Accused

by Clair M. Poulson, 20230307 (Contributor), FIC027110 (Photographer)

Private Investigator Rudy Quigley has just finished up a standard gig when an intriguing new case captures his attention. Daisy Kane has been accused of murdering her boyfriend, Johnny Lingerfaster, but something seems off about the whole scenario. It doesn’t take long to realize that not all is as it “Daisy” is Danica Knight, an FBI agent working undercover on the far-reaching investigating of a human trafficking ring. When unexpected connections link Rudy’s latest PI case to Danica’s investigation, the two must work together to find out who really killed her “boyfriend.”

What initially seems like a cut-and-dried case grows ever more complex as Rudy and Danica uncover the inner workings of the ring. Unfortunately, their snooping has not gone unnoticed, and it’s not just the investigators that will pay the price. Rudy’s girlfriend quickly becomes a pawn in a dangerous game of life and death, leaving the PI to solve his most challenging case yet or risk losing the woman he loves.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Romance

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

Clair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.

He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.

In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.

Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.

Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.

Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When new client Daisy Kane comes to PI Rudy Quigley for help because she's accused of murdering her boyfriend he could not have imagined where the case would take him. To begin with, Daisy is Danica, an undercover FBI agent and was investigating her "boyfriend" for human trafficking.

It didn't take long for me to become completely engrossed in this story. Every time Daisy/Danica got a lead something would happen and having the local police determined to put her behind bars for murder caused additional problems. This one had me doing some late night reading because it's hard to fall sleep when there's a mystery to be solved and I needed answers.

[Tonya Bryner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot was great. Romance was a bit cheesy but fine. I do enjoy this author

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read or listened to many books and many mysteries. Clair M Poulson is my favorite author. It was hard for in in my early readings of his books to follow all his characters, but now I pay closer attention. He really nails the bad guys. You just can picture them in your mind and want to be a better person. I thought listening to the character Rudy interrogate was fun. And I liked how he could work with another female without romantic entanglements.

[Kassandra Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clair Poulson’s new release is such an exciting read! Between a simple PI assignment in the morning, and meeting with an interesting client in his boss's office right when he gets in, Rudy’s life is about to get much more interesting, and change forever!

Daisy, (the interesting new client) has been accused of murder! But things aren’t quite what they seem, and Rudy not only is trying to prove her innocence, but is also working to help her solve the dangerous case that has put her as the main suspect for murder. Interestingly enough the morning PI assignment looks like it had connections to the murder case and it’s up to Rudy, Daisy, and the rest of the office to figure things out before it’s too late!

This book is one you are definitely going to want to read!

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Poulson’s books, but that one was only so-so. There was too much explaining worked in to the narration so it felt more like a play-by-play than a novel. Also, there were so many loose ends that never got tied up. I was shocked when it simply ended. Things were way too contrived and convenient. The heroine’s brother was kidnapped in Denver, Colorado, but they caught an obvious perp impersonating the kids mother at a law office in central Utah and when they opened the trunk the brother happened to be right there. And many other instances. Everything felt so rushed and orchestrated.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why oh why do they use the same audiobook narrator for every Clair M Poulson book?! His laugh drives me crazy.

In other news, not super impressed with this book. It was easy to listen to, overall not bad, but there were some really childish parts in there..almost “gotcha” parts that wouldn’t be something an adult would say, unless they were immature. There were times I rolled my eyes.

Will I read more of Clair M Poulson? Yep. I’m a sucker for clean books 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have said it before but this author is terrible at writing romance so should just stop it. The story is gripping and hard to put down but in some places it cast a bad light on cops, which I didn’t like and did not think necessary. I was also a little unsatisfied with the ending. It seemed a little forced. It was worth reading but keep your expectations low.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We always love books by Clair Poulson. We listed to this as an audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf. Great story, with lots of twists and turns. Undercover FBI agent, human trafficking ring, kidnapping, and lots of other complex issues. We like that in the end, problems are solved and most everyone is happy.

[Kevin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lot more last moving and got right into the action. In a short time there was two murders and a couple of kidnappings. The person that the Lawyer was to represent was lying to them along and then turned out to help the PI and the lawyer to solve all of this. And as always there is the romantic twist included.

[Raygan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those where I just hated the main character! The narration was rough and he acted like he was all that and a bag of chips. There was also random plot twists that really didn’t need to be there in my opinion. I think this book would have been more enjoyable when the plot twists made sense rather than just being there to be there.

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt that this book was one of Poulson's better books, especially in the last few years. There was a lot going on but was easy to follow. The human trafficking angle was weak whereas the stolen pawned items took the lead throughout the book.

[Kea Canovas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clean read which I appreciate. It was a little not realistic and the romance was terrible haha. I was engaged with the suspense part although I do think it should come with a trigger warning of human trafficking and abuse to children.

[Julianne Ferguson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over explaining from the narrator, lots of loose ends and several that were conveniently tied up in an over reached bow. Felt like a high schooler wrote it. Clean and nice enough. Should come with a warning for child trafficking and other triggers.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome PI story

I really loved the way this story unraveled to its conclusion.
Paulson has a gift for creating real characters. The pacing of the story was spot on and the detective work authentic.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to really enjoy this author. Not sure if I've just noticed his writing style or if it has changed. I just don't enjoy them as much as I used to. I feel he explains things he doesn't have to.

[MykeWeber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out great! Couldn’t put down! By the end though, it became nauseatingly corny.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby. This was a good story. I enjoyed the book.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ßtara

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a Clair Poulson book! Especially an audiobook- it keeps me listening. Lots of mystery and action with just a touch of romance. This one was a good one! Content: clean.

[Myka · Rating 3 out of 5]

little predicable, but fun light read

[the girl who reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this mystery! I listened to the audiobook of it, and it kept my attention the whole time. It has quite a few twists and turns!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable and a little too fluffy for me.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this story and it was fantastic! I was hooked until the very end!

[☆ emeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate it

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Clair Poulson books. I didn't care as much for the main character. The romance part was a bit rushed and cheesy. I usually really enjoy his books more so was a little disappointed.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally incredible.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Scooby Doo. I’ve liked some of his other books better. I added an extra star as there was no foul language or steamy scenes.

[Craig Ogden]

Great book.

[Alaina Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action and a touch of romance

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dialogue and over all writing style of this book was so clunky and distracting.