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Smiley and McBlythe #0.5,1-2
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series: Books 1-3
The case that started it all for Smiley and McBlythe's partnership (prequel novella), PLUS books one and two — all in one collection! Books Exercise Is Murder (prequel), Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells (book two), Pistols And Poinsettias (book three). Each book is a complete whodunit mystery.
Exercise Is Murder Blind PI Steve Smiley and his partner set out to find his friend's killer. When a bullet whizzes by, he knows he's on the right trail. But will his sleuthing lead them to the killer, or get them both killed?
Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells
When blind PI Steve Smiley and his partner rescue a teen whose adopted father is murdered, the girl has one passionate find her birth parents.
Their investigation uncovers a host of murder suspects and a shocking secret. Will this be the best Christmas ever, or will death and destruction be the only gifts under the tree?
Pistols And Poinsettias
Teaching at a mystery writers' conference was supposed to be an escape from Christmas for blind PI Steve Smiley and his partner. Not one, but two, bodies turn it into a working holiday.
The partners make a plan to expose the murderer, but the killer has a plan too. Steve’s not worried about enduring another lonely Christmas... this year he just wants to survive it.
Free up your weekend and binge the first three cases for Smiley and McBlythe! All are stand-alone complete mysteries and all are free of graphic violence, foul language and sex scenes.
Exercise Is Murder Blind PI Steve Smiley and his partner set out to find his friend's killer. When a bullet whizzes by, he knows he's on the right trail. But will his sleuthing lead them to the killer, or get them both killed?
Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells
When blind PI Steve Smiley and his partner rescue a teen whose adopted father is murdered, the girl has one passionate find her birth parents.
Their investigation uncovers a host of murder suspects and a shocking secret. Will this be the best Christmas ever, or will death and destruction be the only gifts under the tree?
Pistols And Poinsettias
Teaching at a mystery writers' conference was supposed to be an escape from Christmas for blind PI Steve Smiley and his partner. Not one, but two, bodies turn it into a working holiday.
The partners make a plan to expose the murderer, but the killer has a plan too. Steve’s not worried about enduring another lonely Christmas... this year he just wants to survive it.
Free up your weekend and binge the first three cases for Smiley and McBlythe! All are stand-alone complete mysteries and all are free of graphic violence, foul language and sex scenes.
579 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2020
About the author
Bruce Hammack
50 books434 followersDrawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries.
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 2, 2025
A great introduction
These three stories are a superb introduction to Steve and Heather. The plots are rich and compelling and the characters are well conceived. I look forward to reading the whole series.
I do have two minor complaints, both relating to language and wired use. First, despite Bella's age and because she's spent most of her life in the public eye, including a lot of public speaking, I wouldn't expect her to use bad grammar, such as starting a sentence with "Me and [fill in the blank]. I realize this is nitpicking but I expect characters to be consistent with themselves and their own history and experiences.
Second, I was quite surprised and disappointed when, in the third story, two women were (unnecessarily) described as being people of color and (inexcusably, in my opinion) given speech patterns that are typically associated with people of color who are poorly educated and/or come from lower economic circumstances. (FWIW, I am white, and this complaint is objective and impersonal.) complaint. I hope it will be taken constructively, as it's intended.)
These three stories are a superb introduction to Steve and Heather. The plots are rich and compelling and the characters are well conceived. I look forward to reading the whole series.
I do have two minor complaints, both relating to language and wired use. First, despite Bella's age and because she's spent most of her life in the public eye, including a lot of public speaking, I wouldn't expect her to use bad grammar, such as starting a sentence with "Me and [fill in the blank]. I realize this is nitpicking but I expect characters to be consistent with themselves and their own history and experiences.
Second, I was quite surprised and disappointed when, in the third story, two women were (unnecessarily) described as being people of color and (inexcusably, in my opinion) given speech patterns that are typically associated with people of color who are poorly educated and/or come from lower economic circumstances. (FWIW, I am white, and this complaint is objective and impersonal.) complaint. I hope it will be taken constructively, as it's intended.)
December 5, 2025
Just finished this tonight! Such excellent writing and plenty of spunk, snark, and suspicion throughout each story. From building the foundation of Steve and Heather's working relationship to solving (and saving) lives, each story builds on the previous yet is fully capable of standing alone. Love that there is no swearing, no sex, no gratuitous violence; instead, the stories are filled with thoughtful clues, insights, and puzzles that make it a challenge to solve before the sleuths.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
April 15, 2025
Smiley and McBlythe series
I really enjoyed this series! Great characters and story lines! Found myself trying to beat them at solving the mysteries before they did by the second book! Will go see if there are more! Enjoy!
I really enjoyed this series! Great characters and story lines! Found myself trying to beat them at solving the mysteries before they did by the second book! Will go see if there are more! Enjoy!
March 4, 2025
I really enjoy the characters in these stories. Looking forward to reading other stories about them. Recommended
December 30, 2025
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series:
A Question of Murder - This short story steps back in time when Vega becomes Smiley's partner. Smiley invests in Leo and his training in an interesting form of training. I had this method used on me by my favorite EE boss. 5*
Exercise Is Murder, prequel - An interesting and immersing introduction to Steve Smiley and Heather McBlythe
and their beginnings. Recommend reading this first. 4*
Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells, 1 - Interesting and immersing easy read with a steady pace, good story lines, good characters and good values made this a hard to put down read. Recommend reading the prequel, Exercise is Murder first. 5*
Pistols And Poinsettias, #2 - A fun, clean, entertaining read with missing people, a murder and felony theft mixed with a variety of characters and well written story lines. Source: My Kindle library. 4*
Murder In The Dunes, #4 - Difficult to put down with its steady pace, easy to read writing style and good characters and story lines. 5*
The Name Game Murder, #5 - Interesting and entertaining story lines with good characters and clean dialog. I enjoy the relationships between Steve and Heather and how they mesh without an silly drama. A hilarious goof: Fayette County does not lose power with our electric supplier BEC, as proven by the last two years of ice storms. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
Murder Down The Line, #6 - This is an enjoyable, entertaining series. I like the main characters, the well thought out story lines, and the processes to solve the crimes. Two crimes and a surprise made for a hard to put down read but the pages flew by rapidly. Source: BookSirens. 5*
Mistletoe, Malice And Murder, #9 - Interesting but too easy to figure out the murderer. Good story lines with humor and good characters. Source: BookSirens. 4*
A Beach to Die For, #10 - While still an interesting story, it was missing something. I had a hard time, here and there, keeping my interest in the story. Good characters and story lines, but an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
Dig Deep For Murder, #11 - I never get tired of reading these books and love it when I binge on several. Like the others in the series, well written, good characters, interesting story lines, and twist here and there. Steady pace included makes for a hard to put down read. Source: BookSirens. 5*
A Murder Christmas Cay, #12 - Not much humor but plenty of romance from an unlikely duo mixed with good characters, well written story lines and a couple of twists made for another hard to put down read. Entertaining and interesting with a bit of intrigue. Source:BookSirens. 5*
The Long Fall - A short, condensed, quick read. Interesting story lines but not as detailed since this is a novella. Good characters. Source: Forgotten, not an ARC. 4*
Dog Gone Christmas Murder - A short story set before Dig Deep for Murder. Lots of humor, a murder, two kidnappings and the author still managed an interesting read in a few chapters. Source: The author's thank you to his readers. 4*
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series end.
A Question of Murder - This short story steps back in time when Vega becomes Smiley's partner. Smiley invests in Leo and his training in an interesting form of training. I had this method used on me by my favorite EE boss. 5*
Exercise Is Murder, prequel - An interesting and immersing introduction to Steve Smiley and Heather McBlythe
and their beginnings. Recommend reading this first. 4*
Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells, 1 - Interesting and immersing easy read with a steady pace, good story lines, good characters and good values made this a hard to put down read. Recommend reading the prequel, Exercise is Murder first. 5*
Pistols And Poinsettias, #2 - A fun, clean, entertaining read with missing people, a murder and felony theft mixed with a variety of characters and well written story lines. Source: My Kindle library. 4*
Murder In The Dunes, #4 - Difficult to put down with its steady pace, easy to read writing style and good characters and story lines. 5*
The Name Game Murder, #5 - Interesting and entertaining story lines with good characters and clean dialog. I enjoy the relationships between Steve and Heather and how they mesh without an silly drama. A hilarious goof: Fayette County does not lose power with our electric supplier BEC, as proven by the last two years of ice storms. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
Murder Down The Line, #6 - This is an enjoyable, entertaining series. I like the main characters, the well thought out story lines, and the processes to solve the crimes. Two crimes and a surprise made for a hard to put down read but the pages flew by rapidly. Source: BookSirens. 5*
Mistletoe, Malice And Murder, #9 - Interesting but too easy to figure out the murderer. Good story lines with humor and good characters. Source: BookSirens. 4*
A Beach to Die For, #10 - While still an interesting story, it was missing something. I had a hard time, here and there, keeping my interest in the story. Good characters and story lines, but an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
Dig Deep For Murder, #11 - I never get tired of reading these books and love it when I binge on several. Like the others in the series, well written, good characters, interesting story lines, and twist here and there. Steady pace included makes for a hard to put down read. Source: BookSirens. 5*
A Murder Christmas Cay, #12 - Not much humor but plenty of romance from an unlikely duo mixed with good characters, well written story lines and a couple of twists made for another hard to put down read. Entertaining and interesting with a bit of intrigue. Source:BookSirens. 5*
The Long Fall - A short, condensed, quick read. Interesting story lines but not as detailed since this is a novella. Good characters. Source: Forgotten, not an ARC. 4*
Dog Gone Christmas Murder - A short story set before Dig Deep for Murder. Lots of humor, a murder, two kidnappings and the author still managed an interesting read in a few chapters. Source: The author's thank you to his readers. 4*
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series end.
December 30, 2025
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series:
A Question of Murder - This short story steps back in time when Vega becomes Smiley's partner. Smiley invests in Leo and his training in an interesting form of training. I had this method used on me by my favorite EE boss. 5*
Exercise Is Murder, prequel - An interesting and immersing introduction to Steve Smiley and Heather McBlythe
and their beginnings. Recommend reading this first. 4*
Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells, 1 - Interesting and immersing easy read with a steady pace, good story lines, good characters and good values made this a hard to put down read. Recommend reading the prequel, Exercise is Murder first. 5*
Pistols And Poinsettias, #2 - A fun, clean, entertaining read with missing people, a murder and felony theft mixed with a variety of characters and well written story lines. Source: My Kindle library. 4*
Murder In The Dunes, #4 - Difficult to put down with its steady pace, easy to read writing style and good characters and story lines. 5*
The Name Game Murder, #5 - Interesting and entertaining story lines with good characters and clean dialog. I enjoy the relationships between Steve and Heather and how they mesh without an silly drama. A hilarious goof: Fayette County does not lose power with our electric supplier BEC, as proven by the last two years of ice storms. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
Murder Down The Line, #6 - This is an enjoyable, entertaining series. I like the main characters, the well thought out story lines, and the processes to solve the crimes. Two crimes and a surprise made for a hard to put down read but the pages flew by rapidly. Source: BookSirens. 5*
Mistletoe, Malice And Murder, #9 - Interesting but too easy to figure out the murderer. Good story lines with humor and good characters. Source: BookSirens. 4*
A Beach to Die For, #10 - While still an interesting story, it was missing something. I had a hard time, here and there, keeping my interest in the story. Good characters and story lines, but an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
Dig Deep For Murder, #11 - I never get tired of reading these books and love it when I binge on several. Like the others in the series, well written, good characters, interesting story lines, and twist here and there. Steady pace included makes for a hard to put down read. Source: BookSirens. 5*
A Murder Christmas Cay, #12 - Not much humor but plenty of romance from an unlikely duo mixed with good characters, well written story lines and a couple of twists made for another hard to put down read. Entertaining and interesting with a bit of intrigue. Source:BookSirens. 5*
The Long Fall - A short, condensed, quick read. Interesting story lines but not as detailed since this is a novella. Good characters. Source: Forgotten, not an ARC. 4*
Dog Gone Christmas Murder - A short story set before Dig Deep for Murder. Lots of humor, a murder, two kidnappings and the author still managed an interesting read in a few chapters. Source: The author's thank you to his readers. 4*
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series end.
A Question of Murder - This short story steps back in time when Vega becomes Smiley's partner. Smiley invests in Leo and his training in an interesting form of training. I had this method used on me by my favorite EE boss. 5*
Exercise Is Murder, prequel - An interesting and immersing introduction to Steve Smiley and Heather McBlythe
and their beginnings. Recommend reading this first. 4*
Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells, 1 - Interesting and immersing easy read with a steady pace, good story lines, good characters and good values made this a hard to put down read. Recommend reading the prequel, Exercise is Murder first. 5*
Pistols And Poinsettias, #2 - A fun, clean, entertaining read with missing people, a murder and felony theft mixed with a variety of characters and well written story lines. Source: My Kindle library. 4*
Murder In The Dunes, #4 - Difficult to put down with its steady pace, easy to read writing style and good characters and story lines. 5*
The Name Game Murder, #5 - Interesting and entertaining story lines with good characters and clean dialog. I enjoy the relationships between Steve and Heather and how they mesh without an silly drama. A hilarious goof: Fayette County does not lose power with our electric supplier BEC, as proven by the last two years of ice storms. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
Murder Down The Line, #6 - This is an enjoyable, entertaining series. I like the main characters, the well thought out story lines, and the processes to solve the crimes. Two crimes and a surprise made for a hard to put down read but the pages flew by rapidly. Source: BookSirens. 5*
Mistletoe, Malice And Murder, #9 - Interesting but too easy to figure out the murderer. Good story lines with humor and good characters. Source: BookSirens. 4*
A Beach to Die For, #10 - While still an interesting story, it was missing something. I had a hard time, here and there, keeping my interest in the story. Good characters and story lines, but an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
Dig Deep For Murder, #11 - I never get tired of reading these books and love it when I binge on several. Like the others in the series, well written, good characters, interesting story lines, and twist here and there. Steady pace included makes for a hard to put down read. Source: BookSirens. 5*
A Murder Christmas Cay, #12 - Not much humor but plenty of romance from an unlikely duo mixed with good characters, well written story lines and a couple of twists made for another hard to put down read. Entertaining and interesting with a bit of intrigue. Source:BookSirens. 5*
The Long Fall - A short, condensed, quick read. Interesting story lines but not as detailed since this is a novella. Good characters. Source: Forgotten, not an ARC. 4*
Dog Gone Christmas Murder - A short story set before Dig Deep for Murder. Lots of humor, a murder, two kidnappings and the author still managed an interesting read in a few chapters. Source: The author's thank you to his readers. 4*
The Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series end.
September 6, 2021
EXERCISE IS MURDER
First I have read by this author, and will look for more it was well written, witty, informative, and keep one guessing . With her different disguises, so she could search, while he interview. The two worked well together with good knowledge of law
and police procedures.
THE LONG FALL
A high school psychic class reunion and the victim had reserved the president suite, and was surprised by his wife coming and showing up early
He was wealthy , opinionated and hard to work with. Did he jump from the balcony of his suite or pushed.
THE ICEHOUSE MURDER
Two former cops one is now blind, working together. She is his eyes giving him the details of the person, and places., He has the unique sense of smell, and sees the color. Cases are solved by this interesting pair of PI. Clean enjoyable how they figure out the murder and why.
Good series, to enjoy.
First I have read by this author, and will look for more it was well written, witty, informative, and keep one guessing . With her different disguises, so she could search, while he interview. The two worked well together with good knowledge of law
and police procedures.
THE LONG FALL
A high school psychic class reunion and the victim had reserved the president suite, and was surprised by his wife coming and showing up early
He was wealthy , opinionated and hard to work with. Did he jump from the balcony of his suite or pushed.
THE ICEHOUSE MURDER
Two former cops one is now blind, working together. She is his eyes giving him the details of the person, and places., He has the unique sense of smell, and sees the color. Cases are solved by this interesting pair of PI. Clean enjoyable how they figure out the murder and why.
Good series, to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews