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Number 1 with a Bullet
Every Sherlock needs his Watson, every Hercule Poirot his Captain Hastings. Who else could tell their stories that we might share in their adventures?
Meet Simon Fletcher, a recently (and reluctantly) retired Marine, at present the facilities and security manager for Lake Tahoe’s exclusive Bright Star Summer RV Residence. Enter Miss BD Finch, who shortly embroils Simon Fletcher in mystery, mayhem and . . . murder.
Indeed, life at Bright Star takes several left-hand turns when the diminutive and enigmatic Miss Finch, driving a restored classic panel wagon and towing a seventeen-foot travel trailer, attempts to check in. In addition to her nonexclusive and somewhat unusual “rig,” Miss Finch herself is never what people expect. Those around her generally find themselves knocked off-kilter, including and especially those she’s scrutinizing—because although our delightfully unpredictable Miss Finch has many talents, she is also an investigator. The private kind.
And when Miss Finch arrives on the south shore of Lake Tahoe for a summer of rest and recuperation, her R&R does not go as planned. Rather, “things” go oddly awry. Dangerously awry.
Prepare yourself for . . . The Tahoe Mysteries.
Book 1: Number 1 with a Bullet
Book 2: Be Quick or Be Dead, 2025
Book 3: Death on the Big Blue, 2026
Murder by Accident, A Miss Finch Prequel, 2025
Meet Simon Fletcher, a recently (and reluctantly) retired Marine, at present the facilities and security manager for Lake Tahoe’s exclusive Bright Star Summer RV Residence. Enter Miss BD Finch, who shortly embroils Simon Fletcher in mystery, mayhem and . . . murder.
Indeed, life at Bright Star takes several left-hand turns when the diminutive and enigmatic Miss Finch, driving a restored classic panel wagon and towing a seventeen-foot travel trailer, attempts to check in. In addition to her nonexclusive and somewhat unusual “rig,” Miss Finch herself is never what people expect. Those around her generally find themselves knocked off-kilter, including and especially those she’s scrutinizing—because although our delightfully unpredictable Miss Finch has many talents, she is also an investigator. The private kind.
And when Miss Finch arrives on the south shore of Lake Tahoe for a summer of rest and recuperation, her R&R does not go as planned. Rather, “things” go oddly awry. Dangerously awry.
Prepare yourself for . . . The Tahoe Mysteries.
Book 1: Number 1 with a Bullet
Book 2: Be Quick or Be Dead, 2025
Book 3: Death on the Big Blue, 2026
Murder by Accident, A Miss Finch Prequel, 2025
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2024
6 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Vikki Kestell
53 books211 followersVikki Kestell’s passion for people and their stories is evident in her readers’ affection for her characters and unusual plotlines. Two often repeated sentiments are, "I feel like I know these people," and "I'm right there, in the book, experiencing what her characters experience."
Vikki holds a PhD in organizational learning and instructional technologies. She left a career of twenty-plus years in government, academia, and corporate life to pursue writing full time. "Writing is the best job ever," she admits.
Also an accomplished speaker and teacher, Vikki and her husband, Conrad Smith, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Want to be notified of new book releases? Sign up for Vikki's newsletter on her website, http://www.vikkikestell.com/, or connect with her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TheWritingOfV..., or follow her on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vikki..., or right here on Goodreads.
Vikki holds a PhD in organizational learning and instructional technologies. She left a career of twenty-plus years in government, academia, and corporate life to pursue writing full time. "Writing is the best job ever," she admits.
Also an accomplished speaker and teacher, Vikki and her husband, Conrad Smith, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Want to be notified of new book releases? Sign up for Vikki's newsletter on her website, http://www.vikkikestell.com/, or connect with her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TheWritingOfV..., or follow her on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vikki..., or right here on Goodreads.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 17, 2025
Simon Fletcher is a forty-eight year old retired Marine now serving as a security manager for an upscale RV park owned by one of his best friends.
Sixty-two year old Beedee Finch is a…well, it’s really hard to say what Miss Finch is because it seems she's done nearly everything in her life. Competitive motocross rider in her younger days, she's an author and private investigator, and presumably in hiding from a hit out on her life. Currently she's the first summer resident in the posh Lake Tahoe RV community.
When everything that could possibly go wrong with the opening of this resort does seem to go wrong, in steps Miss Finch, who seems not only to be a Godsend, but almost magical in her extraordinary abilities to make things happen.
On top of the two of them running this resort in the owners absence (all part of what has gone wrong) Simon has been tasked with being guardian for the owners wayward nephew as a court ordered issue. A conformed bachelor and a spoiled, rude, difficult teenager make a rough combination, but it all (especially with Miss Finch) makes for a fascinating, fun book.
I’m going to suggest the books in this series might be more for teens and young adults, but definitely intelligent enough for us regular adults. Engaging and creative! Not to mention the faith element is so right on. The gospel is shared and lives are changed. Loved it all.
Sixty-two year old Beedee Finch is a…well, it’s really hard to say what Miss Finch is because it seems she's done nearly everything in her life. Competitive motocross rider in her younger days, she's an author and private investigator, and presumably in hiding from a hit out on her life. Currently she's the first summer resident in the posh Lake Tahoe RV community.
When everything that could possibly go wrong with the opening of this resort does seem to go wrong, in steps Miss Finch, who seems not only to be a Godsend, but almost magical in her extraordinary abilities to make things happen.
On top of the two of them running this resort in the owners absence (all part of what has gone wrong) Simon has been tasked with being guardian for the owners wayward nephew as a court ordered issue. A conformed bachelor and a spoiled, rude, difficult teenager make a rough combination, but it all (especially with Miss Finch) makes for a fascinating, fun book.
I’m going to suggest the books in this series might be more for teens and young adults, but definitely intelligent enough for us regular adults. Engaging and creative! Not to mention the faith element is so right on. The gospel is shared and lives are changed. Loved it all.
October 6, 2024
I loved this book - different from any of Vikki's other books. Shows again what a multi-talented author she is.
the characters are well drawn - I can see each one in my mind, and I cared about them! I loved the scintillating conversation between Miss Finch and Fletch. And the scenes with Skipper always tugged at my heart. How many nicknames can you make out of Skipper?
This book not only weaves a good mystery with unexpected twists and turns, it is also about life lessons. A strong message of grace, but also of responsibility. Never preachy, always full of faith.
I highly recommend 'Number 1 With a Bullet' by Vikki Kestell. My only complaint is the wait time for the next book in the series...LOL
the characters are well drawn - I can see each one in my mind, and I cared about them! I loved the scintillating conversation between Miss Finch and Fletch. And the scenes with Skipper always tugged at my heart. How many nicknames can you make out of Skipper?
This book not only weaves a good mystery with unexpected twists and turns, it is also about life lessons. A strong message of grace, but also of responsibility. Never preachy, always full of faith.
I highly recommend 'Number 1 With a Bullet' by Vikki Kestell. My only complaint is the wait time for the next book in the series...LOL
October 8, 2024
Wow! That was excellent!
When this new series was announced I was excited to read the first book. I live near this area so I have a secondary interest. But my primary interest is that I've read all of Kestell's books and was excited to start the new series.
This first volume in "The Tahoe Mysteries" series does not disappoint! The characters are compelling and the storyline draws you in right from the start. The introduction to the characters and setting for the series takes several chapters but that is to be expected from a new series.
Readers familiar with Lake Tahoe will immediately recognize the setting and will find the "luxury camp" very believable. Overall an excellent story and a wonderful start to a new series! I anxiously await the next volume.
When this new series was announced I was excited to read the first book. I live near this area so I have a secondary interest. But my primary interest is that I've read all of Kestell's books and was excited to start the new series.
This first volume in "The Tahoe Mysteries" series does not disappoint! The characters are compelling and the storyline draws you in right from the start. The introduction to the characters and setting for the series takes several chapters but that is to be expected from a new series.
Readers familiar with Lake Tahoe will immediately recognize the setting and will find the "luxury camp" very believable. Overall an excellent story and a wonderful start to a new series! I anxiously await the next volume.
October 24, 2024
I have read and loved everything Vikki Kestell has written, so I eagerly awaited this one. As always, I loved it. She just has this wonderful way of bringing characters to life; and in this case, they were engaging, interesting (actually fascinating), funny, and sometimes a little delightfully quirky. I have always loved a good mystery, and this is a dandy. When you combine the awesome characters, with a great mystery, lots of humor, and the wonderful element of faith woven throughout, you have a winner. Number 1 with a Bullet is a winner! I can't wait for book two in this series.
March 31, 2025
You're going to love this book!
What happens when a crusty ex marine.... oops, once a marine; always a marine... anyway... when he encounters a diminutive and fascinating woman driving an old Woody? Oh, and she's also towing an old travel trailer about to settle into an exclusive RV park where he works.
The dialog is entertaining, the mystery is intriguing, much happens as you follow the exploits of Miss Finch and Mr Fletcher. Plan on not getting much done after starting the book because you won't want to put it down.
What happens when a crusty ex marine.... oops, once a marine; always a marine... anyway... when he encounters a diminutive and fascinating woman driving an old Woody? Oh, and she's also towing an old travel trailer about to settle into an exclusive RV park where he works.
The dialog is entertaining, the mystery is intriguing, much happens as you follow the exploits of Miss Finch and Mr Fletcher. Plan on not getting much done after starting the book because you won't want to put it down.
November 22, 2024
Hurray!
I finally get something new from Vikki Kestell, having read all her works, I agitated a great glimpse into this new series that I have not doubt will grow. The characters are excellent even with what they don’t know about each others. It seems everything is a surprise so I can’t say anything without giving the plot away. A BEST read from a Best of the Best authors.
I finally get something new from Vikki Kestell, having read all her works, I agitated a great glimpse into this new series that I have not doubt will grow. The characters are excellent even with what they don’t know about each others. It seems everything is a surprise so I can’t say anything without giving the plot away. A BEST read from a Best of the Best authors.
October 6, 2024
A very good read.
If Vikki Kestell is the author then the book is for me. She has done it again, another can't stop reading book. Miss Finch has a couple of things in common with Vikki. I loved the book, Vikki. God bless you.
If Vikki Kestell is the author then the book is for me. She has done it again, another can't stop reading book. Miss Finch has a couple of things in common with Vikki. I loved the book, Vikki. God bless you.
October 8, 2024
I loved it!
It’s one in the morning and I’m still up because I just had to finish. What a fun story with very interesting characters, a good, complicated mystery, and humor. It’s going to be hard to wait a whole year until the next book comes out.
It’s one in the morning and I’m still up because I just had to finish. What a fun story with very interesting characters, a good, complicated mystery, and humor. It’s going to be hard to wait a whole year until the next book comes out.
October 29, 2024
Twists and turns !
I love the character development. I love the fun and quirky entertainment. Most of all, thank you for sharing Christian themes.
Thank you for this exciting page-turner!
I love the character development. I love the fun and quirky entertainment. Most of all, thank you for sharing Christian themes.
Thank you for this exciting page-turner!
October 21, 2025
I eagerly snatched up this book after reading the prequel in an anthology. I was disappointed. This book just dragged on for so long and was so descriptive! I found myself skipping over several pages just to get to the point. It could’ve been half the length and it would’ve been much better.
November 17, 2025
Lots of surprises
Do not remember reading any of MS. Kestell's books. But will definitely not be my last. There was humor, attempted murder and the surprising development of a young rebal, A retired marine and a mature lady. More surprise are hinted at.
Do not remember reading any of MS. Kestell's books. But will definitely not be my last. There was humor, attempted murder and the surprising development of a young rebal, A retired marine and a mature lady. More surprise are hinted at.
October 11, 2024
Great book! Kestell never disappoints! I really enjoyed the characters....going to be hard to wait for book 2.
March 29, 2025
Love these characters, but feel it has some plot holes.
November 11, 2025
Superb
Not my usual type of book but found it really easy going with amazing characters and a very good plot. Throw in the odd twist and bingo, a really good read.
Not my usual type of book but found it really easy going with amazing characters and a very good plot. Throw in the odd twist and bingo, a really good read.
November 13, 2025
Delightful
Really enjoyed this book. The characters, setting and story line kept me turning the pages late into the night. Fun read
Really enjoyed this book. The characters, setting and story line kept me turning the pages late into the night. Fun read
November 8, 2025
Drumroll please!
From the first page to the last, I was on the edge of my seat. This is a gripping mystery set in a lavish RV park, which one would expect to be quietly peaceful, sedate and restful. Not for the characters in this novel. They are faced with everyday challenges, as well as life and death ones, yet they navigate them with the grace of God. This book kept me up way past my bedtime. If you like suspense, delivered in a faith-filled fashion, this book is for you. If you’re not a faith-filled person, this book is for you too. First book, in what can only be a fabulous series. Thank you Vikki for another great read.
Jeanne
From the first page to the last, I was on the edge of my seat. This is a gripping mystery set in a lavish RV park, which one would expect to be quietly peaceful, sedate and restful. Not for the characters in this novel. They are faced with everyday challenges, as well as life and death ones, yet they navigate them with the grace of God. This book kept me up way past my bedtime. If you like suspense, delivered in a faith-filled fashion, this book is for you. If you’re not a faith-filled person, this book is for you too. First book, in what can only be a fabulous series. Thank you Vikki for another great read.
Jeanne
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews