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Acts of Misfortune #1
An Act of Misfortune
Check out Stephen John latest book, The Spirit of Christmas.
Has the Swamp Team 3 finally met their match? Fortune finds herself pitted against a deadly adversary, Alex Ripley, a former military assassin and undefeated professional boxer, turned killer-for-hire. Gertie stumbles on a dead body and a rare bird, thought to be extinct. When fellow investigator Brennan Noble ties those two events together he joins forces with Swamp Team 3. They spring into action and uncover an evil conspiracy. Their investigation triggers a dangerous game of cat and mouse between Fortune and Ripley, Fortune's most formidable opponent yet. As the investigation zeroes in on the killer, Fortune and Ripley square off . . . and it's a battle for the ages.
What readers are saying about An Act of Misfortune
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is the first Fortune book I've read that wasn't Janice Deleon written. I'm surprised it was so good. You can tell the difference but still enjoyable reading.
5.0 out of 5 stars An act of misfortune
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
What a very enjoyable, fun mystery ! You make Fortune and her awesome ! I thank Jana DeLeon for you and others to continue Fortune Stories ! I hope there is another Misfortune mystery real soon!
Fun book!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book!
It'll make you laugh out loud.
I found myself absorbed in the characters, and I absolutely loved Brennan!
Thank you Stephen.
Keep them coming!☺
Love Books
5.0 out of 5 stars what a story!
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read the story a couple of times so I wouldn't miss the comedy and snarky dialogue between the characters. Read the fabulous beginning to the book a couple times like I did. It's hilarious!
Caitlin
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
The first thing about this book that stood out to me was the humor. While the suspense/mystery aspect was the main theme of the book, the humor was a nice touch. The story line was creative and kept me engaged. I found it to be one of those books that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next.
L. Mejia
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally worth the read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2023
What fun this was to read! I felt as if I was along with each of the characters and joining in with them on the adventure. I so look forward to reading more from this author. What a great find! This was so much fun to read! Totally worth the read! Glad I stumbled upon this book.
Rochelle L. Tobias
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is engaging. The characters are easy to follow. Great combination of mystery and humor. Miss Fortune series fans will enjoy this book.
Stephanie
5.
Has the Swamp Team 3 finally met their match? Fortune finds herself pitted against a deadly adversary, Alex Ripley, a former military assassin and undefeated professional boxer, turned killer-for-hire. Gertie stumbles on a dead body and a rare bird, thought to be extinct. When fellow investigator Brennan Noble ties those two events together he joins forces with Swamp Team 3. They spring into action and uncover an evil conspiracy. Their investigation triggers a dangerous game of cat and mouse between Fortune and Ripley, Fortune's most formidable opponent yet. As the investigation zeroes in on the killer, Fortune and Ripley square off . . . and it's a battle for the ages.
What readers are saying about An Act of Misfortune
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is the first Fortune book I've read that wasn't Janice Deleon written. I'm surprised it was so good. You can tell the difference but still enjoyable reading.
5.0 out of 5 stars An act of misfortune
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
What a very enjoyable, fun mystery ! You make Fortune and her awesome ! I thank Jana DeLeon for you and others to continue Fortune Stories ! I hope there is another Misfortune mystery real soon!
Fun book!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book!
It'll make you laugh out loud.
I found myself absorbed in the characters, and I absolutely loved Brennan!
Thank you Stephen.
Keep them coming!☺
Love Books
5.0 out of 5 stars what a story!
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read the story a couple of times so I wouldn't miss the comedy and snarky dialogue between the characters. Read the fabulous beginning to the book a couple times like I did. It's hilarious!
Caitlin
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
The first thing about this book that stood out to me was the humor. While the suspense/mystery aspect was the main theme of the book, the humor was a nice touch. The story line was creative and kept me engaged. I found it to be one of those books that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next.
L. Mejia
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally worth the read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2023
What fun this was to read! I felt as if I was along with each of the characters and joining in with them on the adventure. I so look forward to reading more from this author. What a great find! This was so much fun to read! Totally worth the read! Glad I stumbled upon this book.
Rochelle L. Tobias
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is engaging. The characters are easy to follow. Great combination of mystery and humor. Miss Fortune series fans will enjoy this book.
Stephanie
5.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2023
160 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Stephen John
11 books14 followersSteve is a retired business executive and former sports journalist who now writes cozy mysteries with a twist of sass and suspense. His Miss Fortune novels—set in the beloved world created by Jana DeLeon—blend small-town charm with fast-paced adventure, earning him six #1 rankings in Amazon’s action/adventure category.
Steve’s fiction career began in 2008 with Amazon’s Kindle Worlds, where he was invited to craft stories using established characters. His sharp dialogue and tightly woven plots quickly made him a fan favorite in the Miss Fortune universe.
Beyond cozy mysteries, Steve has co-authored two thrill-packed titles—Devil’s Face and Gray Ghost—with bestselling author David Wood in the Dane Maddock Action Adventure Series. He also collaborated with Jesse Jacobson on Rainhorse, a gritty Western tale of justice and redemption. His standalone novel Night Music showcases his range, blending suspense and emotional depth in a story all his own.
Steve’s first book, Deal Me In, is a nonfiction deep dive into the lives of twenty poker legends, commissioned by Phil Hellmuth himself. His time with poker and sports celebrities—including Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Johnny Chan, and basketball stars like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo—inspired him to keep telling great stories.
When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, children, and grandchildren. You might also catch him performing in the Seattle music scene with his acoustic duo, Latitude 47—proof that good stories and good tunes never go out of style.
Steve’s fiction career began in 2008 with Amazon’s Kindle Worlds, where he was invited to craft stories using established characters. His sharp dialogue and tightly woven plots quickly made him a fan favorite in the Miss Fortune universe.
Beyond cozy mysteries, Steve has co-authored two thrill-packed titles—Devil’s Face and Gray Ghost—with bestselling author David Wood in the Dane Maddock Action Adventure Series. He also collaborated with Jesse Jacobson on Rainhorse, a gritty Western tale of justice and redemption. His standalone novel Night Music showcases his range, blending suspense and emotional depth in a story all his own.
Steve’s first book, Deal Me In, is a nonfiction deep dive into the lives of twenty poker legends, commissioned by Phil Hellmuth himself. His time with poker and sports celebrities—including Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Johnny Chan, and basketball stars like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo—inspired him to keep telling great stories.
When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, children, and grandchildren. You might also catch him performing in the Seattle music scene with his acoustic duo, Latitude 47—proof that good stories and good tunes never go out of style.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 4, 2024
Big corporation tries to bribe the good guys
Fortune, Brennan, Ida Belle and Gertie get involved in a murder cover-up when Gertie decides to start birdwatching. Brennan shows Gertie a secluded area in a local park where it is more quiet for her to find birds. What Gertie finds is a dead body while she is taking pictures of birds. The dead body turns out to be a professor searching for a previously thought extinct woodpecker. He got a picture of a male woodpecker and Gertie got a picture of a female woodpecker. They needed to find a nest with chicks or eggs so the could stop a development company from bulldozing the entire park for a mall or something. And they had to prove the professor was murdered and didn't just accidentally fall into the ravine. A great murder mystery with comedy mixed in. Brennan is a great addition to Swamp Team 3 and hopefully will continue in future stories.
Fortune, Brennan, Ida Belle and Gertie get involved in a murder cover-up when Gertie decides to start birdwatching. Brennan shows Gertie a secluded area in a local park where it is more quiet for her to find birds. What Gertie finds is a dead body while she is taking pictures of birds. The dead body turns out to be a professor searching for a previously thought extinct woodpecker. He got a picture of a male woodpecker and Gertie got a picture of a female woodpecker. They needed to find a nest with chicks or eggs so the could stop a development company from bulldozing the entire park for a mall or something. And they had to prove the professor was murdered and didn't just accidentally fall into the ravine. A great murder mystery with comedy mixed in. Brennan is a great addition to Swamp Team 3 and hopefully will continue in future stories.
June 7, 2024
This is a very well written book. Despite the characters being from the Miss Fortune series by Nana DeLeon the author has managed to stay true to the original while at the same time.finding something new to add using his own voice. The something new is the character Brennan a private eye.the ladies go to for help in the first of the series who returns in each book providing help for the current case. Brennan is an entertaining character and is someone whose books I would love to read it the author decided to do a spin off series. This book sees the team involved in cribbage tournaments, birdwatching, environmental causes and murder. With Carter and Walter sidelines she to ill health the ladies are on their own sorting this one.out.........oh and has Fortune finally met her match.......
October 24, 2023
Fisappointed
After reading all 25 of Jana Deleon’s Miss Fortune books, I was hoping the Acts of Misfortune Series would be as good. It has the same characters and that is the only similarity.
The dialogue between the characters is in no way as crisp or humorous as the original series. The cadence was also off. If I didn’t know it was written by a different when I started reading,I would have known after the first few pages.
I’ll wait for Ms. Deleon releases boom 26 in the series.
After reading all 25 of Jana Deleon’s Miss Fortune books, I was hoping the Acts of Misfortune Series would be as good. It has the same characters and that is the only similarity.
The dialogue between the characters is in no way as crisp or humorous as the original series. The cadence was also off. If I didn’t know it was written by a different when I started reading,I would have known after the first few pages.
I’ll wait for Ms. Deleon releases boom 26 in the series.
March 20, 2023
An act of missfortune
Celia is back with her usual pranks. Fortune and friends were hiking and bird watching. Greta got a picture of a woodpecker that was extent. Brennan was helping Fortune while in the park Greta screamed and Fortune and Brennan ran to where she was . She pointed down and there was a body down at the bottom of the gorge. Look out for Ripley. Ripley and company want to tear up the mountain are for big business like Wal-Mart.
Celia is back with her usual pranks. Fortune and friends were hiking and bird watching. Greta got a picture of a woodpecker that was extent. Brennan was helping Fortune while in the park Greta screamed and Fortune and Brennan ran to where she was . She pointed down and there was a body down at the bottom of the gorge. Look out for Ripley. Ripley and company want to tear up the mountain are for big business like Wal-Mart.
July 24, 2023
Kind of MisFortune
I have read all 25 of Deleon's books and have laughed through them all. I wanted to read more and the John book shows up. I thought "yay" more books about Fortune and her Crew...well the story was ok, but the shifts in character and dialogue were too much and I kept comparing so I couldn't enjoy the book as much and my attention drifted. So I was disappointed. I may try another because I miss reading the series, but I will have to see...
I have read all 25 of Deleon's books and have laughed through them all. I wanted to read more and the John book shows up. I thought "yay" more books about Fortune and her Crew...well the story was ok, but the shifts in character and dialogue were too much and I kept comparing so I couldn't enjoy the book as much and my attention drifted. So I was disappointed. I may try another because I miss reading the series, but I will have to see...
February 16, 2023
Loved it!
Another wonderful mystery to solve ! Fortune once again jumps in to solve a crime along with her friends. This time Fortune has her hand full when she has to deal with an assassin. Lots of laughs and shenanigans with Bertie and Ida and Brennen. Humor and action and great characters who always seem to cause chaos ! Loved it!
Another wonderful mystery to solve ! Fortune once again jumps in to solve a crime along with her friends. This time Fortune has her hand full when she has to deal with an assassin. Lots of laughs and shenanigans with Bertie and Ida and Brennen. Humor and action and great characters who always seem to cause chaos ! Loved it!
May 18, 2023
Saying goodbye.
I'm sorry but the author failed to capture the personal of the characters I've grown to know & love. The Miss Fortune books are the only books that have made me laugh out loud & I will miss that. I will follow Jana in her other books but will miss Fortune & her gang of friends.
I'm sorry but the author failed to capture the personal of the characters I've grown to know & love. The Miss Fortune books are the only books that have made me laugh out loud & I will miss that. I will follow Jana in her other books but will miss Fortune & her gang of friends.
June 2, 2024
Disappointing
I was thrilled to find more stories in the Miss Fortune/Swamp Team 3 world but sadly disappointed in this one. The writing was clunky and the characters didn’t ring true. I’ll be waiting for the next original Jana Deleon Swamp Team, the ersatz version just didn’t cut it.
I was thrilled to find more stories in the Miss Fortune/Swamp Team 3 world but sadly disappointed in this one. The writing was clunky and the characters didn’t ring true. I’ll be waiting for the next original Jana Deleon Swamp Team, the ersatz version just didn’t cut it.
August 2, 2025
Good story
This is is good story. The characters seem a little mixed up. Ida Belle is generally the logical calm one, where Bertie is flighty & goofy. I gave it three stars because of the use of China Virus. Every book I read that mentions it gets three stars or less. overall I enjoyed the book.
This is is good story. The characters seem a little mixed up. Ida Belle is generally the logical calm one, where Bertie is flighty & goofy. I gave it three stars because of the use of China Virus. Every book I read that mentions it gets three stars or less. overall I enjoyed the book.
April 25, 2023
Sweet Revenge
Here we go again with Fortune and her two senior adult investigative associates. Now add another private investigator, a killer and a showdown between Gertie and Celia to experience a new twist on getting even.
Here we go again with Fortune and her two senior adult investigative associates. Now add another private investigator, a killer and a showdown between Gertie and Celia to experience a new twist on getting even.
May 3, 2023
Hmmm....
While good to read about my favorite characters it felt like this was more of a script for a show than a book. There was a lacking in depth of character development. It just did not resonate with me.
While good to read about my favorite characters it felt like this was more of a script for a show than a book. There was a lacking in depth of character development. It just did not resonate with me.
October 16, 2023
NOT Janet Deleon,
I loved the Miss Fortune series by Janet Deleon. Stephen John took the characters and left out the humor, the natural progression of a plot, even if it was convoluted, and the overall feel for the personalities. This was a huge disappointment!
I loved the Miss Fortune series by Janet Deleon. Stephen John took the characters and left out the humor, the natural progression of a plot, even if it was convoluted, and the overall feel for the personalities. This was a huge disappointment!
January 14, 2025
Fortune , Ida Bell and Gerdy are at it again
Its always fun to read about the adventures of the there of them. Its a fast read, always entertaining to see what trouble they can get in.
Its always fun to read about the adventures of the there of them. Its a fast read, always entertaining to see what trouble they can get in.
March 21, 2023
Good book
This is the first Fortune book I've read that wasn't Janice Deleon written. I'm surprised it was so good. You can tell the difference but still enjoyable reading.
This is the first Fortune book I've read that wasn't Janice Deleon written. I'm surprised it was so good. You can tell the difference but still enjoyable reading.
April 25, 2023
Disappointed
I so wanted to like this book but it just didn't portray the characters personalities like they are by the original author. Was not a good read.
I so wanted to like this book but it just didn't portray the characters personalities like they are by the original author. Was not a good read.
May 26, 2023
Very entertaining
Quite enjoyed this book. Had some bad news earlier and this helped me deal with it! Might read it again down the road.
Quite enjoyed this book. Had some bad news earlier and this helped me deal with it! Might read it again down the road.
October 9, 2023
Not to bad
Nothing like Jana DeLeon. I like DeLeon's better.. Jana seldom seems more exciting. A More natural flow to the words with a lot more laughs.
Nothing like Jana DeLeon. I like DeLeon's better.. Jana seldom seems more exciting. A More natural flow to the words with a lot more laughs.
March 13, 2024
Brilliant book
I love all the misfortune books they are all really well written and make me laugh out loud love them
I love all the misfortune books they are all really well written and make me laugh out loud love them
July 20, 2025
Entertaining
Love the Fortune series, the characters and story telling is entertaining and makes a fun read. Constantly and patiently waiting for next book.
Love the Fortune series, the characters and story telling is entertaining and makes a fun read. Constantly and patiently waiting for next book.
June 3, 2023
Entertaining and engaging
April 1, 2023
Typical Fortune
Typical Fortune meaning a GREAT BOOK! These books are the type that once you start the book, you read it til the end even if your up ALL NIGHT! I love all Fortune books.
Typical Fortune meaning a GREAT BOOK! These books are the type that once you start the book, you read it til the end even if your up ALL NIGHT! I love all Fortune books.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews