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Ray Schiller #1
Dear Crossing
The wife of a prominent Minneapolis executive is found dead in the couple’s secluded summer home. Not just dead—murdered. The crime scene is uglier than most.
Put in charge of the case, Ray Schiller of the Widmer, Minnesota P.D. follows the evidence directly to the Twin Cities and the new widower. Unraveling Paul Davis’s carefully guarded personal life threatens the executive’s bid for the imminent opening for the presidency of ACC, the prestigious corporation founded and run by his father-in-law.
Ray’s tenacity turns up more suspects, but with lethal results. Their greed, ambition and loathing erupt in deadly in-fighting. Just as it seems the case is about to come to a sudden, unpredictable end, a shooting incident lands Ray in a situation, which could destroy his marriage as well as his law enforcement career.
Ray battles back only to learn the devil is in the details, and the details aren’t what anyone expected.
Put in charge of the case, Ray Schiller of the Widmer, Minnesota P.D. follows the evidence directly to the Twin Cities and the new widower. Unraveling Paul Davis’s carefully guarded personal life threatens the executive’s bid for the imminent opening for the presidency of ACC, the prestigious corporation founded and run by his father-in-law.
Ray’s tenacity turns up more suspects, but with lethal results. Their greed, ambition and loathing erupt in deadly in-fighting. Just as it seems the case is about to come to a sudden, unpredictable end, a shooting incident lands Ray in a situation, which could destroy his marriage as well as his law enforcement career.
Ray battles back only to learn the devil is in the details, and the details aren’t what anyone expected.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2012
131 people are currently reading
1509 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 21, 2024
Dear Crossing by Marjorie Swift Doering is the first book I've read by this author and glad I did. The book had as many twists and turns as the Indianapolis Speedway. Just when I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, Doering would take a sharp turn right or a zig-zag to the left. I admit that up until the satisfying ending, she kept me in the dark.
Her characters were strong, though it took me some time to warm up to the main character Ray Schiller. He totted an extra-large backpack of emotional baggage, but as I continued to read, I got a
deeper sense of who he was, and why the craggy edges worked to rub some of his coworkers the wrong way. However, I'm happy to say, I was rooting for Ray to the end. Good job Marjorie!
There were several viable suspects on the list when Valerie Davis got axed (literally), which kept me flipping pages. I was more than a little eager to know who had committed such a horrific crime.
The plot was strong. The police procedures are well done. Interesting characters. Doering's novel checked all my boxes, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Her characters were strong, though it took me some time to warm up to the main character Ray Schiller. He totted an extra-large backpack of emotional baggage, but as I continued to read, I got a
deeper sense of who he was, and why the craggy edges worked to rub some of his coworkers the wrong way. However, I'm happy to say, I was rooting for Ray to the end. Good job Marjorie!
There were several viable suspects on the list when Valerie Davis got axed (literally), which kept me flipping pages. I was more than a little eager to know who had committed such a horrific crime.
The plot was strong. The police procedures are well done. Interesting characters. Doering's novel checked all my boxes, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
June 30, 2012
A brilliant start to what has the potential to be one of the next big series.
The story starts with a high profile and horrific murder. The lead character, police officer Ray Schiller starts the story having spent the night in jail for brawling. On release he is straight on the case. His chief would rather be rid of him but Ray is the best they've got.
Throughout the book we meet a mix of chracters from High Flying Exec's to Small Town Folk and they are all a good fit for the story. Each possible suspect could be the murderer.
The author does a good job of making all the characters, and situations they find themselves in realistic and puts in two twists - one at the end which leads things towards the second book, and, more importantly, one in the middle that hits like a train and changes lots of things for everyone.
In Ray Schiller we have a leading character who doesn't hold back and who, due to being separated from his wife and children, is not in a good place in his life, but comes across as a generally good guy and a hell of a good cop.
I am looking forward to the next in this series and also to reading this book again.
The story starts with a high profile and horrific murder. The lead character, police officer Ray Schiller starts the story having spent the night in jail for brawling. On release he is straight on the case. His chief would rather be rid of him but Ray is the best they've got.
Throughout the book we meet a mix of chracters from High Flying Exec's to Small Town Folk and they are all a good fit for the story. Each possible suspect could be the murderer.
The author does a good job of making all the characters, and situations they find themselves in realistic and puts in two twists - one at the end which leads things towards the second book, and, more importantly, one in the middle that hits like a train and changes lots of things for everyone.
In Ray Schiller we have a leading character who doesn't hold back and who, due to being separated from his wife and children, is not in a good place in his life, but comes across as a generally good guy and a hell of a good cop.
I am looking forward to the next in this series and also to reading this book again.
March 7, 2018
I highly recommend this novel. The author writes strong characters who have both good and not so good sides. She immediately involves you in the plot. It's a Whodunit but I dare you to figure it out before the end. I'm pretty good at solving mysteries because I probably have read thousands of them I know that I have read about 500 books in the last 3 years.
Buy the book and you will see what I mean
Buy the book and you will see what I mean
July 8, 2012
There is always an element of apprehension when you buy a book. When you have "agreed" to read and review a book when you've only seen the front cover. Apprehension is a very English understatement.
In it's favour was the genre - detective crime novel, but still with dread, I read a few paragraphs from the middle.
Immediate, snap judgement was that this was going to be a comfortable read. perhaps too straightforward and too easy to second guess the whodunit character. Man was I wrong by a moon shot. Detective Schiller is an ordinary man struggling to make sense of an horrendous murder in a town which wants to keep it's business to itself. An intrigue which gets the reader asking questions that can't wait to be answered.
Marjorie Swift-Doering's writing, especially the conversations, carries the reader though his pursuit of the killer at a pace. Entwined with camera shots of his own personal life. The plot is literally surprisingly complex. Love the fact that, despite a few perfectly understandable quaint Americanisms, this could have happened in my UK street!
Detective Schiller's a guy I want to read more about. It's a quality read. In fact, having read the book, I can't wait for the next one.
January 13, 2021
Ah, the website we Weave.
I would call this a police procedural mystery. Marjorie dragged me in right from the get go and didn't let go. Plot twists galore, red herrings, and surprises later, just when I thought I had it figured out - I didn't. I love it when I get a bit of humble pie for thinking I am so clever.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is very little of the terrible stuff happens in real time. Yet, an outstanding who-done-it.
I would call this a police procedural mystery. Marjorie dragged me in right from the get go and didn't let go. Plot twists galore, red herrings, and surprises later, just when I thought I had it figured out - I didn't. I love it when I get a bit of humble pie for thinking I am so clever.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is very little of the terrible stuff happens in real time. Yet, an outstanding who-done-it.
March 20, 2018
The characters are so real I expect to run into Ray Schiller at the diner. He is flawed, but driven. Life has been a tough challenge, with loss and bad breaks, but his dedication to the truth is admirable. Avoiding the easy answers he continues to work multiple cases. As a one time investigator I really appreciated he wasn't working on one case, that isn't how it works. This is a great first of a series.
October 16, 2014
Fairly good book. It's a little inconsistent, which is frustrating.
The opening chapter tells the story about a drunken washed-up cop who is thrown in the slammer to sober up. It begs the question, "which came first - the reality of washed-up drunken cops or the entertainment of washed-up drunken cops." So many books and movies and tv shows are about cops who are toward the end of their career, have become jaded, and hit the bottle too much to get through life. Their wives have left them and they are lonely. Ugh.
The book got better after this opening because a murder happens. One that is quite gruesome. But then there are a lot of gruesome murders/deaths in this book. Why so many? Well, the end ties almost all of them together, and it makes sense.
The inconsistencies are really with the writing of the main character. At first he's a drunk. Then he doesn't drink that much and has self control. Sometimes he is a pain in the a**, other times he is a brilliant detective. His relationship with his estranged wife is all over the map and doesn't make sense in the end. There's a lot of convenient lies and pointing fingers at possible suspects. It kind of goes on and on.
That being said, the story is fairly enjoyable. The relationship the main character builds with a detective in another city is very interesting and makes me want to read the next book in the series. I liked the two of them together.
I don't like the title. I get it. But I don't like it.
The opening chapter tells the story about a drunken washed-up cop who is thrown in the slammer to sober up. It begs the question, "which came first - the reality of washed-up drunken cops or the entertainment of washed-up drunken cops." So many books and movies and tv shows are about cops who are toward the end of their career, have become jaded, and hit the bottle too much to get through life. Their wives have left them and they are lonely. Ugh.
The book got better after this opening because a murder happens. One that is quite gruesome. But then there are a lot of gruesome murders/deaths in this book. Why so many? Well, the end ties almost all of them together, and it makes sense.
The inconsistencies are really with the writing of the main character. At first he's a drunk. Then he doesn't drink that much and has self control. Sometimes he is a pain in the a**, other times he is a brilliant detective. His relationship with his estranged wife is all over the map and doesn't make sense in the end. There's a lot of convenient lies and pointing fingers at possible suspects. It kind of goes on and on.
That being said, the story is fairly enjoyable. The relationship the main character builds with a detective in another city is very interesting and makes me want to read the next book in the series. I liked the two of them together.
I don't like the title. I get it. But I don't like it.
June 8, 2014
This was definitely anything BUT your average mystery. In the first chapter, I have to admit, I wasn't thrilled with reading about another cop who got drunk and got into a fight and who fights against their boss, etc but quickly the main character in the story showed a lot more character and I started liking him a bit. It seemed pretty cut and dry regarding who did the 1st killing but as the story progressed that even got murkier and as more murders occurred- none of which fit with the first killing, things were still tangled up and kept you wanting to read to see what was going to happen next. When I found out who did the actual murder(s) it was anything but what I was thinking. I like how the story seemed to have a cliffhanger "ending" and can't wait to read the follow up.
July 29, 2012
I received this awesome book in the Goodread Giveaways and boy did I LOVE reading this book. It is a great murder mystery with a few twists that I didn't expect...one was a sad twist but it was needed to show that the main character does have a heart.
Read it! You won't be disappointed I'm sure..if you are I'm sorry. But this is a great book and I am looking forward to following this author and reading more by her!
Read it! You won't be disappointed I'm sure..if you are I'm sorry. But this is a great book and I am looking forward to following this author and reading more by her!
September 9, 2015
"Dear Crossing" keeps you guessing from the first chapter to the last. Personal conflicts, mixed with police matters, enhance the lives of the characters, inviting you to continue on to find out what happens next. I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in this series. If you like a good crime novel, I recommend this one!
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January 21, 2023'Dear Crossing' By Marjorie Swift Doeing is the first book I've read by this author. I must confess here that I'm a big thriller fan and I'm not easy to please. What defines a good thriller for me? A great narration style, smooth flow of dialogue, no jerks in the writing, well etched characters with a certain degree of pathos, charm, strength and vulnerability and most of all I MUST NOT TO ABLE TO GUESS THE PLOT. I MUST DRIVE MYSELF CRAZY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE MYSTERY.
Dear Crossing had ALL of those elements and more. There were times when I thought the author was making it too easy for the reader to figure out the killer ( yes, there is a murder, a dark, nasty, horrible murder) but what do you know? She was just tricking the reader, in this case me into thinking I had solved the case when I was no where close. She does this adroitly, engaging the reader and keeping them invested in the story. GREAT WRITING!
No plot give aways; but I must tell you this that Ray Schiller, the lead protagonist is logical and emotional at the same time. Weak as well as strong. And he is no all conquering hero but one that bleeds just like the rest of us. Perfectly capable of drawing you in. The Ray Schiller Series is a strong thriller series and I highly recommend it to all thriller connoisseurs .
Dear Crossing had ALL of those elements and more. There were times when I thought the author was making it too easy for the reader to figure out the killer ( yes, there is a murder, a dark, nasty, horrible murder) but what do you know? She was just tricking the reader, in this case me into thinking I had solved the case when I was no where close. She does this adroitly, engaging the reader and keeping them invested in the story. GREAT WRITING!
No plot give aways; but I must tell you this that Ray Schiller, the lead protagonist is logical and emotional at the same time. Weak as well as strong. And he is no all conquering hero but one that bleeds just like the rest of us. Perfectly capable of drawing you in. The Ray Schiller Series is a strong thriller series and I highly recommend it to all thriller connoisseurs .
March 24, 2025
“Dear Crossing” introduces police detective Ray Schiller, recently separated from his wife, who is a man with a large chip on his shoulder.
It is not made clear if he was always a pain in the neck or if it is a more recent development.
It is set in Widmer, Minnesota, a quiet town which has been rocked by the gruesome murder of a popular local woman. Her husband works with her father and is expected to take over as CEO when he retires (something which is expected to be sooner rather than later).
The dust has barely settled when an unpopular local farmer is literally pulverised by a bull. There's something hinky about how it happened.
What follows is a classic investigation with plenty of red herrings thrown in.
Everybody lies, even when there is little or no reason to.
But lies have a habit of coming back to bite you!
Ray is not a particularly likeable character (which is a nice change) and is conflicted over his cheating wife. It's not overt but it could be that his hostile behaviour to her is his way of not going back to his marriage.
It's a gripping and highly enjoyable read.
4 Stars.
It is not made clear if he was always a pain in the neck or if it is a more recent development.
It is set in Widmer, Minnesota, a quiet town which has been rocked by the gruesome murder of a popular local woman. Her husband works with her father and is expected to take over as CEO when he retires (something which is expected to be sooner rather than later).
The dust has barely settled when an unpopular local farmer is literally pulverised by a bull. There's something hinky about how it happened.
What follows is a classic investigation with plenty of red herrings thrown in.
Everybody lies, even when there is little or no reason to.
But lies have a habit of coming back to bite you!
Ray is not a particularly likeable character (which is a nice change) and is conflicted over his cheating wife. It's not overt but it could be that his hostile behaviour to her is his way of not going back to his marriage.
It's a gripping and highly enjoyable read.
4 Stars.
June 29, 2017
Complicated investigations
I enjoyed the complicated criminal investigations as detective Schiller tried to solve them. The details and the character added interest for this reader. The personal life of the detective add a touch of some of the difficulties law enforcement officers face every day. Thank you for sharing this story.
I enjoyed the complicated criminal investigations as detective Schiller tried to solve them. The details and the character added interest for this reader. The personal life of the detective add a touch of some of the difficulties law enforcement officers face every day. Thank you for sharing this story.
July 14, 2017
Ray Schuller Book 1
This was a well written story. T h e murder of a wife and the suspects made for an interesting read. For once I didn't know who commented the crime until t h e last chapter. Looking forward to reading the next story in t :) e series.
This was a well written story. T h e murder of a wife and the suspects made for an interesting read. For once I didn't know who commented the crime until t h e last chapter. Looking forward to reading the next story in t :) e series.
August 11, 2017
Thrilling!
Dear Crossing is a very fast paced page turning book. Its full of twists and turns. Just when you think you've got it figured out Marjorie Doering throws a major curve in the works. I highly suggest reading this book to everyone who loves to read.
Dear Crossing is a very fast paced page turning book. Its full of twists and turns. Just when you think you've got it figured out Marjorie Doering throws a major curve in the works. I highly suggest reading this book to everyone who loves to read.
December 15, 2021
I really liked it. Book one in a series. Solid protagonist and suspenseful plot that maintained my interest throughout. Very good supporting characters and author not afraid of killing off likeable ones. I'll be sure to read more in this series. Check it out.
July 1, 2022
Ray is a good guy and great cop. His wife made a fool of him by cheating and he has a big chip on his shoulder. Valerie and Paul both having affairs. Bull killed its owner Hank Neil getting killed in a car accident.
January 15, 2024
Great detective thriller
This story had more twist and turns than a roller coaster. It was a great police procedural story. Loved the main character Ray. The way the author ended it you can't wait to find out if the rest of the case will be solved. Great read!
This story had more twist and turns than a roller coaster. It was a great police procedural story. Loved the main character Ray. The way the author ended it you can't wait to find out if the rest of the case will be solved. Great read!
March 12, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
September 19, 2021
Great storyline.
I liked the way everything fell into a spiral that had Ray asking questions and coming to the right conclusions.
I liked the way everything fell into a spiral that had Ray asking questions and coming to the right conclusions.
March 22, 2023
Excellent read
Great plot and excellent characters. You jump in the middle of this cop and his falling to pieces life. There is a real twist to the ending.
Great plot and excellent characters. You jump in the middle of this cop and his falling to pieces life. There is a real twist to the ending.
June 9, 2017
I picked this one up out of curiosity, and on reflection I have to say it wasn't too bad. It's a bit by-the-numbers in places (washed-up cop with a drink problem and a broken marriage), but manages to keep itself fresh with a storyline that includes more than a few twists along the way.
This book plays the multiple-converging-story-arcs game quite well, and for once I wasn't able to figure out whodunit in the first few chapters, though in fairness that's probably because the actual culprit doesn't get that much page time until about halfway through the book. Even more, the author manages to pile on enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until quite late in the novel, to the point that the eventual list of possible suspects almost encompasses the entire supporting cast. That for me was possibly the best aspect of this twisty, convoluted murder-mystery, and is the main reason I've decided to keep going with the series.
About the only real criticism I have of this novel is that it could do with a bit of polishing. While it's obvious the author has a talent for keeping the mystery alive, the characterisation could do with a little tightening up, and there are a few moments within the narrative where things seem to happen for no reason other than to shake the reader up. A little more time could have also been spent on copy-editing, though if I'm being honest I've seen trad-published books with more copy-edit errors than this one.
Those minor niggles aside, this is a good start to a series, and shows a lot of promise. I'd have no qualms about recommending this one to anyone who likes a good murder-mystery.
This book plays the multiple-converging-story-arcs game quite well, and for once I wasn't able to figure out whodunit in the first few chapters, though in fairness that's probably because the actual culprit doesn't get that much page time until about halfway through the book. Even more, the author manages to pile on enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until quite late in the novel, to the point that the eventual list of possible suspects almost encompasses the entire supporting cast. That for me was possibly the best aspect of this twisty, convoluted murder-mystery, and is the main reason I've decided to keep going with the series.
About the only real criticism I have of this novel is that it could do with a bit of polishing. While it's obvious the author has a talent for keeping the mystery alive, the characterisation could do with a little tightening up, and there are a few moments within the narrative where things seem to happen for no reason other than to shake the reader up. A little more time could have also been spent on copy-editing, though if I'm being honest I've seen trad-published books with more copy-edit errors than this one.
Those minor niggles aside, this is a good start to a series, and shows a lot of promise. I'd have no qualms about recommending this one to anyone who likes a good murder-mystery.
July 20, 2012
Marjorie Swift Doering has written an amazing murder/mystery book! The title "Dear Crossing" is a clever play on words, suited perfectly for this fantastic book.
Ray Schiller is a good cop haunted by the traumatic events of his past, causing his life to spiral out of control. A horrific murder occurs leading Ray into an investigation where all are suspect and few are innocent! Ray is determined to find the murderer but he is faced with a tangled web of deceit, adultery, betrayal & more murders.
The characters are well developed, true-to-life and I was able to connect with each emotionally while developing a strong sense of who each character was. I loved that I could envision each character clearly in my mind's eye. The writer payed attention to detail (especially when involving police procedure), adding mannerisms, wonderful descriptions and even quirky behaviors. Some of the characters were appropriately funny and highly amusing.
"Dear Crossing" grabbed & pulled me in right from the start. There was never a dull moment. I was extremely impressed and completely satisfied with the ending. It did not let me down at all! The writer ended it so perfectly that I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
If you love murder mysteries I highly recommend "Dear Crossing" by Marjorie Swift Doering. One of my favorite books ever and my new favorite writer! Hurry with the next book...PLEASE!
Ray Schiller is a good cop haunted by the traumatic events of his past, causing his life to spiral out of control. A horrific murder occurs leading Ray into an investigation where all are suspect and few are innocent! Ray is determined to find the murderer but he is faced with a tangled web of deceit, adultery, betrayal & more murders.
The characters are well developed, true-to-life and I was able to connect with each emotionally while developing a strong sense of who each character was. I loved that I could envision each character clearly in my mind's eye. The writer payed attention to detail (especially when involving police procedure), adding mannerisms, wonderful descriptions and even quirky behaviors. Some of the characters were appropriately funny and highly amusing.
"Dear Crossing" grabbed & pulled me in right from the start. There was never a dull moment. I was extremely impressed and completely satisfied with the ending. It did not let me down at all! The writer ended it so perfectly that I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
If you love murder mysteries I highly recommend "Dear Crossing" by Marjorie Swift Doering. One of my favorite books ever and my new favorite writer! Hurry with the next book...PLEASE!
February 28, 2014
A fairly routine police procedural. Our uniformed hero has been given the requisite social failings to make him more human. He is separated from his errant (one brief time) wife, is jealous, has difficulty controlling his anger, and as is usual for this genre, likes his drink rather too much. In the second book it seems he will move out of uniform and join the crowd of literary detectives.
I found the plot a little fuzzy because of the quantity of those involved in the crimes and so had a bit of trouble fitting actions to names without having to pause for thought and recall who was who. This might be the fault of my decaying memory but the weaving of story threads is messy.
Having said that, it was mostly an enjoyable read and Ray comes alive to the reader despite (or because of) his faults. The dialogue mostly rings true and only the Dana character seemed too far over the top, although several were a bit stereotypical. Also didn't like the title; apt, but strained. I'd definitely read a free copy of book two.
I found the plot a little fuzzy because of the quantity of those involved in the crimes and so had a bit of trouble fitting actions to names without having to pause for thought and recall who was who. This might be the fault of my decaying memory but the weaving of story threads is messy.
Having said that, it was mostly an enjoyable read and Ray comes alive to the reader despite (or because of) his faults. The dialogue mostly rings true and only the Dana character seemed too far over the top, although several were a bit stereotypical. Also didn't like the title; apt, but strained. I'd definitely read a free copy of book two.
September 23, 2012
A standard plot (gory murder in a quiet small town) with several sub-plots woven into that storyline. Good characterization, tight writing and nice pacing.
I did find myself blinking a bit at the switches between the scenes in the small town where the murder (and the sub-plots) takes place and the city, where the small town detective follows the murder trail. It made sense within the plot but the transitions sometimes seemed abrupt.
Personal issue with me, but I found myself sighing occasionally over the "troubled" main character, wife/ex-wife troubles, anger management issues, drinking problems, relocation from big city department to small town department because of family/police circumstances. I know the current trend is for troubled law enforcement main characters but this seemed a little excessive.
I did find myself blinking a bit at the switches between the scenes in the small town where the murder (and the sub-plots) takes place and the city, where the small town detective follows the murder trail. It made sense within the plot but the transitions sometimes seemed abrupt.
Personal issue with me, but I found myself sighing occasionally over the "troubled" main character, wife/ex-wife troubles, anger management issues, drinking problems, relocation from big city department to small town department because of family/police circumstances. I know the current trend is for troubled law enforcement main characters but this seemed a little excessive.
September 26, 2012
Very intriging plot. A lot of little crimes that eventual come together in the end... Or mostly.
Tho it was a great read it did leave you hanging to a certain exstinct... But I guess that is the authors point, to get you to read the next book!
I prefer to have each book plot closed personally and not leave you hanging, even on minor point. Do not get me wrong most of the questions are answered in the book ......
I would read the next book reguardless if I like the author.
I do like this author... Except I can't find the next book, either it isn't out yet or not in ebook yet.
Tho it was a great read it did leave you hanging to a certain exstinct... But I guess that is the authors point, to get you to read the next book!
I prefer to have each book plot closed personally and not leave you hanging, even on minor point. Do not get me wrong most of the questions are answered in the book ......
I would read the next book reguardless if I like the author.
I do like this author... Except I can't find the next book, either it isn't out yet or not in ebook yet.
November 1, 2012
I received Dear Crossing through Goodreads First Reads. I love murder mysteries, so I was very excited to read it, and it did not disappoint! I loved Ray Schiller (a cop who is struggling with personal demons) and thought he was a great protagonist that was really well developed. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last, and I felt the twists of the novel were just enough to keep it interesting but not too much that it seemed overly done. I can't wait to read more by Marjorie Swift Dearing!
November 12, 2012
Ray Schiller is a typical renegade cop who is too big for the small town that he resides in. This multiple murder drama takes place in the fictional city of Widmer, MN. Valerie Davis visits her lake cabin and ends up dead. Ray is on the case and every time he thinks he is headed towards solving the mystery, the trail switches directions or someone else turns up dead.
This book was humorous to read as a Minnesotan as the geographic references are half true, half fictional! The drama is engaging and the ending opens up an easy transition to the next sequel.
This book was humorous to read as a Minnesotan as the geographic references are half true, half fictional! The drama is engaging and the ending opens up an easy transition to the next sequel.
October 2, 2013
A great mystery story with interesting characters. Ray Schiller is a bitter detective who is usually in trouble for his lack of respect to authority. Nevertheless, he is acknowledged as one of the best. A gruesome murder occurs and a woman is found dead with her arm chopped. Secondary characters are involved. Another man killed by a bull forces him to make use of his best skills. A bimbo, mistress of a top executive, also play a role. Unexpected plot twists contribute and generate excitement and desire to find out what really happened
March 11, 2015
I really liked this book and the author's writing style. Ray Schiller is a cop in a small town and when Valerie Davis is found dead, Ray and the other cops are at the end of their rope trying to find the killer. More killings and adventure take the reader into this fascinating story that I found compelling. I don't usually like series, but although this one left you hanging somewhat it did supply part of the ending and it looks like book two will start with Ray Schiller in a new town with an old crime to solve. I really like that because the reader can walk away with closure.
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