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O'Brien's Law Mystery #1
The Black Rose
"What do you want to be when you grow up, Meredith?" A dead attorney had not been her answer, she was pretty darn sure.
After years of experience in the courtroom, Assistant State Attorney Meredith O’Brien finds herself the target of street thugs and deep into uncovering the truth about a serial rapist and killer intent on taunting the police and her. What was the meaning of the black rose? After years of being alone she also finds herself being pursued by her ex-boyfriend detective and a mysterious Atlanta billionaire, not to mention a dog with the intelligence of a four year old. Both of the men are infuriating, persistent and intent on getting into her life, business and more personal places. Surrounded by a cast of unpredictable characters including co-workers, relatives, psychics and bounty hunters, she finds her entire life has gone crazily out of control. Strong willed, sharp-tongued and explosive, she discovers the media is quick to paint a target on her back. Dodging bullets and physically fighting bad guys was not what Meredith envisioned when she went to law school or took her job in the small, picturesque Florida city of Gainesville. Dying prematurely was also not what she had envisioned.
This cozy romantic action thriller is packed with suspense, adventure, comedy and women sleuths fighting crime. This is a detective story with heart and a touch of the paranormal, as Meredith O’Brien applies her brand of the law, up close and very personally. A fine blend of romance and mystery, it follows the drama as police are confronted with crimes against the community and those that enforce the law. If Meredith survives the attacks on her, she still has to deal with her meddling friends and family pushing romance and impossible relationships on her. What’s a girl to do?
This first of the O’Brien’s Law Mystery series is available as a paperback and Kindle eBook.
After years of experience in the courtroom, Assistant State Attorney Meredith O’Brien finds herself the target of street thugs and deep into uncovering the truth about a serial rapist and killer intent on taunting the police and her. What was the meaning of the black rose? After years of being alone she also finds herself being pursued by her ex-boyfriend detective and a mysterious Atlanta billionaire, not to mention a dog with the intelligence of a four year old. Both of the men are infuriating, persistent and intent on getting into her life, business and more personal places. Surrounded by a cast of unpredictable characters including co-workers, relatives, psychics and bounty hunters, she finds her entire life has gone crazily out of control. Strong willed, sharp-tongued and explosive, she discovers the media is quick to paint a target on her back. Dodging bullets and physically fighting bad guys was not what Meredith envisioned when she went to law school or took her job in the small, picturesque Florida city of Gainesville. Dying prematurely was also not what she had envisioned.
This cozy romantic action thriller is packed with suspense, adventure, comedy and women sleuths fighting crime. This is a detective story with heart and a touch of the paranormal, as Meredith O’Brien applies her brand of the law, up close and very personally. A fine blend of romance and mystery, it follows the drama as police are confronted with crimes against the community and those that enforce the law. If Meredith survives the attacks on her, she still has to deal with her meddling friends and family pushing romance and impossible relationships on her. What’s a girl to do?
This first of the O’Brien’s Law Mystery series is available as a paperback and Kindle eBook.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2014
20 people are currently reading
1014 people want to read
About the author
Sam Berretti
7 books47 followersSam Berretti was born and raised in the High Plains city of Lubbock, Texas. Cotton was king and oil wells and cattle were always close by. The land was as flat as his mother’s tattered ironing board and Spring was always ushered in with dust storms, tumble weeds and tornadoes. Sam moved to Florida to attend the University of Florida, met a woman who he says was gracious enough to allow him to marry her and raised two amazing children. Sam is an avid naturalist and photographer as well as an author. Although writing started at an early age and took many forms, mystery fiction has always been a favorite. Over the last decade, at the urging of his wife, he has ventured into writing romance mysteries, usually with a touch of the paranormal. "Double Mayhem" is his first book (Createspace, Kindle, Smashwords). Available in Ebook and paperback from a variety of outlets.
He has now added a second book, "The Black Rose," available through Amazon. Go to the official author website, www.SamBerretti.com, which provides additional information and links to book sellers.
He has now added a second book, "The Black Rose," available through Amazon. Go to the official author website, www.SamBerretti.com, which provides additional information and links to book sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 7, 2014
The first two lines hooked me: What do you want to be when you grow up, Meredith? A dead attorney had not been her answer, she was pretty darn sure.
I entered the contest under Goodreads Giveaways and my name was chosen! Yeah for me!
Loved this book! The size of the book was almost intimidating (383 pages), but after I started reading, that issue never came to mind again. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing throughout its entirety. The characters are strong and well-written and the story fast paced and full of action. The bit of romantic tension made the book perfect.
Meredith has earned her share of enemies on the job as Assistant State Attorney, but when a serial rapist and killer marks her as a target, things become explosive as those around her scramble to keep her safe before the killer completes his mission. She is strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and has a bit of a temper. Those serve her well in her job, but not in the relationship department. A sexy billionaire enters the scene and his pursuit of Meredith brings out the green-eyed monster in her ex-boyfriend (& co-worker), which makes his plans to get back together with Meredith a bit more difficult.
I would have liked to have seen a little more action between the billionaire and Meredith, but maybe that will come in the next book? Stacey was a great supporting character, very down-to-earth and outspoken. Loved the ever lovable and loyal Happy. He knew exactly how to soften the walls Meredith had built around herself.
I entered the contest under Goodreads Giveaways and my name was chosen! Yeah for me!
Loved this book! The size of the book was almost intimidating (383 pages), but after I started reading, that issue never came to mind again. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing throughout its entirety. The characters are strong and well-written and the story fast paced and full of action. The bit of romantic tension made the book perfect.
Meredith has earned her share of enemies on the job as Assistant State Attorney, but when a serial rapist and killer marks her as a target, things become explosive as those around her scramble to keep her safe before the killer completes his mission. She is strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and has a bit of a temper. Those serve her well in her job, but not in the relationship department. A sexy billionaire enters the scene and his pursuit of Meredith brings out the green-eyed monster in her ex-boyfriend (& co-worker), which makes his plans to get back together with Meredith a bit more difficult.
I would have liked to have seen a little more action between the billionaire and Meredith, but maybe that will come in the next book? Stacey was a great supporting character, very down-to-earth and outspoken. Loved the ever lovable and loyal Happy. He knew exactly how to soften the walls Meredith had built around herself.
October 24, 2019
Reminiscent of a Janet Evanovich novel, the main character, Assistant State Attorney Meredith O'Brien can't go to her mailbox without danger as bad guys harrass and stalk her. She's got a new love interest with a shady past. Can she trust him? Who can she trust? The one she can trust is a former lover she'd like to keep in the past, but he's a police detective sworn to protect her. Co-workers and even family members can't be ruled out as people of suspicion. Bringing a serial rapist and killer to justice just might be the death of her.
November 7, 2021
I bought this book at an arts festival, and once I started reading it, I could only put it down when my arms needed a rest from holding it. This fast-paced "who done it?" sees the heroine, a state's attorney, falling into the crimes she is investigating, escaping death by sheer luck and the vigilance of others. The plot twists, morphing into a "who really done it?" and from there to a "who else done it?" While murder mysteries are not my favorite genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this ride and will go back for more.
March 27, 2022
Sam Berretti has written a crime thriller with a strong female protagonist surrounded by a swarm of slightly chauvinistic male detectives. A twist on the typical detective story is that she isn't a detective, but a prosecutor for the States Attorney office who is herself a target of the villain she's trying to catch. Like all good mysteries, there is a turn at the end where the author has led you right up to the wrong conclusion and the guilty party isn't whom you suspected. Berretti has done a good job of plotting and misdirection, yet has the reader rooting for the heroine all the way.
April 22, 2018
A serial killer, a gangsta, a very irritating cop, a super rich businessman amd a dog called Happy. What do they all have in common, they all cause so many problems for our very likeable and much put upon Assistant District Attorney Meredith.
Lots of plots and sub-plots, twists and turns, but Meredith eventually sorts it all out. An entertaining read.
i received this book free from eBook Discovery and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Lots of plots and sub-plots, twists and turns, but Meredith eventually sorts it all out. An entertaining read.
i received this book free from eBook Discovery and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 25, 2017
This is hard to put down mystery that keeps you guessing. It keeps you reading long into the night and at every spare moment that you have. The characters are well portrayed and the plot is well developed. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
July 24, 2016
A page turning crime solving mystery that truly keeps you guessing all the way through the book! Meredith is an Assistant Attorney General that in one crazy swoop ends up in the very public eye and with not just one person, but several who have scores to settle with her. In the midst of delving into some very dangerous and very public cases, she meets a dreamy Bo Perry-who just may or may not have ill intentions towards her. On top of all her chaotic cases she unintentionally ends up with the most lovable smart dog Happy. And this is just one day in the life of the Assistant Attorney General Meredith.
Along with Meredith a woman very passionate about her job and her relationships, you have her fun sidekick and fellow ADA Stacie, her meddling journalist cousin Maria, and her over protective ex-boyfriend cop and as always her lovable pup Happy and you have a great combination of characters that make a fantastic story!
I am a sucker for mysteries, add a little law into it and I am hooked! This book had everything one could ask for in a good mystery and with just enough of a love story to really bring the story all together. I truly could not guess the twists it was going to take all the way up until they were revealed.
March 15, 2024
Thank you GoodRreads for the winning book. Thank you Sam for this awesome mystery book. I loved this book. You are very talented in portraying the characters personalities. You present a good story throughout the entire book that leaves me not wanting to put the book down. If anyone likes mysteries, your books are perfect. If you are new to reading mysteries, Sam's books will leave you wanting to read more. I love how well the characters seem real to me and I can understand their personalities throughout the book. The many unexpected twists in the story lead you on a path of choosing favorite characters. I anxiously await your next book Sam :)
July 9, 2014
just didn't care for this. found the characters too folksy, almost caricatures....the plotting was all over the place. just not my cup of tea.
July 10, 2014
Good
this was a a mystery that that tempted you wondering what was going to happen next. the way the criminal. justice system works.
this was a a mystery that that tempted you wondering what was going to happen next. the way the criminal. justice system works.
January 2, 2015
I received this book for free through a Goodreads.
This book is an intense, suspense filled mystery. I had a hard time putting the book down.
This book is an intense, suspense filled mystery. I had a hard time putting the book down.
November 25, 2014
FTC disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
December 9, 2014
I liked it.
August 7, 2014
i just couldn't put this book down...i can't wait to read sam berretti next book....
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews