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Fitzgerald Bay #1
The Lawman's Legacy
In this inspirational romantic suspense, a small town cop falls for a beautiful but secretive stranger while investigating a murder.After a nanny is killed in Fitzgerald Bay, police captain Douglas Fitzgerald’s brother becomes the prime suspect. “Faith and family” is the Fitzgerald motto—Douglas won’t let his own go down for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet when Douglas questions the single mother who found the victim, he notices Merry O’Leary is nervous. Secretive. Deeply scared of someone. The nanny’s killer . . . or someone else? When the truth comes to light, it will take all of Douglas’s faith—and his love for this little family—to keep a killer at bay.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 23, 2016
3.75
A very good cozy mystery about a small town in New England. Merry is on the run, and Douglas isn't about to let her run alone. He realizes she's hiding something from him, and after a murder and an attempt on her life, he makes her tell him. Now he's got to keep her safe...
I will say that Douglas was superhumanly reasonable for a man whose best girl keeps stepping on his ego. :) I have not known very many men that wouldn't take off eventually after her prickly behavior and continual lie about her past.
Apparently the murder mystery is strung throughout the six books of this series, so I will just have to keep reading.
A very good cozy mystery about a small town in New England. Merry is on the run, and Douglas isn't about to let her run alone. He realizes she's hiding something from him, and after a murder and an attempt on her life, he makes her tell him. Now he's got to keep her safe...
I will say that Douglas was superhumanly reasonable for a man whose best girl keeps stepping on his ego. :) I have not known very many men that wouldn't take off eventually after her prickly behavior and continual lie about her past.
Apparently the murder mystery is strung throughout the six books of this series, so I will just have to keep reading.
May 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book and look forward to the other books in the Fitzgerald Bay series. It was very suspenseful and gripping.
February 20, 2019
1.5 stars? I probably would have DNFed if I didn't want to read the rest of the series.
April 9, 2019
Douglas Fitzgerald is taken with the newer resident of Fitzgerald Bay. But after a few lunch dates, she's keeping her distance and he's trying to respect that. When she finds a murder victim, however, Douglas feels compelled to figure out exactly what she is hiding.
Merry O'Leary just wanted a quiet, safe place to raise her 4 year old son and lay low. The small town seemed to be the place to do it. But trouble has a way of catching up with people and she rapidly realizes that the trouble she left behind has finally caught up with her. Now she just has to convince herself to leave.
This book was...a book. I wasn't blown away by it, but I'm not mad at it either. The action was there, the romance was...sorta there? I don't know. I kinda feel like the romance was a bit of a rush job. I also wonder about the idea of people knowing that someone is their soulmate from having two lunches together. But at least they didn't get married at the end of the book....or proposed to!!! YAYYYY!!!!! Cliche avoided!!!
August 7, 2019
The Lawman's Legacy by Shirlee McCoy is a great romantic suspense. Ms. McCoy has provided readers with a well-written book populated with awesome characters. When Merry's friend is murdered, the police have a lot of questions for her. Merry has her own issues to hide. Douglas is investigating a murder and he knows Merry is hiding something. Douglas and Merry's story is full of drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Shirlee McCoy in the future. The Lawman's Legacy is book 1 of the Fitgerald Bay Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 2, 2017
Whoa! This story moved really quickly once Merry entered the 'scene'. I felt like I couldn't turn pages fast enough to find out what happens next. I did like how Merry learned how to trust, even when she felt like she was alone (except for God). But, Douglas was a little one-dimensional for me: I saw no visible character growth in him. That said, it wasn't enough to make me dislike this book in the slightest.
Note that while this book solves one mystery, the other crime remains unsolved as yet. (Though it should be noted that this book series is completed, so one does not need to wait for publication dates to arrive before finding out what happens next.)
3.5 stars
Note that while this book solves one mystery, the other crime remains unsolved as yet. (Though it should be noted that this book series is completed, so one does not need to wait for publication dates to arrive before finding out what happens next.)
3.5 stars
June 24, 2017
Mi sento di essere di manica larga perché questo libro si fa leggere, la storia mi ha proprio preso. Essendoci un mistero che viene risolto nel corso di tutta la serie, mi butto subito su secondo e poi sui successivi, sperando che sia intriganti come questo.
June 30, 2017
The fact that Douglass and Merry had already dated made their relationship believable, but a lot of the middle of the book felt really repetitive.
October 23, 2017
I love the Fitzgerald family. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. The siblings meet their spouses while trying to untangle various mysteries and villians.
March 28, 2018
More Please
Action,action and more action.This one starts out fast and just keeps getting better.Has you sitting on the edge of your seat,holding your breath.
Action,action and more action.This one starts out fast and just keeps getting better.Has you sitting on the edge of your seat,holding your breath.
March 1, 2019
The Lawman's Legacy review
The Lawman's Legacy is the first exciting romantic suspense book in the Fitzgerald Bay series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
The Lawman's Legacy is the first exciting romantic suspense book in the Fitzgerald Bay series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
September 28, 2019
I couldn't put it down. Already purchased the series!
November 28, 2019
Really good :) I'm excited to read the rest.
January 2, 2023
Faith is a journey
Great story of allowing God to lead to His perfect plan and protection. Family is always worth fighting for.
Thanks
Great story of allowing God to lead to His perfect plan and protection. Family is always worth fighting for.
Thanks
July 29, 2024
Suspense. Inspirational romance.
January 11, 2025
Great book.
This was a very good book. I know it will be a great series. Looking forward to reading the next book.
This was a very good book. I know it will be a great series. Looking forward to reading the next book.
April 22, 2025
she’s an awesome writer
This book had a very easy plot to figure out. If I had one complaint it was the length of time it took to reveal it.
This book had a very easy plot to figure out. If I had one complaint it was the length of time it took to reveal it.
February 17, 2023
It was a good mystery and I do understand Merry's fears, her keeping secerts and using half truths didn't bother me half as much Tyler. With his stupid "Bounce. Bounce. Bounce!" routine and thinking a simple ball can take out a crook, yeah he's four but I've met hyper kids who focused on more interesting things.
Book would have been at least a 4 star review if Tyler hadn't got on my nerves
Book would have been at least a 4 star review if Tyler hadn't got on my nerves
November 15, 2012
The Lawman’s Legacy by Shirlee McCoy
Fitzgerald Bay Series Book 1
Captain Douglas Fitzgerald has found the woman he believes is his soul mate, obviously she don’t. When a nanny is found dead and that very woman is at the scene they are thrown together. She is holding something back from Douglas and the man who keeps shooting at her is proof of that. How can he get the woman of his dreams to trust him?
Merry O’leary has a secret life. If she didn’t have to protect four year old Tyler above all else she could see herself settling down for good in Fitzgerald Bay. Maybe even settling down with a handsome police captain. Police. Even more reason to stay away from him unless she wants to lose everything she cares about, Tyler. Time to leave town again and start over if only she can get away from the eyes of the lawman. If only she could learn to really trust and allow him to share her burden.
What a great start to this exciting Love Inspired series. Book one starts with the murder of a nanny. A nanny who worked for a Fitzgerald no less. This quiet town is buzzing with unrest and whispers that maybe it was a Fitzgerald who committed the crime. This family puts God first and family second so they will do all they can to quiet the whispers and prove the rumor mongers wrong. The Rookie’s Assignment is book two in this series. You will definitely want to read them in order as each key to the murder slowly unfolds in each book.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Fitzgerald Bay Series Book 1
Captain Douglas Fitzgerald has found the woman he believes is his soul mate, obviously she don’t. When a nanny is found dead and that very woman is at the scene they are thrown together. She is holding something back from Douglas and the man who keeps shooting at her is proof of that. How can he get the woman of his dreams to trust him?
Merry O’leary has a secret life. If she didn’t have to protect four year old Tyler above all else she could see herself settling down for good in Fitzgerald Bay. Maybe even settling down with a handsome police captain. Police. Even more reason to stay away from him unless she wants to lose everything she cares about, Tyler. Time to leave town again and start over if only she can get away from the eyes of the lawman. If only she could learn to really trust and allow him to share her burden.
What a great start to this exciting Love Inspired series. Book one starts with the murder of a nanny. A nanny who worked for a Fitzgerald no less. This quiet town is buzzing with unrest and whispers that maybe it was a Fitzgerald who committed the crime. This family puts God first and family second so they will do all they can to quiet the whispers and prove the rumor mongers wrong. The Rookie’s Assignment is book two in this series. You will definitely want to read them in order as each key to the murder slowly unfolds in each book.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
May 25, 2012
The Fitzgeralds are a family like the Regans of "Blue Bloods" - an entire family of law enforcement officers with a few firefighters thrown into the mix.
This book is the first of six - there are 6 Fitzgerald siblings. First up is police captain Douglas, who is investigating the murder of much-loved young nanny, Olivia Henry. A key suspect in the case: Douglas' own brother Charles, for whom Olivia worked as a nanny. Merry O'Leary, another young woman new to Fitzgerald Bay, was somewhat close to Olivia and was also the person who found her body.
Olivia has some secrets (included an unnamed "sweetheart") that are not as yet revealed. Merry O'Leary has secrets of her own that she is fearful Douglas will discover as he conducts his investigation. And the Hennessy family - determined to destroy the Fitzgerald name - continues to tout Charles as the number one suspect.
In the course of the story, Douglas discovers the truth about Merry and her five-year-old son Tyler. Douglas and his siblings save the pair from a vicious gang member wanted for murder. Of course, a happy ending is in store for Douglas, Merry, and Tyler.
Since the series continues, the murder remains unsolved and the Hennessys continue their attacks on the Fitzgeralds...
A nice, clean romance - rather a pat story but still fun for the beach or backyard.
This book is the first of six - there are 6 Fitzgerald siblings. First up is police captain Douglas, who is investigating the murder of much-loved young nanny, Olivia Henry. A key suspect in the case: Douglas' own brother Charles, for whom Olivia worked as a nanny. Merry O'Leary, another young woman new to Fitzgerald Bay, was somewhat close to Olivia and was also the person who found her body.
Olivia has some secrets (included an unnamed "sweetheart") that are not as yet revealed. Merry O'Leary has secrets of her own that she is fearful Douglas will discover as he conducts his investigation. And the Hennessy family - determined to destroy the Fitzgerald name - continues to tout Charles as the number one suspect.
In the course of the story, Douglas discovers the truth about Merry and her five-year-old son Tyler. Douglas and his siblings save the pair from a vicious gang member wanted for murder. Of course, a happy ending is in store for Douglas, Merry, and Tyler.
Since the series continues, the murder remains unsolved and the Hennessys continue their attacks on the Fitzgeralds...
A nice, clean romance - rather a pat story but still fun for the beach or backyard.
May 13, 2012
First book in Fitzgerald Bay series. McCoy starts off this six book series with a murder and the attempted murder of the witness.
The Fitzgerald nanny, Olivia Henry, is found at the base of the cliffs. She has been murdered and thrown over the cliffs. Her friend Merry O'Leary finds her body and calls the police. Captain Douglas Fitzgerald arrives at the crime scene along with several other officers all Fitzgeralds.
The youngest brother, Charles, has been accused of the murder. It is Douglas' job to find out the truth. Douglas has one problem though--Merry. He loves her and wants her to trust him and his family. He knows she is running from somebody. He must get her to trust him before she is killed and her son is kidnapped.
The Fitzgerald nanny, Olivia Henry, is found at the base of the cliffs. She has been murdered and thrown over the cliffs. Her friend Merry O'Leary finds her body and calls the police. Captain Douglas Fitzgerald arrives at the crime scene along with several other officers all Fitzgeralds.
The youngest brother, Charles, has been accused of the murder. It is Douglas' job to find out the truth. Douglas has one problem though--Merry. He loves her and wants her to trust him and his family. He knows she is running from somebody. He must get her to trust him before she is killed and her son is kidnapped.
May 30, 2015
Fitzgerald Bay
Book 1
Because this is the annual multi-author series where the six books build on each other, these should be read in order. But what I like about these is that they each have a story all to themselves.
The main theme of the entire series surrounds the murder of a young nanny. The police have no idea who killed her, but some are pointing a finger at the Fitzgerald doctor, Charles.
The book theme surrounded the past of Merry O'Leary. She has lots of secrets and police captain, Douglas Fitzgerald, aims to find out every one of them.
The suspense on both issues was good. The romance was great. I appreciate it when a romance is allowed to blossom throughout the entire book instead of at the very end.
Great story!
Book 1
Because this is the annual multi-author series where the six books build on each other, these should be read in order. But what I like about these is that they each have a story all to themselves.
The main theme of the entire series surrounds the murder of a young nanny. The police have no idea who killed her, but some are pointing a finger at the Fitzgerald doctor, Charles.
The book theme surrounded the past of Merry O'Leary. She has lots of secrets and police captain, Douglas Fitzgerald, aims to find out every one of them.
The suspense on both issues was good. The romance was great. I appreciate it when a romance is allowed to blossom throughout the entire book instead of at the very end.
Great story!
May 3, 2012
What do you read when you just want a simple surface story that requires very little thinking? :-) This line of suspense/romance books from Steeple Hill are very simple, Christian and clean, and can be read in 3-4 hours. However, there is definitely a sameness about all books in this genre but sometimes that's comforting. :-)
This particular book is the first of a six part series (Fitzgerald Bay). Although the main mystery was solved, the second underlying mystery will apparently run through all six books.
This particular book is the first of a six part series (Fitzgerald Bay). Although the main mystery was solved, the second underlying mystery will apparently run through all six books.
August 18, 2012
Excellent. Clean, fun, easy to read, romantic. From the book: After a nanny is killed in Fitzgerald Bay, police captain Douglas Fitzgerald's brother becomes the prime suspect. "Faith and family" is the Fitzgerald motto—Douglas won't let his own go down for a crime he didn't commit. Yet when Douglas questions the single mother who found the victim, he notices Merry O'Leary is nervous. Secretive. Deeply scared of someone. The nanny's killer…or someone else? When the truth comes to light, it will take all of Douglas's faith—and his love for this little family—to keep a killer at bay.
July 18, 2012
The thing I love most about these books (all of these were given to me in a trash bag cause she said I would like them and so far I do) is that its a love story (wish there was a hint of sex you know) and its jumps right into the plot no pussy footing around it but there's still a lil connection to the characters not so much that your like omg its done!!!???? Its well that was nice and someday you would pick it up again
July 24, 2012
This is the opening novel in the Fitzgerald Bay sequence (which includes Stephanie Newton's "The Widow's Protector"), and it's a great set-up of what's to come in the rest of the series, especially with the on-going murder plot. I appreciate that Douglass and Merry were previously dating, so it made their relationship much more believable. That said, the middle of the book dragged as they went over the same conflicts with their relationship over and over again.
January 10, 2012
It was a great book with excitment. suspense and believable. Merry was a great mother and selfless in her care for Tyler. There were many personal characteristics in the characters in this book that. as Christ followers. we should be putting into practice in our lives. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 25, 2012
This book seemed to move really fast! I loved it! An awesome lady who takes care of a kiddo that isn't hers, to keep him safe. And although Douglas doesn't want to hurt her, he has to know what she knows! I'm glad that things turned out well for them, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
April 20, 2012
I enjoyed meeting the Fitzgerald family. They have the relationship with each other that makes reading about them fun. Meeting Merry and learning the things she did to help her son was enjoyable as well, and refreshing in a world where mother's don't always make decisions with their children's well-being in mind. Can't wait to read the next one's in the series.
September 1, 2015
Another good story about Fitzgerald Bay. Merry O'Leary has been running for four years. She thought she finally found her true home in Fitzgerald Bay until she was found. Captain Douglas Fitzgerald has taken a liking to Merry, but after a couple of lunch dates, she told him "it wasn't working out." Merry is afraid he will get too close to her business and find out why she's really running...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews