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E.J. Pugh #11
Gone in a Flash
After almost ruining her marriage to husband Willis months earlier because of her habit of involving herself in murder cases, E.J. Pugh is determined to stay out of drama and pay attention only to her husband, children and writing career. How hard can it be?
But through no fault of their own, E.J. and Willis are plunged into another crisis when someone chooses Willis' truck to hide a satchel. Finding the satchel with no ID inside, their foster daughter Alicia decides to make it her new backpack. When Alicia suddenly disappears, along with the satchel, E.J. and Willis are beside themselves. Why is the satchel important and, more importantly, where is Alicia? Can they find answers before it's too late?
But through no fault of their own, E.J. and Willis are plunged into another crisis when someone chooses Willis' truck to hide a satchel. Finding the satchel with no ID inside, their foster daughter Alicia decides to make it her new backpack. When Alicia suddenly disappears, along with the satchel, E.J. and Willis are beside themselves. Why is the satchel important and, more importantly, where is Alicia? Can they find answers before it's too late?
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Susan Rogers Cooper
35 books27 followersSusan Rogers Cooper is an American mystery novelist. A self-proclaimed "half fifth generation Texan; half Yankee", she sets her novels in Texas (the E.J. Pugh and Kimmey Kruse novels) and in Oklahoma (the Sheriff Milt Kovak novels). She is currently living in Central Texas, coming up with fresh new ways to get her characters into trouble.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 25, 2022
What a page-turner! This mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment something is planted in the back of E.J.'s truck without her knowledge, until the very last page when the murderer is caught. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, especially with regard to the ineptitude of some of the crooks. This is definitely a good read.
December 24, 2013
We’re long-time Cooper fans and welcome her return to publishing (out of the UK, and in hardback) after a several year break in her two most popular series. Her earlier Kimmy Kruse two-book set is now quite obscure, but her romance writer and amateur sleuth EJ Pugh set and her (small town Oklahoma) Sheriff Milt Kovak mysteries are pleasing enough to now approach nearly a dozen books each.
In this latest (11th) EJ Pugh, there are three stories in one, which unfortunately due to alternating scenes and flashbacks between them gets a little confusing from time to time. Two of the tales finally merge, but one sub-plot about Pugh’s mother and a missing member of her church choir was a bit of a distracting sub-plot that had nothing to do with the main story, and whose twisty end was not as much of a surprise as we suspect the author intended. In the main plot, a man falls to his death off the roof of a Houston hotel where EJ and hubby Willis were vacationing, his death later ruled a murder. Some men toss a satchel into Willis’ truck, which eventually one of his daughters claims and takes to school and so on. It contained something of great value hidden inside, and a series of bungling thugs spend most of the novel trying to reclaim it, going so far as to kidnap one of Pugh’s daughters in the process.
These tales tend to be relatively light mysteries with plenty of family interactions in the mix. We’ve always enjoyed Cooper’s writing style, and while this particular novel was not necessarily one of our favorites, we enjoyed refreshing our acquaintance with the author and will certainly soon again complete our reading of her entire bibliography now that her new books are once again being printed.
In this latest (11th) EJ Pugh, there are three stories in one, which unfortunately due to alternating scenes and flashbacks between them gets a little confusing from time to time. Two of the tales finally merge, but one sub-plot about Pugh’s mother and a missing member of her church choir was a bit of a distracting sub-plot that had nothing to do with the main story, and whose twisty end was not as much of a surprise as we suspect the author intended. In the main plot, a man falls to his death off the roof of a Houston hotel where EJ and hubby Willis were vacationing, his death later ruled a murder. Some men toss a satchel into Willis’ truck, which eventually one of his daughters claims and takes to school and so on. It contained something of great value hidden inside, and a series of bungling thugs spend most of the novel trying to reclaim it, going so far as to kidnap one of Pugh’s daughters in the process.
These tales tend to be relatively light mysteries with plenty of family interactions in the mix. We’ve always enjoyed Cooper’s writing style, and while this particular novel was not necessarily one of our favorites, we enjoyed refreshing our acquaintance with the author and will certainly soon again complete our reading of her entire bibliography now that her new books are once again being printed.
September 8, 2016
In the interest of full disclosure: I did not finish this book. I couldn't make it past page 30. I was so sick of being barraged with foul language I simply couldn't tolerate it any more. The language wasn't confined to certain characters to make a point. It was said by the criminals, by the parents (and in front of their children - what kind of a role model is that?) and by pretty much any adult in the book (at least as far as I read).
Now, I don't consider myself a prude. And there were some passages where I thought Ms. Cooper could actually convey some humor and decent characterization. But it simply wasn't worth wading through the constant use of unnecessary offensive language to find it. I read for enjoyment. I love words. (At least most of them.) and often find uplifting things in fiction - even mysteries. But when this kind of language is used as a substitute for actual real words, for real writing, I find it very disappointing. I have even engaged in some communication with real authors about this very thing. (And no, not every one talks like this, not everyone wants to read this and it is NOT a portrayal of real world life.)
That said: no books by this author will ever be in my hands as a possible read again. Further, I will never recommend her to anyone. If this seems harsh, I am reminded that this forum by its very nature is subjective. This is my own opinion. I'm sad I wasted the time I did.
Now, I don't consider myself a prude. And there were some passages where I thought Ms. Cooper could actually convey some humor and decent characterization. But it simply wasn't worth wading through the constant use of unnecessary offensive language to find it. I read for enjoyment. I love words. (At least most of them.) and often find uplifting things in fiction - even mysteries. But when this kind of language is used as a substitute for actual real words, for real writing, I find it very disappointing. I have even engaged in some communication with real authors about this very thing. (And no, not every one talks like this, not everyone wants to read this and it is NOT a portrayal of real world life.)
That said: no books by this author will ever be in my hands as a possible read again. Further, I will never recommend her to anyone. If this seems harsh, I am reminded that this forum by its very nature is subjective. This is my own opinion. I'm sad I wasted the time I did.
April 19, 2014
Cooper is one of my favorite mystery authors and I was excited to see another about E.J. Pugh and her family. It would have gotten 4 stars if there weren't the irritating peak/peek and tinsel/tensile wrong usages. Also, her research failed to note that the Houston PD is on Travis now. Before it was located at 61 Riesner St., not Reasoner.
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February 21, 2014Good book,weaving the various plots together, keeping family together, pulling it all together in a plausible way.
October 6, 2014
Not terrible. Moderately a Amusing characters esp mother. Using tech as plot point. Mystery itself sort of dumb
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews