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Collection of Lies: A Historical Detective Cozy Mystery
She nabbed the criminal. But the masterminds are still out there.
Although she foiled the counterfeit ring and nabbed the criminal, there were still loose ends crime reporter May Beck needed to tie up.
Determined to catch the rats that slipped through the cracks in the case, Beck and her protege Buc will employ her time tested set of rules to follow the clues. But will she get more than she bargained for? Will her search lead her to even bigger criminal masterminds and conspiracies? And is her life once again in danger?
Collection of Lies is the third book in the Beck’s Rules Mysteries series of historical detective cozy mysteries featuring 1950s tough-as-nails crime reporter May Beck as she cleverly turns over every stone to solve crimes in her gritty city.
Although she foiled the counterfeit ring and nabbed the criminal, there were still loose ends crime reporter May Beck needed to tie up.
Determined to catch the rats that slipped through the cracks in the case, Beck and her protege Buc will employ her time tested set of rules to follow the clues. But will she get more than she bargained for? Will her search lead her to even bigger criminal masterminds and conspiracies? And is her life once again in danger?
Collection of Lies is the third book in the Beck’s Rules Mysteries series of historical detective cozy mysteries featuring 1950s tough-as-nails crime reporter May Beck as she cleverly turns over every stone to solve crimes in her gritty city.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2025
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Rudd Hamilton
34 books23 followersA friend once told me "Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life."
I always wanted a mantra that I could truly believe and live every day. I spent my first career in journalism, public relations, real estate, and marketing, trying to find my bliss. But other than raising my children, I only had bouts of loving my various careers. It never lasted, but you have to make a living.
Now I'm in my second career, the search has ended. I moved from Chicago to the year-round warmth and gentle breezes of Southwest Florida. And I am doing things I have always wanted to do, just for the love of it. I am writing fictional novels, children's books, short stories, and essays that relate and retell everyday life experiences in a fun-filled read. I am writing, directing, and acting in a series of mystery "whodunnit" plays. And I am continuing my first love of singing. Now, I have a mantra. I am happily living my best life, as I know it.
I write what I feel and whatever pops into my head, across many genres, with a singular identity...I like to tell everyday people's stories through fiction with heart, humor, and humanity, and all the flaws, choices, and discovery that come with their individual journey.
I invite you to come along for the ride with me and meet some interesting people you may know or would like to know. It may even be you. I promise to try to make you laugh, love, and feel, and I will try not to bore you. I would be honored to be your guide. Welcome.
I always wanted a mantra that I could truly believe and live every day. I spent my first career in journalism, public relations, real estate, and marketing, trying to find my bliss. But other than raising my children, I only had bouts of loving my various careers. It never lasted, but you have to make a living.
Now I'm in my second career, the search has ended. I moved from Chicago to the year-round warmth and gentle breezes of Southwest Florida. And I am doing things I have always wanted to do, just for the love of it. I am writing fictional novels, children's books, short stories, and essays that relate and retell everyday life experiences in a fun-filled read. I am writing, directing, and acting in a series of mystery "whodunnit" plays. And I am continuing my first love of singing. Now, I have a mantra. I am happily living my best life, as I know it.
I write what I feel and whatever pops into my head, across many genres, with a singular identity...I like to tell everyday people's stories through fiction with heart, humor, and humanity, and all the flaws, choices, and discovery that come with their individual journey.
I invite you to come along for the ride with me and meet some interesting people you may know or would like to know. It may even be you. I promise to try to make you laugh, love, and feel, and I will try not to bore you. I would be honored to be your guide. Welcome.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 3, 2025
Collection of Lies is the 3rd book in Beck’s Rules, a historical mystery series set in the mid 1950s. I read it as a stand alone and had no issues. May Beck, a highly competent and feisty crime reporter in a city near Chicago, is delving into a long ago death attributed to a heart attack. She suspects it was murder. With the aid & support of Buc, her protege, Ernie, an honest cop, and her best friend Kat, May investigates a local criminal family with ties to the deceased. I thought the story was well paced and an easy & enjoyable read. I also appreciated the author’s use of one of May Beck’s “rules” as the title of each chapter.
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August 29, 2025This book is a story chasing a crime family and a who dun it? The story's main character is May Beck a writer for a newspaper. I find the rules she follows rather entertaining because I've heard them all. For example, Never ignore your gut! I have been there!
The story is about a counterfeit ring. However, the master mind of the group is still at large. So May, is going to follow as many leads as possible to figure it out. Honestly, it's interesting how it's all pieced together. Keep track of the names to follow the action. MAY doesn't stop until she finds all the clues. She gets herself in danger. But, to her it's part of the job.
It's a good read if you enjoy reading a crime solving story. Give it a shot!
The story is about a counterfeit ring. However, the master mind of the group is still at large. So May, is going to follow as many leads as possible to figure it out. Honestly, it's interesting how it's all pieced together. Keep track of the names to follow the action. MAY doesn't stop until she finds all the clues. She gets herself in danger. But, to her it's part of the job.
It's a good read if you enjoy reading a crime solving story. Give it a shot!
September 2, 2025
I didn't enjoy this story quite as much as the previous one. It didn't seem as much of a mystery as it was fairly easy to figure out what was going on by who. What I didn't care for was how much the main character smoked and also it seemed strange that she didn't seem concerned at all when the criminals did things to try to stop her. But it is well written with good character development.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2025
Bec is a strong minded character and leaves nothing to chance in this fast paced action thriller set in the era of old fashioned values and newspaper writing. Like the first book in this series, I resonated with Bec and willed her on to solve the mystery, all the while getting herself deep into trouble at the same time strengthening her friendships and relationships. Easy read, well worth delving into.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 17, 2025
I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I wasn't really sure of this book. It's the third in a series, plus a prequel. I think there is enough about a previous investigation and it's outcome to cover at least the previous book. Star reporter May Beck, working in a town not far from Chicago in the 19930s, is on the case to get to the bottom of a tip she got from her informant, related to the story she'd previously covered and thought was finished - except for a niggling feeling. The book is full of her rules about journalism. One thing that struck me is the amount of cigarettes she smokes - a pack at a time easily. If everyone in the newsroom did the same - thank goodness times have changed! This is not a bad read. An investigative journalist getting to the truth no matter what.
August 21, 2025
This was an intriguing story about a reporter and the crimes of the city. May Beck is a hard working hard nosed reporter, that follows clues regardless of the possible danger connected with it. May uncovered a homicide that was dressed as a suicide . The corruption in blue is rampant, and you don't know if your next for uncovering truths??? I think I got second had smoke from all the cigs May ATE!!!! OMG. That girl can smoke !! A compelling engrossing page turner read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
September 14, 2025
I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author and this is another very enjoyable read. May is determined to follow up on a story featuring someone she has been instrumental in putting behind bars despite being warned off, even when things escalate dramatically. Along with her friends Kat, Buc and Ernie, she gradually gets her story.
Overall , I enjoyed the pace of the story and how May and Buc manage to gather the evidence they need to present to the police. The presence of a new editor also has an impact on May and I enjoyed the new character and how he brought his experience and knowledge to May's aid.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall , I enjoyed the pace of the story and how May and Buc manage to gather the evidence they need to present to the police. The presence of a new editor also has an impact on May and I enjoyed the new character and how he brought his experience and knowledge to May's aid.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 12, 2025
Collection of Lies is an Excellent story about May a Journalist, and the story she investigates that has many hidden lies. May with Buc who she is training work very hard to keep the evidence hidden until she find all the clues. Ernie is an Officer that May trusts and she will give him the clues she finds. There are many twists in the story that are surprising.
Superb book and series that I enjoyed reading and recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Superb book and series that I enjoyed reading and recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2025
Another really enjoyable read.
Having read book 2 I was keen to read book 3 and I was not disappointed. Carrying on from the end of book 2 ( although with enough reminds it's not essential to have read book 2 first) May continues in her pursuit of answers involving Carrington. I like the relationships she has with other characters and hope there will be more books to come featuring these characters.
I really like that these books are not too long, and so can be read quickly over a couple of days.
I would recommend this book and it's predecessor to anyone who enjoys crime mysteries.
Having read book 2 I was keen to read book 3 and I was not disappointed. Carrying on from the end of book 2 ( although with enough reminds it's not essential to have read book 2 first) May continues in her pursuit of answers involving Carrington. I like the relationships she has with other characters and hope there will be more books to come featuring these characters.
I really like that these books are not too long, and so can be read quickly over a couple of days.
I would recommend this book and it's predecessor to anyone who enjoys crime mysteries.
August 24, 2025
May Beck and the Rules of Survival
Suzanne Rudd Hamilton’s Collection of Lies continues the Beck’s Rules Mysteries series, following tenacious newspaper reporter May Beck as she navigates the gritty, male-dominated world of mid-20th-century crime reporting. The novel opens in the aftermath of Beck’s explosive exposé of a counterfeiting ring run by the Larrington crime family. Though the kingpin is behind bars, lingering doubts gnaw at her—particularly the suspicious death of William Taylor, her nemesis’s father-in-law, long written off as a heart attack. Spurred by informants, hunches, and her own guiding “rules,” Beck pursues fresh leads, uncovering hidden business dealings, long-buried secrets, and connections between Joliet’s underworld and its respectable elite. The story blends investigative journalism, mob intrigue, and personal betrayal, all set against the smoky newsrooms and shadowy alleys of 1950s Illinois.
At its core, Collection of Lies is an exploration of truth versus deception. Lies—whether in the form of cover-ups, corrupt institutions, or personal betrayals—are woven into the social fabric, while Beck’s relentless pursuit of the truth underscores the difficulty of cutting through misinformation. The book also highlights female agency in a patriarchal world. Beck’s survival in a hostile newsroom and her refusal to be dismissed as a “girl reporter” echo the real struggles of women journalists in the mid-century press. Themes of trust, loyalty, and suspicion recur throughout, crystallized in Beck’s personal code of “rules,” which serve as both investigative principles and a psychological armor against betrayal.
May Beck is a compelling protagonist: tough, witty, and stubbornly independent. Her voice carries the novel with a hard-boiled yet vulnerable tone reminiscent of classic noir detectives. Supporting characters such as her protégé “Buc,” police confidant Ernie, and society matron Elaine Larrington are drawn with enough nuance to feel authentic while embodying archetypal roles—the eager apprentice, the reluctant ally, the femme fatale.
The setting—Joliet, Illinois in the 1950s—is rendered with striking authenticity. From the clattering of typewriters in the News Bugle bullpen to the smoke-filled diners and hidden mob hangouts, Hamilton captures the rhythms of mid-century journalism and small-city corruption. Her background in real reporting lends credibility to the historical details, particularly in referencing unsolved cases like that of Amelia Zelko, which inspired the character of May Beck.
The novel maintains a steady momentum, blending the slow burn of investigation with moments of sudden peril—fires, secret discoveries, and close encounters with danger. The puzzle-like structure, in which Beck follows loose threads that sometimes lead to dead ends, mimics the real investigative process and enhances realism. At its most gripping, the story delivers not just suspense but also an air of inevitability, where each revelation deepens the sense that crime and corruption permeate every corner of society.
Hamilton’s style is crisp, atmospheric, and infused with period detail. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with sardonic humor, fitting Beck’s noirish sensibility. The recurring use of “Beck’s Rules” as chapter anchors is a distinctive structural device: each maxim reflects not only investigative wisdom but also the character’s worldview, lending thematic coherence. At times, the prose leans toward exposition, but this is balanced by vivid scene-setting and sharp character sketches.
Strengths: A strong, independent female lead who revitalizes the hard-boiled detective archetype. Authentic historical grounding, enriched by Hamilton’s own experience in journalism. Clever structural use of Beck’s Rules, blending character psychology with thematic resonance.
The density of investigative detail, while realistic, occasionally slows pacing.
Secondary characters, though colorful, sometimes serve more as narrative functions than fully developed individuals.
Overall Assessment
Collection of Lies succeeds as both a historical cozy mystery and a feminist reimagining of noir. It achieves its goal of presenting a layered crime investigation while shining a light on women’s resilience in the face of systemic corruption and gendered dismissal. Readers of historical mysteries, noir enthusiasts, and fans of strong female sleuths will find much to enjoy. Though the novel’s intricacies may test those seeking a faster-paced thriller, its authenticity and thematic depth reward careful reading.
Verdict: A richly atmospheric and historically grounded mystery that honors the tradition of classic noir while carving out its own space through a memorable, rule-driven heroine.
A voluntary review of a free advance review copy.
Suzanne Rudd Hamilton’s Collection of Lies continues the Beck’s Rules Mysteries series, following tenacious newspaper reporter May Beck as she navigates the gritty, male-dominated world of mid-20th-century crime reporting. The novel opens in the aftermath of Beck’s explosive exposé of a counterfeiting ring run by the Larrington crime family. Though the kingpin is behind bars, lingering doubts gnaw at her—particularly the suspicious death of William Taylor, her nemesis’s father-in-law, long written off as a heart attack. Spurred by informants, hunches, and her own guiding “rules,” Beck pursues fresh leads, uncovering hidden business dealings, long-buried secrets, and connections between Joliet’s underworld and its respectable elite. The story blends investigative journalism, mob intrigue, and personal betrayal, all set against the smoky newsrooms and shadowy alleys of 1950s Illinois.
At its core, Collection of Lies is an exploration of truth versus deception. Lies—whether in the form of cover-ups, corrupt institutions, or personal betrayals—are woven into the social fabric, while Beck’s relentless pursuit of the truth underscores the difficulty of cutting through misinformation. The book also highlights female agency in a patriarchal world. Beck’s survival in a hostile newsroom and her refusal to be dismissed as a “girl reporter” echo the real struggles of women journalists in the mid-century press. Themes of trust, loyalty, and suspicion recur throughout, crystallized in Beck’s personal code of “rules,” which serve as both investigative principles and a psychological armor against betrayal.
May Beck is a compelling protagonist: tough, witty, and stubbornly independent. Her voice carries the novel with a hard-boiled yet vulnerable tone reminiscent of classic noir detectives. Supporting characters such as her protégé “Buc,” police confidant Ernie, and society matron Elaine Larrington are drawn with enough nuance to feel authentic while embodying archetypal roles—the eager apprentice, the reluctant ally, the femme fatale.
The setting—Joliet, Illinois in the 1950s—is rendered with striking authenticity. From the clattering of typewriters in the News Bugle bullpen to the smoke-filled diners and hidden mob hangouts, Hamilton captures the rhythms of mid-century journalism and small-city corruption. Her background in real reporting lends credibility to the historical details, particularly in referencing unsolved cases like that of Amelia Zelko, which inspired the character of May Beck.
The novel maintains a steady momentum, blending the slow burn of investigation with moments of sudden peril—fires, secret discoveries, and close encounters with danger. The puzzle-like structure, in which Beck follows loose threads that sometimes lead to dead ends, mimics the real investigative process and enhances realism. At its most gripping, the story delivers not just suspense but also an air of inevitability, where each revelation deepens the sense that crime and corruption permeate every corner of society.
Hamilton’s style is crisp, atmospheric, and infused with period detail. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with sardonic humor, fitting Beck’s noirish sensibility. The recurring use of “Beck’s Rules” as chapter anchors is a distinctive structural device: each maxim reflects not only investigative wisdom but also the character’s worldview, lending thematic coherence. At times, the prose leans toward exposition, but this is balanced by vivid scene-setting and sharp character sketches.
Strengths: A strong, independent female lead who revitalizes the hard-boiled detective archetype. Authentic historical grounding, enriched by Hamilton’s own experience in journalism. Clever structural use of Beck’s Rules, blending character psychology with thematic resonance.
The density of investigative detail, while realistic, occasionally slows pacing.
Secondary characters, though colorful, sometimes serve more as narrative functions than fully developed individuals.
Overall Assessment
Collection of Lies succeeds as both a historical cozy mystery and a feminist reimagining of noir. It achieves its goal of presenting a layered crime investigation while shining a light on women’s resilience in the face of systemic corruption and gendered dismissal. Readers of historical mysteries, noir enthusiasts, and fans of strong female sleuths will find much to enjoy. Though the novel’s intricacies may test those seeking a faster-paced thriller, its authenticity and thematic depth reward careful reading.
Verdict: A richly atmospheric and historically grounded mystery that honors the tradition of classic noir while carving out its own space through a memorable, rule-driven heroine.
A voluntary review of a free advance review copy.
November 13, 2025
Collection of Lies, the third installment in Beck’s Rules Mysteries series, is a well-crafted historical mystery set in the mid-1950s that stands comfortably on its own. Even without having read the previous books, I found it easy to settle into the story and connect with its spirited protagonist, May Beck.
May, a sharp and determined crime reporter working in a city just outside Chicago, begins investigating what appears to be an old heart attack case. Her instincts—guided by her personal code of “rules”—tell her there’s more to the story. With the help of her eager protégé Buc, the principled officer Ernie, and her steadfast friend Kat, she unearths ties to a local crime family and a counterfeit operation that’s far from resolved.
Beck’s writing flows smoothly, balancing period detail with a brisk pace that keeps the mystery engaging throughout. The use of May’s “rules” as chapter titles is a particularly clever device, offering insight into her character while framing each stage of the investigation. The plot, centered on loyalty, intuition, and moral resolve, captures the essence of mid-century crime fiction while maintaining a modern sense of energy and focus.
Fast-moving, intelligent, and grounded by a resilient heroine, Collection of Lies is an enjoyable and satisfying read for fans of classic whodunits and character-driven mysteries alike.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May, a sharp and determined crime reporter working in a city just outside Chicago, begins investigating what appears to be an old heart attack case. Her instincts—guided by her personal code of “rules”—tell her there’s more to the story. With the help of her eager protégé Buc, the principled officer Ernie, and her steadfast friend Kat, she unearths ties to a local crime family and a counterfeit operation that’s far from resolved.
Beck’s writing flows smoothly, balancing period detail with a brisk pace that keeps the mystery engaging throughout. The use of May’s “rules” as chapter titles is a particularly clever device, offering insight into her character while framing each stage of the investigation. The plot, centered on loyalty, intuition, and moral resolve, captures the essence of mid-century crime fiction while maintaining a modern sense of energy and focus.
Fast-moving, intelligent, and grounded by a resilient heroine, Collection of Lies is an enjoyable and satisfying read for fans of classic whodunits and character-driven mysteries alike.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 26, 2025
This is the third book in Suzanne Rudd Hamilton’s Beck’s Rules series, and I think it’s the best by far. The story picks up after May Beck breaks up a counterfeiting ring. She feels like there are too many loose ends lying around and that there’s something she’s missing as to who the mastermind of the ring was. With the help of her friends and her intuition, she sets out to solve this mystery.
This is a fantastic book. The mystery is brilliantly written with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. At the same time, every part of it is logical and makes sense. The characters are realistic and relatable. May herself is a well-drawn and very human character. I think she’s one of the best detectives in the genre. The historical details are accurate and pull you right into the story. I also like that these books don’t end with all the loose ends tied up. They end messy, like real life.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am enthusiastically leaving this 5-star review.
This is a fantastic book. The mystery is brilliantly written with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. At the same time, every part of it is logical and makes sense. The characters are realistic and relatable. May herself is a well-drawn and very human character. I think she’s one of the best detectives in the genre. The historical details are accurate and pull you right into the story. I also like that these books don’t end with all the loose ends tied up. They end messy, like real life.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am enthusiastically leaving this 5-star review.
September 24, 2025
Another great adventure with the endearingly tough reporter May Beck. The story was entertaining and easy to follow. Some new and old characters from previous stories help make this story both a good continuing series and stand alone book. I really enjoy the fast pace of the novel and it is easy to jump back in and read as little or as much as I can in a sitting. The twists at the end keep you reading to the end. I would have liked more resolve to the story like what happens to some of the other characters, who is it that is making the threats in this book, instead it was more of a cliff hangar, which I get it’s purpose…makes you want to keep reading the next book. Please note, I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Overall I would recommend Collection of Lies Beck’s Rules: Book 3 to anyone enjoying a good quick read with suspense, good characters.
September 18, 2025
This was a strong third entry in the Beck's Rules world, it had that element that I enjoyed and wanted from a historical crime mystery. The characters were so well written and kept this going on and enjoyed how they felt like they belonged in this world. The overall feel worked and had that 1950s element that I wanted in a detective novel. Suzanne Rudd Hamilton was able to weave a strong writing style and the characters were so well written that I was wanting more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2025
I love writing May Beck. She embodies all the strong, smart, sassy and fearless female detectives and newspaper reporters I admire. When I was a cub reporter, that’s who I wanted to be. But despite her hard shell, she has a softer side, loving her friends, fashions and yes, her cigarettes. Everything makes her who she is… invincible, as far as she believes. And no matter what, she will continue to get to the truth.
September 29, 2025
A throughly engaging story of a reporter and her tenacity to tie little facts together. Having already placing one man behind bars she continues to investigate and uncovers a lot of little pieces. As she pieces things together threats are made on her life. Can she tie everything together before it's to latez
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2025
A very captivating story about a female crime journalist in a man's world.
Despite threats and attempts on her life, she gets her story.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite threats and attempts on her life, she gets her story.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 16, 2025
This is a light, easy read, though I didn’t find it very engaging or suspenseful. Having said that, I did find it enjoyable and will try more books in the series. Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing this book for review via BookSirens. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2025
I am loving the Beck’s Rules series by Suzanne Rudd Hamilton. Having enjoyed her Secret Senior Sleuth Society series, I was looking forward to getting lost in a new one. And it has not disappointed. I love May Beck, newspaper reporter extraordinaire; her best friend, Kat; and her cub reporter trainee, Buc Edwards. The storyline will pull you in and have you absorbing every word as you watch May do her journalism magic to resolve crimes. May is a tough cookie. She sees things in black and white and her experience has flavored her outlook and opinions. Her “take no prisoners” personality has you sharing her on while worrying about her safety. Set in the 1950s, the author has done a wonderful job with keeping the details of that time period realistic. This is definitely a series to get involved in reading and I look forward adventures in Joliet, Illinois.
Thank you to Book Sirens for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to Book Sirens for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews