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Scene of the Crime #11
Scene of the Crime: The Deputy's Proof
This deputy was looking for redemption from a mysterious beauty…
Ever since Savannah Sinclair's sister was killed, her ghost has become part of local lore. But deputy Josh Griffin knows the truth behind this charade. And when Savannah is attacked, Josh vows to keep the grieving beauty safe. He soon finds that even though he's protecting Savannah, it's his heart that's under fire…
Savannah only posed as her sister's spirit to keep her sibling alive—not to put herself in harm's way. But as Josh, her "bodyguard," stirs up feelings she thought long dead, Savannah can't help but wonder: Can her lone protector keep yet another Sinclair sister from being murdered?
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
30 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 3, 2017
Thoroughly entertaining romantic suspense story. Savannah Sinclair does ghost walks pretending to be her murdered sister’s ghost. Savannah's sister, Shelly, was murdered two years ago and her killer was never caught. Savannah's ghost walks are a way of keeping her sister's memory alive since she feels that Shelly has been forgotten about. After Savannah is attacked one day and almost killed on another day, sexy lawman Deputy Josh Griffin vows to keep Savannah safe until the perpetrator is caught. Josh is in love with Savannah but Savannah doesn't want to get close to anyone since she has gotten used to her solitary existence and fears she won't be able to handle losing anyone else that she loves. I really liked both Savannah and Josh. I thought the setting was great and provided a good atmosphere in the small swamp town of Lost Lagoon, Mississippi. And I loved the secret network of tunnels that were hidden underneath the town. The mystery of Savannah’s attacker is solved in this book, but her sister Shelly’s murderer is still unknown at the end, to be solved in the next book.
November 10, 2018
I'd already read Killer Cove and Who Killed Shelly Sinclair?, the first and third books in this trilogy. I figured there was no reason to bother with this middle story, since I already knew who killed Shelly Sinclair, because that was all revealed in the final book. However, I found this for $1 in an op shop and thought, "What the heck? Might as well." It wasn't awful, but it definitely suffered from the "second book in a trilogy" syndrome. Namely, it's just treading water until the overriding mystery is resolved in the next book.
This book involves murder victim Shelly's sister, Savannah, who conducts ghost walks, pretending to be her sister haunting the lagoon where she died. It's her way of keeping Shelly's memory alive. Her ruse is discovered by Deputy Josh Griffin, who says the ghost walks need to stop. Savannah has been using a series of tunnels underneath the town that nobody seems to know about, and he thinks that the police need to explore these tunnels fully to see if there's any danger down there. He allows Savannah one last ghost walk. When she's attacked in the tunnels after her final walk, he becomes her personal protector.
Carla Cassidy can usually pop out a good mystery, but this was a pretty flat and dull effort. It has more focus on the relationship between Savannah and Josh than it does the mystery, but I didn't really feel much for their romantic conflict. Josh is a good sort, but Savannah is a bit of a pain. The way she rather stubbornly holds onto her grief made her a difficult character to like. I like that Carla Cassidy tried to give Savannah depth, but I couldn't help but feel most of her actions were rather selfish. Still, I liked that Josh recognised what she was doing, and was willing to tough it out until she stopped being a moron.
The plot is thin. Even for a category, I could feel the padding. For example, even when Josh and Savannah are fairly satisfied that Savannah's attacks are completely unrelated to Shelly's murder, we keep going back to discussions about who Savannah thinks might have killed Shelly (in this case, their older brother Mac). It's an unfair thing to do, because Shelly's murder isn't going to be resolved in this book, and it's already been established Shelly's murder is unrelated to the current happenings.
In the end, none of it really makes sense. This is a serviceable romantic mystery, but you're better off reading the first and final books, and skipping this one. Like I should have done!
This book involves murder victim Shelly's sister, Savannah, who conducts ghost walks, pretending to be her sister haunting the lagoon where she died. It's her way of keeping Shelly's memory alive. Her ruse is discovered by Deputy Josh Griffin, who says the ghost walks need to stop. Savannah has been using a series of tunnels underneath the town that nobody seems to know about, and he thinks that the police need to explore these tunnels fully to see if there's any danger down there. He allows Savannah one last ghost walk. When she's attacked in the tunnels after her final walk, he becomes her personal protector.
Carla Cassidy can usually pop out a good mystery, but this was a pretty flat and dull effort. It has more focus on the relationship between Savannah and Josh than it does the mystery, but I didn't really feel much for their romantic conflict. Josh is a good sort, but Savannah is a bit of a pain. The way she rather stubbornly holds onto her grief made her a difficult character to like. I like that Carla Cassidy tried to give Savannah depth, but I couldn't help but feel most of her actions were rather selfish. Still, I liked that Josh recognised what she was doing, and was willing to tough it out until she stopped being a moron.
The plot is thin. Even for a category, I could feel the padding. For example, even when Josh and Savannah are fairly satisfied that Savannah's attacks are completely unrelated to Shelly's murder, we keep going back to discussions about who Savannah thinks might have killed Shelly (in this case, their older brother Mac). It's an unfair thing to do, because Shelly's murder isn't going to be resolved in this book, and it's already been established Shelly's murder is unrelated to the current happenings.
In the end, none of it really makes sense. This is a serviceable romantic mystery, but you're better off reading the first and final books, and skipping this one. Like I should have done!
November 12, 2015
Good book. This is a continuation of the mystery started in Scene of the Crime: Killer Cove, with the return of the man originally suspected of killing Shelly Sinclair. The true murderer has not yet been found, but Shelly's "ghost" continues to appear on a regular basis, keeping her name in front of the public.
The ghost is actually Shelly's younger sister Savannah, who has been playing ghost as a way to deal with her grief. Ever since Shelly's murder, Savannah has drawn in more on herself, only working her night job at the Inn, and keeping to her house except when playing ghost. One night she is caught by Deputy Josh Griffin, who tells her that, for her own safety, it's time to give up the act.
Josh has been attracted to Savannah for several years, but since her sister's death she has been unapproachable. When he figured out that it was Savannah who was playing ghost, he became very worried about her, especially when he found out about the tunnels she was using. He had never known about their existence and wondered who else knew. When Savannah is attacked on her last night as Shelly's ghost, Josh is determined to find out who and why.
There's a definite attraction between Josh and Savannah, but she is afraid to give in to it. Ever since her sister's death, Savannah has kept all her emotions buried so deep that she has been only existing from day to day. I got very frustrated with the way that she hid in her house, resisting Josh's attempts to bring her back into the world of the living. Every time he got a little close and stirred up her emotions, she would push him away and go back to hiding. I thought that Josh had a tremendous amount of patience with the way that he would try to ease her back into being around people. I loved seeing him comfort her when she was scared or sad. There was progress in the relationship, as Josh's patience has Savannah slowly opening up to him and also start reconnecting with other people. Eventually she has to decide if she is willing to risk living and loving again.
The suspense of the story is very good. Shelly's murder is still unsolved, with Josh and his friend and fellow deputy Daniel unhappy about the way the investigation was handled. With the discovery of the tunnels, Josh wonders if the murderer used them in the commission of the crime, and if there might be some clues down there. He reports their existence to the sheriff, who along with the mayor begin mapping them. In the meantime, Josh is watching out for Savannah. She is attacked one night at work by someone who is determined to kill her for "ruining everything". Just when she believes that the danger has passed, she is taken captive by someone who has a lot to lose. The rescue is intense, with Josh and Savannah barely escaping with their lives. I loved Josh's final confrontation with the bad guy and seeing him come out on top. While the mystery of the attacks on Savannah has been solved, the question of Shelly's murder is still unanswered. There's another book coming, and I hope that will finally provide the answers.
The ghost is actually Shelly's younger sister Savannah, who has been playing ghost as a way to deal with her grief. Ever since Shelly's murder, Savannah has drawn in more on herself, only working her night job at the Inn, and keeping to her house except when playing ghost. One night she is caught by Deputy Josh Griffin, who tells her that, for her own safety, it's time to give up the act.
Josh has been attracted to Savannah for several years, but since her sister's death she has been unapproachable. When he figured out that it was Savannah who was playing ghost, he became very worried about her, especially when he found out about the tunnels she was using. He had never known about their existence and wondered who else knew. When Savannah is attacked on her last night as Shelly's ghost, Josh is determined to find out who and why.
There's a definite attraction between Josh and Savannah, but she is afraid to give in to it. Ever since her sister's death, Savannah has kept all her emotions buried so deep that she has been only existing from day to day. I got very frustrated with the way that she hid in her house, resisting Josh's attempts to bring her back into the world of the living. Every time he got a little close and stirred up her emotions, she would push him away and go back to hiding. I thought that Josh had a tremendous amount of patience with the way that he would try to ease her back into being around people. I loved seeing him comfort her when she was scared or sad. There was progress in the relationship, as Josh's patience has Savannah slowly opening up to him and also start reconnecting with other people. Eventually she has to decide if she is willing to risk living and loving again.
The suspense of the story is very good. Shelly's murder is still unsolved, with Josh and his friend and fellow deputy Daniel unhappy about the way the investigation was handled. With the discovery of the tunnels, Josh wonders if the murderer used them in the commission of the crime, and if there might be some clues down there. He reports their existence to the sheriff, who along with the mayor begin mapping them. In the meantime, Josh is watching out for Savannah. She is attacked one night at work by someone who is determined to kill her for "ruining everything". Just when she believes that the danger has passed, she is taken captive by someone who has a lot to lose. The rescue is intense, with Josh and Savannah barely escaping with their lives. I loved Josh's final confrontation with the bad guy and seeing him come out on top. While the mystery of the attacks on Savannah has been solved, the question of Shelly's murder is still unanswered. There's another book coming, and I hope that will finally provide the answers.
January 9, 2016
This book is a continuation from Scene of the Crime: Killer Cove. In this book we officially meet Savannah. She is Shelly's sister. As she is coming back from a walk she finds Josh the deputy sheriff waiting for her. She knows her gig is up now that he has found out the walk she has been doing for the last 2 years. The book was faced pace. You think they may find out Shelly's killer in this book but alas no we don't..we will find out in the next book that is coming out in the series. Savannah has hid herself away for 2 years grieving for her dead sister..Josh comes along, a person she had flirted with and loved when she was younger before Shelly died..there is an attempt on Savannah's life in wish Josh saves her...She and Josh are falling in love but she doesn't want too...As you are continuing to turn the pages you are or I was surprised by who has been trying to hurt Savannah. I was very surprised and I love that in a book! Enjoy!!! You will not be able to put it down!
April 16, 2021
Someone killed Shelly, Savannah's sister two years ago and then their family just fell apart. Savannah could not bear to listen to her family when they said not to talk about Shelly anymore. They wanted to act like she never existed because the pain of losing her was too much for them. However, Savannah would do anything she could to keep her sister's memory alive.
This book just gets better and better the more you read. I felt so sorry for Savannah and the life that she has chosen. Another great book by Carla Cassidy. I find myself not reading the blurbs on the back of her books if it is written by her I know it will be good.
This book just gets better and better the more you read. I felt so sorry for Savannah and the life that she has chosen. Another great book by Carla Cassidy. I find myself not reading the blurbs on the back of her books if it is written by her I know it will be good.
March 18, 2020
I’m not really into romance but I unexpectedly enjoyed this book. A balance of suspense, crime, and romance. A light storytelling which focused more on the romance between the protagonists Josh Griffin and Savannah Sinclair. And I like the redemption plot towards the end, as well. (4/5 stars).
May 12, 2021
More books should include a secret network of tunnels and a heroine dressing up as her sister's ghost. Hero wasn't my favorite, but my main gripe is that while the immediate mystery is solved in this book, the overarching series mystery isn't. 2.5 rounds up to 3 stars
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July 2, 2023Savannah Sinclair's sister was murdered. Now Savannah pretends to be her ghost to keep her memory alive. Now someone is trying to kill her. Deputy Josh Griffin trys to keep her alive. Wonderful story. I read in two sittings. Did not want to put down.
November 10, 2017
Read as a stand alone but part of a series. Looking forward to reading more.
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January 7, 2022Interesting book, left somethings unsolved so I hope there's a continuity.
July 25, 2022
I enjoyed the story and suspense. I'm hoping to read more about these characters.
April 14, 2016
Savannah is wallowing in her grief.
There had been a time when she’d been certain he was going to ask her out, and there had been a time when she’d desperately hoped he would. He’d been the one man in town who had managed to quicken her heartbeat at the mere sight of him. They had flirted outrageously with each other whenever they were together in a group. Shelly had teased her unmercifully about her crush on Josh. But that had been before life had kicked her so hard she didn’t want to play anymore. She’d picked up her marbles and crawled into a cave where she felt safe and secure, a place where no more hurt could touch her again.
Josh wants her to rejoin the land of the living.
The light in his eyes darkened, and he reached out and took hold of her chin.
“I never saw you as Shelly’s sister. You were always sweet, sexy Savannah to me.”
Before she knew his intention, his lips captured hers. She wanted to pull away, but his mouth was oh so warm and inviting. Instead of stepping back, she found herself leaning into him, opening her mouth to allow him to deepen the kiss. She’d once dreamed of what it might be like to be kissed by Josh Griffin, but now she knew her wildest dreams had simply been pale imitations of the real thing. There was no way she could have dreamed of the magic and the fire in his kiss. She wanted to melt into his arms and stay there forever, and that was what made her break the kiss and step back from him.
“I’ve got to go,” she said, needing to escape before she fell into his arms again.
He stepped back from her. “Savannah, find yourself again. Find the person separate from Shelly.”
She remains stubborn and witchy and sometimes hits below the belt.
“I know you care about me, Josh.”
“I’m in love with you, Savannah.” He hadn’t meant to tell her like this, not under these circumstances, but now that he’d spoken the words aloud, the depth of his love for her filled his heart.
Her eyes were huge. “I don’t want you to be in love with me.”
He released a dry laugh. “You don’t get to be in charge of how I feel about you. I love you and I want to build a future with you. I want you to have my babies and sleep in my arms every night for the rest of our lives.”
She raised her chin and her lips trembled slightly. “I might not be in charge of what you want, but I get to be in charge of whether you’re welcome here or not, and you’re no longer welcome here.”
“So, you’re kicking me out?” He stared at her in stunned shock.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” she replied.
“Maybe you don’t love me at all,” she continued. “Maybe you just feel guilty about what you didn’t do for Shelly.”
“Trust me, Savannah. I know the difference between guilt and love, and while I will always regret not pursuing the investigation into Shelly’s death more thoroughly at the time, guilt has nothing to do with me loving you.”
He took a step toward her, but she backed away from him. “I don’t want you to love me, and I don’t want to love you,” she replied, her voice louder than usual. “And you’re wrong that I’ve been stuck in grief for the past two years. I’ve been in a safe place where I’ve felt nothing, and that’s the way I like it.”
“What about happiness? Don’t you want to be happy, Savannah? Don’t you want to feel and give love, to have children and build a life of happiness?” He gazed at her and knew his heart was in his eyes for her to see.
She looked away from him. “I’m happy alone, and that’s why it’s time for you to leave. I told you I’d call Buck and arrange for security. That’s all I need.” She looked at him once again, and tears shone in her eyes. “I don’t need you and I don’t want you here anymore. Please just go.”
“Shelly’s funeral should have been a double one,” he said. “Because when she was buried, you gave up on life. You’re a dead woman walking.”
She eventually sees how stupid she has been, but I had a hard time liking her.
There had been a time when she’d been certain he was going to ask her out, and there had been a time when she’d desperately hoped he would. He’d been the one man in town who had managed to quicken her heartbeat at the mere sight of him. They had flirted outrageously with each other whenever they were together in a group. Shelly had teased her unmercifully about her crush on Josh. But that had been before life had kicked her so hard she didn’t want to play anymore. She’d picked up her marbles and crawled into a cave where she felt safe and secure, a place where no more hurt could touch her again.
Josh wants her to rejoin the land of the living.
The light in his eyes darkened, and he reached out and took hold of her chin.
“I never saw you as Shelly’s sister. You were always sweet, sexy Savannah to me.”
Before she knew his intention, his lips captured hers. She wanted to pull away, but his mouth was oh so warm and inviting. Instead of stepping back, she found herself leaning into him, opening her mouth to allow him to deepen the kiss. She’d once dreamed of what it might be like to be kissed by Josh Griffin, but now she knew her wildest dreams had simply been pale imitations of the real thing. There was no way she could have dreamed of the magic and the fire in his kiss. She wanted to melt into his arms and stay there forever, and that was what made her break the kiss and step back from him.
“I’ve got to go,” she said, needing to escape before she fell into his arms again.
He stepped back from her. “Savannah, find yourself again. Find the person separate from Shelly.”
She remains stubborn and witchy and sometimes hits below the belt.
“I know you care about me, Josh.”
“I’m in love with you, Savannah.” He hadn’t meant to tell her like this, not under these circumstances, but now that he’d spoken the words aloud, the depth of his love for her filled his heart.
Her eyes were huge. “I don’t want you to be in love with me.”
He released a dry laugh. “You don’t get to be in charge of how I feel about you. I love you and I want to build a future with you. I want you to have my babies and sleep in my arms every night for the rest of our lives.”
She raised her chin and her lips trembled slightly. “I might not be in charge of what you want, but I get to be in charge of whether you’re welcome here or not, and you’re no longer welcome here.”
“So, you’re kicking me out?” He stared at her in stunned shock.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” she replied.
“Maybe you don’t love me at all,” she continued. “Maybe you just feel guilty about what you didn’t do for Shelly.”
“Trust me, Savannah. I know the difference between guilt and love, and while I will always regret not pursuing the investigation into Shelly’s death more thoroughly at the time, guilt has nothing to do with me loving you.”
He took a step toward her, but she backed away from him. “I don’t want you to love me, and I don’t want to love you,” she replied, her voice louder than usual. “And you’re wrong that I’ve been stuck in grief for the past two years. I’ve been in a safe place where I’ve felt nothing, and that’s the way I like it.”
“What about happiness? Don’t you want to be happy, Savannah? Don’t you want to feel and give love, to have children and build a life of happiness?” He gazed at her and knew his heart was in his eyes for her to see.
She looked away from him. “I’m happy alone, and that’s why it’s time for you to leave. I told you I’d call Buck and arrange for security. That’s all I need.” She looked at him once again, and tears shone in her eyes. “I don’t need you and I don’t want you here anymore. Please just go.”
“Shelly’s funeral should have been a double one,” he said. “Because when she was buried, you gave up on life. You’re a dead woman walking.”
She eventually sees how stupid she has been, but I had a hard time liking her.
October 23, 2016
Savannah Sinclair has been hiding from life since the murder of her sister, Shelly, two years earlier. Her family has broken up and no one mentions Shelly's name. To keep thoughts of her alive Savannah has been posing as Shelly's ghost near the scene of her death on dark nights, getting to and from her house to the scene using tunnels under the town. Deputy Josh Griffin catches her returning from her venture and puts a stop to it. She gets him to allow one final time, but during that journey back through the tunnels she is attacked. Josh brings in the Sheriff and the tunnels are revealed. The labyrinth of tunnels are being explored but someone is still after Savannah. Josh moves in to guard her and they begin to investigate what the tunnels have hidden. Another good volume, but still no solution to Shelly's murder, so its on to the next.
November 1, 2015
7/10. My first Mills and Boon Intrigue read. Good story. Heroine was frustrating and felt like giving her a good kick when she continually pushed the Hero away when she prefers to live in her self imposed hermit world. Enjoyed the book as a whole despite this and the twists and turns kept it interesting. Loved the Enid Blyton style mystery tunnels.
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January 12, 2016"Cassidy really nails the character and relationship development here. The progression of the mystery is suspense-filled, too. It will be interesting to see what happens next" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
November 3, 2015
Romance mystery lover
The cold case series are one of my favourite. It's like putting a jigsaw puzzle together after months of staring at it. I hope there is at least one more in this series so I can find out how Shelley died.
The cold case series are one of my favourite. It's like putting a jigsaw puzzle together after months of staring at it. I hope there is at least one more in this series so I can find out how Shelley died.
November 28, 2015
A nice continuation for Bo and Claire's story but still disappointed in the dragging of the story about Shelley's murderer. Overall, I liked Josh and Savannah and glad to see I wasn't wrong about Trey.
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January 12, 2016received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
July 29, 2016
I actually like the 'secret' tunnel and the 'ghost' walk but I quite disappointed with the ending.
I hoped they resolve the issue about Shelly's death.
I hoped they resolve the issue about Shelly's death.
May 12, 2018
half star
December 7, 2021
Another great romantic suspense from Carla Cassidy. Her books are always satisfying, with real-life heroines.
December 29, 2016
Quick, easy read. You can't go wrong with a book by Carla Cassidy.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews