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The Richard Carter Novels #10
The Daughter
Blue Creek's "golden girl" is gone.
Two days ago, Shara McGregor, the girl whose face adorns the junior college billboard on the highway, headed west to Springfield. A bright future lay ahead. After she completed her undergraduate degree, her mentor, former State Senator Willis Sparkes would pull the right strings to get her into a good law school. Despite her humble origins, the small-town girl seemed destined to be among the "movers and shakers." However, Shara never made it to Springfield.
Yesterday, two counties away, three drunken teenagers found her car hidden in the woods near an abandoned cemetery in the Irish Wilderness area. Having lost the keys to their own car, they "borrowed" it to go home for another key. When a deputy stopped them, he found blood in the car--lots of blood.
Since the girl came from Blue Creek, Hawthorn County has jurisdiction. Deputy Richard Carter begins what he assumes will be a short investigation. After all, this wasn't criminal genius at work--or was it?
The more he learns about the girl, the more Richard becomes emotionally involved. She seems one of his own, one of the "good people." The obsessive-compulsive ex-Marine pours his soul into the investigation, spurred by an irrational fear that something similar could happen to his own seven-year-old daughter Mirabelle someday.
Except for Shara's blood in the car, there is no physical evidence: no murder weapon, no crime scene, no body, and no one with a motive. There are no suspects and no motive. Everyone liked the girl, and she had no history of high-risk behavior. What happened to her shouldn't have. She wasn't that kind of girl.
Don't imagine that everyone in a small town knows everything about everyone else. There are secrets. And there is evil to match anything in the wider world.
If Shara had a secret that cost her life, what was it?
Maybe it was someone else's secret.
Two days ago, Shara McGregor, the girl whose face adorns the junior college billboard on the highway, headed west to Springfield. A bright future lay ahead. After she completed her undergraduate degree, her mentor, former State Senator Willis Sparkes would pull the right strings to get her into a good law school. Despite her humble origins, the small-town girl seemed destined to be among the "movers and shakers." However, Shara never made it to Springfield.
Yesterday, two counties away, three drunken teenagers found her car hidden in the woods near an abandoned cemetery in the Irish Wilderness area. Having lost the keys to their own car, they "borrowed" it to go home for another key. When a deputy stopped them, he found blood in the car--lots of blood.
Since the girl came from Blue Creek, Hawthorn County has jurisdiction. Deputy Richard Carter begins what he assumes will be a short investigation. After all, this wasn't criminal genius at work--or was it?
The more he learns about the girl, the more Richard becomes emotionally involved. She seems one of his own, one of the "good people." The obsessive-compulsive ex-Marine pours his soul into the investigation, spurred by an irrational fear that something similar could happen to his own seven-year-old daughter Mirabelle someday.
Except for Shara's blood in the car, there is no physical evidence: no murder weapon, no crime scene, no body, and no one with a motive. There are no suspects and no motive. Everyone liked the girl, and she had no history of high-risk behavior. What happened to her shouldn't have. She wasn't that kind of girl.
Don't imagine that everyone in a small town knows everything about everyone else. There are secrets. And there is evil to match anything in the wider world.
If Shara had a secret that cost her life, what was it?
Maybe it was someone else's secret.
- GenresMystery
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2015
5 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Simmons
16 books59 followersAR Simmons grew up in the Missouri Ozarks. He walked a gravel road to a rural school evocative of “Walton’s Mountain.” His parents did factory work to buy things not provided by their subsistence farm which was passed down from his grandfather who cleared the land from the native forest. He and his wife (beta reader, illustrator, and muse) still live on that farm. So his roots run deep in the Ozark soil. Using the culture, language, and mores of this "Bible Belt" region, he writes culturally immersive stories of obsession set amidst the small-town and rural life that he knows and loves.
He began writing seriously with a suspense novel which he serialized around the turn of the millennium on his website www.bluecreeknovels. It took until 2013 for him to publish the first Richard Carter novel (Bonne Femme) as an e-book. The series now includes fourteen mystery/suspense stand-alone stories that also chronicle Richard’s life with each story spaced about a year apart. This required a year-by-year update to the technology available to the characters because time marches on.
PS. Simmons is a rather common drudge, so once considered changing his nom-de-plume to “Bess Sellers.”
He began writing seriously with a suspense novel which he serialized around the turn of the millennium on his website www.bluecreeknovels. It took until 2013 for him to publish the first Richard Carter novel (Bonne Femme) as an e-book. The series now includes fourteen mystery/suspense stand-alone stories that also chronicle Richard’s life with each story spaced about a year apart. This required a year-by-year update to the technology available to the characters because time marches on.
PS. Simmons is a rather common drudge, so once considered changing his nom-de-plume to “Bess Sellers.”
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 18, 2016
Shara McGregor is a pretty 19-year-old girl ... who is missing. When her abandoned car is found saturated with blood, she is presumed dead.
Sheriff's Deputy Richard Carter starts looking into Shara's backgrounds. What he finds is that she was a happy person until 2 months prior, when she became very close-mouthed about what was going on in her life.
Carter finds a couple of ex-boyfriends, a few guys who were infatuated with her, a boss that can't keep his hands to himself. The girl's mother is no help, and a family friend, Senator Willis Sparkes seems to be trying to worm his way into the investigation. This makes Carter think there might be something else at play here.
Deputy Carter is like a dog with a bone. He's tenacious, and he will not give up until he discovers what happened to the girl. Suffering PTSD from his military days and ADHD, he doesn't sleep much. He goes over and over and over all the little bit of evidence they have.
It's only when he manages to stop a man from kidnapping his daughter does he realize how much danger he's in from all the lies and secrets.
There are some twists and turns I didn't see coming. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the author pulled a fast one and I was hurled into another direction altogether.
This is the 10th book in the Richard Carter series. THE DAUGHTER works fine as a stand-alone. There are a few references to things that happened in previous books, but not enough to keep me from enjoying this one.
The book is very well written. The main characters come across as totally believable. I would definitely like to start at the beginning of the series to see how they have grown into what/who they are now.
Many thanks to the author and to Wordslinger Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Sheriff's Deputy Richard Carter starts looking into Shara's backgrounds. What he finds is that she was a happy person until 2 months prior, when she became very close-mouthed about what was going on in her life.
Carter finds a couple of ex-boyfriends, a few guys who were infatuated with her, a boss that can't keep his hands to himself. The girl's mother is no help, and a family friend, Senator Willis Sparkes seems to be trying to worm his way into the investigation. This makes Carter think there might be something else at play here.
Deputy Carter is like a dog with a bone. He's tenacious, and he will not give up until he discovers what happened to the girl. Suffering PTSD from his military days and ADHD, he doesn't sleep much. He goes over and over and over all the little bit of evidence they have.
It's only when he manages to stop a man from kidnapping his daughter does he realize how much danger he's in from all the lies and secrets.
There are some twists and turns I didn't see coming. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the author pulled a fast one and I was hurled into another direction altogether.
This is the 10th book in the Richard Carter series. THE DAUGHTER works fine as a stand-alone. There are a few references to things that happened in previous books, but not enough to keep me from enjoying this one.
The book is very well written. The main characters come across as totally believable. I would definitely like to start at the beginning of the series to see how they have grown into what/who they are now.
Many thanks to the author and to Wordslinger Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
June 21, 2016
Shara McGregor is a popular and attractive young woman who has just completed an undergraduate degree and is now heading off to Springfield. Unfortunately Shara disappears and her car is found abandoned and covered in blood, the only problem being that the body is missing. Shara's mother has a strong friendship with one of the local councillors and he has managed to open doors for Shara in regard to her further education and work experience, he also tries to involve himself in the case which has both positive and negative effects. There are numerous suspects, boys captivated by Shara and also a couple of ex boyfriends to throw into the mix. Shara's mother is incredibly distraught and cannot accept that something has happened to her daughter and like any parent you feel her heartbreak. Then enter one very dedicated policeman and his team and you know that they will fight to the end to capture her killers, but do we really know what happened in the end, is Shara dead or alive? That will be a question you will have to answer for yourselves.
June 11, 2016
When a car is found abandoned and a young girl goes missing the hunt begins. Where is Shara and why was her car in the woods? The Daughter was filled with action and mystery and it was excellent!
From page one I was drawn in. The mystery surrounding Shara is a crazy one. The suspects are endless and the story was hard to solve. Most stories are easy to pick out who did what, but this book was shrouded in mystery and kept me guessing. It was written very well and told a very intriguing tale.
The only thing I was at a loss for in this book was some of the back story. I understand that this book is #10 in a series and so I expected it, but it left me guessing as to what happened to Jill and with Robert. Maybe in the future I can find the time to read the earlier books and get the answers that now are bugging me about these characters.
The ending to this book did leave one big question....is Shara alive? Its just one of those things to be left up to the reader to decide I guess...Stormi
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From page one I was drawn in. The mystery surrounding Shara is a crazy one. The suspects are endless and the story was hard to solve. Most stories are easy to pick out who did what, but this book was shrouded in mystery and kept me guessing. It was written very well and told a very intriguing tale.
The only thing I was at a loss for in this book was some of the back story. I understand that this book is #10 in a series and so I expected it, but it left me guessing as to what happened to Jill and with Robert. Maybe in the future I can find the time to read the earlier books and get the answers that now are bugging me about these characters.
The ending to this book did leave one big question....is Shara alive? Its just one of those things to be left up to the reader to decide I guess...Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
September 24, 2022
I wish to thank Goodreads Giveaways and the publisher for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I found that the characters where very well fleshed out and I got to know them very well. The story was written in such a way that I didn't want to put the book down. The clues came along just when they were needed. I thought I knew where the story was going to go, and it turned the other way just enough to keep the clues coming. I look forward to reading another book in this series.
I found that the characters where very well fleshed out and I got to know them very well. The story was written in such a way that I didn't want to put the book down. The clues came along just when they were needed. I thought I knew where the story was going to go, and it turned the other way just enough to keep the clues coming. I look forward to reading another book in this series.
May 11, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Win Copy
For fans of mystery this will keep you guessing with its many twists. As it seems to be a straight forward missing girl is presumably dead when blood is found in an abandon car. But then again all is not what it appears on further digging.
It is up to deputy sheriff Richard Carter once again to find the truth A riveting read.
For fans of mystery this will keep you guessing with its many twists. As it seems to be a straight forward missing girl is presumably dead when blood is found in an abandon car. But then again all is not what it appears on further digging.
It is up to deputy sheriff Richard Carter once again to find the truth A riveting read.
May 18, 2018
Throughly enjoyed this book. My first one that I have read by this author and will not be my last
January 21, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the twist and turns the plot takes so you don't expect the way it ends.
May 18, 2019
Well, this was a treat!
Nothing predictable, nothing I could guess at, but that's the way I like it. Well-written, really good pacing, loved the attention to detail and the way hypotheses were created and destroyed.
Talented author, thoughtful story, and characters I could emote with as they progressed in the story.
Well done!
Nothing predictable, nothing I could guess at, but that's the way I like it. Well-written, really good pacing, loved the attention to detail and the way hypotheses were created and destroyed.
Talented author, thoughtful story, and characters I could emote with as they progressed in the story.
Well done!
April 13, 2016
This mystery, The Daughter by A.R. Simmons is about a beautiful young teenager who winds up missing after a trip to her intended college. In a small town, everybody knows everybody and this makes it difficult for detective Richard Carter to perform his investigation. Its not long before the whole town knows the news.
I enjoyed and found myself more drawn into it as I read along. I had to read it for a a while before I found myself getting really interested. At first, Detective Carter spends the first several chapters interviewing the victims friends and associates as he pieces together the puzzle of her disappearance. It took me a fair amount of patience to wait for something interesting to happen. However, eventually, I felt myself being drawn in.
I am usually a person who prefers relatively gentle reads. Compared to other books, this mystery is pretty tame. There was no explicit sex or violence. However, there were some moments especially toward the end that were disturbing for me. The disturbing parts made it hard for me to finish the book.
I enjoyed and found myself more drawn into it as I read along. I had to read it for a a while before I found myself getting really interested. At first, Detective Carter spends the first several chapters interviewing the victims friends and associates as he pieces together the puzzle of her disappearance. It took me a fair amount of patience to wait for something interesting to happen. However, eventually, I felt myself being drawn in.
I am usually a person who prefers relatively gentle reads. Compared to other books, this mystery is pretty tame. There was no explicit sex or violence. However, there were some moments especially toward the end that were disturbing for me. The disturbing parts made it hard for me to finish the book.
July 31, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this author and it is very apparent from reading this book, that a lot has gone on in the previous 9 volumes. That said, I didn't feel that it impacted on the plot line of this tale, only that I wasn't as familiar with the main cast of characters as I would otherwise have been.
The narrative style of the author is such that this book was told in a straightforward, yet detailed manner, which kept the tension at a steady level. The manner in which the tale unfolded before me was measured and consistent, and this readily raised suspicions in my mind about the motives of certain characters which later had to be discounted
The final twist in the conclusion was definitely one which I didn't see coming, and elevated the entire story, making me revisit some of the character interactions.
Overall, a satisfying read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative style of the author is such that this book was told in a straightforward, yet detailed manner, which kept the tension at a steady level. The manner in which the tale unfolded before me was measured and consistent, and this readily raised suspicions in my mind about the motives of certain characters which later had to be discounted
The final twist in the conclusion was definitely one which I didn't see coming, and elevated the entire story, making me revisit some of the character interactions.
Overall, a satisfying read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2016
If you're looking for a good mystery with lots of twists and turns this is it.
When a pretty and popular teen disappears, leaving behind her abandoned blood soaked car, keys and all it doesn't look like things could possibly end well.
With a cast of characters full of shady pasts and their own agenda thrown into the mix this story will keep you guessing til the end.
I received a complimentary copy for review
When a pretty and popular teen disappears, leaving behind her abandoned blood soaked car, keys and all it doesn't look like things could possibly end well.
With a cast of characters full of shady pasts and their own agenda thrown into the mix this story will keep you guessing til the end.
I received a complimentary copy for review
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews