When the Dead Speak

Sam Casey Mystery #1

by S.D. Tooley

The body of a U.S. soldier reported AWOL during the Korean War is found encased in a concrete pillar. Clasped in his hand is a gold pin shaped like a lightning bolt. What secret did he carry to his grave and why is someone hell-bent on keeping that secret buried? The puzzle pieces pile up. A state representative owns a pin identical to the dead man's. And Sam discovers another pin in her father's jewelry box. What story had her father, an investigative reporter, been working on at the time of his own death years ago? Detective Sergeant Samantha Casey has an advantage over other cops. The dead speak to her, tell her secrets about their life and death. But sometimes what she learns can get her killed. When the Dead Speak is a fast-paced, tension-filled joy ride sprinkled with humor, plot twists, romance, and a touch of Native American culture. This is Book 1 in the Sam Casey series. Previously released in hardcover and mass market paperback (1999/2000), currently out of print, it is now being re-released in trade paperback.

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Native American, Fiction, Supernatural, Fantasy, Mystery Thriller

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

AKA -- LEE DRIVER -- Whenever my husband is asked to describe me in one word, he usually says "strange." I used to subscribe to Dr. J. Allen Hyneks's UFO reporter. And although I was a fan of Nancy Drew in my teens, I quickly segued to Stephen King and Dean Koontz. My interests are all over the place so it's no wonder I have been a car salesman, sales assistant, administrative assistant, seminar coordinator, and a casino dealer.
I write the Sam Casey series (think "Medium" with a Native American twist) which combines mystery with paranormal; the Chase Dagger series (under the pseudonym of Lee Driver) combines mystery with fantasy, horror, and sometimes sci-fi; and the Remy and Roadkill series (The Skull is for ages 11+), a traditional mystery. As a fan of all the CSI programs, I instilled each of the teens with a talent in forensics.
My books are available in the US, UK, and EU, as well as in audiobook, large print, and eBook formats. And for the month of July, Smashwords is running a special on eBooks for your summer beach reads. You can find my Sam Casey eBooks at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Tooley and my Chase Dagger eBooks at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/leedr...

Reviews

[Carol Kerry-Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series to me and an enjoyable opening book. Seargeant Sam Casey works for the Chasen Heights Police Department in homicide, but Sam has a talent that helps her find out who murdered people, by touch dead people and artifacts they have handled she can often see what they saw leading up to their death, giving her clues to who committed the homicide. Transferred to precinct 6, Sam finds herself working with detectives Frank & Jake, and finds herself becoming attracted to Jake against her judgement. Sam's mother Abby Two Eagles has seen Jake in a vision and has chosen him as Sam's husband (as is traditional amongst her people), Sam & Jake just need a bit of help seeing this.

Meantime a body is discovered encased in concrete in an overpass, a body of a black soldier Hap who went missing during the Korean Warm presumed AWOL, Sam hears the words Lightning Strike and clutched in Hap's hand is a badge in the shape of a lightning bolt. What has this mystery to do with the local Representative, her father and why are the FBI showing an interest? Sam has to confront her own memories of the day her father died and gather the proof that it was the Representative who killed Hap and her father.

Well written and suspensful - looking forward to the next one.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Dead Speak by S.D. Tooley is the first book in the Sam Casey Mystery series. Partly Native American detective sergeant Samantha Casey has the ability to touch the dead and see things leading up to their death and assists in the investigation when the body of a black soldier missing from the Korean War is found encased in a concrete column. An interesting mystery with political overtones and conspiracies. Sam’s abilities were interesting but I found the story rather muddled and slow moving and Sam’s actions seemed inappropriate for a law enforcement officer. A nice start and it will be interesting to see how the series develops.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it, and likes parts of this book rather well. Wish the heroine could more often think and act maturely and intelligently, consistent with her portrayed abilities and experience. The Native American theme was uneven and naively characterized. Drawing on native wisdom could be presented in a more believably nuanced manner and make those portions more readable. I will try a second volume in the series to see how this writer develops over time. The promise of better writing draws me on.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A body is discovered in a cement pillar. Clasped in his hand is a gold pin shaped like a lightning bolt. What secret did he carry to his grave and why is someone hell-bent on keeping that secret buried? Detective Sergeant Samantha Casey is more than just a cop. She is part Native American with a unique ability to hear the dead speak. They tell her secrets about their life and death. And sometimes what she learns can get her killed. The puzzle pieces pile up: The deceased is a U.S. soldier reported AWOL during the Korean War. A state representative owns a pin identical to the dead man's. And Sam discovers another pin in her father's jewelry box. Had her father known the deceased? What story had her father, an investigative reporter, been working on at the time of his own death years ago? This is a gripping story of racism, conspiracy, and cover-up, and native American mysticism. A book you will not want to put down until it is done.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an OK book. Not one I would highly recommend, but a satisfying read for me. I will read some more to follow the story line.

[Eclectic1 Fais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything was working more or less fine until the heroine (whom is supposed to be smart) had a TSTL moment and ran off to meet the villain's henchman alone. Hence, only three stars.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK JUST THE PERFECT MIX OF MURDER-MYSTERY-SUSPENSE-ROMANCE-PARANORMAL. I LOVED THE CHARACTERS AND STORY LINE IT WAS FANTASTIC I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE. SIGH! ;D

[alicia jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a pretty good book. It's a little slow to start but then does get pretty intense. There are some slow parts. There were some chapters I couldn't put it down. It actually fits in with what's going on right now in our country with racism. A dead body of a black man is found in a pillar of a bridge after an accident takes out the pillar. Turns out he is considered a deserter from the Korean War 20 years ago. A detective believes he was murdered and is trying to prove it but a lot of people are trying to keep secrets a secret and close the case but she won't stop. She learns she can't trust anyone as no one wants the truth exposed.
There is military, politics, detectives, betrayal, romance all nicely written together. I throughly enjoyed reading it and I am ready to see what happens in the next book....

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyed reading #1. I have read Lee Driver's Chase Dagger books and forgot how much I enjoyed them so bought under S.E. Tooley - Sam Casey books - all 7 of them! I loved reading about Sam, Jake, and all the other characters. I loved reading about the gifts Sam and her mother and grandmother have, Native Americans. Love reading about the comeuppance Politicians received when they are evil. This one went into the treatment of black soldiers during the Korean ward back in the '50s. Good thing we have come so far from that but think the behavior of people who don't want to change or won't change and want to blame shift everything they do as an excuse to break the law should not be overlooked! There are mean people of every race and good people of every race! Off to read #2, Nothing Else Matters

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Casey is a police sergeant who has the unique talent of being able to read a body to determine how that person died. A body is found encased in a bridge abutment. It was uncovered when a truck struck the bridge and the body was found. The police want the death covered up but Sam and her new partner, Jake, determine that the body is of a missing soldier from the Korean War. He was written off as a deserter but Sam feels that he was more of a hero and wants to prove it even if the "powers that be" are determined to cover it up. This was a very good read and I will read more of this author.

[Kara Prem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sam Casey can "speak with the dead" - she gets snippets/visions from the objects around them. There may be more to it, but I didn't get far enough into the book to figure it out. The story seems to be a big conspiracy involving powerful figures, with a dead body found encased in concrete. It just moved to slowly for me to get into it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story.

This story will take you on a ride that you will never forget. The things government officials will say and do to make themselves look good, while trying to cover up things they’ve done.
This may be a book of fiction but who’s to say some parts aren’t true?

[Maggie Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and soul rending!

I loved this book even though it tore at my soul to read of a period of our history when good patriotic men died not only from Korean bullets but from the bullets of their fellow soldiers because of racism and bigotry...

[Thisgurl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really did. Paranormal with romance and mystery right? How could i go wrong. Hot diggity there was even diversity amongst the characters, though some of it was a bit stereotypical (big breasted hot black hooker...seriously??) That probably should have been my very first clue that trouble was afoot.

The premise was good. Part Native American cop that can somehow speak to the dead. Too bad Sam is such an egotistical idiot. There was not nearly enough "dead speak" though to impress me with her para-skills. The dove thing was interesting.

Jake the love interest is only a marginally better egotistical idiot. His tortured past does at least make for some interesting back story.

Frank, his partner is likeable if lukewarmly portrayed.

Abby, is a manipulative mother hen, but i liked her for some reason. The most clearly drawn of the "good guys".

These characters needed a bit more development, growth and depth. What makes Sam or Jake tick? Who are these people really? Plus, i did not see the romance between Sam and Jake really happen. I briefly thought he was digging on Abby. More lukewarmness but with the main characters and that was disappointing. The sex scene was pretty much nonexistence. Not that i was looking for soft porn, but geez! They never even kissed before they did the do. All of a sudden they were 'in love'. Oiy

Also, where was the detective work in this story? I'm not necessarily looking for a procedural, but IMO Sam (and at times Jake) made some of the most boneheaded decisions. It was hard for me to believe she was an actual trained investigator. Yes i wanted to slap her. There i said it.

Will i read the next in the series? I will give it a try...stay tuned

[Karen Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb on the book said it started with a bang, and wouldn't let up...TRUTH!!! I haven't HOOVERED a book this fast in all my life! It is a murder book, so it starts with death. A truck hits an overpass, the trucker is okay, but the body that is partially uncovered definitely is NOT!! This is a VERY GOOD BOOK ! Please give this author a try.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam Casey is special in many ways, following her native american traditions to solve crimes for the local police department. She also does side jobs to ensure justice is served. Casey examines the remains of a black man embedded in the over pass of a local highway, when the dead speak to her, she listens and fights until justice is served. Sam is willing to take on a corrupt state senator, the FBI, the local police and the President of the United States to ensure the four black servicemen killed in Korea has justice. Sam uncovers more goverment lies and cover ups than she can stand, as well as the suspicions that her father was killed to cover up the story. It is slow paced, as the story is told from Sam and the bad people point of view. But, worth it as the story unfolds and Sam Casey gets her bad guy even if its the hard way.

[S.D.]

Book Description:

The body of a U.S. soldier reported AWOL during the Korean War is found encased in a concrete pillar. What secret did he carry to his grave and why is someone hell-bent on keeping that secret buried? Detective Sergeant Samantha Casey has an advantage over other cops. The dead speak to her, tell her secrets about their life and death. But sometimes what she learns can get her killed. Book 1 in the series. When the Dead Speak is a fast-paced, tension-filled joy ride sprinkled with humor, plot twists, romance, and a touch of native American culture.

[Stacie Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I'm going to like this series. This one is the lowest rated of the six so far in the Sam Casey books, so I'm looking forward to the rest!
Ms Tooley has a unique writing style, sometimes you think you may have missed a page or two, but then when you think about what you may have missed, you realize it's the unnecessary meanderings that are just space filler you find in most novels. It's like a good meal and you just toss aside the parsley garnish.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but I didn't really feel much of a connection with the characters. The story didn't really seem to get moving until I was 2/3 of the way through the book. Not what I'm really looking for in a crime novel.

[Nanci de Suffren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but sometimes felt that pages were missing. It seemed to move ahead rather abruptly.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light read with a good plot and an interesting twist on the normal crime detective genre

[Tasula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good murder mystery with a touch of American Indian mysticism.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating 3.5 stars

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, I enjoyed this book

[Beatrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique and intriguing mystery. I look forward to reading the remaining 3 books in the series. Sam, Jake, Abby, Alex and Frank are all interesting characters.

[Judee Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

This book was a great read. Keeps your attention. It's a quick read. I would recommend reading this first book of this series.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake man ♥, I love me some wounded hero. He's about the best thing about this book. It was OK but not really on my level of good.

[Marci Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery with a mystical air due to the Native American influence. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this before I started writing reviews. This story really started out with a "grab". I enjoyed it.

[Kathy Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Exciting and different way to go about doing some under cover things but , hey, they worked out in the end, so whose complaining.