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Anna Sweet Mystery #2
The Hard Fall
Paul Taylor, a wealthy business man, is in jail for the cold-blooded murder of his lover Laura Flint. She is found dead in his bed one hot August morning. Taylor's wife, a former swimsuit model, is the only one to stand behind him, but even she has doubts. Taylor is about to go on trial-and he is the only suspect.
Anna Sweet of Storm Investigations agrees to take on his case with little hope of winning. The trail of clues is about to lead her into a hornet's nest of ugly secrets. Will Anna find new evidence to clear Taylor's name? Or is she working to free a killer?
Anna Sweet of Storm Investigations agrees to take on his case with little hope of winning. The trail of clues is about to lead her into a hornet's nest of ugly secrets. Will Anna find new evidence to clear Taylor's name? Or is she working to free a killer?
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Chapman
40 books356 followersI'm an Ottawa author with 18 published novels in the mystery genre, both adult and YA. I am currently writing two adult mystery series: The Stonechild and Rouleau police procedurals from Dundurn include Cold Mourning (2014), which was shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for crime novel of the year, Butterfly Kills, Tumbled Graves, Shallow End and Bleeding Darkness. Turning Secrets, 6th in the series, will be released spring 2019.
The Anna Sweet mysteries are novellas from Grass Roots Press for adult literacy or those wanting a quick read. My Sister's Keeper and No Trace were both shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award and The Hard Fall and No Trace were shortlisted for the Golden Oak award.
Previous published fiction includes: the Jennifer Bannon mysteries for ages 10+, a full length adult murder mystery In Winter's Grip (Dundurn 2010), and a Rapid Reads mystery The Second Wife (Orca 2011), which was shortlisted for a Golden Oak award. Second Chances, a YA novel for ages 13+ was released by Dundurn in September 2012.
The Anna Sweet mysteries are novellas from Grass Roots Press for adult literacy or those wanting a quick read. My Sister's Keeper and No Trace were both shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award and The Hard Fall and No Trace were shortlisted for the Golden Oak award.
Previous published fiction includes: the Jennifer Bannon mysteries for ages 10+, a full length adult murder mystery In Winter's Grip (Dundurn 2010), and a Rapid Reads mystery The Second Wife (Orca 2011), which was shortlisted for a Golden Oak award. Second Chances, a YA novel for ages 13+ was released by Dundurn in September 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 14, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
The Hard Fall is the second novella in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. An easy, quick read chalked full of intrigue.
Anna Sweet has decided to remain in Ottawa, at least for the time being to look after her father. Along with Jada Price (a former police officer) Anna has opened Storm Investigations. The case of Paul Taylor, a local, wealthy businessman charged with murdering his lover lands on their desk.
As the story unfolds, the reader encounters various suspects in addition to Paul: his wife or maybe even his business partners? As Anna and Jada work to find the truth, the reader is taken on an interesting, twisted journey. We also learn a bit more about Anna and her relationships with various family members.
I found the writing easy to read and it drew me in so that it was a pleasure to sit for a short while and devour the whole book. As I am fond of saying, I did not figure out whodunit until the end – just the way I like my mysteries (though I did have my suspicions).
If you are looking for a read which will take you away, keep you engaged and your time is limited, then I suggest picking up The Hard Fall and enjoy. Each of the titles in the Sweet Mystery series are easily read as stand alone titles.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
The Hard Fall is the second novella in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. An easy, quick read chalked full of intrigue.
Anna Sweet has decided to remain in Ottawa, at least for the time being to look after her father. Along with Jada Price (a former police officer) Anna has opened Storm Investigations. The case of Paul Taylor, a local, wealthy businessman charged with murdering his lover lands on their desk.
As the story unfolds, the reader encounters various suspects in addition to Paul: his wife or maybe even his business partners? As Anna and Jada work to find the truth, the reader is taken on an interesting, twisted journey. We also learn a bit more about Anna and her relationships with various family members.
I found the writing easy to read and it drew me in so that it was a pleasure to sit for a short while and devour the whole book. As I am fond of saying, I did not figure out whodunit until the end – just the way I like my mysteries (though I did have my suspicions).
If you are looking for a read which will take you away, keep you engaged and your time is limited, then I suggest picking up The Hard Fall and enjoy. Each of the titles in the Sweet Mystery series are easily read as stand alone titles.
February 6, 2017
Fun easy read. Short and too the point. love the characters. Mysteries that are a bit harder to solve. There nothing worse than figuring out whats going on in the first 25% of a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2023
Another short one but ineresting
February 4, 2021
Yes, good story for me but it’s not for kids. Suitable for adults readers. The story has been taught to be a focus person. Easier to understand.
October 14, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
The Hard Fall is the second novella in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. An easy, quick read chalked full of intrigue.
Anna Sweet has decided to remain in Ottawa, at least for the time being to look after her father. Along with Jada Price (a former police officer) Anna has opened Storm Investigations. The case of Paul Taylor, a local, wealthy businessman charged with murdering his lover lands on their desk.
As the story unfolds, the reader encounters various suspects in addition to Paul: his wife or maybe even his business partners? As Anna and Jada work to find the truth, the reader is taken on an interesting, twisted journey. We also learn a bit more about Anna and her relationships with various family members.
I found the writing easy to read and it drew me in so that it was a pleasure to sit for a short while and devour the whole book. As I am fond of saying, I did not figure out whodunit until the end – just the way I like my mysteries (though I did have my suspicions).
If you are looking for a read which will take you away, keep you engaged and your time is limited, then I suggest picking up The Hard Fall and enjoy. Each of the titles in the Sweet Mystery series are easily read as stand alone titles.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
The Hard Fall is the second novella in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. An easy, quick read chalked full of intrigue.
Anna Sweet has decided to remain in Ottawa, at least for the time being to look after her father. Along with Jada Price (a former police officer) Anna has opened Storm Investigations. The case of Paul Taylor, a local, wealthy businessman charged with murdering his lover lands on their desk.
As the story unfolds, the reader encounters various suspects in addition to Paul: his wife or maybe even his business partners? As Anna and Jada work to find the truth, the reader is taken on an interesting, twisted journey. We also learn a bit more about Anna and her relationships with various family members.
I found the writing easy to read and it drew me in so that it was a pleasure to sit for a short while and devour the whole book. As I am fond of saying, I did not figure out whodunit until the end – just the way I like my mysteries (though I did have my suspicions).
If you are looking for a read which will take you away, keep you engaged and your time is limited, then I suggest picking up The Hard Fall and enjoy. Each of the titles in the Sweet Mystery series are easily read as stand alone titles.
September 13, 2016
The second book in the Anna Sweet series is another great little mystery that is easily read in one sitting.
Anna has stayed in Ottawa to work as a private investigator and help look after her ailing father. Lies and deception abound as Anna works to prove the innocence of a well-known local businessman accused of having an affair with then killing his neighbour. Anna puts her own life in danger to catch the murderer.
I found The Hard Fall to be slightly edgier than My Sister's Keeper. I enjoyed the quick build-up of suspense and interesting, complex characters. Brenda Chapman has created a very likable and clever heroine in Anna Sweet and it would be great to see her continue solving mysteries in future books.
Anna has stayed in Ottawa to work as a private investigator and help look after her ailing father. Lies and deception abound as Anna works to prove the innocence of a well-known local businessman accused of having an affair with then killing his neighbour. Anna puts her own life in danger to catch the murderer.
I found The Hard Fall to be slightly edgier than My Sister's Keeper. I enjoyed the quick build-up of suspense and interesting, complex characters. Brenda Chapman has created a very likable and clever heroine in Anna Sweet and it would be great to see her continue solving mysteries in future books.
February 5, 2017
Anna and Jada, both former police officers, have recently teamed up to open a private investigations firm. They are struggling for business so are happy when the Paul Taylor murder case lands on their desk. Taylor is a wealthy businessman whose lover was found dead in his bed. They will get paid a daily rate but will receive a huge bonus if they can find something that will get Taylor acquitted.
There are a number of suspects ... his wife, who despite being cheated on, maintains his innocence, and his business partners,
I've read quite a few books by this author and I liked this one. It's a quick read at about 60 pages. It's set in the author's hometown of Ottawa. I like this author's writing style. It is written in first person perspective in Anna's voice.
Though it's the second in the Anna Sweet series, it works as a stand alone.
I look forward to reading the others in this series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2017/01...
There are a number of suspects ... his wife, who despite being cheated on, maintains his innocence, and his business partners,
I've read quite a few books by this author and I liked this one. It's a quick read at about 60 pages. It's set in the author's hometown of Ottawa. I like this author's writing style. It is written in first person perspective in Anna's voice.
Though it's the second in the Anna Sweet series, it works as a stand alone.
I look forward to reading the others in this series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2017/01...
June 19, 2015
This was more like a short story than a novel. Good but not great.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews