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Sweetwater Falls Mystery #9

Summer in the Falls

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While the town prepares for the annual local festival.
Spenser helps with the festivities while chatting with the residents.
Unfortunately the pleasantry is interrupted when Spenser runs into Rafe Johnson,
the man beginning his campaign to unseat her as sheriff.


The standoff between them is tense with Spenser deciding to walk away.
Fortunately, when she arrived home to Ryker, she was able to drop down her guard.
As he works on his fields, planting an apple orchard for his new apple cider business.

The semi-peace is short-lived when the lead singer of a local band drops dead on stage.
Initially, it seems to be an open and shut case of overdose.
But when the toxicology reports find poison in the victim,
No one, not even Spenser, would have ever expected the troves of victims, or the illicit and depraved turn the case would take.

It seems life at Sweetwater Falls has a way of keeping everyone on their toes.
Sex, drugs, murder, and rock & tumble. It’s just another gorgeous day here in the Falls.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2024

1265 people are currently reading
234 people want to read

About the author

Elle Gray

131 books674 followers
Elle Gray lives in a small town with her 2 cats, and her handsome husky.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.

Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.

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5 stars
2,850 (70%)
4 stars
939 (23%)
3 stars
196 (4%)
2 stars
28 (<1%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
68 reviews
March 27, 2025
Although I’m enjoying this series, this book left me cold. Song’s nemesis, Alex Ricci, teams up with a man to try to derail Song’s bid for re- election. Really?? Ricci is a notorious hitman! Why would he try to destroy her career rather than kill her?? And there he is, a hitman the FBI has been searching for for years, sitting in a town hall meeting in Sweetwater Falls!!! Seriously? How about contacting the FBI and have this guy locked up? And they bring up the murder trial of her ex partner and have all sorts of info on the case! It’s an FBI case! How do they have so much info!?
Song constantly states in this series she’s “highly trained” and can take care of herself, yet she, once again (and it has happened numerous times) gets attacked at her cabin and is unable to defend herself! BTW, why would Ryker, knowing there’s a hitman after her, allow her to go to her cabin by herself?
The author needs to come up with new verbiage. The same lines are used throughout the series. If I read “circle back” one more time I was going to scream! And by now, her heart should have exploded from “swelling” every time Ryker looked at her!
Profile Image for Ricki.
1,395 reviews14 followers
June 27, 2024
This series is always a quick read. Lots of festivals in this town, this time Strawberry, during which a country singer dies on stage. The local Doc/coroner is quickly ready to declare this a heart attack but Spensers spidey sense tells her its not.

Supposedly, this well liked guy had no enemies. Turns out he wasn't as well liked as he was made out to be and instead is steriod abuser, womanizer and plagiarist with lots of enemies. As Spenser delves deeper into his background, they finally narrow it down.

At the same time, Spenser's up for reelection soon and a local is running against her with assistance from the tabliod and her enemy from NY-Alex. They try to get her recalled but she holds her own until she is attacked by Alex on her doorstep. Of course there is a cliff-hanger to the next book.

Its a good fast read but always seems to have a lot of typos -( i.e. Sherrif???)
14 reviews
November 27, 2025
Another rest Sweetwater Falls Mystery

Elle Gray brings the story to a wonderful understanding of finding the truth to the full extent. I would of loved to see the sheriff Song use more than just Amanda and her brother. I know each officer under has a specific skill that should be shown through out her writing these books. Sometimes with just them three it gets boring not to see how she isn't training the other officers their special knowledge and skills how to be the best in their fields of the law. She still has a great twist to the book but needs to include other officers too.
420 reviews4 followers
July 15, 2024
Summer in the Falls(A Sweetwater Falls Mystery Book 9)

OMG!!!!!!!!!! This book was amazing and terrifying, but I loved every minute of it. Spencer starts off trying to keep her job, to solving a murder. I think she saves her job, but her former partner's(from the FBI) brother is going to try and kill her, he attacks, but we are left wondering if she can survive. She also managed not to kill him, so he can go to jail right beside his brother. I can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for L A.
22 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2024
pretty Solid series

I really love the characters, and each story has been pretty solid. Easy to read series, I love my trips to Sweetwater falls when a new book comes our.

here's my biggest detractors with the series, and there small.

I'm starting to struggle with some of the repetitive phrases... for example how many inches taller or shorter each character is compared to "Spencer's 5'9" frame"

and also Spencer's a smart, well trained officer, how many times is she gonna blindly walk into danger unaware at the cabin?
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,631 reviews9 followers
August 28, 2024
whoa! shattering conclusion to twisted tale

While investigating the untimely death of a local singer-songwriter in the midst of the Strawberry Festival, Spenser is beset by a muckraker journalist and her election foe, Johansen, with outright lies and sly innuendo throwing shade on Spenser’s name, career, morals and ethics by means of bureaucratic procedures, attempting to oust her by a Council vote of no confidence.

While battling for her job and reputation, the murder investigation hones in on a suspect wily and duplicitous.
67 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2024
A must read!

What a great read! This is a book I couldn't put down. I Stayed up to read it. Spenser Song had a murder to solve, and the twists and turns and the number of suspets keeps growing. All this along with the father of a previous felon coming after her job as Sheriff and Ricci coming after her. You love mysteries, this is one you don't want to miss. Of course Elle Gray is a terrific writer that you will want to read all her books.
28 reviews
January 7, 2025
my favorite book of the series Ella Gray has a way with her characters. She intertwined them into the stories and you just cannot quit until you read the end of the book. I am onto the next set.

Elle Gray is an awesome author, I love how she works with her characters and makes them special, she sometimes brings some of the characters back. This book was was my favorite of the series so far. Spencer is a very strong woman. I am onto the next set.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews9 followers
March 24, 2025
need five more stars. Sheriff spencer Song will dig until she finds the true killer of Seth.

Sheriff Song is under attack by the man who’s son is in jail for molesting. two high school jocks and almost killing them. The father wants his son out of jail. So he joins up with the murderer of Spencers husband to make her sound weak and incompetent. But she is none of those things so she gently fights back meanwhile trying to close Seth’s murder.
Profile Image for cheryl slaton.
542 reviews3 followers
July 24, 2025
Review

A singer died on stage in front of the sheriff and the coroner examination said cardiac arrest but the sheriff found an unexplained insertion site on his abdomen and refused to release the cause of death. The more the sheriff delved into his background the more insidious his sins were including stealing money from a colleague, music and songs from a friend and finally making videos of all the women he was screwing.
Enjoy
16 reviews
November 19, 2025
Better and Better

Elle Gray and her development of Spenser Song and her ongoing and increasingly dangerous and suspenseful adventures in Sweetwater Falls are amazing. This series is a total must read for any reader who enjoys mystery, intrigue, brilliant detective work, or just outright thrilling suspense. Once you start this series, you will want to continue it to the very end to see what else life holds for Spenser, both professionally and personally.
Profile Image for doreen.
1,041 reviews3 followers
January 19, 2026
3.5 stars:
Here is my issue with multiple books in a series. They start to loose their appeal for me. Well I hit it at book 9. The story is starting to lack luster. There wasn't any suspense in this book. If your not going to do suspense have the drama more interesting. For me it just fell apart. Rafe little stint was "blah". He remind me of the wicked witch " I'll get you my pretty"...... and that was it........ I will continue with the next book, since its on Kindle Unlimited.
244 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2024
One if The best

This story its a continuation of 9 great stories. I really enjoy the dynamics of the characters. The build up to the end had me at the edge. This book is about a small town but the events and evil people are everywhere. Another good one from Elle, she never disappoints.
68 reviews4 followers
July 29, 2024
Don't mess with this lady Sheriff!

Sheriff Spencer Song is both smart and tough! She has to not only deal with murderers that manage to hide in plain sight, the town Council is being manipulated to believe she doesn't do her job. Wrong again! She is still wearing her Stetson, badge, and gun!
4 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2024
Amazing author

I have now read several books by Elle Gray and have found them to be exceptional in every way. She is very imaginative and her stories are excellent. I would recommend anyone liking mystery books to definitely look at this author. I know you will be very pleased that you did. Incredible work!!
Profile Image for MARY MAYO.
24 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2024
Sweetwater falls mystery books

Elli Gray is absolutely one of the best women authors ever. I have so many great authors that I love reading their books. Thank you . This series is very interesting and hard to determine who is the murder in her books always a twist that makes you wonder who did it I am getting ready to read the next book in this series.
1,507 reviews7 followers
June 29, 2024
Summer in the Falls

OMG. This is a great thriller. I could not put this book down. This is an exciting series. I can't wait for the next book. I highly recommend this book and series. I loved it. Keep them coming.
140 reviews
June 29, 2024
Spenser rules again!

Good read again. Spenser gets her team on the right track and finds the killer again.
Great plot and exciting ending. Looking forward to the next chapter in Sweetwater Falss.
Profile Image for Deb.
825 reviews27 followers
June 29, 2024
4.5 This was another exciting book in the Spenser Song series. It had a lot of excitement. The ending was dramatic and held a surprise.

I received a digital ARC of this book, and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
Profile Image for Judy.
36 reviews
July 5, 2024
love this series!

Elle Gray has a way to draw the reader into the story quickly, and make them want to stay.

I’ve read every book in this series and they always leave me wanting the next book immediately!

Can’t wait for #10!!
31 reviews
July 28, 2024
Another winner

This series has delivered again. You can't help but pull for Spencer and her team and they don't disappoint. Ruler and Spencer make a great pair also.

Looking forward to the next book..


92 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2024
Excellent with a tremendous ending

The type of novel you would expect from Ellie. It keeps you on edge the whole timme. I recommend it for all mystery lovers.one of the best of the best. Keep up the good work.
Profile Image for Kim.
228 reviews
October 1, 2024
Spenser meets her match??

Good episode in the Spenser Song series. A character from the last book returns to avenge his son. Feelings become more real for Spenser and Ryker.
72 reviews3 followers
October 8, 2024
Summer in the falls

Kept me engrossed. There were times that I couldn't stand the way Spenser questioned the suspects. Or the way that Amanda behaved.But in the end they solved the crime. What a writer you are. Wow
Profile Image for Raymond Johnson.
38 reviews
February 1, 2025
I found the political line particularly unbelievable. A future candidate for sheriff works with a cartel hit man and is taken seriously: unbelievable. Ryker lets Song go back to the cabin alone AGAIN, despite having told her the hit man could attack her at any time….
274 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2025
Great book

This book in the series brings Sheriff Song against the people who hate her most. A new case to fighting and fighting for her job who will win. Also the man who killed her husband is aiming for her.
82 reviews
March 7, 2025
She did it again! What a read!

If you haven't read any of these books I feel sorry for you. What a great story teller and writer. I swear I will read every book she has written and I hope you will join me.
1 review
June 22, 2025
A real page turner.

As always, the story of sheriff Spenser Strong kept me interested and intrigued as to how the mystery would work its way out. I was pleased at how things fell into place and the good prevailed over the bad again.
11 reviews
May 28, 2024
This whole series was fabulous!!! Love the story of Spencer!!!!
286 reviews3 followers
June 28, 2024
quick read

Good stories and quick reads. I’m glad some of the villains are fully in the light now and that even though they don’t always agree, Spenser is making her way to success
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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