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I was beginning to question a lot, including my sanity for trying to find something I didn't know anyone would steal in the first place. How did I end up in another complicated mystery involving a motorcycle rally, horses, a hidden collection, antique books, unexpected alliances, extortion, and threats upon my life? And how did I become a target?

It was "A Lethal Time" and my time was running out. What secrets were they all afraid of me discovering?

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2012

20 people are currently reading
89 people want to read

About the author

Peggy A. Edelheit

24 books12 followers
Peggy's Genre is COZY MYSTERIES. She's the author of 19 books: 17 mysteries in the Samantha Jamison Series, one memoir - The Riviera Is Burning, and one contemporary romance - Caché, Caché. She loves writing, both non-fiction and fiction, and revealing the truth—or her version of it. (And yes, many incidents in her books did happen—she’s just not admitting which ones! ...chuckle) #18 COMING DEC. 1

After raising her family, Peggy published her first mystery novel, The Puzzle. The setting was based on her log home in Highlands, North Carolina, where she sat on the back porch and plotted, wondering how a young widow would react after the mysterious, unsolved death of her husband. Would she ignore what she was being told, or pursue it on her own? Peggy soon discovered she loved writing mysteries from the first-person point of view, and the Samantha Jamison series was born.

Peggy has traveled the world, from Europe to Asia, even at one point owning a villa on the French Riviera, which played well into two of her books: her memoir, The Riviera Is Burning, and book three of her Samantha Jamison mystery series, 86 Avenue du Goulet. She resides in Florida.


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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Píaras Cíonnaoíth.
Author 143 books204 followers
April 27, 2022
A lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing the entire time...

Everyone enjoys a good murder mystery or a whodunit book, and it's even better when it's a comedy. While there have been many serious mystery books released throughout the years, there have been even fewer comedy whodunnits and even fewer that are truly amusing. A few creative writers, on the other hand, have managed to pull off a hilarious murder mystery. A Lethal Time: A Samantha Jamison Mystery Book 4 by Peggy A. Edelheit was a very interesting read. The plot drew me in from the first page to the last. This is fast-paced and well-written work. This book will appeal to fans of mystery, suspense, and humor. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
Profile Image for Elaine.
Author 29 books29 followers
February 3, 2015
The opening lines of a phone conversation: "Someone stole my Woods!" brings the reader to wondering about the plot!!!
The plot, strange as it may seem at first, involves the novelist, Sam Jamison, with still another mystery to solve. This time it's set in the New Hampshire countryside.
Her "buddies", composed of 3 rather elderly and unusual female gossips, are always around to help her out.
Their crazy adventures give the story just enough humour to keep the reader in a good mood while following their every move to solve the mystery!
A very entertaining read. I liked the way Sam injects her hidden thoughts into the dialogues so we get to see what she is really thinking!

Profile Image for Pegboard.
1,821 reviews9 followers
December 26, 2017
There is no denying Peggy Edelheit is a humorous and creative writer. Her Samantha Jamison Mysteries are unique thrillers that only Sam would find herself involved with, but also the delightful people in her life that adds enough drama to keep it funny. Samantha is an author by trait and a sleuth by default, which gives her plenty of material for her books, and her agent and editor wonder what she will get herself involved in next. Clay, her boyfriend, often has some connection to the unordinary circumstances that happen in her life. As a detective, he is periodically called on to visit locations that already have suspicious activity.
A Lethal Time puts Samantha working for the Sarah Smith; her family originally came over on the Mayflower. Sarah seems to have lost her woods? Not only Sarah but several land owners have lost the trees in the middle of their woods after being away for a day or two. Samantha is already investigating a vacant house with a deceased, rabid vagabond, plus, cannot find the connection between the German relics and the decorated soldier, who had Alzheimer, that were hidden in the house. It is a good thing her whole team was there to divide and conquer these oddities of snakes in the hayloft, locked in a dark basement, and blackmail for starters.
Profile Image for David Styles.
134 reviews5 followers
January 7, 2018
When reviewing another of Edelheit’s works, “Diamonds are not a girl’s best friend”, I compared it to an Inspector Clouseau (of Pink Panther fame) mystery, and in this case the overwhelming feel I had was of Scooby Doo.

That’s not a criticism, but rather a commentary on the style and levity; as mentioned in the author bio (which has nothing about the author, but a little about the books), these stories are first and foremost humour / satire. The comedy is not slapstick, as a lot of crime comedies go for, but rather is in one-liners without being cringeworthy, and situational silliness that are relatable to all of us; my first laugh of the book was on the first page:

❝"Excuse me? I think you've got the wrong phone number," I said, fuzzily.
"You are Samantha Jamison aren't you?”
I sat there still in my sleep-induced stupor. Was I? Well of course I was! "...Yes, that's me."❞

The book is written in a hundred tiny chapters (each a couple of pages long, or sometimes three), giving the pace a particularly spritely feel, so if you’re looking for a light-reading page-turner and enjoy mystery crime caper comedy, this book is for you (as indeed are any other books by the same author that I’ve yet read).
Profile Image for Karyn H.
568 reviews10 followers
March 11, 2019

“Entertaining and very engaging – an interesting read.”
Peggy really nailed it on this one. The characters are simply amazing and got me glued to the pages of this book from the first page of the book to the last.
This book goes straight to the business of the day right from the beginning. Samantha the mystery solver who is our lady of the day wakes up to the ringing of the phone to answer an unusual call about the missing wood. The lady literally was saying her forest got stolen.
I find this funny and entertaining at the same time. We see our hero Sam going through a lot of twists and turns to get the mystery solved. Peggy has the tool for an exciting reading – keep the chapters simple and very entertaining. As I read through the chapters, I get very much entangled to the pages.
I certainly knew this 4th installment of the lethal time series will be an interesting read. The Author Peggy A. Edelheit certainly knows what an entertaining story means. I can’t wait for more stories from this Author. It’s very suitable for readers who love mystery series like myself. After my years of the 007 series, this is another series I will be reading for a long time.
Profile Image for Heidi.
127 reviews6 followers
January 4, 2018
A Lethal Time ( Samantha Jamison Mystery Book 4) by Peggy A. Ederlheit is my second experience of this author. Although the book I read previously was book 8 in this series and not read the first 3, it's not a series that matters if read out of sequence. Although the main characters are the same each book revolves around a new mystery waiting for Sam to solve.

In book 4 we meet back with Sam, that finds herself being constantly asked by her publisher if she's written her next mystery adventure, which Sam seems to be having writers block on. However Clay (Her other half takes her on a romantic retreat) sadly things don't go as planned and she finds herself in the middle of another mystery, trying to solve who's stealing her friends woodland. Sam's not alone in her detective solving with her 3 senior sleuthing buddies in tow. As the mystery unravels Sam has a story to tell her fans.

It's written in a way that the reader's attention is kept and you actually feel like part of her sleuthing team. Another fun read with romance thrown in too.
Profile Image for Jimmy Jefferson.
1,043 reviews9 followers
February 12, 2019
Mystery write Sam Jamison and her band of friends are back for more

Samantha Jamison is a mystery writer who always seems to find herself in one crazy adventure or another. A lethal time is her current adventure which takes on a bizarre twist almost from the beginning. Sam is drawn out of her nice early morning slumber to the phone ringing. She answer the phone to discover her next mystery at the other end. When a neighbor down the road calls Sam with an most blizzard story, Sam gathers her wits and sidekicks to solve the mystery of the missing Forrest. The story takes several twists along the journey to finding out the truth. I have enjoyed reading several of the Samantha Jamison collection and this one is just as enjoyable. If this is your first venture into this series don't worry. This book and the others are more than capable of being stand alone stories. I recommend this one to all the mystery fans out there. You should also go back and read the earlier stories as well. Come back here and leave me your comments on the story. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Shanell Meek.
582 reviews6 followers
January 5, 2018
Edelheit never disappoints me!

I truly love the Samantha Jamison novels. Once I start reading I can’t put them down! A lethal Time is the fourth book in the series. As usual Peggy A. Edelheit did not disappoint! True to form, it was full of laughs while still remaining interesting and staying true to the mysterious story line! Edelheit is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with her witty and entertaining story lines. I love that there’s always a series of twists and turns and the ending is always unexpected! In a lot of mystery series I find that the writers tend to repeat themselves as you get through the series but that is not the case with the Samantha Jamison novels! There’s always something new and exciting to look forward to when I start a new one!
In a Lethal Time, San finds herself caught up in the middle of an exciting mystery involving a stolen forest, blackmail, forgeries, and a motorcycle chop shop!
Profile Image for Celeste.
995 reviews26 followers
May 9, 2022
Mysterious, suspenseful and thrilling, A Lethal Time written by Peggy A. Edelheit has all the ingredients of the perfect murder mystery story.
In this instalment of the series Samantha Jamison Mysteries, Sam takes some days off to relax and have a romantic getaway. But her trip will take an unpredictable turn when someone calls her to investigate a crime. Her answer to the call will trigger a series of events and will unveil secrets that will surprise, entertain and intrigue Sam as well as readers until the last page.
This book is very well-written and the ability of the writer can be seen in how the chapters are composed to raise suspense and to inevitably attract readers.The story is developed thoroughly through detailed descriptions and interesting dialogues, and I especially liked the addition of humour to the plot. This book is a real treat and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Kate Brackett.
Author 3 books4 followers
January 5, 2018
I am a fan of humor and I think that's why I like her books so much! This was number four in the series, and it did not disappoint. Usually by now, or this far along in a series the books falter a bit, but that is something Peggy does not have an issue with. The main character Samantha and her funny friends are back for more adventures, starting with a crazy phone call one morning. Sam and her friends have barely recovered from the last solved case, and are now thrust into another. The book has excellent propulsion, and it is thrilling throughout its entirety. The touches of humor throughout kept it funny and lively in the midst of all the suspension. I had a hard time finding a stopping point because it was that good!
Profile Image for Evelyn.
1,259 reviews27 followers
May 9, 2022
I just finished the book “A Lethal Time” and it easily gripped me from the very beginning. I have to confess that I still have to read the previous book in the series, but even though I haven't read that one, I could understand everything about the plot.
The characters are so real that I could feel myself in the middle of the struggles, but Sam is another thing, believe me! She´s one of the best protagonists I have ever had the good fortune to meet.
On the other hand, the setting is good, too. I mean, the New Hampshire landscapes are perfect for a mystery novel. The story-line is believable and the book is full of suspense.
It completely met my expectations and this is the reason I highly recommend it.
871 reviews28 followers
May 6, 2022
“A Lethal Time” is the fourth book in the Samantha Jamison Mystery series by author Peggy A. Edelheit.

I have previously read some of the titles in the saga, and I truly enjoyed this interesting and multi-faceted main character. Her adventures and experiences really caught me.

In addition, writer Peggy A. Edelheit masterfully weaves mystery, drama, romance and laugh. Readers of her work speak of the roller coaster ride of emotions that ensues from feeling anxious to empathize with characters who are always involved in baffling mysteries, to keep the story moving forward.

All in all, I recommend this book as its author takes mystery status on a new level!
Profile Image for CarlitasFox.
1,460 reviews28 followers
May 9, 2022
A page-turning novel
Peggy A. Edelheit´s saga has exceeded my expectations. In “A lethal Time” a new situation has come up and Samantha must figure out what has happened. In this last part, unexpected things happened all of the sudden but she is up to everything.
There are lots of turns and twists that made me feel at the edge of my seat. What I liked about this novel is that I was trying to solve the puzzle together with Samantha; that was thanks to the writer´s great style. It is an excellent novel full of suspense, action and mischief. It was entertaining and absorbing. In short, I loved the whole saga and I recommend it without a doubt.
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,336 reviews24 followers
May 10, 2022
This is my first book in the series and I have to admit I became very attached to the main character Sam. I think what captivated me the most was the development of the story. While she is trying to solve some mysteries, she is also dealing with personal things. For me it made the story very real. Also, the pace is really good and the author did a great job with the narration adding the suspense factor at the right moment.

A very enjoyable read for me, I like strong female characters, so this book fits my style perfectly.

To conclude, "A Lethal Time" is a quick-read novel with a lot going on.
Profile Image for Bette.
785 reviews
May 19, 2021
Sam and her friends head to New Hampshire for a motorcycle rally and to house/animal sit a farm for a week. Sam is a mystery writer who “lives” her stories and then just writes down the details. She becomes involved in the mystery of the “lost woods” when a neighbor calls and asks for her help - someone has clear-cut her woods while she was out of town for a couple of days.

Not a mystery where you follow the clues, more character driven and situation humor.
Profile Image for Chanda Shae Curry.
274 reviews
May 9, 2016
If Sam and her crew existed anywhere besides the mind of the writer, I would so love to go on one of their vacations with them! The story picks up just as Sam and everyone is leaving the French Riviera, where they just solved the mystery of the animal bones,and uncovered more truths then ever thought. Out of the blue, Samantha's friend Crystal, has this cousin, Sally, who just so happens, to be going out of town, and needs someone to housesit their big sprawling ranch for awhile.Sounds innocent enough,right? Nothing is ever innocent or easy when Clay,Samantha, Crystal,Martha,Hazel and Betty are involved. After all what could possibly go wrong? Then again,if this was Crystals cousins house,why wasn't Crystal housesitting instead of Clay and Samantha? What else is going on besides a biker rally in this little town?? Why did Clay jump at this chance so quickly? Maybe,just maybe Sam will get another book out of,with,what will sure end up as another caper.
Ms. Edelheit, takes us on a journey of laughter, thrills and suspense in her series of Samantha Jamison Mysteries. This is her 4th book in the series and my second. I love a mystery inside a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. That is skilled writing. Her stories take me back,to when I used to watch "Murder she wrote" every week. These could actually make a great T.V. series. She has a way that pulls the reader in and never lets you go. Once you start reading, you will not put your book down,until you are finished. I always like to try to figure out the whodunit in the books. I have yet been able to do that with her two that I have read. Especially this one.
With, so many twists and turns in the plot, every time you have that aha moment. You end up scratching your head, going, darn it.!!Beware Chapter 28, you will get the laugh of a lifetime..I so enjoy these books, as it is had to find a really good mystery story these days.
So, grab a cup of tea, a blanket,and your book. Settle in for a great ride...
Profile Image for Beth.
139 reviews
April 25, 2016
A Lethal Time is a novel within the Samantha Jamison series. Each novel is its own individual mystery story. So any of them can be picked up and read without having to read them in any particular order. The only benefit to reading them in order is the introduction to the characters in the early books and learning their backgrounds/connections. Each novel does sort of pick up where the last one left off in the sense of hinting about Sam's last location at attempting at relaxing and how she would get involved in some sort of mystery or how that last event wrapped up.

Samantha (aka "Sam") begins this novel by heading to Sanbornton, New Hampshire with Clay, her on again boyfriend, to housesit and work on her new novel. Sam is an author who writes her mystery novels based on her real life experiences. Little does she know that once she arrived her next novel would be waiting on her as she would learn of some very strange things going on in the neighborhood. This book takes you on a wild ride as she discovers illegal timber cruising, someone illegally stealing motorcycles and profiting from the parts, and blackmail. She has quite the adventure trying to discover who all is involved! Her team of senior researchers even comes to town to assist. They are quite the colorful characters! :)

This was a fast, page turning read for me. It wasn't the best mystery novel I have ever read, but I did find myself wanting to get back into the book to see exactly how it would play out. Any book that you can't quite guess the ending, is a good read to me!
Profile Image for Ivory R.
144 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2016
This is the 4th book in the series and as usual all of Sam's relaxing plans are thrown out the window with a strange phone call she receives early in the morning. To be honest I had agreed with Samantha's initial assessment that the caller was loony especially since it is not something I commonly hear about. Sam finds herself, despite good intentions, in the middle of strange circumstances that are possibly related and put the entire crew's lives in danger.

The author introduces quite a few additional characters to the lively cast and keeps you guessing who all is involved. I loved the interaction between the characters especially between Hazel, Betty and Martha. The geriatric trio have proven themselves to be wildly unpredictable! I love the quirky humor that is mixed in with the suspense.The story pace is steady despite all the twists and turns the story line takes. Also thrown into the mix is Sam's doubts about Clay and their relationship. It is a mystery that will captivate the reader with the motor cycle and lumber thefts, blackmail and even art forgery. Overall, good read for anyone who loves mystery mixed with thrilling suspense and humor.
Profile Image for RJ.
Author 5 books88 followers
December 21, 2012
There is a lot to like about A Lethal Time. The main plot is interesting and propels the story forward in a way that maintains a high level of interest. The subplots help to reveal characterization of key players and add to the intrigue. And, the characters are well drawn and enjoyable. I love a little humor with my mystery, and the author does a very good job of adding light touches in between action scenes.

I also enjoy novels that teach me something new. A Lethal Time takes place during a multi-day motorcycle event in New England. In scenes where the main characters attend the event, I got a genuine feel for atmosphere, activities, and characters that attend.

This was my first Samantha Jamison novel. I look forward to reading more of the serie
Profile Image for Cat McMahon.
Author 10 books5 followers
November 27, 2013
Peggy has done it again!
Another light-hearted, mad-cap mystery you won't be able to put down once you pick it up and start reading. I love the main character, Samantha Jamison, her zany friends and their misadventures. You will too!
4,374 reviews28 followers
February 9, 2015
Good

the murder and the mystery of different crimes the black mailing.the stealing of woods.the stealing of motor cycles.the way so many guilty.
Profile Image for James Paddock.
Author 14 books276 followers
November 15, 2016
Fun read, colorful characters.

An unbelievably fun story full of suspense and multiple mysteries. Never knew what the next twist would bring. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
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