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The Puppeteer
CIA agent Danielle "Dani" Williamson never stops believing that one day she'll find the man who killed her parents and stole her childhood. And when the nightmare she relives in her dreams is played out in carbon copy and linked to a group the CIA believes is planning a terrorist attack in the US, Dani thinks she might finally have her chance.
Detective Ty Fuller loved being a Navy SEAL, but after seeing one too many innocent children killed, he was no longer able to stomach the world of politics, manipulation, and death. Now, as a detective with his local vice squad, he likes to think he's helping kids by keeping drugs off the streets--local problems, local solutions.
But when Dani and her team arrive, they bring a case bigger than anything Ty's small New England town has seen in decades, drugs in exchange for weapons-lots of them. And as the case unfolds and the tensions simmer between them, Dani and Ty discover that all is not what it seems. Uncovering a web of manipulation that spans the globe and reaches all the way to the US president, they know the price for justice will be high, risking not just their fledgling relationship, but their very lives.
Detective Ty Fuller loved being a Navy SEAL, but after seeing one too many innocent children killed, he was no longer able to stomach the world of politics, manipulation, and death. Now, as a detective with his local vice squad, he likes to think he's helping kids by keeping drugs off the streets--local problems, local solutions.
But when Dani and her team arrive, they bring a case bigger than anything Ty's small New England town has seen in decades, drugs in exchange for weapons-lots of them. And as the case unfolds and the tensions simmer between them, Dani and Ty discover that all is not what it seems. Uncovering a web of manipulation that spans the globe and reaches all the way to the US president, they know the price for justice will be high, risking not just their fledgling relationship, but their very lives.
272 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
175 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Tamsen Schultz
41 books349 followersTamsen Schultz is the author of several romantic suspense novels and American Kin (a short story published in Line Zero Magazine). In addition to being a writer, she has a background in the field of international conflict resolution, has co-founded a non-profit, and currently works in corporate America. Like most lawyers, she spends a disproportionate amount of time thinking (and writing) about what it might be like to do something else. She lives in Northern California in a house full of males including her husband, two sons, three cats, a dog, and a gender-neutral, but well-stocked, wine rack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 30, 2019
This is a well written, fast-paced romantic suspense novel, with a strong, capable female protagonist and a heart warming romance. It is an excellent start to Tamsen Schultz's Windsor series. I highly recommend it, and I am looking forward to reading the other novels in the series.
February 4, 2020
Tamsen Schultz is absolutely a master at writing edge of your seat, tightly woven suspense / romantic suspense plots that feature strong, capable women and men that know how to be totally kick-ass when necessary, but sympathetic and "there" when needed.
I love every book written by this author and The Puppeteer is no exception. This author's characters are well rounded, and seemingly real enough to walk off the page. I love the geek aspect that is involved in all her books also.
If mystery / suspense / romantic suspense calls your name, give this author's work a chance.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and happily given because these books rock.
I love every book written by this author and The Puppeteer is no exception. This author's characters are well rounded, and seemingly real enough to walk off the page. I love the geek aspect that is involved in all her books also.
If mystery / suspense / romantic suspense calls your name, give this author's work a chance.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and happily given because these books rock.
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March 16, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBook today (3/16/2021)!🎁
December 6, 2020
The Man with Light Blue Eyes
DEA Agent Danielle "Dani" Williamson has been given the job of meeting with the Portland Police Department's Vice Squad. She needs to.get their help with the capture of a man, Ramon Getz, who is getting more active in the drug trade and seems to be involved with Eagle's Wing, a group interested in guns and terrorism. As is the case with federal organizations, Dani can only give the "locals" so much information! Dani does not really like that part of her job. She needs to de-stress! There is a quiet bar where she knows the owner where she can go to clear her head. Dani meets a man there and goes home with him, something she has never done before!!
Next morning she shows up at the Police station and to her surprise the man she spent the night with is also there. Detective Tyler Fuller! Dani spends the whole morning ignoring Detective Fuller. By the end of the morning, Ty. has been assigned to work with the DEA team.
Ty works with the team as much as they let him get involved, but Ty is not stupid! He decides to do some digging on his own with the help of his brother and his friend, Jay. He tells the team leader, Drew, what he has found out about the security system that Getz has around his place. Drew is impressed!!
Some of the information he is getting from his brother is also being requested from his brother by the team leader. Ty turns the information that he received over to Drew and Drew realizes that they are both using Ty's brother for their information. The team learn that Ty can be trusted and Ty learns that the team is really CIA.
There is an additional side of the case that only Dani and Drew know about. That Dani is certain that the the man who murdered her parents is some how involved! It is just a hunch BUT Dani is sure that her hunch is right.
Ty is finally really included! He brings in a couple of his SEAL friends to help and they work together to take down this group of terrorist . It gets to the point that you don't want to put the book down till it is finished.
DEA Agent Danielle "Dani" Williamson has been given the job of meeting with the Portland Police Department's Vice Squad. She needs to.get their help with the capture of a man, Ramon Getz, who is getting more active in the drug trade and seems to be involved with Eagle's Wing, a group interested in guns and terrorism. As is the case with federal organizations, Dani can only give the "locals" so much information! Dani does not really like that part of her job. She needs to de-stress! There is a quiet bar where she knows the owner where she can go to clear her head. Dani meets a man there and goes home with him, something she has never done before!!
Next morning she shows up at the Police station and to her surprise the man she spent the night with is also there. Detective Tyler Fuller! Dani spends the whole morning ignoring Detective Fuller. By the end of the morning, Ty. has been assigned to work with the DEA team.
Ty works with the team as much as they let him get involved, but Ty is not stupid! He decides to do some digging on his own with the help of his brother and his friend, Jay. He tells the team leader, Drew, what he has found out about the security system that Getz has around his place. Drew is impressed!!
Some of the information he is getting from his brother is also being requested from his brother by the team leader. Ty turns the information that he received over to Drew and Drew realizes that they are both using Ty's brother for their information. The team learn that Ty can be trusted and Ty learns that the team is really CIA.
There is an additional side of the case that only Dani and Drew know about. That Dani is certain that the the man who murdered her parents is some how involved! It is just a hunch BUT Dani is sure that her hunch is right.
Ty is finally really included! He brings in a couple of his SEAL friends to help and they work together to take down this group of terrorist . It gets to the point that you don't want to put the book down till it is finished.
October 4, 2020
This book is a wonderful romantic suspense story about a CIA agent named Dani who is searching for the man she witnessed killing her parents 20 years before. She is working on a huge case while searching for the killer, not realizing that the two might be related somehow. Ty is the name of a former SEAL, now a detective working with Dani to investigate a drugs for weapons deal that might be part of a huge terrorist conspiracy. They fall in love, of course! Their main task seems to be to find the mastermind of the conspiracy - the Puppeteer who is controlling lots of people and events behind the scenes. So who is in charge? And can she find who killed her parents as well, all while her relationship with Ty becomes more serious. My only disappointment with this great book was that it moved a little slowly in the first half, having lots of characters to introduce and backgrounds to explain. But when the action begins... wow! There is plenty of it! I was very impressed with the strategies used in the book - devious political strategies, careful plans to capture the criminals, explanations of things regarding money and power. Very well done! Catastrophes happened and it looked like it would be hard to have an HEA, so there was plenty of suspense. I highly recommend this book!
July 30, 2020
15% IN AND I’M TIRED OF THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM BETWEEN TY & DANI, ENOUGH ALREADY. I KNOW THAT THE STORY HAS TO BE SET UP IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND HOW THINGS HAVE TO UNFOLD, THIS SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF UN-NEEDED THINGS IN IT, TRUTHFULLY, I’M BORED STIFF. 17% IN I DON’T LIKE DANI SHE’S SO FAKE SHE TRIES TOO HARD TO BE TOUGH. 20% IN THAT ELEPHANT IS BACK IN THE ROOM. 53% IN I REALIZE THIS JUST DOESN’T HOLD MY INTEREST THE STORY LINE & CHARACTERS ARE JUST BORING. I’D HOPED IT WOULD GET MORE INTERESTING BUT IT’S JUST NOT DOING IT FOR ME. SLOW & BORING. :<
January 31, 2022
Romantic suspense! A bit short but enjoyed it.
Book is a very useful prequel to the Windsor series. It not only introduces a few of the future series characters but sets the tone and atmosphere of that new series. Considering the book’s length, the main characters are strong, well balanced, and well developed. Even the secondary characters are unique and are not just a ‘sketchy backdrop’ for the storyline. Book is a bit short on words but demonstrates a relatively tight plot line and serves very well as a series prequel.
Book is a very useful prequel to the Windsor series. It not only introduces a few of the future series characters but sets the tone and atmosphere of that new series. Considering the book’s length, the main characters are strong, well balanced, and well developed. Even the secondary characters are unique and are not just a ‘sketchy backdrop’ for the storyline. Book is a bit short on words but demonstrates a relatively tight plot line and serves very well as a series prequel.
October 8, 2023
Wow! What a great read! Loved the characters and the amazing story line! I was laughing out loud and crying by the end! This has got to be one of your best! I’m only a bit confused about why this was a prequel to the Windsor books, but I guess I’ll start those to find out! Good reading everyone! I’d give this book a 10 if I could!
September 16, 2020
Well written suspense involving Vice department of the local police department, DEA, and CIA. Drugs, weapons, and overt dealing with agencies, Cartel, and foreign entities. What a great read! Not my usual, but I will definitely look out for more by this author. Highly recommend for a good read!
February 6, 2022
loved it
Loved every page. What a long road Dani had to travel. Now she has one more person to help her along the way. Sad that this series is over. Can not wait for the new series to come. As always keep writing and I will keep reading. Thank you.
Loved every page. What a long road Dani had to travel. Now she has one more person to help her along the way. Sad that this series is over. Can not wait for the new series to come. As always keep writing and I will keep reading. Thank you.
September 29, 2022
sad tears and happy tears
Such an exciting book! Lots of suspense, then tears of sadness, then tears of happiness! But this book should not be number 9 in the series, it should be first
Such an exciting book! Lots of suspense, then tears of sadness, then tears of happiness! But this book should not be number 9 in the series, it should be first
January 23, 2023
Great ending!
I love this story and the characters. However, there are so many characters and so many plot twists that it is a bit too much to follow sometimes. Still, it is very entertaining and has a great happy ending.
I love this story and the characters. However, there are so many characters and so many plot twists that it is a bit too much to follow sometimes. Still, it is very entertaining and has a great happy ending.
June 22, 2024
Another excellent read!!!
I love Tamsen Schultz. Her characters just jump off the page. Every book I've read of hers I thoroughly enjoyed. You get a romance story with all the page turning suspense.
I love Tamsen Schultz. Her characters just jump off the page. Every book I've read of hers I thoroughly enjoyed. You get a romance story with all the page turning suspense.
June 2, 2020
A prequel to a series but it can stand alone. Some of the characters appear later in the series. I liked the characters.
December 30, 2020
At first I didn't think I'd like the book. I don't really like romance novels. But once the story got going I got so involved in it that I was able to ignore the romance part. I would read more from this author.
February 26, 2021
Excellent story!
Really enjoyed reading this! Well written, good, tight read. No words for the sake of simply filling more pages. The characters were interesting and believable.
Really enjoyed reading this! Well written, good, tight read. No words for the sake of simply filling more pages. The characters were interesting and believable.
March 31, 2021
I loved this book. It had me on the edge of my seat. The characters were interesting & the story kept me reading to find out what would happen next.
April 19, 2021
I loved this one. Dani and Ty were an amazing couple, a power couple really. The suspense and action was really good too
freebies
October 5, 2022The Puppeteer: (Prequel) (Windsor Series Book 9)
February 25, 2020
Rated PG15
February 6, 2020
Tamsen Schultz's THE PUPPETEER is a fast-moving mystery/romance/suspense storyline. The author chooses the coastline around Portland, Maine as the location. She places her readers in the middle of federal investigation focusing on illegal drugs, arms dealers, and murder. The author introduces her protagonist CIA agent acting as DEA agent, Dani Williamson supplying background information covering her history with the case she is trying to solve. The second protagonist is Portland PD vice detective, Ty Fuller who joins Dani's investigation team as a lesion between Portland police and the federal investigation.
Schultz introduces several key support characters providing background on them as they enter the storyline. The main storyline follows the investigation while several subplots add mystery and suspense to the activity of the key players. Readers are kept on the edge of their seats from the first chapter to the very dramatic and emotional ending. As events unfold, the investigation team uncovers international drug cartels and terrorists and planning an attack somewhere in the United States. The intrigue build as Dani and Ty look for those in charge of the attack.
THE PUPPETEER storyline is full of suspense and action keeping readers interest to discover how Dani and Ty will discover those responsible and stop them and at the same time, Schultz continues to provide more details on Dani and Ty budding relationship. This book is a must-read storyline and introduces readers to key characters they will follow as the read the rest of the Windsor series.
Schultz introduces several key support characters providing background on them as they enter the storyline. The main storyline follows the investigation while several subplots add mystery and suspense to the activity of the key players. Readers are kept on the edge of their seats from the first chapter to the very dramatic and emotional ending. As events unfold, the investigation team uncovers international drug cartels and terrorists and planning an attack somewhere in the United States. The intrigue build as Dani and Ty look for those in charge of the attack.
THE PUPPETEER storyline is full of suspense and action keeping readers interest to discover how Dani and Ty will discover those responsible and stop them and at the same time, Schultz continues to provide more details on Dani and Ty budding relationship. This book is a must-read storyline and introduces readers to key characters they will follow as the read the rest of the Windsor series.
February 5, 2020
My fav of Windsor Series
A Puppeteer, manipulates far more than dolls with strings in this complex romantic thriller. Who and why? Find out with Ms. Schultz’s vivid descriptive writing, you’re there with CIA working as DEA, local Vice Squad, and Navy Seals planning and raiding. Feel the suspense build and explode with fear for survival of each character. Oh, there is a little, maybe a lot of romantic tension between Vice Squad and CIA. Fans of romantic thrillers will get carried away with Tamsen Shultz’s Puppeteer, a completely engaging great goodread!
A Puppeteer, manipulates far more than dolls with strings in this complex romantic thriller. Who and why? Find out with Ms. Schultz’s vivid descriptive writing, you’re there with CIA working as DEA, local Vice Squad, and Navy Seals planning and raiding. Feel the suspense build and explode with fear for survival of each character. Oh, there is a little, maybe a lot of romantic tension between Vice Squad and CIA. Fans of romantic thrillers will get carried away with Tamsen Shultz’s Puppeteer, a completely engaging great goodread!
December 13, 2012
Agent Danielle "Dani" Williamson and detective Ty Fuller are working together to solve a high-profile case. What they find is a tangled web of deceit and manipulation that reaches further than they ever imagined.
If you're looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further! Tamsen Shultz delivers strong, multi-dimensional characters, realistic (and witty) dialogue and a unique style of writing that you can't help but fall in love with. This is writing at its finest. I can't wait for more!
If you're looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further! Tamsen Shultz delivers strong, multi-dimensional characters, realistic (and witty) dialogue and a unique style of writing that you can't help but fall in love with. This is writing at its finest. I can't wait for more!
July 7, 2014
This book could have been quite exciting, but seemed to drag--with a lot of conversation about how Dani's parents had gotten killed years ago, and she obsessed about actually seeing the killer get done in. Perhaps, she has been in the track them and nab them business too long. She has a sister and brother and starts a relationship with one of the guys on her team. Some of this just doesn't seem to ring true. Will Ty come home unscathed? THe part about the surprise for Ty is another sort of contrived bit.
March 16, 2015
Really enjoyed 95% of this book. The characters are interesting people that you want to know more about, the puppet government and espionage are a little conspiracy heavy but believable in the realm of the story. The ending was rushed for me. She did not leave loose ends but seemed like she gathered them all up, tied off the end with duct tape and bailing wire. She left a LOT of the story on the table. It won't stop me from reading the next in the series though!
February 6, 2014
So-So
I rated this as I did because it slowed down and dragged me along in several instances. There were several times when the details became boring. The characters were lively and wonderful as well as interesting which really makes this book. I would recommend this book to friends.
I rated this as I did because it slowed down and dragged me along in several instances. There were several times when the details became boring. The characters were lively and wonderful as well as interesting which really makes this book. I would recommend this book to friends.
October 14, 2020
This story starts with a one night stand and ends with a truly emotional resolution. Along the way, there are challenges, both physically and emotionally. The back stories and the full fleshed characters make this a book that the reader does not want to put down.
I look forward to more in the series.
I look forward to more in the series.
December 29, 2012
This was an easy read and entertaining enough. My main gripe is the end of the book just seemed to come to quickly. It was as if the author got bored of writing and tried to just "get it done." I don't wait to spoil the ending, but if you read it you'll know what I mean.
February 6, 2013
I really enjoyed the action and suspense tempered with romance. Dani was a strong, accomplished woman and needed some softening. I was drawn to the story and characters and found many excuses to sit and read for a while throughout the day.
February 3, 2013
Loved it...easy read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews