Trust

Waverly Beach Cozy Mystery #1

by Pamela M. Kelley

How well do you really know your significant other? If they were accused of a crime, even murder, would you trust in their innocence unconditionally?

In TRUST, 36 year old high school teacher, Lauren, is about to get married when one of her students goes missing and she becomes a person of interest.

Her Fiance, David, is a former minor-league pitcher turned stockbroker who is surprised to discover that there are things he didn't know about Lauren. With the help of his 91 year old grandfather, & his friend Jack, the assistant sheriff, he searches for the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Ebooks, Romance, Suspense, Audiobook

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2014

About the author

Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.

She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two. :)

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars
Not my cup of tea. Just an OK read and an OK mystery. A little silly at times. It was a short read but I still skimmed parts of it, especially all the food prep portions.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** I was given this book by the author to read and review honestly***

I am so glad that I had the chance to read this book. I love a good book I can get my teeth into now and again and its not predictable. This was NOT predictable at all, right at the end you think you 'got it' but then it all did a sudden switch. Yep, it smacked me in the face.

If you had a hidden secret from the past that stayed with you, but you were 100% innocent as a child but then as a grown up it reflected on something that was happening now, then people would point the finger and get you hung drawn and quartered before you had a chance to sneeze! This is what happened to Lauren. She and David are about to get married, would he believe her? Would he stand by her? Or would he be like the others?

This book was intense. I loved it and will be following this author.
I can't wait for more books from Pamela M Kelley, if they are anything like this, I know I am in for a good read!

This is not a writer, this is an up and coming author who can definitely write a good story and deserves to be 'up' there with the best.

[Skylerbean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting, cozy mystery

I really liked this book. There is a nice entanglement of romance and mystery, in the pretty setting of a snowy beach town. The editor seems to have something against commas and semicolons, but it wasn't bad enough to make me want to stop reading. The mystery continues until the end, and there is a nice wrap up. I appreciated how the characters support each other, and time isn't wasted on unnecessary drama. I would be willing to read another book by this author.

[Wonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick-Easy whodunit! I can see why this is called a beach read...poolside for sure! I did guess the ending, but it wasn't too bad! Simple and fun...but nothing special! Yet, good enough for me to check out number two!

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trust by Pamela Kelley [Pamela M. Kelley]
Waverly Beach Cozy Mystery #1
5h 56m narrated by Erin DeWard, 272 pages

Genre: Mystery > Cozy Mystery; Suspense, Thriller > Crime, Mystery Thriller; Contemporary Romance

Featuring: Murder, Wedding Planning, Teacher, Police Investigation, Cooking, Detective, Illogical Rules and Procedures, Small-Town Massachusetts

Rating as a movie: R for adult content and language

My rating: ⭐️⭐️¾

My thoughts: 📱74% 4:22:07 Ch. 33 - This hasn't been anything special, but I need a break after these terrible police procedures.

It wasn't horrible. I think I enjoyed the cooking more than the plot, but it's kind of a cozy mystery and they are known for logical plotholes and being far-fetched.

Recommend to others?: Maybe. If you want a quick read and don't mind an unrealistic investigation, have at it.

[Denise Zendel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three weeks before her wedding, mild-mannered high school teacher Lauren becomes the main Person of Interest in the death of a student she’d been counseling. She’s had a previous bad bad bad experience with police and it affects how she responds in this situation. It also creates complications with her fiancé because she, ooops, neglects to bring it up until the police start looking at her hard.

I wanted to like this book, I really did. Interesting premise (juvenile wrongly accused of murder and railroaded into a false confession by shoddy police, gets absolved, leaves town and comes back as an adult because the place still feels like home). Didn’t really pan out into a compelling story for me, however.

I thought there was way too much emphasis on cooking that was not germane to the plot. The whole issue of failing to disclose the juvenile trauma to her fiancé struck me as a bad portent for the relationship. Also, her inability to scream “lawyer, lawyer, lawyer” the second the police gave her the fish-eye (given the misery she endured in high school) made me want to shake her until her teeth rattled.

I mostly finished this because I was on the treadmill and didn’t want to stop to select a new book. The writing was OK, except the author could have used a copy editor – there was the weird use of “Jackeet” for “jacket more than once; trouble with making things possessive that didn’t need to be; and the author referred to a movie starring “Matt Damon and Jake Nicholson.” I think she meant Jack. These errors, while minor, took me out of the story. Overall, I found the plot thin and predictable and don’t feel the need to move on to book 2.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time reading this author and I loved it. Lauren is the main character and is getting ready to get married when one of her students ends up murdered. She finds herself in the middle of the of it all and it brings back memories of another time when as a teenager she was also accused of murder.
It shows how hard it is to continue to trust someone when all this is going on. How hard it is to put up with the press and the way the feel it is their right to a story, even if they have to make it up around just one or two words.
In the end they solve two murders. Loved this story.

[Sylvia Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great really a Mystery

Loved the book , the twist and turns the saying all the way no she did not do it but wait this one maybe kept you guessing yet with the feeling of Chuck , but never thinking he was the father, great book, will have to recommend it to all mystery lovers and was written extremely well.Will have to get Trust when I catch up on my reading ,looking forward to seeing what grandpa teaches these young law fellows, I have two grandsons that I are both on the law force and think they would enjoy this lightly yet knowing novel Thank you . Loved its details

[lisa l halloran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally Anti-climatic Ending

The dialogue was good throughout the book, the characters were a little one sided – but the ending totally blew the book. It happened in about 3 to 4 pages. I will not follow this author sorry!

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cozy for me!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good mystery. You really think that Lauren couldn't have murdered her student, but everything keeps pointing to her. If she didn't, who did? Lauren had confessed to a murder years before when she was a teenager, but she didn't do it and they never found out who did. Now, Lauren came back to town, is getting married soon and one of her students is found dead. He was murdered with her golf club. Her fiancée has complete faith in her, but others in town wonder about her. She is hounded by the media, worries if her wedding will happen and if she will have a job when this is all over. Can they find the killer before she loses everything?

[A.M. Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook on hoopla in one sitting. The story was engaging and kept me hooked.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it!!

[Mmaitra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seems writer forgot she is writing mystery novel not for food magazine

Its a very plain story about based in some sleepy town bear Boston, there are no twists or turns. Writer kept writing just about life and daily routine of a girl who has been charged with a murder. Initially it might lead us to think that she might come across some clues or will take the lead to find the real culprit but nothing happnes like that. In last few chapter of the book her husband and few others teamup to find the culprit and they managed the confession out of the man in very childish manner but still our girl did not played any part in that she was just busy cooking and eating. Then I cant understand why writer kept so much focus on her if she had no role to play anywhere apart from playing a victim of the system.

[Rosalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably really 3 1/2 but close enough... Lauren returns to her home town with a new look, using a new name and trying to forget something that happened 20 years before. She falls in love and is set to be married; she has a job she loves and everything looks like happy ever after. Then a student she was working with, counseling, is found dead. Rumors abound, and her secret comes out, making it seem like history is repeating itself. Will her friends stand by her? What does she really know about her friends? Could one of them have murdered twice? A good plot and one that keeps the reader guessing.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Stanhope returns to her home town to start over. she is a teacher who becomes invested in a student who has a tough homelife and failing grades. he is found murdered and she is the suspect. she denies any involvement in the murder but her lost golf club is the murder weapon. while keeping with her innocence, she has to relive something from her past that gave the police reason to suspect her. she along with several friends were arrested and questioned in the murder of a friend. while exonerated, with left a reasonable doubt that she could have done it again. turns out to the partner of her now husbands firm.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hype did not fit the book. The book's targeted audience did not include me, but the author's mechanics were good and she moved the book right along. It is hard to rate this kind of book. The author passed up many twists and. turns that would have made the book great. I could imagine the storyline taking on real issues appropriate to the book's subject. There was more space for twists and turns that would made the book less predictable. The author could have told targeted groups how to protect themselves. But the book was her book, not mine.

Thank you, Ms. Kelley, for a good read.

[Char Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust

The headlines are full of stories about students being pursued by teachers, something unheard of 50 years ago. But that's where our story takes off. An odd twist, though, finds the student has been murdered, and it delights the press. The reporters hound the teacher, trying to entrap her.

I enjoyed this book, and kept reading into the night when I got close to the end. If you enjoy a good who-dunnit, this is a good book for you.

[Anne - ReadingfortheWeekend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! Great characters and an interesting story.

[DiAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the well developed characters and the plot in this novel. Well written and reads like stories we hear about on the news and in newspapers which makes it very believable. I found it hard to put down and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was stunned with the surprise ending...I did not have it figured out until the very end.

Three weeks before the wedding, your fiancé becomes a person of interest in a murder investigation. What would you do?

In TRUST, 36-year-old, high school teacher Lauren seems to have it all. She moved back to Waverly, a small seaside town, just north of Boston, MA several years ago. She has a great career, and has finally found true love. Lauren's wedding is just a few weeks away, when one of her students goes missing and when his body is found a few days later, she suddenly becomes a person of interest.
Her fiancé, David, is a former minor-league pitcher turned stockbroker, who is excited to settle down with Lauren. But when the missing student is found dead, and the media turns its attention even more closely on Lauren, David is surprised to discover that Lauren hadn't told him everything about her past.
With the help of his 91-year-old grandfather, who is a retired town sheriff, and his best friend Jake, the current assistant sheriff, David sets out to find the truth.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Hopkins - 20 years ago, got drunk, sort of admitted to killing Nancy even though she can't remember, (saw you running after her with the murder weapon), Jake, Billy and Lauren were interrogated; Chuck was there
Lauren Stanhope, a teacher, getting fitted for her wedding dress by Nellie Chapman, Amy, Lauren's friend and soon to be sister-in-law,
David Landers, her fiance -meets is grandfather, (91) Gramps for dinner once a week at Hannigans pub. Was a baseball prospect, now in investments, dumped at the altar 10 years ago, by Jillian;
Eric Armstrong, student, is missing; found dead in pond, hit on head with Lauren's club;
Jake, Assistant sheriff, MURDERED;
Randy Sykes, former frat brother moved back to town, wife Sharon is pregnant, asked about investments, recommended by Mark Tsongas;
Officers Scott Gordon and Chris O'Sullivan;
Had the wedding but postponed the honeymoon;
Bonnie Elliot, school principal;
Chuck - one of David's partners, Eric's godfather, KILLED Eric because Eric wanted to let everyone know that Chuck was his biological father. Chuck couldn't have that happen because his wife just got pregnant. He also admitted he was the one who killed Nancy years ago, because she wouldn't date him.

[Gabi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book when I found it in the community room while on vacation in FL, while my kids played tennis. The chapters were super short so I was trekking through. About 1/4 way in, I realized not much was happening past the initial set up. It was a "mystery" that wasn't much of a mystery and I knew exactly what was going to be the outcome (and I was right) well before the halfway point. It should have been a short story but for some reason was dragged out into a short novel length. And then there was not much suspense. Even at the very end, it was like the author was told, 'okay, you have to wrap this up in 2 pages." and well, the entire climax and resolution literally took place in 2 pages. Not very satisfying at all. I likely will not revisit this author and am actually amazed that I stuck with it. Characters were pretty stock and boring and it relied on the plot and circumstance which was really not enough. Oh well.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, an emotional roller coaster!

This is a fast paced book that keeps the reader engaged with believable characters and a believable storyline. Lauren is a teacher engaged to be married within weeks when one of her students who had been missing turns up murdered.

She has to deal with a turmoil of emotions; heartbreak over the death of her student, stress of the upcoming wedding, and to top it off she is a person of interest in the murder of her young student. Then she has to deal with the harassment of the news media and the fear that her fiance might not want to marry her anymore.

Add to this emotional turmoil the fact that Lauren has a secret past that comes to light, and you have a recipe for an honest to goodness suspense thriller that you can't put down! I loved it.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Stanhope is an English teacher in her hometown of Waverly, Massachusetts. In less than 3 weeks, she’ll marry David Landers, the love of her life, and her closest friend and colleague will become her sister-in-law. Could life be any more perfect?

I was unaware that this was the 1st book of a 2-book cozy mystery series until the end of the story. For this reader, it read as a contemporary romance emphasizing the dynamics of the young couple’s relationship rather than a cozy mystery.

I enjoyed the relationship between David and his 91-year-old grandfather, retired sheriff of Waverly, the most. The comfort of their standing Tuesday night dinners at a local pub with good food and conversation was heartwarming, not to mention their adventurous stakeout. That alone would be the reason to spend more time in Waverly.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy when I signed up for the author's newsletter.
It's a thriller mystery suspense but chapter 4 made me laugh, probably the first and last time: "couldn't bring herself to ask for a Venti. What was up with ordering in French?" LOL. It's Italian. I still don't think it's an accident that Randy has all this money and came back to town to show off. At some point, I had no more sympathy for Lauren; she kept talking to the reporters when told repeatedly not to do so. The end is predictable towards the end but the villain was in my list of "persons of interest" all through the book. The pace is fast, they eat a lot (every other page it seems), and there are many details to pay attention to. I really liked Gramps and his wisdom and how David supported his soon-to-be wife all through the ordeal. Real detectives, no sleuth.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Stanhope is a 36-year-old H.S. teacher who appears to have everything she ever wanted.
When a troubled student is found murdered three weeks before her wedding, she becomes the prime suspect. If that's not bad enough, events from her past threaten to be made known. And will make a difficult situation even more difficult.

Pamela Kelley wrote a fun story that has a solid plot line and developed characters. The only fault I had with the story was the descriptions of her cooking abilities. They sound like great meals and a nice hobby to have. The problem is that these scenes are a great filler, but would be a better fit if this was a food based mystery which it is not. I like the story and will be getting the next story in the series.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good mystery, kept me riveted.

the first case was years ago when Lauren was a high school girl that gotten involved to party drinking, a classmate was killed by golf club on the beach. now years after, she is about to get married and changed her look and name, she is back in her old town and there is another case of golf club kiling.

funny thing is all the other book would say this is a coincidence and no one like coincidence that there are no such coincidence, so the same killer must be back in town. but no, didn't find that in this book at all.

I seem to remember the book jacket say Lauren try to solve the mystery before she is convicted and have to go to jail, i read nothing of it. so misleading there.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren is a schoolteacher who's earned respect from parents and her students. What they don't know is that her past may soon haunt her. After learning one of her students is found murdered, she confesses her past to her fiancé, David. Instantly feeling relief; a weight off her shoulders. Even still, she's considered a person of interest.

David is a partner for a well known investment firm. Having grown up with his partners helped. It built trust. All three successful and now all three would be married and settled down. Until the news from their past makes its way to the present.

~ a very quick read. Ending is too unrealistic for my taste.

[Lorraine DeMoranville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a great mystery that only gave hints to the surprise ending as the book came to an end. Normally, I don't like books in a series, but i immediately decided to read Book 2 in this series. Lauren, Jake, and Chuck were all hiding from their past mistake. Now there was a new crime very similar to the one they were accused of long ago. The murder weapon was the same, but lauren, who was a teacher, was arrested for the murder of one of her students just three days before her wedding to David. The twist and turns made good reading kind of like a comfortable Lifetime movie that you hate to see end. I can't wait to start "Motive" the next book in the series.

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren is a school teacher and she is engaged to David. She moves back to her old hometown after some years away. Her name has changed and no one suspects that she used to live there.

Then one day, one of Lauren’s students is found murdered. He was a good looking, older looking kid. Since everyone knows he had a crush on a much older woman, it is assumed Lauren is it and she is under speculation for his murder. The weapon is found after the body is discovered and Lauren’s finger prints are on it. And the weapon is her golf club.

It’s a story of discovery and digging to find the truth.
4 stars