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Caught Dead in Wyoming #3
Shoot First
Shoot First . . .
Death hits close to home for Elizabeth “E.M.” Danniher – or, rather, close to Hovel, as she’s dubbed her decrepit rental house in rustic Sherman, Wyoming. Her elderly neighbor has killed a man apparently after her Western artifacts. As a former top-flight national TV reporter, Elizabeth knows self-defense can satisfy the legal system, yet leave her neighbor in danger.
Doing what she does best – asking questions – Elizabeth sidesteps her boss and a nosy, jealous anchorman to inquire into an eccentric billionaire, ambitious curator, rival collectors, family feuds, and Cottonwood County crimes from a century ago.
As she digs deeper, Elizabeth is helped by friends. That’s canine as well as human friends, and includes two male humans who’d definitely like to be more than friends. Before this is over, Elizabeth will need every one of them, as her questions push someone to decide that Elizabeth should
. . . Die Later
Death hits close to home for Elizabeth “E.M.” Danniher – or, rather, close to Hovel, as she’s dubbed her decrepit rental house in rustic Sherman, Wyoming. Her elderly neighbor has killed a man apparently after her Western artifacts. As a former top-flight national TV reporter, Elizabeth knows self-defense can satisfy the legal system, yet leave her neighbor in danger.
Doing what she does best – asking questions – Elizabeth sidesteps her boss and a nosy, jealous anchorman to inquire into an eccentric billionaire, ambitious curator, rival collectors, family feuds, and Cottonwood County crimes from a century ago.
As she digs deeper, Elizabeth is helped by friends. That’s canine as well as human friends, and includes two male humans who’d definitely like to be more than friends. Before this is over, Elizabeth will need every one of them, as her questions push someone to decide that Elizabeth should
. . . Die Later
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2014
456 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Patricia McLinn
128 books314 followersUSA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 9, 2019
The third book of this series finds EIizabeth Danniher helping her neighbor, Mildred self-defense when she shoot a mask man trying to drag her into the basement. Apparently, he was after her enormous collecton antique relics that had long been in her family since the 1800 hundreds. A close friend had died shortly before and left a strange will. Elizabeth along with her friends began to explore the shooting. The secrets recover explain the actions of a group of relatives. There is an another murder and Elizabeth has a narrow escape from death by fire. Shadow has a crucial part in the story. Does Mildred succeed in her self-defense plea or end up in prison?
May 15, 2018
When Elizabeth hears there is someone dead in the house of her elderly neighbour she rushes home to find her neighbour has shot and killed a man who was trying to drag her to her basement.
There are lots of twists to this story, great secondary characters and a stray dog who claims Elizabeth as his own.
This is fun reading.
There are lots of twists to this story, great secondary characters and a stray dog who claims Elizabeth as his own.
This is fun reading.
June 21, 2018
I absolutely LOVE this series! No perversion; no steamy erotic scenes, just great murder mysteries with tight plots, wonderful characters and a tiny touch of romance! This time E. M. Danniher’s elderly neighbor shoots an intruder who turns out to be someone she ought to know. Can Elizabeth and friends—er, colleagues—get her out of trouble?
August 25, 2020
A mystery that keeps you guessing
Elizabeth and her colleagues and her (sort of) dog are back in another mystery in Wyoming. Her neighbor, an elderly lady, shoots a man in her home. His connection to others who may want items from her western history collection sets off an interesting search by Elizabeth, Mike, and others at the tv station. She has to dodge the news anchor and station manager, deal with the stoic rancher who might have feelings for her, interview several strange and calculating locals and learn a lot more about the history of the area before finally putting all the pieces together.
The mystery keeps you guessing with lots of good red herrings. The secondary characters we’ve come to know in the previous two books continue to help move the storyline. An added dimension to this story is Elizabeth realizing her contract is over shortly and her time in exile may be coming to an end. She has to consider what it is she really wants and she really doesn’t know. The author does a good job of tying her voyage of introspection and self-discovery into the progression of the mystery.
There are exciting action sequences, humor, a stray dog who seems to have adopted Elizabeth as his, and romantic tensions that play a bit stronger than in the previous two books.
I’m really enjoying this series and not only will I move quickly on to the next book but I’ll be checking out the author’s other work as well.
Elizabeth and her colleagues and her (sort of) dog are back in another mystery in Wyoming. Her neighbor, an elderly lady, shoots a man in her home. His connection to others who may want items from her western history collection sets off an interesting search by Elizabeth, Mike, and others at the tv station. She has to dodge the news anchor and station manager, deal with the stoic rancher who might have feelings for her, interview several strange and calculating locals and learn a lot more about the history of the area before finally putting all the pieces together.
The mystery keeps you guessing with lots of good red herrings. The secondary characters we’ve come to know in the previous two books continue to help move the storyline. An added dimension to this story is Elizabeth realizing her contract is over shortly and her time in exile may be coming to an end. She has to consider what it is she really wants and she really doesn’t know. The author does a good job of tying her voyage of introspection and self-discovery into the progression of the mystery.
There are exciting action sequences, humor, a stray dog who seems to have adopted Elizabeth as his, and romantic tensions that play a bit stronger than in the previous two books.
I’m really enjoying this series and not only will I move quickly on to the next book but I’ll be checking out the author’s other work as well.
March 13, 2021
Antiques (or is it Hoarding?), a Fortune in Gold, and Murder
Recommended to teen - adults
Limited questionable language -- sometimes we know what the character said, but the author humorously spares us.
No blood and guts
Tense situations
Plot no spoilers
Rumor has it that a treasure is to be found if the right document or hole to dig in can be discovered. After years and years, greedy relatives renew their backstabbing ways to get the fortune, even though many say it's all just legend. Someone thinks it's real enough to kill for, and our scene is set.
Reporter Elizabeth and friends get involved .
Good plot twists, a bit of possible romance, danger, and an unlikely canine hero.
Enjoyable reading.
Recommended to teen - adults
Limited questionable language -- sometimes we know what the character said, but the author humorously spares us.
No blood and guts
Tense situations
Plot no spoilers
Rumor has it that a treasure is to be found if the right document or hole to dig in can be discovered. After years and years, greedy relatives renew their backstabbing ways to get the fortune, even though many say it's all just legend. Someone thinks it's real enough to kill for, and our scene is set.
Reporter Elizabeth and friends get involved .
Good plot twists, a bit of possible romance, danger, and an unlikely canine hero.
Enjoyable reading.
July 1, 2022
Pure Fun
With the wit of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and a cast of zany characters reminiscent of the old TV show, "WKRP in Cincinnati," this series does just what I want. It entertains me. This isn't high-brow lit or a Jessica Marple mystery, it's just a great story that's well written, nicely paced, and full of snarky, sassy banter.
If you're new to this series, no problem. You can start here and easily understand the story. But be warned, if you start here, you're going to want to back up to the beginning to catch all the fun the crazy Wyoming town has to offer.
With the wit of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and a cast of zany characters reminiscent of the old TV show, "WKRP in Cincinnati," this series does just what I want. It entertains me. This isn't high-brow lit or a Jessica Marple mystery, it's just a great story that's well written, nicely paced, and full of snarky, sassy banter.
If you're new to this series, no problem. You can start here and easily understand the story. But be warned, if you start here, you're going to want to back up to the beginning to catch all the fun the crazy Wyoming town has to offer.
September 26, 2017
Excellent well written mystery! Elizabeth, Mike,Tom, Diana, Mrs. Parens and more make up some of the characters in this well written mystery! Lots of clues but the author will keep you interested right up to the last few chapters where there is a twist and all comes to light. Shadow is getting better and plays an important part. There is the humor , it livens up the story and if I tell you too much it will ruin it for you. Remember things are not as they always seem and a stolen house and missing gold makes for and interesting mystery.
October 29, 2017
I think this book worked really well. Again loads of clues to help readers solve the crime but I missed them all. This is the third book based around the same set of characters and it is great to see them develop, I even like the more unpleasant characters - accusing someone of arson when they were asleep in bed and almost died was classic. Good light read, I look forward to reading the next one.
December 28, 2017
Great series
This is a great series, with a fun premise, good characters, and intriguing stories. I can definitely recommend these books and I have high standards. I can't read anything by Dianne Harmon for instance because they are so inane. So if you like those books, these would be too interesting for you.
This is a great series, with a fun premise, good characters, and intriguing stories. I can definitely recommend these books and I have high standards. I can't read anything by Dianne Harmon for instance because they are so inane. So if you like those books, these would be too interesting for you.
August 19, 2018
There's something about the story, the characters, the town, the setting in Wyoming- far from the urban job the ex-big news reporter had- that somehow works. The characters feel real and the town folk are sure not boring. I find the rural setting and small town to be really remarkable. Another page turner in this remakable series of mysteries.
May 23, 2020
Third n the series. I enjoy the characters. As the series goes on you learn more about each of them and I like that. A good amount of humor mixed in with the mystery and murder.
Some twists and turns, some hard to believe but others give clues going forward. A good read.
Some twists and turns, some hard to believe but others give clues going forward. A good read.
June 21, 2022
Quirky
I love the quirky McLinn style of writing. Although it is a suspected murder, she throws in humorous little asides to the reader. It makes you feel connected and like she is talking right to you. Quite a tangled story, but she straightens it all out by the endd
I love the quirky McLinn style of writing. Although it is a suspected murder, she throws in humorous little asides to the reader. It makes you feel connected and like she is talking right to you. Quite a tangled story, but she straightens it all out by the endd
February 2, 2023
Great series
Started this series as well as several of her others and had a hard time finding this one ( Shoot First) -- finally did and was well worth it. A!ready have the next one waiting for me.
Started this series as well as several of her others and had a hard time finding this one ( Shoot First) -- finally did and was well worth it. A!ready have the next one waiting for me.
May 26, 2023
I am really enjoying this series, which keeps getting better and better as Elizabeth develops friendships with her co-workers. I like the Western setting and "fish out of water" location for Elizabeth as well.
October 18, 2024
I liked it.
It certainly has a surprise ending. But on the other hand, there were plenty of twists throughout. I've never lived in Wyoming, but Salt Lake City and my own childhood mountains have been cold enough for me.
It certainly has a surprise ending. But on the other hand, there were plenty of twists throughout. I've never lived in Wyoming, but Salt Lake City and my own childhood mountains have been cold enough for me.
July 23, 2017
Better each read
Each book the characters learn more about themselves and each other...right down to Shadow. Anxious to continue the series, and hope she stays in Sherman.
Each book the characters learn more about themselves and each other...right down to Shadow. Anxious to continue the series, and hope she stays in Sherman.
July 28, 2017
I love this series! And now on to Book 4...
October 10, 2017
An excellent addition to the series. I love how the characters keep evolving.
January 29, 2018
Another great story
Another visit with old friends with a good mystery thrown in. While I figured out one clue very early on, the twists kept me guessing throughout. A good read
Another visit with old friends with a good mystery thrown in. While I figured out one clue very early on, the twists kept me guessing throughout. A good read
April 29, 2018
Penny never takes a breath
I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and the mystery of this book. Found myself holding my breath in certain passages and then laughing out loud in others.
I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and the mystery of this book. Found myself holding my breath in certain passages and then laughing out loud in others.
July 11, 2018
I truly am enjoying these novels....
September 26, 2018
Another great book! Kinda slow in some parts.
September 26, 2018
Great series
I'm a fan of this series set in Sherman, Wyoming. This the third and not my favorite but I love the characters and the writing is so good. I look forward to #4.
I'm a fan of this series set in Sherman, Wyoming. This the third and not my favorite but I love the characters and the writing is so good. I look forward to #4.
November 16, 2018
Was a good book, I had an audio version.
February 1, 2020
Weird, I liked the characters a lot but the mystery - not so much.
March 13, 2020
Pleasant Wyoming beauty, developed characters, well plotted and twists enough so the bad guy(s) aren’t too far ahead of their deserved end. Clean (long) cozy and funny. Recommended.
June 8, 2022
Spot on story.
The adventures keep getting better and better. Reading this series is involving from the get go.
Long may there be more tales from Wyoming.
The adventures keep getting better and better. Reading this series is involving from the get go.
Long may there be more tales from Wyoming.
July 19, 2022
This series gets better - old ladies and a great dog makes an interesting plot.
October 29, 2022
There was a different narrator and I did not like her as much.
March 27, 2024
Nice little twist at the end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews