Solomon's Compass

by Carol Kilgore

One USCG Commander + One Veteran Navy SEAL = Fireworks from Stem to Stern

When Coast Guard Commander Taylor Campbell returns to Rock Harbor, Texas, to tend to her uncle’s estate, she meets a veteran Navy SEAL, Jake Solomon, and learns her uncle didn't drown accidentally. His murder was one in a string of murders of a group of Vietnam veterans who called themselves the Compass Points.

Before her uncle died, he sent Taylor a message with the location of his buried treasure. Unearthing it will place her squarely in the killer’s crosshairs, but she’s determined to fulfill her uncle’s last wish.

Jake, sent to protect her and find the killer, has other plans. Despite the fact she’s a feisty dynamo in a pint-sized package, his mission would be much easier to accomplish if he could forget how good she’d tasted when he kissed her.

Don’t miss this adventure-filled tale of love and murder on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Carol Kilgore is the author of Jalapeno Cupcake Wench, Secrets of Honor, Solomon's Compass, and In Name Only.

Carol Kilgore is the award-winning author of the Amazing Gracie Mysteries—Jalapeno Cupcake Wench, Bluebonnet Ballerina, Don't Mess with Gracie, and Gracie and the Trouble with Pinatas. In addition, she is the author of In Name Only, Solomon’s Compass, and Secrets of Honor, three standalone romantic suspense novels set along the Texas Gulf Coast.

She is currently working on a new series--The House Witches Mysteries--set in a fictional version of her new hometown northwest of Houston. The first book in this series is Witches and Fairies and Tacos... Oh My.

She and her husband share their home with the sweetest rescue beagle ever, who wishes they would drop more food on the floor.

You can learn more about Carol and receive a free copy of Jalapeno Cupcake Wench by subscribing to her newsletter here: https://www.carolkilgore.net

Reviews

[Lexa Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was an exciting adventure, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were very appealing and just the sort I like to read about. The heroine is no shrinking violet, but a member of the Coast Guard, who commands her own ship. The hero is tough but oh-so-likeable! Even as he's forced to pretend to be someone else through much of the novel and knows it's necessary to keep the heroine in the dark for her own protection, he still feels guilty about it. A murderer who's killed four people so far is stalking the heroine, and the investigation is full of danger---but they manage to find romance along the way.

For me, the thing that set this novel apart from others were the details about ships and the military. The author clearly did a lot of research and wove in fascinating facts while making them easy to understand. The novel felt very realistic all the way through and the ending was highly satisfying. Definitely recommended!

[C. McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting whodunit that keeps you guessing until the end. I enjoyed the take-charge heroine and the love interest who is likable, determined, and charming.


A real page-turner.

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor Campbell's favorite uncle Randy passed away and left her everything. Including a mysterious letter and a hidden treasure. As a U.S. Coast Guard Commander, she missed the funeral, but she's in Rock Harbor, Texas now to clean up his estate and find out what was going on in his head before he died. She meets Jake Solomon who is in town trying to find out what happened to her uncle and the other members of his circle of friends called the Compass Points. Each has been killed off, and Jake is the only one still alive. Romance was the last thing on Taylor and Jake's minds, but even as a killer stalks them, they can't stay away from one another.

A magnificently crafted suspense thriller with a bit of romance. I was hooked right from the beginning and left wondering who the killer might be until the very end. Carol Kilgore does an excellent job of winding everyone and everything up in a tight knot, and you can't tell which thread goes where until it all elegantly unfolds at the end.

The cast of characters is amazing. Taylor is a strong and clever protagonist. She has a lot of experience to help her along with a big heart. Jake is smart and sexy. He has a bit of a bad boy edge, but his sense of justice is powerful. I loved Dan and A.J. Each secondary character stood out as brightly as Taylor and Jake.

I highly recommend SOLOMON'S COMPASS. It's a fantastic tale with something for every reader. I can't wait to read more from Carol Kilgore.

[Juliette Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is honestly not something I ever would've thought to pick up on my own. I found it incredibly interesting though. These characters are very complex and that makes the story so much more interesting. I was never entirely sure where the story was going to lead next and that made me not want to put the book down. I would highly recommend this book to people who are big fans of mystery. I normally find myself zoning out when a book goes into a huge amount of backstory, but that wasn't the case at all for me with this novel. I was interested in everything every character had to say. I thought the love story was kind of interesting too. It didn't seem like the normal kind you read about. These characters felt real to me, it didn't feel like they were in the kind of world that could never exist in real life. I really did enjoy this story and I think it would be great for readers who are looking for something that will keep them on the edge of their seat that's a little bit different from most of what's out there. :)
Read this review here: Paperbacks and Frosting

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts with a bang. A group of Coastguardsmen are on R&R in Thailand during the Vietnam War, and a brutal murder occurs while they’re there. Then the story flash-forwards decades later. Taylor is dealing with her deceased uncle’s estate and his prized belt is missing. He was one of the men during that R&R break, and those close friends were all in danger. Uncle Randy mentioned buried treasure, but Taylor thought that story was a result of his dementia. With things not adding up, Taylor believes his death was no accident. There’s the suspense involving the belt, the treasure, and who’s trying to harm Taylor. The romance was a sweet and welcome element by way of Jake, a former SEAL who told his father that he’d protect Taylor, but not get involved with her. Yet the two are attracted to each other while the killer looms nearby. This was a thrilling read.

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book and began reading it shortly after finishing my last book which was a bit of a droll. I was looking for more interesting writing and by and large I got it. However, the story doesn't connect the dots as much as I thought it should. The book starts out slowly and I got a bit confused during the first couple of chapters. It picks up though and kept my interest mostly because it is well written. I think it would have been better if instead of writing about all the normal, routine things the characters do (eating, watching baseball, etc.), write about why these normal things were important for us to read about. All in all a good book, but not a great book. I might read another by this author.

[Clarissa Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful thrill-ride. From the opening chapter in Vietnam to the heart-pounding conclusion, it had me glued to my Kindle.

This book has everything: adventure, mystery, love and best of all a treasure hunt! Because the author is the wife of a coast guard officer, she really knows her stuff. You can tell from the wonderful descriptions of the setting in Rock Harbor to the boats, flags and helicopters.

You can find out more about her characters and locations on her blog: http://underthetikihut.blogspot.mx/se...

[Bish Denham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read much in the way of mysteries. They tend to frustrate me. What I liked about Solomon's Compass is that the murders have already happened. I, as the reader, wasn't following a trail of blood and gore every other chapter. This is a more subtle story in that it's as much about relationship as it is about discovering who the murderer is.

It's a love story, it's a mystery. It's about people finding their way.

[Linda Kage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol's characters remind me of Nora Roberts' characters. They have this mature, easy-going familiarity about them that can make instant friends with complete strangers. This was more of a mystery with some thrilling edge of your seat moments and a oil' bit of romance thrown in! It definitely makes older men seem yummy? And You'll never guess who the killer is. I didn't.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the intriguing opening to the surprising ending (I didn’t guess who the killer was), this story kept my interest throughout. It’s a mystery, it’s a love story, it’s a trip to a beach town. Not only that, the characters are well-drawn and interesting. Highly recommended.

[C.J. Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Kilgore’s book reads more like two books. Let’s start with the good stuff. Midway through the book, things get really suspenseful, the plot heats up and the fun for mystery lovers takes off. In contrast, the first 40% is a rather slow recounting of Coast Guard Commander Taylor Campbell’s journey to Texas to deal with her deceased uncle’s estate. That involves a lot of house cleaning on Taylor’s part, contrasted with her increasing interest the oh-so-hot Jake Solomon who is there to investigate her uncle’s death, which he believes is murder. Jake was a problem for me. It just seemed so implausible that Jake would be able to convince everyone, even Taylor, that he was really his father. I was glad when Jake finally fessed up. So the first part of the book is slow and characterization is thin. If you can hang in there until things heat up, this book is definitely worth the read.

[Helen Garraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed adventure involving a coast guard commander, Taylor, who returns to her uncle’s sleepy town to settle his estate. There she meets Jake, an ex Navy SEAL, and finds out her uncle was murdered. That’s the beginning of the tale of the compass rose, and it is really intriguing and cleverly written.

There were parts where it dragged a bit as the author moved people around a lot, but the plot keeps you hooked, and both Taylor and Jake are great characters.
With a backdrop of war and a connection to the history of the coastguard, this is a well written story which will hook you in and you’ll want to read to the end to find out more. I hope there is a follow-on story.

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read! A fantastic book that has it all! I happily endorse this story to any and all who are looking for a thriller enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. ¡Great book!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well-written, edited, and paced. Interesting characters with a strong female lead. It was a good who-dunnit but had bursts of trashy romance in between. I'm pleased we didn't have the typical maiden-in-distress saved by the strong hero but had a strong hero in our protagonist. I will probably read another by this author (but not her romances)

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

The storyline took a long time to get going. It took me a long time to read this book. Several times I almost stopped reading but something made me want to finish the book.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure.

These characters are ones I'd be happy to revisit. Luckily, the series continues. The mystery was intense with an underlying attraction between the characters giving it a lighter feel. Satisfying on every level.

[Laura Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery that pulls you back to the politics of the 70’s

This mystery brings you back to the first time we didn’t know who were the “good guys” in military actions. It keeps you engaged throughout the process of solving the murders.

[CONNIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and believable mystery. Weaves the past to the present and connects them very well. A must read. Good read for a quiet weekend or a trip to the beach.

[Lynette E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!

I enjoyed this story and the long list of characters. The pages just flew past as I wanted to find out the outcome of the story.

[Brenda Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read, good story line.

[Linda Murphree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

The author pulled me in at the very beginning. Several characters to.keep up with. The story moves quickly and it is hard to put down

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who has been killing the compass points and why??? Taylor will figure things out though, won't she??? I hope it is in time!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

His death wasn't an accident??? Always have a Plan B??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Carol's other books better than this one. I didn't have as much time to read this book, so I kept butting it a side, and then I would forget the names of the characters. It took me far into the book, before I got all of the characters straight in my mind. It was hard for me to wrap my mind around who would want to murder this group of men. I did suspect the person, who turned out to be the killer, but I didn't know why.

[Holly Hilbrands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good characters and mystery, kept you guessing until the end