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Reed Ferguson Mystery #8
Sweet Smell of Sucrets
In a nightmarish turn of events, Reed finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of Denver private investigator Noel Farrell. Wrongly accused but unable to provide a convincing alibi, Reed has to work overtime to clear his own name. As Reed untangles a complex trail of clues, he learns that Farrell had discovered something much more disturbing than the usual, run-of-the-mill PI case and had attempted to contact Reed for help. Unfortunately, whoever murdered Farrell wants Reed dead, too. But can Reed find the killers before they get to him?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2015
646 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Renee Pawlish
113 books346 followersFrom the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 19, 2020
Playing dumb of what happened wasn’t working either. Now they say I am a suspect in a murder. How to prove someone beat me up, poured drink down me, and my car went in the ditch. Having gotten a call from another PI with a plea to help him on a case. Reed middle name seems to be trouble, and this one was a big one. Detective Spillman wants answer, and only getting bits of it from him. Another good plot, as you try to figure out the tangled mess he has gotten into.
January 16, 2021
Reed gets talked into a meeting with a PI he never met. The PI never showed up, but some thugs think he has information. Their attempt to kill him fails, but when the PI turns up dead, he is the prime suspect. Very good plot. Possibly my favorite Reed Ferguson so far. Certainly has the best ending.
January 23, 2021
Good characters. Good series
December 18, 2015
Another great read.
Love this series, still waiting for the wedding. Like Willie, I too was saying "be careful" to Reed again and again. His hero Bogart wouldn't be caught almost naked, but in the last moment he's saved again. To clear his name got held from all his friends, even Willie helped. Humorous, very good story.
Love this series, still waiting for the wedding. Like Willie, I too was saying "be careful" to Reed again and again. His hero Bogart wouldn't be caught almost naked, but in the last moment he's saved again. To clear his name got held from all his friends, even Willie helped. Humorous, very good story.
January 11, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"Do all detectives get left out in the cold?"
When another privatre eye contacts Reed Ferguson and says he wants to talk, Ferguson is surprised - he doesn't know the man. But Noel Farrell doesn't show for their meet and very soon Ferguson is accused of a murder he didn't commit and forced, with a little help from his friends, to prove his innocence. But it was never going to be easy. There's a whole group of people determined not to be found out, and the intrepid detective doesn't even know what the murder victim had wanted to tell him.
This series of books by Renee Pawlish has long attracted this reader by the superb titles, all based on Hollywood noir. Ferguson is a lover and collector of memorabilia of the genre and frequent references are made to books and films as well as the actors and heroes of this period, like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Despite having several of the books in my to read library, however, that is where they have stayed. Until, that is, I saw that this story was not just in audio but also read by the excellent Johnny Peppers. His warm voice, nicely paced and perfect for Ferguson, really helps carry the story to it's dramatic ending.
Sweet Smell of Sucrets is fast actions and simply written with the trademark staccato sentences, and attention is also paid to the characterisation of the main protagonists. Although the story itself is certainly lacking in credibility, it is still a good yarn, true to it noir roots and easy on the ears, thanks to the narration. It is fast, sometimes funny and overall, to be recommended.
"Do all detectives get left out in the cold?"
When another privatre eye contacts Reed Ferguson and says he wants to talk, Ferguson is surprised - he doesn't know the man. But Noel Farrell doesn't show for their meet and very soon Ferguson is accused of a murder he didn't commit and forced, with a little help from his friends, to prove his innocence. But it was never going to be easy. There's a whole group of people determined not to be found out, and the intrepid detective doesn't even know what the murder victim had wanted to tell him.
This series of books by Renee Pawlish has long attracted this reader by the superb titles, all based on Hollywood noir. Ferguson is a lover and collector of memorabilia of the genre and frequent references are made to books and films as well as the actors and heroes of this period, like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Despite having several of the books in my to read library, however, that is where they have stayed. Until, that is, I saw that this story was not just in audio but also read by the excellent Johnny Peppers. His warm voice, nicely paced and perfect for Ferguson, really helps carry the story to it's dramatic ending.
Sweet Smell of Sucrets is fast actions and simply written with the trademark staccato sentences, and attention is also paid to the characterisation of the main protagonists. Although the story itself is certainly lacking in credibility, it is still a good yarn, true to it noir roots and easy on the ears, thanks to the narration. It is fast, sometimes funny and overall, to be recommended.
February 15, 2019
Renee Pawlish is a gifted writer and grammarian as well. The Reed Ferguson books are excellent across the series; as others have noted, this is sufficiently unusual to make the books worthy of close scrutiny for no other reason, yet they each are compelling because of the care and — it must be said — devious efforts Ms Pawlish puts into her works: seemingly frivolous (and she makes clear her infatuation with the old masters like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, but equally so with Franklin W. Dixon and Carolyn Keene), she nevertheless weaves organized and deceptive plots that lull then surprise. Then distracts with segues into interfering episodes of conversations with a protective and intrusive mother or other distractions that keep detectives from seeming masterful.
Altogether a very delightful read.
Altogether a very delightful read.
October 10, 2018
Wow,Reed!!!!!
15 stars !!!!!!
What a mess Reed got into this time, was a chin hair so close to being no more.
There was kidnapping ,being beaten, accused of murder, breaking and entering, forced drunk driving and hitting a tree, a lot of stake outs, then organs being sold, and then an unwanted operation.
Reed was in the middle of all of that.
Ace, Cal and Willie helped with some stuff that wouldn't get them into trouble, because that's Reed's middle name.
Detective Spillman, she was fit to be tied with Reed, on what is going on. She keeps asking and he tells her only parts of the story, Willie has to save him AGAIN!!!!
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. I LOVED IT!!!!! I didn't sleep much!!!!
15 stars !!!!!!
What a mess Reed got into this time, was a chin hair so close to being no more.
There was kidnapping ,being beaten, accused of murder, breaking and entering, forced drunk driving and hitting a tree, a lot of stake outs, then organs being sold, and then an unwanted operation.
Reed was in the middle of all of that.
Ace, Cal and Willie helped with some stuff that wouldn't get them into trouble, because that's Reed's middle name.
Detective Spillman, she was fit to be tied with Reed, on what is going on. She keeps asking and he tells her only parts of the story, Willie has to save him AGAIN!!!!
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. I LOVED IT!!!!! I didn't sleep much!!!!
October 17, 2018
Reed Ferguson, a Denver PI is kidnapped and tortured and he has no idea why. Then he is framed for the murder of Noel Farrell, another PI that he was supposed to meet with on the day he was kidnapped. Now, Reed must ask for help from his girlfriend Willie, and friend Cal, a tech savvy recluse to clear his name.
While Reed, Willie and Cal investigate two more connected people die. Reed is more determined to find the murderer(s) than ever when he uncovers the secret of a local doctor and the reason Farrell was murdered.
This was a good mystery. Old fashioned gumshoe. I will read more in this series, eventually.
While Reed, Willie and Cal investigate two more connected people die. Reed is more determined to find the murderer(s) than ever when he uncovers the secret of a local doctor and the reason Farrell was murdered.
This was a good mystery. Old fashioned gumshoe. I will read more in this series, eventually.
June 17, 2020
Entertaining noir detective story as usual from Renee Pawlish, in which Reed is framed for the murder of a fellow detective. He uncovers a syndicate of sorts in the process of clearing his name. My only complaint is that it stretched my suspension of disbelief that Reed is dumb enough to put himself into danger, when he is dealing with obviously dangerous people. Calling the police or thinking it through better than he did would have been logical and natural alternatives than what he did. I don't go into particulars because I don't like spoilers. Over all, though, it was very fun and worth the read.
September 4, 2017
Reed Furguson. "detective noir" par excellence (not), does it again! Responding to a plea from a fellow detective, Reed heads out to help with a case and promptly gets suspected of that detective's murder. In his inimitable, bumbling way, Reed (with the help of his friends) finally gets to the bottom of the mystery, but nearly gets himself killed in the process.
Renee Pawlish has never failed to entertain me with her detective series. This story is yet one more enjoyable "noir" yarn.
Renee Pawlish has never failed to entertain me with her detective series. This story is yet one more enjoyable "noir" yarn.
December 10, 2018
This is my favorite title of the Ferguson series so far. How can you read that and not laugh? or read it and not be curious the idea behind it? This is the first one I've read where Reed is the suspect. Will he clear his name? Will he get killed investigating? Will the goofball brothers ask Reed if he wants to go play pool? Definitely! This is a keeper, don't miss it.
June 11, 2017
Another fun read by Renee Pawlish. The main character, Reed Ferguson, solves another strange murder case in Denver.
All the while maintaining a love life with his girlfriend Willie.
His friends the Goofball brothers and Call are always around to help out.
Grab a copy and enjoy the summer.
All the while maintaining a love life with his girlfriend Willie.
His friends the Goofball brothers and Call are always around to help out.
Grab a copy and enjoy the summer.
November 1, 2018
Great book!
This was a very good book. It was a little slow at first but the climax at the end made up for it. Reed could really get into scrapes, some of them comical, some downright dangerous.
This was a very good book. It was a little slow at first but the climax at the end made up for it. Reed could really get into scrapes, some of them comical, some downright dangerous.
November 19, 2018
Another good one
I enjoyed reading another Reed Ferguson mystery. There's humor and the character Ferguson is so real, some of the things he does are just plain nuts. The story keeps you interested and you have to find out what he's up to next.
I enjoyed reading another Reed Ferguson mystery. There's humor and the character Ferguson is so real, some of the things he does are just plain nuts. The story keeps you interested and you have to find out what he's up to next.
January 12, 2019
The story line just never grabbed my interest, hence my rating is lower than many. I finished the book and was glad it was over. I doubt I will be revisiting this series. The detective just wasn’t up to par.
January 16, 2017
A continuity error only exacerbated a pedantic plot in this disappointing edition of an otherwise enjoyable series of Reed Ferguson mysteries.
October 20, 2017
Good story. Like the story taking place in and near Denver. I like Reed.
October 13, 2018
Enjoyable Read
Likeable characters. Interesting story line. Good descriptions of scenery around Denver. Looking forward to reading more stories by this author.
Likeable characters. Interesting story line. Good descriptions of scenery around Denver. Looking forward to reading more stories by this author.
October 15, 2018
Another fast-paced, Reed Ferguson story, as much fun as all the others. I highly recommend this series.
December 12, 2018
Pseudo Noir fun
Well written, entertaining plot. I read it all night.
Not recommended for people who need their sleep.
Worth the time.
Well written, entertaining plot. I read it all night.
Not recommended for people who need their sleep.
Worth the time.
June 19, 2019
Excellent read; a real page-turner. Reed Ferguson is the kind of PI you love but, wonder how he survives. And, he almost didn't this time.
June 26, 2019
This series is delightful, often hilarious, and often predictable. I enjoy the characters and the main character's take on his predicaments.
July 2, 2019
Another excellent story from this top author
October 9, 2019
Its amazing what Reed gets involved with. This time it surely was not his fault and he had to clear his self. Very exciting read.
November 1, 2019
an OK entry in the series. Still like Reed and his pals the Goofball brothers - girlfriend Willie had a bigger role but still on the sideline.
March 26, 2021
Liked it
Fun book. Quick read when little else to do. Recommend for a beach read while listening to the waves hit the shore.
Fun book. Quick read when little else to do. Recommend for a beach read while listening to the waves hit the shore.
April 3, 2021
Kindle-Free-3.5stars
November 26, 2021
Great read 4 stars
September 18, 2022
Page Turner
An excellent suspense filled Reed filled with twist and turns. Kept me captivated from page one to the last page
An excellent suspense filled Reed filled with twist and turns. Kept me captivated from page one to the last page
September 30, 2022
Another good Reed Ferguson caper
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews