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Murder Mutts Mystery #1
A Penny Earned
Private investigator Heebs Kelly, a breezy young WWII veteran, came to Cheyenne to work with his Army buddy, not find him murdered at his desk. The police are eager to write off attorney Paul Richardson’s homicide as the work of a passing vagrant – or as proof the victim was mixed up in something shady. His grief stricken family beg Heebs to find the killer and clear Paul’s name.
Soon Heebs and the tiny white dog he rescued from coyotes start stepping on the toes of influential people and threatening secrets someone wants to keep buried. When a pair of thugs jump him outside a bar to persuade him to keep his nose out, they find their would-be prey is tougher than his lack of cowboy boots and missing hand suggest.
Instead of backing off, Heebs doubles down. He begins to uncover hints of corruption that reaches across the state, and maybe beyond. When another murder occurs, he faces the additional challenge of keeping a restless and supremely annoying witness alive long enough to cough up information that may or may not prove useful.
Aided by his Mexican secretary, a woman doctor, and his prickly landlady, who fascinates him as much as she baffles him, Heebs picks out a trail that leads to a jarring connection. In an unfamiliar city, unsure who to trust, he risks his life to expose the truth and exact justice.
Soon Heebs and the tiny white dog he rescued from coyotes start stepping on the toes of influential people and threatening secrets someone wants to keep buried. When a pair of thugs jump him outside a bar to persuade him to keep his nose out, they find their would-be prey is tougher than his lack of cowboy boots and missing hand suggest.
Instead of backing off, Heebs doubles down. He begins to uncover hints of corruption that reaches across the state, and maybe beyond. When another murder occurs, he faces the additional challenge of keeping a restless and supremely annoying witness alive long enough to cough up information that may or may not prove useful.
Aided by his Mexican secretary, a woman doctor, and his prickly landlady, who fascinates him as much as she baffles him, Heebs picks out a trail that leads to a jarring connection. In an unfamiliar city, unsure who to trust, he risks his life to expose the truth and exact justice.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2023
22 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
M. Ruth Myers
30 books189 followersM. Ruth Myers is a Shamus Award winning mystery writer. Her Maggie Sullivan mystery series features a private eye in Dayton, Ohio in the years 1938-1946.
Other novels by the author, who has also written as Mary Ruth Myers, have been translated, optioned for television and condensed in Good Housekeeping. They also have been used in college classes in Japan. She has taught at writers’ conferences across the country including the Antioch, Cape Cod and Mark Twain conferences.
Myers was born in Warrensburg, MO. When she was nine the family moved to Wyoming where she graduated from Cheyenne Central High School. After earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Missouri J-School she worked as a reporter and feature writer on daily papers in Michigan and Ohio.
She and her husband are long-time Ohio residents with one grown daughter.
When not writing or reading, Myers cooks and plays Irish traditional music on an Anglo concertina. She confesses to more enthusiasm than skill.
Other novels by the author, who has also written as Mary Ruth Myers, have been translated, optioned for television and condensed in Good Housekeeping. They also have been used in college classes in Japan. She has taught at writers’ conferences across the country including the Antioch, Cape Cod and Mark Twain conferences.
Myers was born in Warrensburg, MO. When she was nine the family moved to Wyoming where she graduated from Cheyenne Central High School. After earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Missouri J-School she worked as a reporter and feature writer on daily papers in Michigan and Ohio.
She and her husband are long-time Ohio residents with one grown daughter.
When not writing or reading, Myers cooks and plays Irish traditional music on an Anglo concertina. She confesses to more enthusiasm than skill.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 6, 2023
This is a really solid "first follow-on" to the author's Maggie Sullivan mystery series. The protagonist, Heebs, first shows up in that series as a street kid of about 10, and through those novels, we see him grow up, go to war, and return. This new one picks up a few years later, circa 1955, after he has established himself as a detective in his own right, under Maggie's tutelage. Now moved to a different city in a different state. I like some of the new characters, like Lulu and the doctor, and of course the new dog "Chaucer". LOL. I really enjoyed the whole experience, and it feels like a natural tie-in to the other series. I hope to see more soon!
May 3, 2023
Heebs Kelly, a WWII vet, has left his Dayton, Ohio, home his PI business to visit a wartime companion in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The year is 1955-no interstates to travel on, no cell phones or e-mail - only 2 lane roads with towns spaced far apart, few gas stations or lodgings along the way. Heebs arrived in Cheyenne and within hours, finds his friend murdered. Why? The friend's father-in-law asked Heebs to stay and investigate, using the man's office as his base. Heebs' slight build and the fact he has a hook for a left hand (compliments of WWII) cause people to pay him little attention. However, his ability to research (using newspaper files-not a computer) and connect with people allows him to put things together. Get story since it happens that so much of it could, and probably was, true. Note: Heebs is a characted first introduced in the series of Maggie O'Sullivan mysteries set in 1930's and early 40's Dayton, OH.
May 10, 2024
This was so surprisingly good! Maybe that’s that not the right term to use, I knew the quality of writing was going to be excellent - I was just hesitant about the idea of a Heebs spin-off after spending so long with Maggie.
HOWEVER, the book is perfectly accessible if you’ve never picked up a Maggie Sullivan mystery (but you totally should go read them if you haven’t). And if you’ve been sitting on the fence like me, it’s well worth the read. Heebs is a lovely protagonist. Charismatic but humble.
I’m annoyed at myself for not reading this sooner and annoyed that there isn’t a second instalment yet.
HOWEVER, the book is perfectly accessible if you’ve never picked up a Maggie Sullivan mystery (but you totally should go read them if you haven’t). And if you’ve been sitting on the fence like me, it’s well worth the read. Heebs is a lovely protagonist. Charismatic but humble.
I’m annoyed at myself for not reading this sooner and annoyed that there isn’t a second instalment yet.
May 6, 2023
This first book in the Heebs' series delivers! Heebs has grown into an mature, intelligent and street-smart Private Investigator, but still retained his boyish charm and likeability. Moving him away from Cleveland makes him stand on his own professionally. He has to learn the lay of the land, as well as the locals in order to solve the murder of his friend and Army buddy. M. Ruth Myers comes through again with accurate, period writing. I am a Heebs fan! Anxious for his next case!
May 6, 2023
If I could give this book a 4.5 star rating I would. After following the Maggie Sullivan series, by this author, I was glad to see her continuing the story of one of the recurring characters in those books, namely Heebs Kelly. In those he was a street kid who helped Maggie occasionally, then lied about his age and got into the army during WW2.
This book begins about 8 years later with Heebs traveling west to help an old army buddy. If you haven't read the previous series, it may be a bit confusing at first with opaque references to his former life in Dayton Ohio, but the holes get filled in. Plus it's not essential to know the background to enjoy this story, but it does make it more fun.
The story arc is solid. While you find out "who dunnit" midway through the book, the challenge is how Heebs will get incontrovertible evidence against powerful people. As in the Maggie books, the setting is realistic for the time period, and the case isn't solved overnight as going to an office to track down back issues of newspapers, missing phone calls etc are part of life in the 1950's.
There were some odd phrases, like, "...we picked lice for a couple of minutes" which I gather meant sharing chit chat. And, "he looked at me in new assessment." She mentions, " the highway Ike had gotten through Congress" without any explanation of who Ike was and what highway it is. It was obvious to me, but might be a mystery to younger readers who don't know their American history. These small things are what made my rating 4 instead of 5.
If you enjoy this book, I recommend the Maggie Sullivan series.
This book begins about 8 years later with Heebs traveling west to help an old army buddy. If you haven't read the previous series, it may be a bit confusing at first with opaque references to his former life in Dayton Ohio, but the holes get filled in. Plus it's not essential to know the background to enjoy this story, but it does make it more fun.
The story arc is solid. While you find out "who dunnit" midway through the book, the challenge is how Heebs will get incontrovertible evidence against powerful people. As in the Maggie books, the setting is realistic for the time period, and the case isn't solved overnight as going to an office to track down back issues of newspapers, missing phone calls etc are part of life in the 1950's.
There were some odd phrases, like, "...we picked lice for a couple of minutes" which I gather meant sharing chit chat. And, "he looked at me in new assessment." She mentions, " the highway Ike had gotten through Congress" without any explanation of who Ike was and what highway it is. It was obvious to me, but might be a mystery to younger readers who don't know their American history. These small things are what made my rating 4 instead of 5.
If you enjoy this book, I recommend the Maggie Sullivan series.
June 17, 2023
3.75 stars
Engaging series debut by the author of the Maggie Sullivan mysteries. The main character appeared in that series as a much younger street urchin who Maggie took under her wing. He's now grown, a WWII veteran who came home without part of his left arm and hand, but still independent, smart and smart-mouthed. Heebs is headed west from Ohio where he's been working as a P.I. with his mentor Maggie. He is headed to Wyoming to touch base with an old Army pal who sounds troubled about some local wrong-doing.
He picks up a friend, a small white dog, along the way, and is observant about the many differences between his home town and the Wild West. No sooner does he hit town, even before his old buddy has a chance to clue him in, then his friend is found murdered in his office. Heebs is street smart and loyal and he is not about to walk away, particularly since the local police don't seem that interested in finding the killer. Then his friend's father-in-law makes it official and hires him to get to the bottom of the murder.
Heebs has a way about him -- he can chat up about anybody and his breezy patter gets him in the door of most places. But he can be all business, and he's nobody's fool. He recognizes right away that there are a lot of back door goings on in Cheyenne. He manages to make a few good friends and figures out various clues his friend has left him. Wyoming might be different from Ohio, but shady deals and corruption happen everywhere.
An entertaining new series -- I will be watching out for the next one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Engaging series debut by the author of the Maggie Sullivan mysteries. The main character appeared in that series as a much younger street urchin who Maggie took under her wing. He's now grown, a WWII veteran who came home without part of his left arm and hand, but still independent, smart and smart-mouthed. Heebs is headed west from Ohio where he's been working as a P.I. with his mentor Maggie. He is headed to Wyoming to touch base with an old Army pal who sounds troubled about some local wrong-doing.
He picks up a friend, a small white dog, along the way, and is observant about the many differences between his home town and the Wild West. No sooner does he hit town, even before his old buddy has a chance to clue him in, then his friend is found murdered in his office. Heebs is street smart and loyal and he is not about to walk away, particularly since the local police don't seem that interested in finding the killer. Then his friend's father-in-law makes it official and hires him to get to the bottom of the murder.
Heebs has a way about him -- he can chat up about anybody and his breezy patter gets him in the door of most places. But he can be all business, and he's nobody's fool. He recognizes right away that there are a lot of back door goings on in Cheyenne. He manages to make a few good friends and figures out various clues his friend has left him. Wyoming might be different from Ohio, but shady deals and corruption happen everywhere.
An entertaining new series -- I will be watching out for the next one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 2, 2023
Since being discharged from the Army during WWII, Heebs Kelly has been working with his long-time mentor, Private Investigator Maggie Sullivan, in Dayton, Ohio. A PENNY EARNED takes place in the 1950s during the Eisenhower administration.
During his active duty, he lost a hand and gained one close friend, Paul Richardson who now is a lawyer in Wyoming. After Paul contacts Heebs to tell him he can use his help about something he has learned, Heebs drives to Wyoming to help out.
When he arrives, Paul’s very pregnant wife tells him he’s not home from work yet and he hasn’t answered her phone calls. Heebs goes to Paul’s office where a woman doctor whose office is in the building shows him the office. Heebs goes in and finds that his friend is dead, killed by someone by breaking his neck.
The police immediately decide that Heebs is the killer and are determined to close the case. Only after Heebs can prove he is not the guilty is he released. But Paul’s father-in-law tells him he doesn’t think the police will work very hard and asks Heebs to find the killer.
Heebs first task is determining what information Paul was investigating so he knows where to look. When he goes back to the office, he finds someone else there and is attacked by two men outside. He realizes that something very important but also questionable must be at stake.
In this first book in a series involving a person introduced in the Maggie Sullivan series. M. Ruth Myers delivers a realistic character, sounding like someone with Heebs’ background. The plot is plausible as are the people and situations. Myers does not rely on descriptive violence nor sex to move the story along.
Like all the books in the previous series, A PENNY EARNED is well-written interesting. I look forward to more books about Heebs as well as more about Maggie.
During his active duty, he lost a hand and gained one close friend, Paul Richardson who now is a lawyer in Wyoming. After Paul contacts Heebs to tell him he can use his help about something he has learned, Heebs drives to Wyoming to help out.
When he arrives, Paul’s very pregnant wife tells him he’s not home from work yet and he hasn’t answered her phone calls. Heebs goes to Paul’s office where a woman doctor whose office is in the building shows him the office. Heebs goes in and finds that his friend is dead, killed by someone by breaking his neck.
The police immediately decide that Heebs is the killer and are determined to close the case. Only after Heebs can prove he is not the guilty is he released. But Paul’s father-in-law tells him he doesn’t think the police will work very hard and asks Heebs to find the killer.
Heebs first task is determining what information Paul was investigating so he knows where to look. When he goes back to the office, he finds someone else there and is attacked by two men outside. He realizes that something very important but also questionable must be at stake.
In this first book in a series involving a person introduced in the Maggie Sullivan series. M. Ruth Myers delivers a realistic character, sounding like someone with Heebs’ background. The plot is plausible as are the people and situations. Myers does not rely on descriptive violence nor sex to move the story along.
Like all the books in the previous series, A PENNY EARNED is well-written interesting. I look forward to more books about Heebs as well as more about Maggie.
May 21, 2023
1952. Cheyenne, Wyoming certainly was a long way from Dayton and that’s exactly what Heebs was looking forward to. Big vistas, clear skies, and a joyful reunion all awaited his arrival. Right up until it didn’t.
With M. Ruth Myers’s usual delightful gift for narrative, we’re given a sense that nothing is going to go to plan for Heebs – yes, *that* Heebs from the M. Ruth MyersMaggie Sullivan Mystery series! – before he even manages to reach Cheyenne. This isn’t the snotty little newsboy or the recovering wounded GI. This is a young man Heading West, eight years of being an official PI under his belt now and ready to be his own man out from under Maggie’s watchful eye.
Those post-war years have brought a lot of changes to the US, as well. Deftly weaving murders, interesting and diverse characters, political intrigue, and what happens when you take a guy from Ohio and drop him into Ground Zero of the murder investigation of his close friend in a town in which he knows absolutely no one, Ms. Myers does a wonderful job of describing both place and time. Her meticulous attention to small details gives the reader a sense of walking downtown alongside a character, or driving out into the night with them to go to a true “locals” bar. Never overdone, the words are well-crafted with enough there that you could almost make a map.
And then there’s Heebs’s partner, Chaucer. Small but mighty, he’s a keeper. I’m already looking forward to the next installment of Murder Mutts.
With M. Ruth Myers’s usual delightful gift for narrative, we’re given a sense that nothing is going to go to plan for Heebs – yes, *that* Heebs from the M. Ruth MyersMaggie Sullivan Mystery series! – before he even manages to reach Cheyenne. This isn’t the snotty little newsboy or the recovering wounded GI. This is a young man Heading West, eight years of being an official PI under his belt now and ready to be his own man out from under Maggie’s watchful eye.
Those post-war years have brought a lot of changes to the US, as well. Deftly weaving murders, interesting and diverse characters, political intrigue, and what happens when you take a guy from Ohio and drop him into Ground Zero of the murder investigation of his close friend in a town in which he knows absolutely no one, Ms. Myers does a wonderful job of describing both place and time. Her meticulous attention to small details gives the reader a sense of walking downtown alongside a character, or driving out into the night with them to go to a true “locals” bar. Never overdone, the words are well-crafted with enough there that you could almost make a map.
And then there’s Heebs’s partner, Chaucer. Small but mighty, he’s a keeper. I’m already looking forward to the next installment of Murder Mutts.
May 12, 2023
Heebs Kelly has really changed. He is far from the street urchin discovered by Maggie Sullivan and given a helping hand by her. After lying about his age and enlisting in the Army during WWII, Heebs returned to Dayton, Ohio and learned to be a private detective from Maggie. Now he is fully licensed and on his way to Cheyenne, Wyoming to join an Army buddy, Paul Richardson, who has a legal practice there. Together, they can uncover the corruption Paul has uncovered.
But when he arrives at Paul's house, Paul hasn't yet arrived, and when his wife sends Heebs to hurry him along, he finds Paul murdered. And just recently. Heebs can prove he wasn't responsible, but needs to find out who is. Paul left a few cryptic clues and, when given permission by the man's father-in-law to use the office to find the murderer, Heebs enlists the many people who knew and liked Paul. Along the way, he has also acquired a dog, who he names Chaucer, because he seems to be a traveller. Thus the name of his new detective firm, The Murder Mutts.
He crosses some very well-connected people in Cheyenne, but, like Maggie, Heebs knows it's the "little people" who really know what is going on. In the end, he makes friends and enemies but does manage to solve the crime.
But when he arrives at Paul's house, Paul hasn't yet arrived, and when his wife sends Heebs to hurry him along, he finds Paul murdered. And just recently. Heebs can prove he wasn't responsible, but needs to find out who is. Paul left a few cryptic clues and, when given permission by the man's father-in-law to use the office to find the murderer, Heebs enlists the many people who knew and liked Paul. Along the way, he has also acquired a dog, who he names Chaucer, because he seems to be a traveller. Thus the name of his new detective firm, The Murder Mutts.
He crosses some very well-connected people in Cheyenne, but, like Maggie, Heebs knows it's the "little people" who really know what is going on. In the end, he makes friends and enemies but does manage to solve the crime.
May 16, 2023
A bit of history.
I really enjoyed this book and getting to know Heebs and Chauser. (Based on Heeb's description, I formed a picture in my head of Alan Ladd as the private investigator.) I haven't had the opportunity to read a lot of books based in the early 1950s, so this was fun. I'm also a product of the 50s, so there was a real sense of familiarity reading about the cars and the prospect of a new highway system that would encourage millions of people to travel, and businesses to have their own trucks to transport their goods throughout the country. Unfortunately, some people with more money and power than morals are scheming how to get their greedy hands on some of that money to be made. Their first mistake was killing Heeb's good friend and war buddy, Paul. Heeb stopped just before he got to town to rescue a little white dog being chased by coyotes, only to find that if he surrenders the little dog, he's likely to be put to sleep anyhow. He couldn't save Paul, so he decided he'd keep the dog and find Paul's killer. This was a really good start to what is, hopefully, a nice, long-lived series. I like Heeb and Chauser and would enjoy reading more about them.
I really enjoyed this book and getting to know Heebs and Chauser. (Based on Heeb's description, I formed a picture in my head of Alan Ladd as the private investigator.) I haven't had the opportunity to read a lot of books based in the early 1950s, so this was fun. I'm also a product of the 50s, so there was a real sense of familiarity reading about the cars and the prospect of a new highway system that would encourage millions of people to travel, and businesses to have their own trucks to transport their goods throughout the country. Unfortunately, some people with more money and power than morals are scheming how to get their greedy hands on some of that money to be made. Their first mistake was killing Heeb's good friend and war buddy, Paul. Heeb stopped just before he got to town to rescue a little white dog being chased by coyotes, only to find that if he surrenders the little dog, he's likely to be put to sleep anyhow. He couldn't save Paul, so he decided he'd keep the dog and find Paul's killer. This was a really good start to what is, hopefully, a nice, long-lived series. I like Heeb and Chauser and would enjoy reading more about them.
May 6, 2023
As an avid fan of Ruth Meyer's Maggie Sullivan mysteries where Heebs' character was first introduced, I eagerly awaited her developing a series featuring him as the main detective. Once I got the first one in hand I have to say, I did put it down from time to time but only because my eyes got tired from all the long reading sessions. It's a page-turner and I highly recommend it!
It's 8 years since Heebs returned to Daytona from the war with a hook replacing one of his hands and worked with Maggie to hone his detective skills. Now he's ready to venture out as a detective with his own practice. When his best buddy from the war who has become an attorney writes to ask him to help investigate some shady doings in the town he resides in out West, Heebs packs a few things, jumps in his car and heads out to help him. On the long drive there, he comes across an abandoned dog and you know that as soon as that happens, their partnership is inevitable. Heebs names him Chaucer and to tell any more about the plot is spoiler material. Let's just say the thin line between good and evil is not always an easy one to discern. A cozy mystery this is not!
It's 8 years since Heebs returned to Daytona from the war with a hook replacing one of his hands and worked with Maggie to hone his detective skills. Now he's ready to venture out as a detective with his own practice. When his best buddy from the war who has become an attorney writes to ask him to help investigate some shady doings in the town he resides in out West, Heebs packs a few things, jumps in his car and heads out to help him. On the long drive there, he comes across an abandoned dog and you know that as soon as that happens, their partnership is inevitable. Heebs names him Chaucer and to tell any more about the plot is spoiler material. Let's just say the thin line between good and evil is not always an easy one to discern. A cozy mystery this is not!
May 30, 2023
I’ve read all of Ms. Myers’ Maggie Sullivan books and have enjoyed them all. Maggie is a private eye, smart, independent, and a “tough cookie,” working in Dayton, Ohio, in the 1930’s and ‘40’s. So, an unusual P.I. for the time and an unusual setting for a detective story. Ms. Myers’ books are what I would call noir cozy.
One of my favorite characters is Heebs, a street kid who hustles newspapers as he grows up on his own. Maggie “employs” him occasionally when the services of a street-smart, brash, quick thinking kid are needed. So, I was delighted that Ms. Myers is giving him his own series.
A Penny Earned is set in early 1950’s Cheyenne, Wyoming. Heebs is a young man now, who lied about his age to join the army and who survived WWII (or most of him did). After eight years of working for Maggie after the war, he is still street-smart, brash, and quick-thinking, but also a skilled private detective. He has left Dayton to work with his wartime buddy in Cheyenne.
His buddy is murdered just before they are to meet. Now we really meets Heebs Kelly, the man and the hard-boiled P.I. Written in Ms. Myers’ noir-ish style, it is a good mystery, gritty, and filled with interesting characters – some destined for future Murder Mutts books and some going to prison.
One of my favorite characters is Heebs, a street kid who hustles newspapers as he grows up on his own. Maggie “employs” him occasionally when the services of a street-smart, brash, quick thinking kid are needed. So, I was delighted that Ms. Myers is giving him his own series.
A Penny Earned is set in early 1950’s Cheyenne, Wyoming. Heebs is a young man now, who lied about his age to join the army and who survived WWII (or most of him did). After eight years of working for Maggie after the war, he is still street-smart, brash, and quick-thinking, but also a skilled private detective. He has left Dayton to work with his wartime buddy in Cheyenne.
His buddy is murdered just before they are to meet. Now we really meets Heebs Kelly, the man and the hard-boiled P.I. Written in Ms. Myers’ noir-ish style, it is a good mystery, gritty, and filled with interesting characters – some destined for future Murder Mutts books and some going to prison.
May 4, 2024
Loved it!
Having read all the delightful “Dame” series books where we meet Heebs as a 9-year-old street urchin as a secondary character and see him mature and begin to heal from his WWII experiences, I was delighted to see that he gets his own series. I loved this first book, which relocates him to the west, grants him a k-9 partner and paints a vivid picture of 1950s culture and how a man who some may see as handicapped can successfully engage with the world even in the sometimes dangerous occupation of PI. Heebs has always been a delightful character and he is as much so now having grown from savvy street kid to smart, effective detective. I am eager for the next book! Like the predecessor series, each book stands on its own, fully wrapped up, no cliffhangers. The characters are just so engaging it’s hard to wait for the next book to see their continued growth and adventures. Highly recommend!
Having read all the delightful “Dame” series books where we meet Heebs as a 9-year-old street urchin as a secondary character and see him mature and begin to heal from his WWII experiences, I was delighted to see that he gets his own series. I loved this first book, which relocates him to the west, grants him a k-9 partner and paints a vivid picture of 1950s culture and how a man who some may see as handicapped can successfully engage with the world even in the sometimes dangerous occupation of PI. Heebs has always been a delightful character and he is as much so now having grown from savvy street kid to smart, effective detective. I am eager for the next book! Like the predecessor series, each book stands on its own, fully wrapped up, no cliffhangers. The characters are just so engaging it’s hard to wait for the next book to see their continued growth and adventures. Highly recommend!
May 31, 2023
What a joy to have a spin-off from the wonderful Maggie Sullivan series with regular character Heebs starting out on his own as a PI.
The 1950s Cheyenne setting was so evocative and the twists and turns of the mystery were compelling, as was Heeb's determination to find his friend's killer. I really enjoyed the mix of familiar and new in this story. I feel like I've watched Heebs grow up through the Maggie Sullivan stories, and seeing him deal with a case on his own in unfamiliar territory not knowing who to trust was both nerve-wracking and emotionally rewarding.
As this is the first in a new series, it was great to be introduced to a new cast of characters, many of whom I hope we'll meet again in the following stories, especially Chaucer, Heeb's adorable pooch!
The 1950s Cheyenne setting was so evocative and the twists and turns of the mystery were compelling, as was Heeb's determination to find his friend's killer. I really enjoyed the mix of familiar and new in this story. I feel like I've watched Heebs grow up through the Maggie Sullivan stories, and seeing him deal with a case on his own in unfamiliar territory not knowing who to trust was both nerve-wracking and emotionally rewarding.
As this is the first in a new series, it was great to be introduced to a new cast of characters, many of whom I hope we'll meet again in the following stories, especially Chaucer, Heeb's adorable pooch!
May 31, 2023
A Penny Earned (Murder Mutts Mystery Series) by M. Ruth Myers. This is the first in a new series by Ms. Myers. I read every one of the ten books in her Maggie Sullivan, PI, series. Great reads. The new series is about Heebs Kelly, the newspaper boy from the earlier series. He is now grown, back from WWII with a hook for the lower arm he lost, and working as a PI. In this book he has arrived in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at the request of an Army buddy. The Army buddy winds up murdered on the same day Heebs arrives to visit. Heebs stays around to find out who murdered his friend and why. It is a good beginning. Good descriptions, good characters, and likable ones.
June 11, 2023
I became acquainted with Heebs Kelly in the Maggie Sullivan mysteries. Through them, we see Heebs grow up and go off to fight in WW2. He returns to Dayton, missing one hand and with no real goals. Maggie helps him find a direction in life and in the first book of his own series, Heebs heads to Cheyenne, Wyoming as a Private Investigator. He becomes involved with a murder mystery, but being new in town makes it more difficult to figure out.
If you enjoy well-crafted mysteries, and stepping back in time, you owe it to yourself to read this book. While you’re at it, check out the Maggie Sullivan series to understand Heebs’ origins. You won’t be sorry.
If you enjoy well-crafted mysteries, and stepping back in time, you owe it to yourself to read this book. While you’re at it, check out the Maggie Sullivan series to understand Heebs’ origins. You won’t be sorry.
September 16, 2023
If you have read the Maggie Sullivan series by this author you will be very familiar with the least character, Heebs Kelly, in this story. If you have not read that series you should. Heebs starts out in that series as and eight year old boy that is an orphan during the time of WWII and grows up in that series. I was delighted that there was now a series about him. Heebs is street smart and smart mouthed but so darn likable. This book has it all….a fast pace, action, a great cast of characters, and heart and soul. I highly recommend anything written by this author.
May 18, 2023
An okay new mystery novel, interesting in that its set in Cheyenne Wyoming, and that the detective is the little kid Heebs who was a side character in the author's previous series of a lady detective in the 30's and 40's. I don't like the name Heebs, its something a kid would use, but having gone to war and having a hand blown off, some things would change.
Overall the mystery isn't especially challenging and the resolution was okay but there's something missing in this new character.
Overall the mystery isn't especially challenging and the resolution was okay but there's something missing in this new character.
June 3, 2023
A nice spinoff!
This book is a great spinoff from The Maggie Sullivan Mysteries feathering the beloved character, Heebs! It's a perfect way to take him in a new direction. I love his live work choice. I love he's not "perfect" with his hand. It lends substance to his character. I hope this is the beginning of a whole series based on Heebs! M. Ruth Myers? I'm ready for a love interest. ❤️❤️😍
This book is a great spinoff from The Maggie Sullivan Mysteries feathering the beloved character, Heebs! It's a perfect way to take him in a new direction. I love his live work choice. I love he's not "perfect" with his hand. It lends substance to his character. I hope this is the beginning of a whole series based on Heebs! M. Ruth Myers? I'm ready for a love interest. ❤️❤️😍
November 24, 2024
A Penny Earned
Well written with good pacing of events. Good explanation of how main character arrived at his career and Western location.
Very enjoyable read. Will definitely look for further books in the series.
Also really enjoyed author's first series featuring Maggie Sullivan.
Well written with good pacing of events. Good explanation of how main character arrived at his career and Western location.
Very enjoyable read. Will definitely look for further books in the series.
Also really enjoyed author's first series featuring Maggie Sullivan.
December 13, 2025
I read all the Maggie Sullivan books by this author. In most of them, Heebs is a street kid, newspaper boy who occasionally helps Maggie. In this book, Heebs is grown up, a war veteran, and a private eye.
The story was interesting, set in Cheyenne, Wyoming and, of course, out there, there's a whole new cast of characters to people the book.
The story was interesting, set in Cheyenne, Wyoming and, of course, out there, there's a whole new cast of characters to people the book.
May 2, 2023
great
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone who likes good mysteries. Ruth Myers writes the Maggie Sullivan series which I loved and hope she continues writing about Heebs.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone who likes good mysteries. Ruth Myers writes the Maggie Sullivan series which I loved and hope she continues writing about Heebs.
May 21, 2023
Good characters
I enjoy the author's writing, including the historical background, the interesting plots, and nicely drawn characters. I look forward to the next step in Heeb's new career.
I enjoy the author's writing, including the historical background, the interesting plots, and nicely drawn characters. I look forward to the next step in Heeb's new career.
June 20, 2023
I loved this new entry in the Maggie Sullivan saga! Heebs is out on his own and proving he's taken in everything Maggie taught him about the PI business and is now a very good, licensed PI in his own right. I can't wait to read the next entry in this new series!
July 2, 2023
Good Start to a New Series
More, please. As with all her books, excellent characterization, likable good guys & gals (including Chaucer!); very good sense of time and place. Complex plot, well done. I look forward to the next in this series.
More, please. As with all her books, excellent characterization, likable good guys & gals (including Chaucer!); very good sense of time and place. Complex plot, well done. I look forward to the next in this series.
July 23, 2023
I have known Heebs since he was 9 years old and am glad to see he has turned out great. Once again a story that is in a fun setting with interesting historical information and wonderful characters wrapped up in a plausible mystery. The worst thing about a great book is that it ends too soon.
May 16, 2023
Great new series. Wonderful characters, well-written and well-plotted. Terrific sense of time and place. Can’t wait for the next one!
May 19, 2023
Well done!
Really enjoyed following Heebs in his quest for his friend's killer. So different from the orphan selling newspapers & helping Maggie Sullivan. Love the adult Heebs. And there was still a tiny bit of Maggie here as well. Can't wait for another one.
Really enjoyed following Heebs in his quest for his friend's killer. So different from the orphan selling newspapers & helping Maggie Sullivan. Love the adult Heebs. And there was still a tiny bit of Maggie here as well. Can't wait for another one.
May 20, 2023
More by a Great Author
Another winner! Give us more Heebs!
Ms. Myers does a great job giving the flavor of the time period. I'm waiting for more ASAP.
Another winner! Give us more Heebs!
Ms. Myers does a great job giving the flavor of the time period. I'm waiting for more ASAP.
May 21, 2023
Truely magnificent
I love the dame mysteries in Ohio but I think this one was even better. Ms Myers is one of my most favorite authors, but she's outdone herself with Heebs.
I love the dame mysteries in Ohio but I think this one was even better. Ms Myers is one of my most favorite authors, but she's outdone herself with Heebs.
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