, I knew it was me or no one. I took up the cause. Made several attempts, was never quite satisfied. Finally, I decided to start with my moments at her death bed.
Like the other versions, I sent this one to a sister who is still my go-to critic and proofreader. She said, “This one is perfect. I laughed, and I cried.”
I could identify with that assessment. I cried while typing it.
Well, to make a long story shorter, that memoir became a memoir of both of my mother’s parents, and all four of her grandparents. Couldn’t stop there. Dad’s family deserved equal time. For four years, I dedicated every spare moment to these memoirs—and none to writing novels.
After completing the memoirs, I had yet to see an offer from my agent. The theme of that novel was no longer in the forefront, so I did a major re-write.
I dove in and, true to my obsessive-compulsive tendencies, spent every available minute writing. The completed novel was Blinded by the Sight. This time, before taking on the world of publishing, I paid a writing instructor to evaluate the manuscript. My final question was, “Does it merit publication by a major publisher?”
She said it did, but suggested limiting the t
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 16, 2016
4.5! Nothing gruesome or overly complicated, just a simple, straight forward, really well written story! Definitely an enjoyable read!
September 16, 2021
This is not bad for a first book. While not complicated, the mystery was engaging enough to keep me reading. The book avoids the dead space in the middle where nothing happens, which is often an issue in mysteries. Pete, the main character is interesting and the author gives enough clues to his past to make you want to read more books to see how he progresses. It doesn’t hurt that I live in Minneapolis and enjoy the references to local places and activities. She does a good job of using St. Paul and Minnesota as a character.
There are some issues, however, that I hope she learns to overcome in the continuing series. There are several plots that just end. These are not red herrings, but plots are just dropped. The murderer turns out to be someone who first appears very late in the book, which I find annoying in a mystery.
The biggest fault, in my opinion, is the character of Martin. He is so insecure and jealous of Pete in the beginning, I almost stopped reading to avoid him. Then, without any explanation, he and Pete have a partnership where Martin makes some valuable contributions. Then, just as suddenly, he’s insecure again. At the end, he’s send off on a minor investigation while Pete wraps it all up and captures the murderer with someone else. Looking ahead at the other books in the series, I see that Martin continues to be Pete’s partner. These books will only work if Martin develops both professionally and personally into a more competent and likable character.
All in all, there was enough here for me to continue the series, especially as the third book takes place at the Minnesota State Fair, a favorite place of mine. But improvements must be make in characters, plots and writing for this to become a continuing series for me.
There are some issues, however, that I hope she learns to overcome in the continuing series. There are several plots that just end. These are not red herrings, but plots are just dropped. The murderer turns out to be someone who first appears very late in the book, which I find annoying in a mystery.
The biggest fault, in my opinion, is the character of Martin. He is so insecure and jealous of Pete in the beginning, I almost stopped reading to avoid him. Then, without any explanation, he and Pete have a partnership where Martin makes some valuable contributions. Then, just as suddenly, he’s insecure again. At the end, he’s send off on a minor investigation while Pete wraps it all up and captures the murderer with someone else. Looking ahead at the other books in the series, I see that Martin continues to be Pete’s partner. These books will only work if Martin develops both professionally and personally into a more competent and likable character.
All in all, there was enough here for me to continue the series, especially as the third book takes place at the Minnesota State Fair, a favorite place of mine. But improvements must be make in characters, plots and writing for this to become a continuing series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2019
A good first novel. I thought the concept and premise were plausible and unique. An apparently homeless man is found murdered. But the fact he's wearing an expensive ring casts doubts on what his real situation was. It's a straight-ahead detective story with two believable characters as the cops--Culnane and Tierney. Culnane's relationship with the men at the shelter is a good subplot. I would have liked Culnane's potential romance to have been a bigger subplot.
I had a bit of trouble keeping track of the large cast of characters, especially the victim's family. Dialogue was generally believable, but the pace was slowed at times by discussion of too many unimportant details and internal thoughts by the two cops.
Another positive is that this leans toward a cozy mystery style--very little violence and gore, clean language for the most part. Readers who don't like excessive sex, violence, and bad language may enjoy this book.
I had a bit of trouble keeping track of the large cast of characters, especially the victim's family. Dialogue was generally believable, but the pace was slowed at times by discussion of too many unimportant details and internal thoughts by the two cops.
Another positive is that this leans toward a cozy mystery style--very little violence and gore, clean language for the most part. Readers who don't like excessive sex, violence, and bad language may enjoy this book.
September 15, 2016
Loved the fact that it is set in St. Paul, MN but mostly, it was a very good story/mystery. Starting Ms. Smith's second mystery in this series.
November 7, 2011
S.L. Smith introduces Pete Culnane and Martin Tierney in Blinded by the Sight. In this debut novel a homeless man is found dead—and wearing a very impressive diamond ring.
Pete learns that two young boys on bicycles may have witnessed the crime, but they soon disappear and they’ve given the authorities phony information. The homeless man’s family gives the reader pause. Are they hiding something?
Follow Pete as he investigates and learns that things aren’t always as they appear. This story goes beyond being a police procedural. The characters won me over and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I felt like I was watching over Pete’s shoulder while he investigated, and I couldn’t help but enjoy Martin as he tried to impress his partner with new ideas. The two young boys in the story give the police detectives a run for their money and add an extra element of interest and entertainment.
Blinded by the Sight is a most enjoyable book and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys police procedural or mystery stories. I can’t wait to read the next book by S.L. Smith.
Pete learns that two young boys on bicycles may have witnessed the crime, but they soon disappear and they’ve given the authorities phony information. The homeless man’s family gives the reader pause. Are they hiding something?
Follow Pete as he investigates and learns that things aren’t always as they appear. This story goes beyond being a police procedural. The characters won me over and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I felt like I was watching over Pete’s shoulder while he investigated, and I couldn’t help but enjoy Martin as he tried to impress his partner with new ideas. The two young boys in the story give the police detectives a run for their money and add an extra element of interest and entertainment.
Blinded by the Sight is a most enjoyable book and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys police procedural or mystery stories. I can’t wait to read the next book by S.L. Smith.
May 26, 2014
This is a great attempt at a very complex crime investigation. It involves many suspects, witnesses, detectives; it even crosses state lines into downtown Chicago. I can tell S.L. Smith has a lot of exciting biography on sergeant Pete Culnane, but WAY too much of it was revealed in this book. She could have saved some of it for the sequel, Running Scared; a book that had little to zero back-story!
Blinded's action sequences were written well, but transitions between points-of-view and settings were strained. I really liked the Reaching Out homeless shelter side-story with Doc and the author convincingly portrayed an eleven-year-old narrator despite being a middle-aged woman. Not bad!
Blinded's action sequences were written well, but transitions between points-of-view and settings were strained. I really liked the Reaching Out homeless shelter side-story with Doc and the author convincingly portrayed an eleven-year-old narrator despite being a middle-aged woman. Not bad!
April 28, 2012
This was a good read for any mystery reader. Author leads you along with just enough red herrings to make you out guess yourself several times. Guys will recognized the men in her story as real people run into everyday.
Treat yourself there is a new author worth reading.
Treat yourself there is a new author worth reading.
April 19, 2012
We read this for book club since we live in St Paul. So it was fun to pick the places. Fast paced, easy read. I didn't know who did it until the end. Will add more after book club.
November 27, 2016
Super fun to read if you are a St. Paul native!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews