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Peyton Brooks' Mystery #1
Murder on Potrero Hill
Peyton knows the first suspect is always the husband, but Jake Ryder isn’t acting like a typical suspect. Jake truly loved his wife. So what went wrong?
Stepping into the circle of the social elite, Peyton finds that things work differently when you’re at the top. And Jake Ryder seems to be caught in the epicenter.
Ultimately, Peyton finds that you never know what darkness lurks in the human mind and that some will murder to keep that darkness hidden.
Stepping into the circle of the social elite, Peyton finds that things work differently when you’re at the top. And Jake Ryder seems to be caught in the epicenter.
Ultimately, Peyton finds that you never know what darkness lurks in the human mind and that some will murder to keep that darkness hidden.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2012
375 people are currently reading
2040 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Hamilton
114 books424 followersML Hamilton taught high school English and journalism in Central California for 32 years.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
May 26, 2016
It's like Castle, but set in San Francisco. Very run of the mill, very predictable, but still not bad.
November 13, 2021
This is a 2.5 star read.
I struggled with this ..... like REALLY struggled. And not just from a book slump point of view either. The premise of the story was interesting, but how it was executed, not so much.
The abuse of police power foreshadowed the whole of the novella so that you were focused on that rather than the story and investigation of how a young married woman died. Adding to the atmosphere was the pigheadedness of the main character of the series, Inspector Peyton Brooks. She was just NOT LIKEABLE - in the least.
I've got another book in the series downloaded and I'm prepared to give it a shot, but if Ms Peyton continues being an incredible biatch then I'm going to have to lay the series to rest.
I struggled with this ..... like REALLY struggled. And not just from a book slump point of view either. The premise of the story was interesting, but how it was executed, not so much.
The abuse of police power foreshadowed the whole of the novella so that you were focused on that rather than the story and investigation of how a young married woman died. Adding to the atmosphere was the pigheadedness of the main character of the series, Inspector Peyton Brooks. She was just NOT LIKEABLE - in the least.
I've got another book in the series downloaded and I'm prepared to give it a shot, but if Ms Peyton continues being an incredible biatch then I'm going to have to lay the series to rest.
September 3, 2015
The writing isn't bad, the plot is okay.....BUT...the police do not have the right or ability to freeze your transit card. Nor do they have the right or ability to freeze your bank account.
June 20, 2014
I cannot say enough about ML Hamilton and the Peyton Brooks Mystery Series that begins with MURDER ON POTRERO HILL. ML Hamilton is huge in other genres, but her mystery work is also blockbuster. The minutes fly by as you listen to her stories and the lives of main character Peyton Brooks and her San Francisco police partner Marco.
Each story builds in excitement and intimacy. Our reviewers are begging for the next installment. MURDER IN CHINATOWN Book #5 in The Peyton Brooks Mystery series is in production.
MURDER ON POTRERO HILL begins with the murder of a loving wife. The husband is hounded by Peyton and Marco as the obvious suspect. A humanity unfolds as the story progresses and we fall in love with characters who are flawed and fearless, loyal, misguided, heroic and vulnerable.
Each Book reveals a new crime, a different MO and more fabulous characters to add to this family of friends and fiends on the San Francisco Police force.
My relationship with ML Hamilton I hope to be a long one. I love voicing the stories of 'The Peyton Brooks Mysteries.'
Check out my blog about the collaboration with ML:
http://thestorysthethingblog.wordpres...
Each story builds in excitement and intimacy. Our reviewers are begging for the next installment. MURDER IN CHINATOWN Book #5 in The Peyton Brooks Mystery series is in production.
MURDER ON POTRERO HILL begins with the murder of a loving wife. The husband is hounded by Peyton and Marco as the obvious suspect. A humanity unfolds as the story progresses and we fall in love with characters who are flawed and fearless, loyal, misguided, heroic and vulnerable.
Each Book reveals a new crime, a different MO and more fabulous characters to add to this family of friends and fiends on the San Francisco Police force.
My relationship with ML Hamilton I hope to be a long one. I love voicing the stories of 'The Peyton Brooks Mysteries.'
Check out my blog about the collaboration with ML:
http://thestorysthethingblog.wordpres...
April 30, 2014
Peyton is one tough cop. No lack of excitement or suspense here
You know, I don't think I've ever read a mystery/ suspense novel with a female protagonist who I spent the first three quarters of the book disliking.
Kudos to this author who has us following closely, sympathizing with the suspect who is gathering information to clear himself and get his life back, after being railroaded, scapegoated, and all but ruined by the local police in their effort to clear a high-profile murder. It made for a refreshing change.
The characters in this book are colorful and very skillfully crafted. There is just enough backstory for the reader to appreciate who's who and why, but suspense from page 1.
This book really kept me reading. But not because I was rooting for the cops, but because I wanted to see this poor man vindicated and restored.
The ending is tied up neatly, with a few shocking surprises.
I think I'll check out another of the books in this series because I'm intrigued by the character of Peyton and want to see how she behaves in another circumstance.
You know, I don't think I've ever read a mystery/ suspense novel with a female protagonist who I spent the first three quarters of the book disliking.
Kudos to this author who has us following closely, sympathizing with the suspect who is gathering information to clear himself and get his life back, after being railroaded, scapegoated, and all but ruined by the local police in their effort to clear a high-profile murder. It made for a refreshing change.
The characters in this book are colorful and very skillfully crafted. There is just enough backstory for the reader to appreciate who's who and why, but suspense from page 1.
This book really kept me reading. But not because I was rooting for the cops, but because I wanted to see this poor man vindicated and restored.
The ending is tied up neatly, with a few shocking surprises.
I think I'll check out another of the books in this series because I'm intrigued by the character of Peyton and want to see how she behaves in another circumstance.
December 23, 2013
Let me start by saying I am often disappointed by the bargain books I buy for my Kindle. Not so with Murder on Potrero Hill (A Peyton Brooks' Mystery). I borrowed it for free as part of my Prime membership and thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Hamilton creates a good balance between realistic character development and mostly believable action. Accused of murdering his wife, Jake Ryder eludes the authorities and attempts to find evidence to prove his innocence. Detectives Peyton Brooks and Marco D'Angelo are convinced Jake had motive, means and opportunity and relentlessly pursue him. Surprises await the suspect, the detectives, and the reader as the story unfolds and makes its way to a satisfying conclusion.
I was so impressed with Hamilton's engaging style, I bought the second book in the series, Murder in the Tenderloin (A Peyton Brooks' Mystery)--another fun read--which further develops the characters of Brooks and D'Angelo and even includes Jake in a surprising new role. I'm definitely looking forward to Hamilton's next foray into murder and intrigue on the streets of San Francisco.
I was so impressed with Hamilton's engaging style, I bought the second book in the series, Murder in the Tenderloin (A Peyton Brooks' Mystery)--another fun read--which further develops the characters of Brooks and D'Angelo and even includes Jake in a surprising new role. I'm definitely looking forward to Hamilton's next foray into murder and intrigue on the streets of San Francisco.
September 5, 2015
This book is undoubtedly a page-turner. The plot is solid, but the execution is poor and there are way too many loopholes.
I mean, *spoiler alert*, if Jake had read Zoe's journal at the first place, the mystery would have been solved. The authors seemed to be engaged in bringing plot points that would stop Jake from reading the journal. Also, the cops Peyton and Marco are pretty useless bunch, if not idiot. Not sure why the author wants to portray her detectives like that. I mean who would just point to a person and try to break him without actually investigating the mystery.
Read it if you have nothing else to.
I mean, *spoiler alert*, if Jake had read Zoe's journal at the first place, the mystery would have been solved. The authors seemed to be engaged in bringing plot points that would stop Jake from reading the journal. Also, the cops Peyton and Marco are pretty useless bunch, if not idiot. Not sure why the author wants to portray her detectives like that. I mean who would just point to a person and try to break him without actually investigating the mystery.
Read it if you have nothing else to.
May 13, 2014
It did eventually draw me in. It was fairly predictable, but.... even though I knew what was coming, the author did a nice job of making it pay off in the end. I wish the series continued following the main character. Instead, it follows the inspector. Meh. If she had said, "90% of the time it's the husband" one more time, I might have screamed.
June 11, 2014
First book that I have read from this author. I thought it was a good, engaging story and I liked it.
Read
August 23, 2015M.L. Hamilton has potential, but this book was a real disappointment. The plot was corny and the actions of the police and investigators were so far from reality it was laughable. I skimmed through much of the non-pertinent dialog to speed up the story. To avoid spoilers I will just say that most of the actions of the main characters were unrealistic and unbelievable. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of criminal law and police procedures would recognize that this story was way off the mark. Even fiction should have some degree of credibility.
September 18, 2013
I loved this book, cover to cover it was full of suspense, intrigue and mystery. One of the best books I have read in years and would highly recommend it. I won a signed copy through a contest and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read this and I can't wait to read more from ML Hamilton.
December 16, 2020
A few years ago I picked up Murder on Potrero Hill when it was an Audible Daily Deal. It languished on my computer until last week when I rediscovered it among my files. It was a good discovery!
I very much enjoyed this police procedural. It is the first in the Peyton Brooks’ Mystery Series. Peyton Brooks is an Inspector with the San Francisco Police Department, and the daughter of a police officer. She knows that when a wife is murdered, the husband is always the first suspect. So, when Zoe Ryder mysteriously dies from poisoning, she focuses on her husband, Jake Ryder.
The reader meets Jake first and establishes a bond with him before Zoe mysteriously dies. We see his disbelief, grief, and confusion. Then we meet Peyton who is a tough cop. She knows from experience that he killed his wife. She just needs the proof and tries very hard to get Jake to confess. It is the connection with the presumed killer, rather than the police, that drew me into this book. His story, rather than the investigation, takes up more than half the book.
Many pieces of the investigation do not make sense or are even legal. For instance, Brooks’ partner, Marco, removes an item from Jake’s apartment without a warrant. And I don’t think that the police can block a suspect’s bank account or bus pass without a judges’ approval, but it happens here.
Murder on Potrero Hill is not a great book, but I enjoyed it.
I listened to the audio book. It was very well narrated by Kelley Hazen, who narrates all of the Peyton Brooks’ Mystery Series. Her voice enhanced the audio experience. I would like to listen to more books in the Series.
I very much enjoyed this police procedural. It is the first in the Peyton Brooks’ Mystery Series. Peyton Brooks is an Inspector with the San Francisco Police Department, and the daughter of a police officer. She knows that when a wife is murdered, the husband is always the first suspect. So, when Zoe Ryder mysteriously dies from poisoning, she focuses on her husband, Jake Ryder.
The reader meets Jake first and establishes a bond with him before Zoe mysteriously dies. We see his disbelief, grief, and confusion. Then we meet Peyton who is a tough cop. She knows from experience that he killed his wife. She just needs the proof and tries very hard to get Jake to confess. It is the connection with the presumed killer, rather than the police, that drew me into this book. His story, rather than the investigation, takes up more than half the book.
Many pieces of the investigation do not make sense or are even legal. For instance, Brooks’ partner, Marco, removes an item from Jake’s apartment without a warrant. And I don’t think that the police can block a suspect’s bank account or bus pass without a judges’ approval, but it happens here.
Murder on Potrero Hill is not a great book, but I enjoyed it.
I listened to the audio book. It was very well narrated by Kelley Hazen, who narrates all of the Peyton Brooks’ Mystery Series. Her voice enhanced the audio experience. I would like to listen to more books in the Series.
April 21, 2025
Predictable, and hard to believe, but it was a page turner at some point.
May 22, 2013
I absolutely love books like this, quick, easy-to-read mysteries that provide entertainment for a few hours. I must say, however, that the cops in this story are absolute jerks. I truly hope that cops don’t normally act like this in these kinds of situations. If they do, then I completely understand why a lot of people severely dislike cops.
First of all, Peyton is a bitch, an absolute bitch. Although the character was a great addition to the story and made it a lot more interesting, the way she goes about solving the case is just insufferable. I mean, before she even meets the guy (Jake), she has concluded that he is a killer, saying things such as “That bastard is gonna ride the needle if I have anything to do with it.” Truly, what the fuck is wrong with her? I liked Jake. He was a nice guy that wasn’t an idiot, which is always great. The other less major characters contributed scenes of comic relief every now and then and I found them, for the most part, amusing.
If there was a quarrel I had with the story, it was the lack of subtly. Hinting at things in the story is fine, but this story basically had a gigantic sign hovering over the killer, screaming “THIS IS THE KILLER” at you in bright neon letters. Halfway through the book, the ending is so blatantly obvious that you only read on to fill in the small details moving up to the “discovery” of the killer. It’s fun to read a mystery and try to figure out what’s going to happen as you read along, and this book just robbed the chance of doing just that.
In the end, I thought it was a well-written book and succeeded in withdrawing feelings from my usually cerebral self. I enjoyed reading it and found the second half of the book amusing and interesting, even if the mystery element of the novel was gone by then. If the book was more mysterious about the case, I could have easily seen this getting a 4, or maybe 5 star review.
*This copy was won through Firstreads.
First of all, Peyton is a bitch, an absolute bitch. Although the character was a great addition to the story and made it a lot more interesting, the way she goes about solving the case is just insufferable. I mean, before she even meets the guy (Jake), she has concluded that he is a killer, saying things such as “That bastard is gonna ride the needle if I have anything to do with it.” Truly, what the fuck is wrong with her? I liked Jake. He was a nice guy that wasn’t an idiot, which is always great. The other less major characters contributed scenes of comic relief every now and then and I found them, for the most part, amusing.
If there was a quarrel I had with the story, it was the lack of subtly. Hinting at things in the story is fine, but this story basically had a gigantic sign hovering over the killer, screaming “THIS IS THE KILLER” at you in bright neon letters. Halfway through the book, the ending is so blatantly obvious that you only read on to fill in the small details moving up to the “discovery” of the killer. It’s fun to read a mystery and try to figure out what’s going to happen as you read along, and this book just robbed the chance of doing just that.
In the end, I thought it was a well-written book and succeeded in withdrawing feelings from my usually cerebral self. I enjoyed reading it and found the second half of the book amusing and interesting, even if the mystery element of the novel was gone by then. If the book was more mysterious about the case, I could have easily seen this getting a 4, or maybe 5 star review.
*This copy was won through Firstreads.
Read
December 15, 2023Once again, ML Hamilton has proven herself as an author. I love her “World of Samar” series and was interested to see how well she changed genres.
The story had me from the get-go. When Jake Ryder’s wife is murdered he becomes the prime suspect. He sets out to prove he didn’t do it. Meanwhile, the detectives are doing everything they can to trigger a confession.
I will admit that I was confident of who the killer was early on. However, that did not detract from the journey to uncover the truth. In the end, the plot twists were quite unexpected. I found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning. I just couldn’t find a good stopping place.
The author did a phenomenal job capturing Jake’s emotion. Part of the reason she succeeds in evoking the response is her proficient flashbacks into Jake and Zoe’s life. You believe him when he says he loves her. His pain is palpable, especially as heartrending secrets are revealed. As the noose is tightened, you can’t help but feel sorry for him.
The detectives, Peyton and Marco are likable and believable. They competently work through the case to uncover the truth. Though they have their minds made up, they are never careless in their efforts.
I appreciated that the violence was not gratuitous or gory. Additionally, the language was appropriate to the circumstances but was not offensive.
Overall this was a quick, enjoyable read. I look forward to exploring Peyton’s character further in book #2.
The story had me from the get-go. When Jake Ryder’s wife is murdered he becomes the prime suspect. He sets out to prove he didn’t do it. Meanwhile, the detectives are doing everything they can to trigger a confession.
I will admit that I was confident of who the killer was early on. However, that did not detract from the journey to uncover the truth. In the end, the plot twists were quite unexpected. I found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning. I just couldn’t find a good stopping place.
The author did a phenomenal job capturing Jake’s emotion. Part of the reason she succeeds in evoking the response is her proficient flashbacks into Jake and Zoe’s life. You believe him when he says he loves her. His pain is palpable, especially as heartrending secrets are revealed. As the noose is tightened, you can’t help but feel sorry for him.
The detectives, Peyton and Marco are likable and believable. They competently work through the case to uncover the truth. Though they have their minds made up, they are never careless in their efforts.
I appreciated that the violence was not gratuitous or gory. Additionally, the language was appropriate to the circumstances but was not offensive.
Overall this was a quick, enjoyable read. I look forward to exploring Peyton’s character further in book #2.
May 22, 2012
I should begin this by saying that I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from the author through the Goodreads.com First Reads program.
This mystery kept me guessing until the end. I had a hard time putting this one down and stayed up way too late reading it last night. Potrero Hill is told from multiple points of view and I found the characters to be very believable and enjoyed getting to know them. I appreciated that the author did not feel the need to tie up every story line so that there was still more to learn about some of the characters (such as the police detectives, etc.) and felt like this book would be a good start to a series. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This mystery kept me guessing until the end. I had a hard time putting this one down and stayed up way too late reading it last night. Potrero Hill is told from multiple points of view and I found the characters to be very believable and enjoyed getting to know them. I appreciated that the author did not feel the need to tie up every story line so that there was still more to learn about some of the characters (such as the police detectives, etc.) and felt like this book would be a good start to a series. I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 20, 2013
This was a decent story, but fairly predictable. One of the first times I had things pretty much figured out not more than halfway through the book. Still, I liked the characters and enjoyed reading it.
January 25, 2015
Mysteries are one of my favorite reads. This story kept my attention, but the characters were limited to just a few. It wasn't too difficult to figure out "who done it". Enjoyed the police partners and their banter.
February 6, 2015
Heart breaking story.
Good police story, how much pressure they are under to close the case, and make incident person to suffer. You'll walk with him with the lump in your throat, but keep reading, you'll will smile, maybe....
Good police story, how much pressure they are under to close the case, and make incident person to suffer. You'll walk with him with the lump in your throat, but keep reading, you'll will smile, maybe....
May 26, 2016
Well written
This story is very well written. It skips back and forth between the characters, but not so much that the reader fails to continue to follow the story line. I didn't want to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
This story is very well written. It skips back and forth between the characters, but not so much that the reader fails to continue to follow the story line. I didn't want to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 5, 2012
I received this book from Goodreads. It was a fantastic read. Very compelling story. Never thought I could enjoy a real world fiction as much as I had.
May 23, 2013
Pretty good especially for 2.99!
July 3, 2013
It was quick read. If the SFPD is like the one in the they should be fired. They are awful. It wasn't' much of a mystery, I knew who did it before they suspected murder.
September 17, 2014
2.5 stars. Review published at AudioGals.
January 20, 2015
Good mystery
Interesting plot, twists and turns. Good characters and a book that makes you want to read it at one sitting.
Interesting plot, twists and turns. Good characters and a book that makes you want to read it at one sitting.
January 21, 2015
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.
This was a great fast paced, exciting and thrill packed book with a great cast of characters and a terrific killer ending. Don't miss reading this book.
This was a great fast paced, exciting and thrill packed book with a great cast of characters and a terrific killer ending. Don't miss reading this book.
January 21, 2015
Murder mystery
This was an amazing story. It had me engrossed from the first chapter. I read it straight through. I had a hard time putting my kindle down.
This was an amazing story. It had me engrossed from the first chapter. I read it straight through. I had a hard time putting my kindle down.
January 29, 2015
Page turner
Excellent mystery you won't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. Read in two sittings.
Excellent mystery you won't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. Read in two sittings.
February 13, 2015
Good story line
Overall enjoyable story. Some technical errors, but reasonably clean in comparison to most e-books. Not too predictable as to the storyline, either.
Overall enjoyable story. Some technical errors, but reasonably clean in comparison to most e-books. Not too predictable as to the storyline, either.
September 27, 2015
So good. I must read the next one
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews