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The Wheels of Change
An innocent game of 'Simon Says'...can lead to murder. Simon Cross is a type-A personality advertising executive who has a penchant for sleeping with married women. When one lover’s husband learns of the affairs, Simon finds himself at the mercy of a madman. The advertising executive develops a very different view of life and the people around him, but not before things are radically changed in ways he never dreamed possible. As Simon’s world is turned upside-down, police are hunting for a murderer. Soon afterward, Simon is paid an unwelcome visit by the killer. The maniac demands Simon do the one thing he can’t do...or die. With gripping, page-turning suspense and a touch of romance, The Wheels of Change will keep you entertained for hours! This is the third book in the LA Cops Series trilogy. It is a standalone novel, but it can be enjoyed with the other books in the series. What reviewers are "The Wheels of Change grips you from the first page and doesn't let go until the very last, leaving you gasping as you read the surprise ending. Appleyard proves that she has the talent to keep you guessing, and to teach some life lessons along the way."-Chanticleer Book Reviews Pick up your copy today!
- GenresMystery
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2015
8 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Appleyard
69 books195 followersSandy writes in several genres, however romance, inspirational fiction and suspense are her favourites.
As a working writer, Sandy squeezes writing time in during breaks (extended ones if the boss isn't watching ;). Happily married since 2004, Sandy resides in Niagara Falls, Ontario with her husband, two daughters, and two furbabies.
For more information, book links, contact information and blog posts, see her website www.sandyappleyard.com or visit her on Twitter @sandyappleyard
As a working writer, Sandy squeezes writing time in during breaks (extended ones if the boss isn't watching ;). Happily married since 2004, Sandy resides in Niagara Falls, Ontario with her husband, two daughters, and two furbabies.
For more information, book links, contact information and blog posts, see her website www.sandyappleyard.com or visit her on Twitter @sandyappleyard
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 17, 2015
Looking for a Good Mystery Novel? Try Wheels of Change
If you are looking for an excellent mystery yarn then Wheels of Change by Sandy Appleyard should be next on your reading list. Wheels is a whodunit by a very smart author who has been writing for nearly a decade.
From the start, the author begins building an impressively complex story that could easily have spun away in any of six directions if she hadn’t been on top of it. Wheels begins to roll with the murder of Jake Campbell, who, we find, after a bit, is more than he seems. At first, he seems like the perfect bank employee. He’s punctual, organized and a hard worker. Jake knows his job and does it well. Unfortunately, Jake has done something to really set someone off and he ends up on the wrong end of a knife blade. A bachelor, Jake has a hobby, he likes the women he works with a lot – a whole lot – and he ends up getting very close to many of them. Someone has a problem with that and Jake has his date with the blade.
Enter Simon Cross! Simon is another man who likes women – a whole lot. Okay, he’s a womanizer who notoriously sleeps around. Unfortunately, Simon has an affair with the wrong woman. Her husband is the jealous type and, well, one thing leads to another and Simon has a very bad meeting with a semi after the brakes on his expensive foreign car fail. Simon is very broken up by the affair – literally – and finds he has a long, slow road back.
Fortunately, though, the police know who hubby is and they hold him so the severely injured Simon is safe, or so he thought. At this point, the police have quite a case on their hands, all of it somehow related to Simon or his mom Nancy. Bodies are turning up all over the place and they have to find out why and how all of them are related.
Chief Mark Tame and his partner Richard keep looking at all the leads they never seem to lead anywhere. Still, they keep at it because they have to – there’s a killer on the loose.
At its heart, Wheels of Change is a well-written mystery yarn as we watch the police go through their paces. However, it is much more than that, as well. It is a story about redemption and change as we see the key character Simon change and grow in front of our eyes. He goes from a character for whom one feels little sympathy to a person with whom you can empathize. From his adversity, Simon becomes a caring man. His growth is evident. The way in which Appleyard handles that growth is quite subtle, too. Indeed, some of the little twists she uses along the way are quite good.
Overall, Sandy Appleyard is a very mature author. Her style is excellent and her ability to create real, three-dimensional characters is terrific. I especially like her transitioning between the master and sub plots. The balance she establishes is evident and because she is able to maintain that balance show she is a master at her craft. For someone of lesser talent, it is all too easy to let complicated plot strings spiral out of control, taking over the main focus, while losing the focus on the central plot and characters.
Author Sandy Appleyard is quite a skilled writer who has created a very nuanced novel in Wheels of Change. It is a novel that will keep you at the edge of your chair as you wonder what happens next. Taut, the novel moves along from point to point quickly and never bogs down. I was unable to put it down and I suspect you won’t be able to either.
If you are looking for an excellent mystery yarn then Wheels of Change by Sandy Appleyard should be next on your reading list. Wheels is a whodunit by a very smart author who has been writing for nearly a decade.
From the start, the author begins building an impressively complex story that could easily have spun away in any of six directions if she hadn’t been on top of it. Wheels begins to roll with the murder of Jake Campbell, who, we find, after a bit, is more than he seems. At first, he seems like the perfect bank employee. He’s punctual, organized and a hard worker. Jake knows his job and does it well. Unfortunately, Jake has done something to really set someone off and he ends up on the wrong end of a knife blade. A bachelor, Jake has a hobby, he likes the women he works with a lot – a whole lot – and he ends up getting very close to many of them. Someone has a problem with that and Jake has his date with the blade.
Enter Simon Cross! Simon is another man who likes women – a whole lot. Okay, he’s a womanizer who notoriously sleeps around. Unfortunately, Simon has an affair with the wrong woman. Her husband is the jealous type and, well, one thing leads to another and Simon has a very bad meeting with a semi after the brakes on his expensive foreign car fail. Simon is very broken up by the affair – literally – and finds he has a long, slow road back.
Fortunately, though, the police know who hubby is and they hold him so the severely injured Simon is safe, or so he thought. At this point, the police have quite a case on their hands, all of it somehow related to Simon or his mom Nancy. Bodies are turning up all over the place and they have to find out why and how all of them are related.
Chief Mark Tame and his partner Richard keep looking at all the leads they never seem to lead anywhere. Still, they keep at it because they have to – there’s a killer on the loose.
At its heart, Wheels of Change is a well-written mystery yarn as we watch the police go through their paces. However, it is much more than that, as well. It is a story about redemption and change as we see the key character Simon change and grow in front of our eyes. He goes from a character for whom one feels little sympathy to a person with whom you can empathize. From his adversity, Simon becomes a caring man. His growth is evident. The way in which Appleyard handles that growth is quite subtle, too. Indeed, some of the little twists she uses along the way are quite good.
Overall, Sandy Appleyard is a very mature author. Her style is excellent and her ability to create real, three-dimensional characters is terrific. I especially like her transitioning between the master and sub plots. The balance she establishes is evident and because she is able to maintain that balance show she is a master at her craft. For someone of lesser talent, it is all too easy to let complicated plot strings spiral out of control, taking over the main focus, while losing the focus on the central plot and characters.
Author Sandy Appleyard is quite a skilled writer who has created a very nuanced novel in Wheels of Change. It is a novel that will keep you at the edge of your chair as you wonder what happens next. Taut, the novel moves along from point to point quickly and never bogs down. I was unable to put it down and I suspect you won’t be able to either.
February 25, 2015
I just finished reading this page-turner…If you like thrillers full of action, mysteries, murders and life changing experiences, this book will be the perfect match for you!
The main characters are really interesting in their very own way: Simon, the womanizer ad executive whose life is about to change after an accident, Darla the highly interesting occupational therapist, Nancy – Simon’s drug-addicted mother, Ryder-Simon’s partner and the serial killer and cops that spice up this otherwise insightful novel about the choices we make in life, their consequences and how to change the way we see each other and we’re perceived…
The story is gripping, not only full of action and mystery, but also deeper insights about human nature. I’ve really enjoyed this book and I continued reading it every time I had a moment, so it took me just two days to finish it!
If you have some time for yourself this winter, take a blanket and a warm drink and enjoy it.
The main characters are really interesting in their very own way: Simon, the womanizer ad executive whose life is about to change after an accident, Darla the highly interesting occupational therapist, Nancy – Simon’s drug-addicted mother, Ryder-Simon’s partner and the serial killer and cops that spice up this otherwise insightful novel about the choices we make in life, their consequences and how to change the way we see each other and we’re perceived…
The story is gripping, not only full of action and mystery, but also deeper insights about human nature. I’ve really enjoyed this book and I continued reading it every time I had a moment, so it took me just two days to finish it!
If you have some time for yourself this winter, take a blanket and a warm drink and enjoy it.
June 14, 2015
I liked the book even though it got off to a slow start for me. By the time I finished there was a whole lot of housework that hadn't been done because I just couldn't put this book down. I did have a good idea who the killer was almost as soon as he was introduced but it didn't take anything away from the story for me. As for Simon, I didn't like him at all...in the beginning. About halfway through my feelings started to change and before I knew it, I was rooting for him. Good book that I highly recommend.
June 2, 2015
The Wheels of Change
Great read. I really enjoyed the main character's change of heart that happens throughout the story. If you enjoy some mystery,who dunnit and a little romance thrown together with some inspiration I know you'll enjoy.
Great read. I really enjoyed the main character's change of heart that happens throughout the story. If you enjoy some mystery,who dunnit and a little romance thrown together with some inspiration I know you'll enjoy.
September 16, 2015
Kept me interest to the end. Great Book!
May 15, 2015
This was a good book. I will look for more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews