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Jake Samson Mystery #2
Free Draw
The SECOND novel in the Jake Samson mystery series
"...one of the nicer guys in the private eye business, who operates in a relaxed, casual style without need for macho posturing.” -Washington Post
“... surprising twists, and sharp-edged humor...” -Publishers Weekly
A Nice Jewish Boy, His Lesbian BFF, and MURDER MOST MARIN...
Unafraid, unlicensed, and, in this case, unpaid, unofficial Bay Area P.I. Jake Samson and his carpenter sidekick Rosie set out to clear a friend of a murder charge. The victim is found stabbed to death in a damp redwood canyon in woodsy, wealthy Marin County, outside San Francisco. It's up to Jake and Rosie to find the real killer, and they've got a number of suspects: the victim's fellow executives at a questionable correspondence school, his divided and bitter family, and his quirky Marin County neighbors--a truly odd assortment of California woods dwellers.
But the real treats here are Singer's dry humor and her characters: Jake, a nice Jewish boy with a rebellious--and very witty--streak; and Rosie, an irresistible twist on the sassy gay friend. Readers will love their easy, breezy relationship, and wish they had a friend like either one of them.
“Jake remains his loyal, intelligent and quirky self, which is plenty to rejoice about.” -Contra Costa Times
“Ms. Singer is one of only three or four authors that I wouldn't miss whatever she wrote. “ -Over My Dead Body
"...one of the nicer guys in the private eye business, who operates in a relaxed, casual style without need for macho posturing.” -Washington Post
“... surprising twists, and sharp-edged humor...” -Publishers Weekly
A Nice Jewish Boy, His Lesbian BFF, and MURDER MOST MARIN...
Unafraid, unlicensed, and, in this case, unpaid, unofficial Bay Area P.I. Jake Samson and his carpenter sidekick Rosie set out to clear a friend of a murder charge. The victim is found stabbed to death in a damp redwood canyon in woodsy, wealthy Marin County, outside San Francisco. It's up to Jake and Rosie to find the real killer, and they've got a number of suspects: the victim's fellow executives at a questionable correspondence school, his divided and bitter family, and his quirky Marin County neighbors--a truly odd assortment of California woods dwellers.
But the real treats here are Singer's dry humor and her characters: Jake, a nice Jewish boy with a rebellious--and very witty--streak; and Rosie, an irresistible twist on the sassy gay friend. Readers will love their easy, breezy relationship, and wish they had a friend like either one of them.
“Jake remains his loyal, intelligent and quirky self, which is plenty to rejoice about.” -Contra Costa Times
“Ms. Singer is one of only three or four authors that I wouldn't miss whatever she wrote. “ -Over My Dead Body
195 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1984
111 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Singer
31 books18 followersAka Lee Singer.
Shelley Singer is the author of a dozen published novels and many short stories. One of her mysteries was nominated for the prestigious Shamus Award of the Private Eye Writers of America. She has written mysteries, science fiction, and mainstream fiction. Singer began her working life as a reporter with UPI in Chicago. During a checkered and mercifully brief journalism career, she met such luminaries as Nikita Khrushchev, Jimmy Hoffa, Xavier Cugat, Mrs. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a condemned killer on death row. She never met Joseph Stalin. She teaches fiction writing classes and does manuscript consulting.
Shelley Singer is the author of a dozen published novels and many short stories. One of her mysteries was nominated for the prestigious Shamus Award of the Private Eye Writers of America. She has written mysteries, science fiction, and mainstream fiction. Singer began her working life as a reporter with UPI in Chicago. During a checkered and mercifully brief journalism career, she met such luminaries as Nikita Khrushchev, Jimmy Hoffa, Xavier Cugat, Mrs. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a condemned killer on death row. She never met Joseph Stalin. She teaches fiction writing classes and does manuscript consulting.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2015
Although this is borderline 'Cozy Mystery', the characters are so real it's as if you're reading about your friends. The two main characters, Jake and Rosie, are good people with down to earth values using the same resources that you and I would have available to solve crimes. Very realistic for the time that the story is set in. A nice light read with the clues provided so that the reader can solve the mystery before the end if you're witty enough. Good story. I look forward to reading more in this series.
December 3, 2019
Very much of an 80s sensibility for the Bay area detective. He's based in Oakland, but this one is set up in Marin, and I enjoyed the familiar references to places I recognize in Mill Valley, Petaluma, or Sausalito. The list of suspects was so long and the investigation dragged some, so at the end I wasn't that excited or committed. Still, nice tone, for those nostalgic for this time, place, and culture..
October 13, 2014
The story, taking place in Marin County, caught my interest. It’s fun to read a book that describes an area you are somewhat familiar with. I enjoyed the story. The characters were definitely colorful, synonymous with the locale. I would read other books by this author.
March 24, 2019
The best about this book was the setting. The characters were interesting and the storyline also interesting but it was a bit of a struggle keeping all said characters in mind as it meandered around all the possibilities of whodunit.
September 10, 2018
Book 2: Free Draw —Shelley Singer 34 chapters (August 7-10, 2018)
Artie, his poker buddy and friend from way back, calls in a favor to clear his nephew’s name. Lots of twists and turns in this one, but not so much implied sex scenes. Reads faster towards end.
This is the second book in the Jake Samson series that I read as a part of an omnibus.
An old poker buddy, Artie Perrine calls Jake up one night and insists he come right now to his house and help him out. His nephew, Alan, finds a body and is arrested for murder. As it turns out, Alan knows a lot more than he’s letting on, and Artie is involved in it. Jake and his poker buddies investigate and by a thought-out investigation, which the reader has along, he solves the case.
In this particular crime, the reader is given enough clues so when the real murder is revealed it’s more of a “uh-huh, knew it” moment. Which I like a lot more in my mystery reads.
Semi spoiler/side note:
Again, this book plods and meanders along, but the author is gaining more experience as a writer for this series, and the plot is slightly more tighter and the writing is more refined.
Solid book.
Three stars.
Artie, his poker buddy and friend from way back, calls in a favor to clear his nephew’s name. Lots of twists and turns in this one, but not so much implied sex scenes. Reads faster towards end.
This is the second book in the Jake Samson series that I read as a part of an omnibus.
An old poker buddy, Artie Perrine calls Jake up one night and insists he come right now to his house and help him out. His nephew, Alan, finds a body and is arrested for murder. As it turns out, Alan knows a lot more than he’s letting on, and Artie is involved in it. Jake and his poker buddies investigate and by a thought-out investigation, which the reader has along, he solves the case.
In this particular crime, the reader is given enough clues so when the real murder is revealed it’s more of a “uh-huh, knew it” moment. Which I like a lot more in my mystery reads.
Semi spoiler/side note:
Again, this book plods and meanders along, but the author is gaining more experience as a writer for this series, and the plot is slightly more tighter and the writing is more refined.
Solid book.
Three stars.
July 16, 2023
At the request of his friend Artie Perrine, Jake Samson takes on another job as a "PI without a license posing as a writer," even though Artie can only pay expenses. A murder has been committed in Artie's Marin County canyon neighborhood, and lots of circumstantial evidence points to Artie's nephew Alan.
With the help of his friend Rosie, Jake gets to work investigating the residents of the canyon and the life and workplace of the murdered man. The answer that emerges isn't the one for which Jake was hoping.
With the help of his friend Rosie, Jake gets to work investigating the residents of the canyon and the life and workplace of the murdered man. The answer that emerges isn't the one for which Jake was hoping.
November 27, 2017
Artie calls, he wants me to come at once. Didn't want to, but he was an old friend, a pal, a poker buddy. His nephew panic, ran away screaming, so they thought he was guilty.. There was a lot more reason why Alan ran. What was going on with the company Bright Future. Did Jake ever get paid for his time. Enjoyable, and easy to follow his way of getting clues.
June 3, 2022
Jake Samson is an erstwhile private detective. His buddy, Artie Perrine, a magazine editor, "hires" him to exonerate his nephew, Alan, who is accused of murdering James Smith, an executive of a rather sketchy outfit that alleges to do at home teaching, Bright Future Home Study Plan, Inc.
It was an amusing enough book that I'd give it 3*+ were GoodReads to allow such a thing.
It was an amusing enough book that I'd give it 3*+ were GoodReads to allow such a thing.
July 21, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
September 28, 2019
Very entertaining and very amusing. A clever detective. I liked it.
October 12, 2019
Enjoyed
This book was very entertaining and I enjoyed your characters and the story line with a little humor added in.
This book was very entertaining and I enjoyed your characters and the story line with a little humor added in.
August 15, 2021
Good book but he couldn't stay faithful if his life depended on it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2021
I think this book is an improvement over the first in the series, which is not surprising. However, I'm still not very impressed with this series.
November 2, 2021
Interesting
Agreat who done it with a lot of twists, dead ends, romantic episodes, and ironic humor. A good read for an interesting story.
Agreat who done it with a lot of twists, dead ends, romantic episodes, and ironic humor. A good read for an interesting story.
February 20, 2022
Just meanders on and on, difficult to keep track of characters.
October 1, 2023
The usual well-written Jake Sampson tale. This one was confusing with so many characters, and a sad ending.
May 27, 2016
[library audiobook]
Some features were attractive - the East Bay setting, the backdrop of a rip-off for-profit college, multiple gay and lesbian characters. But the story moved slowly, many characters hard to keep straight, without spoiling I can't say why the murderer's identity was a surprise based on the clues provided, and then a long exposition after resolution.
Not sure I will sign up for another.
Some features were attractive - the East Bay setting, the backdrop of a rip-off for-profit college, multiple gay and lesbian characters. But the story moved slowly, many characters hard to keep straight, without spoiling I can't say why the murderer's identity was a surprise based on the clues provided, and then a long exposition after resolution.
Not sure I will sign up for another.
February 22, 2015
This was an interesting book by Singer.As a mystery it includes the things you like to see. It has plot, characters that are interesting, an unexpected ending and is good reading. Enjoyed it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
February 8, 2015
Enjoyed this second book in the series. Some mysteries can be pretty easily solved fairly early in the book. Not the two I have read of this authors. Kept on the edge of my seat trying to figure things out right to the disclosure.
August 5, 2015
The finale is more than a disappointment, but getting there is worth it. The author has very little humor to infuse and some parts of this book are *very dry*. Still, all in all, I gave it a 4-star rating because some of the characters were well developed.
August 4, 2015
Diverting, Good Characters
Somehow the plot just didn't grab me, tho. The editing was good, and the cast was diverse, personalities well-drawn. I questioned why the protagonist never interviewed the suspect about the murder weapon, but so went the story.
Somehow the plot just didn't grab me, tho. The editing was good, and the cast was diverse, personalities well-drawn. I questioned why the protagonist never interviewed the suspect about the murder weapon, but so went the story.
November 14, 2015
Samson is asked to investigate the death of a business man when a son's friend is arrested for the murder. Moral of the story is never to run screaming when you find the body of a man you used to know and had an argument with and then lie to the police about it.
August 7, 2016
Mystery
This book had an interesting plot and was a surprise ending, however, it was TOO much descriptions of everything. Was slow moving book. If you have patience, it might be a good read.
This book had an interesting plot and was a surprise ending, however, it was TOO much descriptions of everything. Was slow moving book. If you have patience, it might be a good read.
December 19, 2014
Wordy with too many characters
By the time I got to the end of the book I was having difficulty keeping up with who was who and how did they relate to each other and to the story.
By the time I got to the end of the book I was having difficulty keeping up with who was who and how did they relate to each other and to the story.
Read
August 31, 2016Ah ... so so... not a riveting story... but ok to pass the time
March 13, 2016
Free draw
Not that great to read. Jake seems more female than male. He thinks like a female. I could not relate.
Not that great to read. Jake seems more female than male. He thinks like a female. I could not relate.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews