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Green Marble Mysteries #2

Terror Comes Knocking

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Just before the American President is scheduled to appear in Sam Moore's hometown of East Goodland, Sam's retirement plans are pushed back when his daughter, Beth, goes missing. In his search for Beth, Sam is guided by an unusual talisman-a small green marble-that reveals a perplexing link between Beth and her mysterious roommate, Zafina Azziz. Who is the real Zafina? Med student, loving friend, Egyptian royal-or a keeper of deadly secrets? Is she involved with a group of suspicious students from the Middle East? And does Zafina know where Beth is? Meanwhile, Sam's friend Senator MacDonald is tapped for the Presidential nomination, and his small town goes berserk, both with the news and in preparation for a Presidential appearance at the new arts center gala. That's when Sam discovers that someone is out to destroy the President-and that someone is hiding in East Goodland. "A keeper! This is a story you will want to read more than once to pick up stray bits of the story you may miss on the first reading. You'll want to read all of talented author Aaron Paul Lazar's books. Lots of excitement in all of them and you'll come to think of the characters as old friends you'll enjoy visiting with again and again." Anne K. Edwards, author of Shadows Over Paradise

254 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

13 people are currently reading
39 people want to read

About the author

Aaron Paul Lazar

42 books188 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. Author of 28 books, including three addictive mystery series, writing books, a romantic suspense series, and a new love story series, Aaron enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com. Aaron has won 21 book awards for his novels and finds writing to be his form of "cheap therapy." Feel free to network with him on Facebook or his website; he loves to connect with readers!

Visit his website at www.lazarbooks.com.

more about the author:

Aaron Paul Lazar wasn’t always a mystery writer. It wasn’t until eight members of his family and friends died within five years that the urge to write became overwhelming. “When my father died, I lost it. I needed an outlet, and writing provided the kind of solace I couldn’t find elsewhere.”

Lazar created the Gus LeGarde mystery series, with the founding novel, DOUBLE FORTÉ (2004), a chilling winter mystery set in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. Like Lazar’s father, protagonist Gus LeGarde is a classical music professor. Gus, a grandfather, gardener, chef, and nature lover, plays Chopin etudes to feed his soul and thinks of himself as a “Renaissance man caught in the 21st century.”

The creation of the series lent Lazar the comfort he sought, yet in the process, a new passion was unleashed. Obsessed with his parallel universe, he now lives, breathes, and dreams about his characters, and has written eleven LeGarde mysteries.

One day while rototilling his gardens, Lazar unearthed a green cat’s eye marble, which prompted the new paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore, retired country doctor and zealous gardener. The green marble, a powerful talisman, connects all three of the books in the series, whisking Sam back in time to uncover his brother’s dreadful fate fifty years earlier. (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE; TERROR COMES KNOCKING, and FOR KEEPS) Lazar intends to continue both series, in addition to three contemporary new series including Tall Pines Mysteries, set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Paines Creek love stories series, set on Cape Cod, and Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series, set in Vermont.

Lazar’s books feature breathless chase scenes, nasty villains, and taut suspense, but are also intensely human stories, replete with kids, dogs, horses, food, romance, and humor. The author calls them, “country mysteries,” although reviewers have dubbed them “literary mysteries.”

“It seems as though every image ever impressed upon my brain finds its way into my work. Whether it’s the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly slate-green lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in mid-winter, these images burrow into my memory cells. In time they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured out on the page.”

Lazar lives on a ridge overlooking the Genesee Valley in upstate New York with his wife, mother-in-law, beloved Cavi-poo, Balto, Cavi-bichon, Amber, and four cats. He and his wife, Dale, now have seven grandchildren to spoil and they enjoy every second of it!

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5 stars
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3 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila.
Author 85 books191 followers
July 19, 2012
Sam Moore is a loving father, generous friend, retired small-town doctor, and the owner of a truly amazing green marble. The marble is the source of very gently and deftly woven hints of the paranormal in Aaron Paul Lazar’s thought-provoking mystery, Terror Comes Knocking. It carries Sam, with the ghost of his long-lost brother as child-like guide, into different times and places where answers to his questions might be found. But understanding those answers proves as difficult as finding Sam’s errant daughter or getting in touch with his son, away at war.

Sam’s also a doting grandfather and wonderful spouse. His love for his wife is beautifully real, built on shared history and loving memories, aging appropriately and overcoming all odds. And his love for his grandchildren fills this reader with smiles and memories of my own grandparents. Sam loves his garden too, and scented air rises from the page, redolent with foodstuffs waiting to be dug, iced with winter’s cold or warmed with spring.

When daughter Beth fails to phone home, her room-mate Zafina comes to help out with Sam’s family. Neighbors look askance at the Middle Eastern girl in a time of terrorism and war, but surely nothing could happen in this small town, even if the President is about to visit them. And surely Beth’s friend can be trusted.

Balancing human suspicions with genuine care, prejudice under its many guises with honest appraisal and love, and quiet mystery with some excellent and exciting action scenes, this novel’s a pleasing read that successfully brings international concern into small town life without overwhelming either. It’s the second in a series, but stands alone with no trouble and introduces some great characters with fascinating depths.



Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Uvi Poznansky.
Author 41 books359 followers
March 7, 2020
Dr. Sam Moore hangs on to a memento, a green marble that reminds him of his little brother, Billy, who died in tragic circumstances over fifty years before. Pulsing under his touch, the glowing marble gives Sam visionary powers, a fact he is reluctant to share with others. “He’d avoided telling her about the extent of his adventures into the other realm.”

Other than this lingering grief and longing for his son, who is is stationed in the Middle East, Dr. Sam leads a wholesome, peaceful life with his family: his wife, Rachel, who is confined to a wheelchair, and his daughter-in-law. All he wants to do is tend to his garden and enjoy his grandchildren. But soon, another tragic event rocks his quiet life. His daughter, Beth, has disappeared. Her roommate, Zafina, offers her support. But given her involvement with a group of suspicious students from the Middle East, it remains unclear what she knows about Beth’s disappearance and her whereabouts.

To complicate things even further, one more mystery competes for his attention. Just when the town is preparing for the President to appear at the new arts center gala, Sam discovers that someone is out to destroy him. With the help of the green marble, and with a heart full of compassion for others, Sam intends to figure out both mysteries.

Highly recommended. Five stars.

The book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for PW Dowdy.
7 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2012
With literary accolades for 'Healey's Cave', Aaron Paul Lazar has written the second installment of his Green Marble Mystery featuring Sam Moore series. 'Terror Comes Knocking' is a cohesive and outstanding read, likely to attract notable honors of its own.

Dr. Sam Moore and his family from the first novel provide good characterization and the right amount of backstory to get the plot rolling. Also from 'Healey's Cave' is Bruce, Sam Moore's childhood friend turned U.S. Senator--and of course,The Green Marble itself. Lazar uses each of these well rounded characters to create and sustain a storyline built on a quiet tenacity that dares readers not to assume they know what will happens next. 'Terror Comes Knocking' surprises and startles.

In its opening pages, Sam and Rachael wonder why their daughter has not phoned. Living away from home as a student, Beth is a dutiful daughter who seldom misses talking with her mother on a daily basis. Where is she? The answer to that single question is not forthcoming. What does come, is a barrage of events that forces the upstate New York couple to realize that Beth's absence is not as explainable as they had hoped it was.

From that point on, one terror after another bludgeon the worried couple's mind. From that point on, people they had believed would help find their daughter reveal themselves to be untrustworthy.

Sam and Bruce unite to bring Beth home.

Fair warning here, minor sub-plots develop into major elements of story. All are skillfully crafted so by Aaron Paul Lazar's exceptional "feel" for the novel writing process. When the plot pulls all of its elements together, readers need prepare themselves with a huge box of OMG's.

Oh My Gosh, how I so enjoyed this mystery/thriller! 'Terror Comes Knocking' would be a fine pick for an absorbing summer's read. Another fair warning--brace yourself for its ending.
Profile Image for Johnsergeant.
635 reviews35 followers
January 28, 2013

Narrated by Robert King Ross

8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Just before the American president is scheduled to appear in Sam Moore's hometown of East Goodland, Sam's retirement plans are delayed when his daughter, Beth, goes missing. Newly reunited with the spirit of his younger brother, Billy, who died 50 years ago, Sam is guided by an unusual talisman - a small green marble - that reveals a perplexing link between Beth and her mysterious roommate, Zafina Azziz.

Who is the real Zafina? Med student, loving friend, Egyptian royal - or a keeper of deadly secrets? Is she involved with a group of suspicious students from the Middle East? And what about that phantom boyfriend she keeps mentioning?

Does Zafina know where Beth is?

That's when Sam discovers that someone is plotting to murder the president of the United States - and that someone is hiding in East Goodland.

Can Sam, his daughter, and Billy's ghost avert a catastrophe that could rival September 11?
Profile Image for Marsha.
1,495 reviews11 followers
November 5, 2014
Terror Comes Knocking by Aaron Paul Lazar is a terrific read. The marble induced flashbacks are so unique and extremely well done. To me, there is no greater terror than your child going missing, especially when that child is an adult. This book reflects the difficulty in getting authorities to take Sam seriously. Sam thus needs to take matters into his own hands and the results are spellbinding! As is common knowledge, I love these characters and I love this author. The real story is in the details and Lazar never misses any of them. A must read for all mystery fans, adding a bit of supernatural.
Profile Image for Joan Young.
Author 29 books50 followers
March 19, 2014
When Sam's daughter Beth goes missing, her partner, Zafina, shows up to encourage and help Sam's family through the difficult time. But Zafina seems to change personalities with the ease of a set of clothes. What is she really up to? Of course Sam's green marble, his mystical link to his dead brother Billy, plays an important role in the story leading to the outcome. Sam's childhood friends, now adults, play roles, as would be expected in a small town. The story is predictable, but satisfying.
Profile Image for S.R. Mallery.
Author 23 books339 followers
February 26, 2020
***** A Multi-layered, Riveting Story

Starting out with the sixty-plus year old Dr. Sam Moore, mourning for his little brother who had tragically died over fifty years before, we quickly feel the doctor’s heartache, pain, and emotional scars from the sad event. Yet the only thing left from his brother is a green marble, which Sam faithfully keeps in the pocket of whichever pants he is wearing. With his loving wife, Rachel, by his side as well as his daughter-in-law and grandchildren, in spite of his brother’s sad demise, his life now appears loving and full. But gradually, more and more comes out. Sam and Rachel’s son is stationed in the Middle East on a dangerous mission, and all of a sudden, their daughter, Beth, has gone missing. Tense, worried, soon, they are visited by her roommate, Zafina and her brother, both also from the Middle East. They are not only sweet and helpful, they let the Moore family know just how very disturbed they are by Beth’s disappearance.

With Rachel being confined to a wheelchair, Sam sets out alone to try and discover what happened to their daughter. Although good friends, a local politician, and the police are all there to try and help him search for her, everyone else in town is excited about an upcoming visit from the President.

But Sam also has a secret. He’s discovered that his little brother’s green marble gives him visionary powers. Abilities that quickly heighten his fear for his daughter’s safety in the midst of something deep and foreboding.

With rich, descriptive language that still manages to provide edge-of-your seat action, we are soon thrust into Sam’s headlong journey to save the day, no matter what. But at his age, will he really be able to do that? Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Regina.
253 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2017
** Review of Audio Format **

Terror as in Terrorist

Sam's daughter Beth is missing, his son is MIA in Afghanistan and his wife just dislocated both shoulders after a fall from her wheelchair. He thinks it's a good thing when her roommate Zafina and her brother offer to help out and help in the search for Beth. What Sam doesn't know is that his daughter is keeping secrets from him and Zafina is definitely not what she appears to be.

I did not enjoy this book quite as well as I did Lazar's first Green Marble mystery. It took too long for Sam to realize his daughter is missing. He missed too many of the clues Billy supplied and left Rachel alone way too much to chase after clues. For me, the story moved along too slowly and Sam did not piece it together quickly enough. I would have liked more backstory on Zafina as well. In the end, this book was not as compelling as the first in this series for me which is not to be missed.

The narration was good except that Ross kept whispering. This made the listen hard to listen to in my car during my commute.

I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.
7,775 reviews50 followers
June 13, 2020
Once again Sam has his tailsman the green marble. When the nightmare of his daughter is missing. Her roommate Zafina who is she really, and what about the suspicious groups on campus. Sam uncovers plans that affect the President. When all Sam wants is his loving wife, his garden and grandson. The author’s books and audio are filled with emotion and tension, along with twists and turns.all have been a winner. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Profile Image for Cyn.
612 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2016
It's alright

Note: In exchange for an unbiased review, the author, publisher, and/or narrator were kind enough to provide an audio version of this book at no charge via AudiobookBlast.

This was apparently the second book in a series, which I don't think I realized when I got the book. But that didn't really matter too much; it wasn't hard to follow because it was almost like a standalone book anyway.

Having said that ... this book was alright. Just alright. Nothing hugely spectacular. I don't know if it was the material or the narrator (who was OK, but just didn't have a performance that grabbed me with interest). The plot was decent enough, if somewhat predictable to a certain extent, but it just didn't keep me engaged in what was going on with the characters or the story. And there was one glaring mistake that I couldn't forget (but was irrelevant to the overall picture, so I'll go ahead and mention it here without a spoiler warning). A doctor operates on one of the characters, and he comes out to meet with the family member who's waiting and he's got blood all over his scrubs. The family member is rightly worried, thinking it's the blood of their loved on, but the doctor said it was blood from a trauma patient that came in right before he operated on the character in question. Now, I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure it would not be acceptable for a surgeon to go from one patient (with their blood all over him) to another patient he's going to operate on without cleaning up and changing his scrubs.

Anyway, I don't have a whole lot more to add about it. Apparently, several people liked this novel a lot because it has much higher ratings than I would personally give it. But you'll have to check it out for yourself and see; you may come away with a totally different perspective.
Profile Image for April.
2,201 reviews58 followers
May 31, 2016
“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”


This is book 2 in "The Green Marble Mystery" series. Sam Moore continues to uncover sercrets and solve mysteries with a little special help from his little brothers spirit.
Sam's family have issues and they all need to deal with them. There is a lot of drama and suspense to keep you hanging on to your chair.

It seems most of Aaron Paul Lazar series have a character that loves to garden.

I look forward to the next book.


The narration was well done. The characters were excellently portrayed.
506 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2018
This book was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

Can't miss with any of Lazar's books!! I actually had read this book, a long time ago! But, it was an AWESOME read, the 2nd time around. Sam Moore seems to get caught up in another mystery. His daughter Beth is missing. Her roommate at College, shows up with her brother. Meanwhile, the town is caught up, in preparing for a visit from the President. Can Sam figure out, where his daughter is and what is going on?? You'll just have to read this AWESOME book, to find out!!
Profile Image for Deedra.
3,933 reviews40 followers
July 6, 2016
This is a continuation of the Sam Moore Mysteries.It is fun catching up with what is going on with this family,well,maybe not fun,but it's always interesting!Narrated by Robert King Ross,we start out slowly,but he picks up speed.Sams daughter has dissapeared.Her roommate comes to see Sam and Rachel but there are more questions than answers and OH,the President is coming to town!How does this all fit together?Read it and find out!
I was gifted this book for an honest review.
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