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Paul Sutton #1
First One Down
Do you ever wonder where the line is between dark and light? Do you believe the brightest light can be pulled into the depths of darkness? Do you believe that the blackest soul can find their way into the light?
It took Detective Paul Sutton exactly eleven days to know that retirement wasn’t going to work out for him. Eleven days to know that he could not put this last case, the only case of his career that he was unable to solve, down. Watching it grow cold and forgotten by everyone except himself and the deceased’s husband, Sutton fought hard against the urge to work it on his own. He thought he could let it go, but he was wrong, dead wrong. Now, back on the job as a Cold Case Detective, Sutton is given another chance to solve the case that has tormented him for almost two years.
Kali Hanson is dealing with her own special type of torment as she attempts to navigate a tangled web of deceit where the monsters wear masks of light and the darkness lurking inside a person is impossible to recognize from the outside. How does a girl who has everything going for her find herself in the middle of a deadly puzzle, forced to witness those she loves most commit acts of ultimate betrayal - a puzzle where boundaries blur and the difference between truth and lies is indiscernible?
Sutton is in a race against the clock to find a missing girl who may be the key. He will put it all on the line to make sure this monster doesn’t get the chance to kill again. Will he be too late, and is a physical death the only death one can suffer? Even if he saves her, will her life ever be the same?
It took Detective Paul Sutton exactly eleven days to know that retirement wasn’t going to work out for him. Eleven days to know that he could not put this last case, the only case of his career that he was unable to solve, down. Watching it grow cold and forgotten by everyone except himself and the deceased’s husband, Sutton fought hard against the urge to work it on his own. He thought he could let it go, but he was wrong, dead wrong. Now, back on the job as a Cold Case Detective, Sutton is given another chance to solve the case that has tormented him for almost two years.
Kali Hanson is dealing with her own special type of torment as she attempts to navigate a tangled web of deceit where the monsters wear masks of light and the darkness lurking inside a person is impossible to recognize from the outside. How does a girl who has everything going for her find herself in the middle of a deadly puzzle, forced to witness those she loves most commit acts of ultimate betrayal - a puzzle where boundaries blur and the difference between truth and lies is indiscernible?
Sutton is in a race against the clock to find a missing girl who may be the key. He will put it all on the line to make sure this monster doesn’t get the chance to kill again. Will he be too late, and is a physical death the only death one can suffer? Even if he saves her, will her life ever be the same?
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2014
40 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Belle
5 books47 followersVist me here for more up to date information
Mom, Author, Fitness Freak and coffee lover.
After losing a loved one to suicide in 2016, RJ Belle set out on a mission to assist and comfort others affected by suicide loss. RJ is involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, participating in Out Of The Darkness and Overnight walks to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention. She is also passionate about injured veteran causes and volunteers in several capacities.
RJ Belle lives in Southern California with her family. When not writing non-fiction, she focuses on her next fiction novel. She works on her detective skills by finding her daughters lost Shopkins, and investigating when her English Bulldogs bark at night. She enjoys family, writing, reading, running, and coffee.
www.AuthorRJBelle.com
Mom, Author, Fitness Freak and coffee lover.
After losing a loved one to suicide in 2016, RJ Belle set out on a mission to assist and comfort others affected by suicide loss. RJ is involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, participating in Out Of The Darkness and Overnight walks to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention. She is also passionate about injured veteran causes and volunteers in several capacities.
RJ Belle lives in Southern California with her family. When not writing non-fiction, she focuses on her next fiction novel. She works on her detective skills by finding her daughters lost Shopkins, and investigating when her English Bulldogs bark at night. She enjoys family, writing, reading, running, and coffee.
www.AuthorRJBelle.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 16, 2014
R.J. Belle hooked me in right away with her vivid details of the crime. I was intrigued as she revealed the motive by looking into the killer’s intelligent, skilled, and disturbed mind. The first chapters had me hooked. I couldn’t put it down, so I read the entire book within one day. The second half of the novel was very interesting and kept me glued. Being so interested, I ended up not taking notes on the later part of the book. The unexpected twists help my interest as the story unfolded to become a web of character involvement. I read nonstop as I wanted to know what would happen to the characters in this psychological thriller. (To fix other reviews: It is NOT a mystery, you know who the murder was near the beginning.)
Although I really enjoyed this novel, I couldn’t give this book a perfect score for a few minute reasons. Part of the book was a little slow as Kali’s character was developed. I felt that we didn’t need such a long look into her life when she is a typical woman with a history that was developed during other parts of the text. The characters were overall entertaining, but they were fairly unbelievable. I did not like the date scene between Kali and Andrew for this reason. I felt that the emotions were too deep to be a second date. Furthermore, Andrew was able to say the perfect thing to calm Kali without knowing her assorted past; she explained it in later in the chapter. The line, “You may see me as some big, hard a** Marine who doesn’t think deeply, who doesn’t feel deeply,” was ridiculous. Nothing in the text prior to this point indicated that this character was such. This was at the end of this unrealistic scene in the restaurant.
With only one unbelievable scene based on the character development/plot up to that point and the semi slow character/relationship development (Ch. 5-7), the majority of the book was very entertaining with a web of characters and unpredictable twists. I do recommend this book. However, there are graphic sexual descriptions throughout the text.
*Beware, there is SM scenes detailed throughout the book. If this disturbs you, this is not the book for you. If they don’t bother you, I suggest that you read R.J. Belle’s depute novel, First One Down.
Although I really enjoyed this novel, I couldn’t give this book a perfect score for a few minute reasons. Part of the book was a little slow as Kali’s character was developed. I felt that we didn’t need such a long look into her life when she is a typical woman with a history that was developed during other parts of the text. The characters were overall entertaining, but they were fairly unbelievable. I did not like the date scene between Kali and Andrew for this reason. I felt that the emotions were too deep to be a second date. Furthermore, Andrew was able to say the perfect thing to calm Kali without knowing her assorted past; she explained it in later in the chapter. The line, “You may see me as some big, hard a** Marine who doesn’t think deeply, who doesn’t feel deeply,” was ridiculous. Nothing in the text prior to this point indicated that this character was such. This was at the end of this unrealistic scene in the restaurant.
With only one unbelievable scene based on the character development/plot up to that point and the semi slow character/relationship development (Ch. 5-7), the majority of the book was very entertaining with a web of characters and unpredictable twists. I do recommend this book. However, there are graphic sexual descriptions throughout the text.
*Beware, there is SM scenes detailed throughout the book. If this disturbs you, this is not the book for you. If they don’t bother you, I suggest that you read R.J. Belle’s depute novel, First One Down.
October 4, 2014
First One Down is what happens when a serial killer murder mystery meets fifty shades. I loved the characters and the plot. The detective started out a bit dry but once inside his head, he is endearing. While some elements were predictable, the book kept me reading along at a quick pace. Unlike Fifty shades, the sex scenes have a purpose, are integral to the story and not as repetitive. It never gets boring and I want more! Luckily, this is the first in a series. I can't wait for the next book.
May 16, 2014
I totally enjoyed this novel. It isn't something I would normally read, but I'm glad I did. I can see how the ending was played out more realistically rather than the fairytale version promised (talked about) to Kali and Andrew. I hope that these two characters show up in the next book. I'm also eager to see Sutton find some companionship out side of work.
Hurry up book 2!
Hurry up book 2!
August 26, 2017
If I could give 4.5 stars, I would. I loved the introduction of the characters. Andrew, the sad man whose wife was murdered, Detective Sutton, a determined man who lived for his job, Kali, a lonely woman who accepted and allowed humiliation and pain in exchange for what she thought was love. For her, being with someone evil was better than living alone and being lonely. And finally, Nate, the evil and controlling monster who loved to be the master.
There was an 'aha' moment towards the end of the book when a possible reason was disclosed as to why he turned out to be who he was, but other than that, it was a police procedural, with the good guys beating the clock to find the bad guy before he did something else evil. Early on we find out who murdered Andrew's wife and another woman so it's not quite a suspenseful thriller. The ending felt too rushed but, overall, I liked the storyline and the characters. I skipped over the *adult* sex scenes since I felt that it was too much over the top.
When Author R.J. Belle publishes another book in the series, I'd check it out and see what Detective Sutton is up to. He is a character I would follow.
There was an 'aha' moment towards the end of the book when a possible reason was disclosed as to why he turned out to be who he was, but other than that, it was a police procedural, with the good guys beating the clock to find the bad guy before he did something else evil. Early on we find out who murdered Andrew's wife and another woman so it's not quite a suspenseful thriller. The ending felt too rushed but, overall, I liked the storyline and the characters. I skipped over the *adult* sex scenes since I felt that it was too much over the top.
When Author R.J. Belle publishes another book in the series, I'd check it out and see what Detective Sutton is up to. He is a character I would follow.
August 7, 2017
Good story and plot
This is a detective thriller story with a fine plot, believable characters and the potential to be a great read. However, for me it is let down by some simple punctuation and basic grammar. In the end, I skim read the story by ignoring the punctuation/grammar. This made the read slightly less fluent for me as a reader. For other readers, it won't be an issue but with better editing, I would have given the book 4 stars. I will certainly look at other books by this author because the storytelling is good.
This is a detective thriller story with a fine plot, believable characters and the potential to be a great read. However, for me it is let down by some simple punctuation and basic grammar. In the end, I skim read the story by ignoring the punctuation/grammar. This made the read slightly less fluent for me as a reader. For other readers, it won't be an issue but with better editing, I would have given the book 4 stars. I will certainly look at other books by this author because the storytelling is good.
May 29, 2015
NOT MY KIND OF BOOK. Right from the first chapter I could tell I wasn't going to like it. I hate murder mysteries--especially those where the reader is plunged into the mind of the murderer. I really don't care to know the gory details that reside in evil brains. And, the protagonist, Kali, is ridiculous. I guess there are women out there in such desperate straights--or I suppose they're not pathetic and really do enjoy pain. But, I certainly don't understand them nor care a thing about them.
In any case, the characters were highly unrealistic. Conversations were silly between the detectives and between Kali and Andrew....I mean I literally laughed out loud at the cheesiness. And, when the author actually used the word "drug" as the past tense of "drag", I was completely convinced that this woman should not be writing novels.
I won't continue to list the issues I had with this book but I seriously cannot think of a thing I enjoyed about this novel. I only finished it because I am still waiting for some library books to come in and had nothing better to read.
In any case, the characters were highly unrealistic. Conversations were silly between the detectives and between Kali and Andrew....I mean I literally laughed out loud at the cheesiness. And, when the author actually used the word "drug" as the past tense of "drag", I was completely convinced that this woman should not be writing novels.
I won't continue to list the issues I had with this book but I seriously cannot think of a thing I enjoyed about this novel. I only finished it because I am still waiting for some library books to come in and had nothing better to read.
July 29, 2016
Having read and enjoyed Ms. Belle’s non-fiction book, AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun, I thought I would check out this fiction book. I was not disappointed.
This is a mixture of Police Procedural and Dark Psychological Thriller.
Before his medically-induced retirement, Detective Paul Sutton was assigned a homicide case that he was unable to solve. Two years later, he came out of retirement and assigned to his cold case. Will he and his partner be able to find the thread that wraps things up? Or will the culprit continue to cover his tracks?
It was intriguing to see the different vantage points between the police, the potential witness, and the perpetrator.
This is for Mature Audiences due to Moderately Graphic Sexual Scenes, Violence, and Adult Language.
This is a mixture of Police Procedural and Dark Psychological Thriller.
Before his medically-induced retirement, Detective Paul Sutton was assigned a homicide case that he was unable to solve. Two years later, he came out of retirement and assigned to his cold case. Will he and his partner be able to find the thread that wraps things up? Or will the culprit continue to cover his tracks?
It was intriguing to see the different vantage points between the police, the potential witness, and the perpetrator.
This is for Mature Audiences due to Moderately Graphic Sexual Scenes, Violence, and Adult Language.
July 9, 2014
This is the first book in the Detective Paul Sutton novel series. Sutton is a straight shooter cold case detective with a no nonsense approach to investigating.
I loved the storyline and the depth of characterization. From the good to the bad - everyone has clear motivation and direction. The author digs deep into the psyche of each character and the action unfolds quickly. I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.
Although this is a first time author, I believe RJ Belle pulled her debut novel off beautifully. This is a great first book and I imagine RJ will only get better from here.
I loved the storyline and the depth of characterization. From the good to the bad - everyone has clear motivation and direction. The author digs deep into the psyche of each character and the action unfolds quickly. I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.
Although this is a first time author, I believe RJ Belle pulled her debut novel off beautifully. This is a great first book and I imagine RJ will only get better from here.
July 20, 2014
Interesting mix of characters, I found it a very good read and a book I couldn't put down because of all the twist and turns. I am a big cold case fan so I enjoyed the solving of the case by the crafty veteran cop who just couldn't let this case go. I would recommend to anyone who likes twist and turns and is very opened minded to the reality of looks are deceiving and you really never know what someone has going behind the scenes of everyday life!!!
March 19, 2016
Sadomasochism.
I didn't live this book, but I did feel deeply for the character named Kali. I despised Mate and was pleased with his ending. If you think you will enjoy something like this;; go ahead, but I didn't really like it.
I didn't live this book, but I did feel deeply for the character named Kali. I despised Mate and was pleased with his ending. If you think you will enjoy something like this;; go ahead, but I didn't really like it.
October 18, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads, and really enjoyed it. A wonderful first effort with deep characters and a great twist.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews