What do you think?
Rate this book
Pine Hills Police #1
Finding Sarah
Book 1 in Terry Odell's Pine Hills Police Romantic Mystery series.Being robbed at gunpoint wasn’t part of Sarah Tucker’s business plan. Neither was falling in love with the detective who arrived to solve the case.All Sarah wants is success for her gift boutique, the one she and her husband created. Now, she’s living a hand-to-mouth existence. Her husband died a year earlier in a car accident—an accident that was ruled suicide, denying her his life insurance money. Burdened by guilt that she was somehow to blame for his death, Sarah faces one business setback after another. Determined to succeed on her own, she fights off a meddling sister-in-law as well as offers of financial assistance from a former boyfriend. Unaware someone is setting her up for failure, she’s totally unprepared to find herself fighting for survival. Police Detective Randy Detweiler thinks the crook is a thief who’s been evading cops all over the state. A routine robbery investigation turns into the biggest challenge of his career when he falls in love with the victim, and he starts crossing professional boundaries. When Sarah disappears, he's afraid all his detective skills might not be enough to find her in time to save her life.Finding Sarah was previously published by Cerridwen Press. This version has been revised, updated, and includes some material not found in the original.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2007
1379 people are currently reading
1299 people want to read
About the author
Terry Odell
64 books224 followersTerry Odell was born in Los Angeles and after living several decades in Florida now makes her home in Colorado. An avid reader (her parents tell everyone they had to move from their first home because she finished the local library), she always wanted to "fix" stories so the characters did what she wanted, in books, television, and the movies. Once she began writing, she found this wasn't always possible, as evidenced when the mystery she intended to write rapidly became a romance.
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
July 29, 2016
Deserves 1.5 stars.
Finding Sarah has a tone of a Lifetime movie. It's pretty cheesy and one-dimensional and pretty obvious who the villain is. The romance is lacking and poorly constructed and the characters are annoying. A pretty insipid romance thriller that is utterly forgettable.
More at Booklikes: http://katiebabs.booklikes.com/post/8...
Finding Sarah has a tone of a Lifetime movie. It's pretty cheesy and one-dimensional and pretty obvious who the villain is. The romance is lacking and poorly constructed and the characters are annoying. A pretty insipid romance thriller that is utterly forgettable.
More at Booklikes: http://katiebabs.booklikes.com/post/8...
September 1, 2016
The first book in the series Pine Hills Police by Terry Odell. A good, suspenseful read. It kept me guessing. I guessed WHO did it but not the why. The language was not graphic like many books I've read lately. Yes, you can write a book without filthy language. The romance portion was okay but lacked a little something. In the end I was glad to have read it and would definitely read more by this author.
April 14, 2014
This book is supposed to be a mystery about a kidnapping--but mostly it is a lot of backstory about Sarah and her husband's death, and the blossoming romance between her and the police officer sent to investigate a robbery in her store. It had some really good elements and I think it could have been a much better mystery but that part was glossed over so quickly that it was a letdown for me.
November 10, 2014
Deleted this at 12%. The sentences were randomly laid out and seemingly a conversation some pages back suddenly continued again !! Really baffling and too irritating to continue.
On page 10 she suddenly said "I'm managing" apropos of nothing being discussed and on page 30 (where I gave up) she suddenly says "I'm sure it will be quiet again tomorrow" which again belonged to a conversation some pages prior to when it was used here !!
Then the police guy was asking some really peculiar questions about a friend of hers-about his college days !! She'd been held up and robbed and not by him so there was no reason for him to have asked stuff about him when he was a teenager !! Most bizarre...and he was always clicking his pen and that got very aggravating, too.
I was pleased that she spells pore correctly-that's rare in an e-book. A very, very strange book, though.
On page 10 she suddenly said "I'm managing" apropos of nothing being discussed and on page 30 (where I gave up) she suddenly says "I'm sure it will be quiet again tomorrow" which again belonged to a conversation some pages prior to when it was used here !!
Then the police guy was asking some really peculiar questions about a friend of hers-about his college days !! She'd been held up and robbed and not by him so there was no reason for him to have asked stuff about him when he was a teenager !! Most bizarre...and he was always clicking his pen and that got very aggravating, too.
I was pleased that she spells pore correctly-that's rare in an e-book. A very, very strange book, though.
November 1, 2011
This book is exactly how it is described. A mystery/romance. I found it to be rather superficial and a quick easy read which I found myself doing alot of skimming because of how the book really didn't go very deep. It was almost as though the focus was on the romance dance vs. the mystery which loses my interest very fast.
July 21, 2020
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book but I wanted to like it more. It was my first Terry O’Dell. Looking at the blurbs for her other books I’m not overly tempted to try another of hers.
This was exactly as you’d imagine it from the book description. Don’t read it if you don’t like romance as the mystery isn’t really strong enough alone. Having said that the mystery was better than a lot of other romantic suspense I’ve read. Conversely despite liking the two main characters the romance wasn’t quite as strong as it could be either.
If you’re looking for a quick easy read then this will hit the spot. Just don’t expect too much.
This was exactly as you’d imagine it from the book description. Don’t read it if you don’t like romance as the mystery isn’t really strong enough alone. Having said that the mystery was better than a lot of other romantic suspense I’ve read. Conversely despite liking the two main characters the romance wasn’t quite as strong as it could be either.
If you’re looking for a quick easy read then this will hit the spot. Just don’t expect too much.
March 23, 2014
A great read featuring intriguing characters and a curious mystery that kept me quickly turning the pages right until the end. The relationship between Randy and Sarah was compelling and satisfying and the novel contained a nice blend of mystery with a charming touch of romance. Odell has done a very nice job of setting up a fascinating universe of characters in Pine Hill, Oregon. That certainly makes me eager to read the next book in this series.
March 23, 2014
Book ends before story is over
Book ends before story is over
just when you get to the middle of the action and you think the book is starting to wrap up it ends, very abruptly. The book says 87% and then it goes to review this book??? I don't know if this was a mistake, but very disappointing.
Book ends before story is over
just when you get to the middle of the action and you think the book is starting to wrap up it ends, very abruptly. The book says 87% and then it goes to review this book??? I don't know if this was a mistake, but very disappointing.
July 4, 2021
"Dozy, not cozy"
I enjoy a good mystery, but this wasn't it. If you don't work out what was going on and who was responsible by the middle of the second chapter, you must have started reading from the end. There was romance, food, cuddly pets, and a friendly next-door neighbour who remembered Lucille Ball which is all you need, apparently, to create a winning formula for a cozy mystery. Dozy, not cozy. Not for me.
I enjoy a good mystery, but this wasn't it. If you don't work out what was going on and who was responsible by the middle of the second chapter, you must have started reading from the end. There was romance, food, cuddly pets, and a friendly next-door neighbour who remembered Lucille Ball which is all you need, apparently, to create a winning formula for a cozy mystery. Dozy, not cozy. Not for me.
November 15, 2014
This book is such a leisurely read, it has a smooth pace that flows nicely. I enjoyed the story and seeing everything come together. There are a few dodgy moments, if you have triggers this may not be for you. While it is not detailed or completed, there is a dramatic scene or two where non-consent almost occurs. You could skim them, because the rest of the book is really terrific. The lead, Sarah, is definitely a survivor and a fighter.
On to the story, there are many levels to the suspense and plenty of red herrings o throw you off the real trail. Though if you are like me, you will know from the start who the villain is, just not all the details. Even with guessing the culprit, it was entertaining watching everything unfold.
So many great characters in this book. The two leads are fantastic, it was great having them switch off on the narrative. The switches in POV are smooth and always distinct. Great transitions that helped move the story along. Loved the elderly neighbor and the other cops at the station. They added depth to the story and kept it from being just another romance.
The bedroom door is ajar, there are a few details and then cut to the morning after. It is a mild spice but delightful to read. The emotions are a bit quick, but you can see how they have such chemistry. I can see a deep love developing with a little more time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelley Hazen, who has a lovely read. I enjoyed her pace and the energy she puts into the read. The emotions really ring through in key moments. She does a great job with the transitions and helps make it clear who is in charge of the narrative. I will need to look for more of her reads down the road!
Overall I was entertained from the beginning to the end. Great storytelling is something I have come to expect from MS Odell. I was not disappointed.I love that the suspense is usually the driving force, not the romance.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
On to the story, there are many levels to the suspense and plenty of red herrings o throw you off the real trail. Though if you are like me, you will know from the start who the villain is, just not all the details. Even with guessing the culprit, it was entertaining watching everything unfold.
So many great characters in this book. The two leads are fantastic, it was great having them switch off on the narrative. The switches in POV are smooth and always distinct. Great transitions that helped move the story along. Loved the elderly neighbor and the other cops at the station. They added depth to the story and kept it from being just another romance.
The bedroom door is ajar, there are a few details and then cut to the morning after. It is a mild spice but delightful to read. The emotions are a bit quick, but you can see how they have such chemistry. I can see a deep love developing with a little more time.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelley Hazen, who has a lovely read. I enjoyed her pace and the energy she puts into the read. The emotions really ring through in key moments. She does a great job with the transitions and helps make it clear who is in charge of the narrative. I will need to look for more of her reads down the road!
Overall I was entertained from the beginning to the end. Great storytelling is something I have come to expect from MS Odell. I was not disappointed.I love that the suspense is usually the driving force, not the romance.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
June 23, 2017
This book begins well with a likable heroine who runs a boutique and a kind, caring hero who is the detective called in when the boutique is robbed. He is instantly attracted to the heroine and goes beyond the call of duty to help her find out why so many bad things are happening to her store.
Spoiler coming---
When the villain is revealed, he so horrid and over-the-top crazed, it hard to see him as believable in this story. Still all ends well, with the heroine in her loving man's arms.
Warning - attempted rape is depicted in this book.
Spoiler coming---
When the villain is revealed, he so horrid and over-the-top crazed, it hard to see him as believable in this story. Still all ends well, with the heroine in her loving man's arms.
Warning - attempted rape is depicted in this book.
March 7, 2014
Two engaging and dynamic main characters, strong minor characters, and small town setting. This is a good mystery/romance. I suspected who the culprit was in all of Sarah's troubles, but didn't expect the twist. Believable characters and story line. When I finished it last night at 11:00 I immediately downloaded Hidden Fire, the sequel to Finding Sarah. I wasn't quite ready to let Sarah and Randy go. I need to find out if their relationship will survive all the turmoil it's encountered.
May 9, 2014
Great book about a woman who wants to stay independent no matter what.Love that the author weaved animals into the story.Who doesn't love the hero to be a man in uniform.The villain was brilliantly wrote into the story as a textbook psychopath.
February 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, first one I have read by this author, but won't be the last. it is well written and smooth paced. I had a rough idea of who done it, but did not see the twist coming..looking forward to reading the sequel.
September 28, 2019
It has been quite a while since I have read a romance novel. It has been even longer since I read a mystery novel. I was amazed at how this book captured my imagination and held it through the last page.
It’s been more than a year since her husband died. Since his death she has been having trouble keeping up with her bills from their store “That Special Something.” Christopher Westmoreland, who she had dated in high school, keeps offering to help. Even though he had offered “No Strings” she knew there would be a connection that would be hard to break.
Since the insurance company thinks David committed suicide, Sarah hasn’t gotten the insurance money following his death. Things were just so tight for her now. But luck was with her. A well-dressed customer comes in. Ends up with an expensive silver frame and matching vase. When Sarah raises up from finding gift boxes the woman has a gun pulled on Sarah demanding all bills from the register. The woman gave her back a $20 saying she wouldn’t leave her penniless then picked up some wooden animal sculptures, dropping them into the vase, as she left the store.
**~**~**~**~**~**
Sarah Tucker
1. 5’4”, late 20’s, deep chestnut hair, blue eyes,
2. Lives in Oregon
That Special Something - the store Sarah and her husband David started.
Christopher Westmoreland
1. Strawberry-blonde hair, pale green eyes,
2. Big wig at Consolidated Enterprises.
David Tucker
1. Sarah’s late husband.
2. Died a year ago when he was 26.
3. Sarah knows he died from an accident. Others feel he committed suicide.
4. Had died in Polk County, outside the jurisdiction of the Pine Hills PD.
Randy Detweiler
1. Tall and lanky, aquiline nose, brown eyes, dark brown hair, small scar above his left eye,
2. Detective with the Pine Hills Police.
Diana Scofield
1. Sarah’s sister in law.
2. Lives in Portland.
3. Owns 20% of Sarah’s shop.
4. Blames Sarah for David’s death.
It’s been more than a year since her husband died. Since his death she has been having trouble keeping up with her bills from their store “That Special Something.” Christopher Westmoreland, who she had dated in high school, keeps offering to help. Even though he had offered “No Strings” she knew there would be a connection that would be hard to break.
Since the insurance company thinks David committed suicide, Sarah hasn’t gotten the insurance money following his death. Things were just so tight for her now. But luck was with her. A well-dressed customer comes in. Ends up with an expensive silver frame and matching vase. When Sarah raises up from finding gift boxes the woman has a gun pulled on Sarah demanding all bills from the register. The woman gave her back a $20 saying she wouldn’t leave her penniless then picked up some wooden animal sculptures, dropping them into the vase, as she left the store.
**~**~**~**~**~**
Sarah Tucker
1. 5’4”, late 20’s, deep chestnut hair, blue eyes,
2. Lives in Oregon
That Special Something - the store Sarah and her husband David started.
Christopher Westmoreland
1. Strawberry-blonde hair, pale green eyes,
2. Big wig at Consolidated Enterprises.
David Tucker
1. Sarah’s late husband.
2. Died a year ago when he was 26.
3. Sarah knows he died from an accident. Others feel he committed suicide.
4. Had died in Polk County, outside the jurisdiction of the Pine Hills PD.
Randy Detweiler
1. Tall and lanky, aquiline nose, brown eyes, dark brown hair, small scar above his left eye,
2. Detective with the Pine Hills Police.
Diana Scofield
1. Sarah’s sister in law.
2. Lives in Portland.
3. Owns 20% of Sarah’s shop.
4. Blames Sarah for David’s death.
June 27, 2022
This is the first book I've read by the author. I felt it was glaringly obvious who the culprit was but was pleasantly surprised by all that transpired after it is revealed. The mystery and all the different incidents and clues were intriguing. I appreciated some of the more human aspects of the characters and the descriptions of fatigue and emotional weight; this is something I find missing in a lot of the detective/mystery novels I've read where the characters are almost painted as superheroes who never get tired or have a hair out of place. I liked the delicate weaving in of the characters' pasts that gave them depth, while not distracting from the development of the mystery aspect of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the development, mystery, and pace of the story and would be happy to read some more in the series and by the author in general.
September 13, 2020
**This book contains sensitive material for survivors of sexual assault and stalking behaviors**
Some chapters I was completely into followed by duller chapters that were tough to get through. I liked the hero, he's definitely my type. The heroine is going through a lot of turmoil and reacts appropriately but she can be slow to respond to the hero. The thought of her dead husband is always hanging around and the hero is super nice about it. No real romance happens for a while so I would call this one a slow burn, no big fireworks here. If you like the small town cop going piece by piece through a case you would be into this read. The last half of the book is pretty intense, but filled with sensitive material.
You can skip this book.
Some chapters I was completely into followed by duller chapters that were tough to get through. I liked the hero, he's definitely my type. The heroine is going through a lot of turmoil and reacts appropriately but she can be slow to respond to the hero. The thought of her dead husband is always hanging around and the hero is super nice about it. No real romance happens for a while so I would call this one a slow burn, no big fireworks here. If you like the small town cop going piece by piece through a case you would be into this read. The last half of the book is pretty intense, but filled with sensitive material.
You can skip this book.
January 23, 2021
Finding Sarah (Pine Hills Police #1) was a great read by Terry Odell. Sarah Tucker just wants her gift boutique she created with her late husband, to be a success. Her husband died a year earlier in a car accident and has been living a hand to mouth existence. She was denied her husband's life insurance because they ruled it a suicide. It seems as though someone is setting her up for failure. One day, she is robbed at gunpoint and Detective Randy Detweiler begins investigating. They never expected that they would fall in love. Sarah disappears, and Randy is afraid he won't be able to save her. I really enjoyed this book and loved Kelley Hazen's narration. I can't wait to read more by Terry Odell.
September 19, 2022
This is a really enjoyable crime mystery/romance. The characters are believable, as is the action. It's a big no-no for a detective to become involved with a crime victim while a case is still active, but the romance part of this story wouldn't work without it. And it's not like it's always perfect between Randy (the detective) and Sarah (the victim). As a matter of fact, things get downright hairy in the romance department after the mystery surrounding the death of Sarah's husband and efforts to force the failure of Sarah's business get solved—an interesting but realistic twist.
If you like the combo of mystery and romance, this book will fit the bill nicely. During a very busy week, I found myself reading it in bed just to stay in the loop with the plot.
If you like the combo of mystery and romance, this book will fit the bill nicely. During a very busy week, I found myself reading it in bed just to stay in the loop with the plot.
August 16, 2019
Good
Sarah owns her own little shop and is trying to make it a success but someone is sabotaging her. Her husband was killed in a car wreck and the police ruled it a suicide. When she’s robbed at gunpoint, she meets Randy. Randy is a detective and is assigned to Sarah’s case. The robber has been all over the county and Randy will do everything he can to find the robber. He starts to fall for Sarah and then she’s kidnapped. Can Sarah find her way back to who she was before the kidnapping?
Good story with suspense and romance. Two people who have had tragedies and try to come out on top.
Sarah owns her own little shop and is trying to make it a success but someone is sabotaging her. Her husband was killed in a car wreck and the police ruled it a suicide. When she’s robbed at gunpoint, she meets Randy. Randy is a detective and is assigned to Sarah’s case. The robber has been all over the county and Randy will do everything he can to find the robber. He starts to fall for Sarah and then she’s kidnapped. Can Sarah find her way back to who she was before the kidnapping?
Good story with suspense and romance. Two people who have had tragedies and try to come out on top.
June 1, 2025
Detective Randy Detweiler is called to a local shop about a robbery and Finding Sarah, the shop owner. It turns out that there is more to the case than a robbery. Between an electrical fire, the robbery, her late husband's supposed suicide and the insurance company denying her claim for his life insurance, vandalism in the shop and a kidnapping, it is full of action. Randy has lots of clues but the stings of evidence doesn't lead to the person behind all the problems Sarah has endured.
In the end Sarah is kidnapped and the case comes together with the entire Pine Hills Police Department coming to help Randy save his girl. I love happy endings.
In the end Sarah is kidnapped and the case comes together with the entire Pine Hills Police Department coming to help Randy save his girl. I love happy endings.
October 24, 2019
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining. How much bad luck can one woman have. Just too much if you ask Sarah about it, especially after her store is robbed and she's turned down for a loan. Just maybe thinks are looking up when the Detective investigating her case find some strange connections. This novel have something for everyone making it a nicely rounded and is filled with likable characters. I'm looking forward to listen to other in the series.
November 8, 2018
3.5 stars
I really liked this story, it's characters, the suspense and the bit of mystery, but it ended so suddenly. No cliffhanger or anything, it had a pretty good ending and resolution, but it literally just stoped, mid scene. ?? And it was a little hard to get into... I front really start getting into it until half way thru it. But yes I'd recommend it and I'll be reading the next in the series. Great price (99 cents) too
I really liked this story, it's characters, the suspense and the bit of mystery, but it ended so suddenly. No cliffhanger or anything, it had a pretty good ending and resolution, but it literally just stoped, mid scene. ?? And it was a little hard to get into... I front really start getting into it until half way thru it. But yes I'd recommend it and I'll be reading the next in the series. Great price (99 cents) too
August 18, 2019
Who wants to hurt Sarah?
This story is filled with challenges and suspence. Someone is targeting Sarah, too many things are happening. She is very concerned and the police are trying to track down the perpetrator. Randy, the detective who comes to her rescue falls for her. Then something happens that could tear them apart. There's romance, intrigue and betrayal in this story. I enjoyed this story very much.
This story is filled with challenges and suspence. Someone is targeting Sarah, too many things are happening. She is very concerned and the police are trying to track down the perpetrator. Randy, the detective who comes to her rescue falls for her. Then something happens that could tear them apart. There's romance, intrigue and betrayal in this story. I enjoyed this story very much.
September 15, 2019
If you enjoy crime fiction, try Finding Sarah. I could tell that Randy and Sarah were going to be together from the beginning but who the true criminal is was harder to pin down. I had my suspicions that he was involved but he acted so normal, I dismissed it along with the main character. And he was so calm and collected, no outward signs of nerves when questioned by the police. I’m on the search for book #2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2020
Well written story
This story centers around a 28 year old young lady. Her husband died about 18 months ago. She is the owner of a curio shop. Crazy things start to happen to her. Her shop is robbed one day and it goes downhill from there. She meets a cute detective who becomes a major part of her life. Some sexual situations and some swearing. Minor editing needed. Not enough to distract from the story. I ended up really liking this book. Would recommend for adults
This story centers around a 28 year old young lady. Her husband died about 18 months ago. She is the owner of a curio shop. Crazy things start to happen to her. Her shop is robbed one day and it goes downhill from there. She meets a cute detective who becomes a major part of her life. Some sexual situations and some swearing. Minor editing needed. Not enough to distract from the story. I ended up really liking this book. Would recommend for adults
August 17, 2019
4+ stars
This was a very good story. Randy the police detective falls for a victim.. Sarah.. When she has a woman hold up her shop then things get out of hand with all the problems Sarah has had with her business and the death of her husband. It all culminated with an old boyfriend kidnapping her.... Read and enjoy!!!
This was a very good story. Randy the police detective falls for a victim.. Sarah.. When she has a woman hold up her shop then things get out of hand with all the problems Sarah has had with her business and the death of her husband. It all culminated with an old boyfriend kidnapping her.... Read and enjoy!!!
October 13, 2021
Ugh - I knew who the villain was before we even knew there was going to be a villain. It's so obvious and honestly I wasn't a fan of Sarah. The romance was just okay the dead husband just seemed to be too much in the picture for a true romance to develop. It ends with a very lukewarm HFN but I don't care enough to read the next book.
August 15, 2024
Finding Sarah is a delightful blend of small-town charm and big-time suspense, where the only thing more tangled than the mystery is the web of emotions between the characters. Terry Odell masterfully weaves a tale that keeps you guessing while rooting for Sarah and the cop who might just be her perfect match. A perfect read for those who love their romance with a side of danger!
August 16, 2019
Loved this book
I have been reading Terry’s books for a long time & always enjoy them. She entices you into her stories & next think you know you are hooked! Each one is always better than the last, but different!
I have been reading Terry’s books for a long time & always enjoy them. She entices you into her stories & next think you know you are hooked! Each one is always better than the last, but different!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews