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Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery #2
Swallow the Hook
Small town charm.
Big city evil.
In a small Adirondack Mountain town, secrets are closely guarded.
And outsiders with crazy ideas are not welcome.
So Police Chief Frank Bennett has his hands full when a group of environmental activists shows up in Trout Run, NY trying to close down Raging Rapids, a popular tourist attraction.
Frank thinks they're all noise.
Until their leader turns up with a bullet in his heart.
Now Frank must figure out why this group targeted Trout Run. And how they're connected to a feral family who live off the grid.
As Frank untangles the clues, he confronts the lure of cash, the lure of power, and the lure of a happy family.
Now Frank must navigate the dangerous intersection of love and greed. And one wrong turn could spell death to those he most wants to protect.
Fans of traditional detective, character-driven mysteries will enjoy the adventures of this small town Adirondack police chief. Lovers of the outdoors will appreciate the rugged Adirondack Mountain setting. Readers come for the mystery, but stay for the characters. The drama of family life, small town gossip, and financial desperation drive the complex plots. As one reader said, "I love the Frank Bennett series. The characters seem like real people with real flaws and real problems."
Start reading The Lure today. Once you visit Trout Run in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, you won't want to leave!
Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series Order
The books may be read in order or as stand-alone mysteries. They are perfect for readers who enjoy well-developed characters and a vivid setting, including readers of murder mystery books, outdoor adventure books, men's adventure books, and family drama books.
The Lure
Blood Knot
Dead Drift (three short mystery stories)
False Cast
Tailspinner
Big city evil.
In a small Adirondack Mountain town, secrets are closely guarded.
And outsiders with crazy ideas are not welcome.
So Police Chief Frank Bennett has his hands full when a group of environmental activists shows up in Trout Run, NY trying to close down Raging Rapids, a popular tourist attraction.
Frank thinks they're all noise.
Until their leader turns up with a bullet in his heart.
Now Frank must figure out why this group targeted Trout Run. And how they're connected to a feral family who live off the grid.
As Frank untangles the clues, he confronts the lure of cash, the lure of power, and the lure of a happy family.
Now Frank must navigate the dangerous intersection of love and greed. And one wrong turn could spell death to those he most wants to protect.
Fans of traditional detective, character-driven mysteries will enjoy the adventures of this small town Adirondack police chief. Lovers of the outdoors will appreciate the rugged Adirondack Mountain setting. Readers come for the mystery, but stay for the characters. The drama of family life, small town gossip, and financial desperation drive the complex plots. As one reader said, "I love the Frank Bennett series. The characters seem like real people with real flaws and real problems."
Start reading The Lure today. Once you visit Trout Run in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, you won't want to leave!
Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series Order
The books may be read in order or as stand-alone mysteries. They are perfect for readers who enjoy well-developed characters and a vivid setting, including readers of murder mystery books, outdoor adventure books, men's adventure books, and family drama books.
The Lure
Blood Knot
Dead Drift (three short mystery stories)
False Cast
Tailspinner
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 27, 2004
1502 people are currently reading
1235 people want to read
About the author
S.W. Hubbard
32 books452 followersS.W. Hubbard writes the kinds of books she loves to read: twisty, believable, full of complex characters, and highlighted with sly humor. She is the author of the Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery Series and the Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series, as well as the Life in Palmyrton Women's Friendship Fiction Series. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the anthologiesDead Drift, Crimes by Moonlight, The Mystery Box, andAdirondack Mysteries. When not writing, she hikes with her rescue dog, Libby, and her husband. She lives in Morristown, NJ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
July 26, 2017
I always enjoy a good mystery story but this one really kept me guessing. Lots of side stories were woven into the plot to make it more interesting. I also found the characters interesting and the author was able to bring them to life in the story. It also brought out the complexity of dealing with difficult issues and how the wrong decision can have devastating affects on the people involved. I would like to read more Frank Bennett mysteries.
September 16, 2015
I loved it. It was just what I wanted for a fast simple mystery. I look forward to reading more in the Frank Bennett series. I want to go to the Adirondacks now.
January 6, 2016
A good days read
Just when I thought I had the answers, another kink was introduced....but it all flows into a well structured and enticing story!
Just when I thought I had the answers, another kink was introduced....but it all flows into a well structured and enticing story!
August 22, 2020
This was the perfect book to take along for my vacation to Lake George in New York's Adirondack Mountains, which was near the setting for this mystery. It centered on Investigator Frank Bennett who is trying to get to the heart of an illegal adoption ring as well as protestors who are raising a ruckus over the alleged environmental damage a local amusement park is posing. Short chapters, interesting characters and evolving plot twists made this a winner for me.
April 21, 2020
After reading "Take the Bait" I was intrigued enough to download this one. The protagonist is well drawn- seemingly a simple man, but complex in character. The author does a great job of helping the reader "see" the setting of the town and nearby landscapes with her vivid descriptions, without overburdening the reader with paragraphs of overlong prose. A well written novel. I will be completely honest and say that I frequently got lost while trying to keep track of the multitude of characters in the story (some of you may not), yet I kept reading because the plot (which included multiple mysteries) kept my interest. If you enjoy mysteries set in small rural towns, and the characters who usually inhabit them, this book may just fit the bill.
September 13, 2015
Well-crafted whodunit
Picturesque setting, diverse characters, several story threads all neatly resolved by the end. Nicely paced, genteel (more or less) mystery.
Picturesque setting, diverse characters, several story threads all neatly resolved by the end. Nicely paced, genteel (more or less) mystery.
October 13, 2015
Great mystery.
I really enjoyed this. The author's vivid descriptions of the town and characters really helps the reader visualize the story.
I really enjoyed this. The author's vivid descriptions of the town and characters really helps the reader visualize the story.
November 21, 2023
A Lot of Characters
So while I read this pretty fast I thought there was an awful lot of characters in here to keep track of. And often I would forget ease who a particular one was....so it was getting a tad confusing... Otherwise I found this to be a pretty good mystery. Not great but it was OK.
So this book was claiming how it was set in the natural environment of these mountains. Well I actually found very little of the book took place in the natural environment. There was one small scene where the police chief (who is the main character) climbed up a mountain hiking trail to see the top. And there was mention of this tour on wooden boardwalks by a river - but we never actually go onto this boardwalk. So there is no walking in the forest or actual hiking or none of that stuff - which is what I had been expecting. So in that way it was a disappointment.
Instead its set in a small town. People having secrets. That sort of thing.
Towards the end the story was making me a tad sleepy. It was kind of dull... The main character was never in any danger. He just did a lot of police stuff like asking questions and going here or there. I never really felt that I knew the characters very well. It was like many had names but that was it. And it was hard to keep track of who was who.
So while I read this pretty fast I thought there was an awful lot of characters in here to keep track of. And often I would forget ease who a particular one was....so it was getting a tad confusing... Otherwise I found this to be a pretty good mystery. Not great but it was OK.
So this book was claiming how it was set in the natural environment of these mountains. Well I actually found very little of the book took place in the natural environment. There was one small scene where the police chief (who is the main character) climbed up a mountain hiking trail to see the top. And there was mention of this tour on wooden boardwalks by a river - but we never actually go onto this boardwalk. So there is no walking in the forest or actual hiking or none of that stuff - which is what I had been expecting. So in that way it was a disappointment.
Instead its set in a small town. People having secrets. That sort of thing.
Towards the end the story was making me a tad sleepy. It was kind of dull... The main character was never in any danger. He just did a lot of police stuff like asking questions and going here or there. I never really felt that I knew the characters very well. It was like many had names but that was it. And it was hard to keep track of who was who.
February 28, 2019
The Lure by S.W. Hubbard follows the detection efforts of Frank Bennett, chief of police in the small Adirondack town of Trout Run, NY. A young woman, Mary Pat Sheehan, died at the wheel in a car crash, and the medical examiner reveals that Mary Pat did not die in the crash but rather from septicemia after having just given birth to a baby no one had any idea she was expecting. Trying to track down the baby leads Frank to an underground, illegal adoption agency that has been taking babies from white women and selling them to couples. Tracking down the couple who wanted to adopt Mary Pat’s baby, Frank discovers that they were introduced to the girl and then told that complications would require a substantial additional sum that they couldn’t afford to pay. But Frank needs to figure out who is behind this illegal scam agency that allowed Mary Pat to give birth outside a hospital and led to her death when they didn’t provide proper medical care to her.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
May 24, 2017
The manner in which the author apparently had several plots running at once and then combined them smoothly into one satisfying conclusion was well done. And the fact that one of them was not totally wrapped into that but was left as just a separate thing that was happening was done such that the reader was not left feeling that it was incomplete.
Transitions could have been better. There were several times when it felt like action was disjoint and confusing, until I realized that there was a change in scene and time that had happened. That was a little unsettling, but overall it was a good book.
Transitions could have been better. There were several times when it felt like action was disjoint and confusing, until I realized that there was a change in scene and time that had happened. That was a little unsettling, but overall it was a good book.
March 8, 2019
Audio:I really enjoyed this book!It was full of twists and turns and colorful characters. Narration by Danny Campbell was very good. I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
May 17, 2017
Normally a mystery is of minor interest to me, but for some reason, this novel was hard to put down when I was reading it. Character development, location description, and writing style were all excellent.
May 26, 2020
I picked it up because of the Adirondack setting, but will read more of the Frank Bennett series. Although the writing could use some polishing, it really was well plotted out.
April 8, 2017
The Lure
This is a very good mystery. I really enjoyed it. It has a lot of suspense.which is what I really like. I would recommend this book. Worth reading.
This is a very good mystery. I really enjoyed it. It has a lot of suspense.which is what I really like. I would recommend this book. Worth reading.
November 24, 2017
A good read. This is my second book in this series. I plan on reading the rest of the series. The characters are interesting .
July 10, 2021
Great characters and intricate plot.
November 4, 2018
The story does lure the reader!
I enjoyed the story line. The author made the characters come alive in the quest to solve several twists. It is good to know the chief will be in future books. Great read!
I enjoyed the story line. The author made the characters come alive in the quest to solve several twists. It is good to know the chief will be in future books. Great read!
October 15, 2017
An enjoyable mystery set in small town America. The plot was full of twists and turns which kept me guessing.
March 2, 2017
Review
I enjoyed reading this book. The main characters were very likable. The author keep me guessing who was guilty! Thanks to the author for a good mystery!
I enjoyed reading this book. The main characters were very likable. The author keep me guessing who was guilty! Thanks to the author for a good mystery!
September 24, 2021
Another tangly, twisty mystery by S.W. Hubbard. I appreciate that Hubbard writes compelling and interesting mysteries without graphic sex and bad language.
I admit I enjoyed the background setting of the Adirondacks as I am very fond of the area.
Frank is a relatable and interesting hero as he seeks to solve the mystery of a dead woman who died of complications of childbirth, seeks to find the child, and environmental protests. The conclusion was satisfying and surprising.
I admit I enjoyed the background setting of the Adirondacks as I am very fond of the area.
Frank is a relatable and interesting hero as he seeks to solve the mystery of a dead woman who died of complications of childbirth, seeks to find the child, and environmental protests. The conclusion was satisfying and surprising.
October 4, 2018
I really like the character of Frank. When his wife died suddenly & he lost the job he loved as a detective in Kansas City, he reinvents himself as Police Chief of a small town in the Adirondacks. He's smart but humble & a bulldog when he's solving a case in his town.
Every character is fleshed out & makes me want to take up residence in Trout Run! The relationship of Frank mentoring Earl is both humorous & touching. Love this author!
Every character is fleshed out & makes me want to take up residence in Trout Run! The relationship of Frank mentoring Earl is both humorous & touching. Love this author!
February 27, 2017
I hadn't read this authors books before so I was more than pleasantly surprised how soon I was hooked! The story was great and kept me page turning till the end! Mark me down as a new fan!!
February 27, 2017
good story< didn't see the ending on this coming!
November 7, 2021
The Lure
This was such a good book. Really liked Frank and the story moved along and had me wondering and guessing all the way through.
This was such a good book. Really liked Frank and the story moved along and had me wondering and guessing all the way through.
October 27, 2021
Good read
Enjoyed the book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series. Well written, characters well developed, and good down-home feeling.
Enjoyed the book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series. Well written, characters well developed, and good down-home feeling.
June 2, 2015
So far I have really enjoyed everything this author has written. I read Take The Bait, the first book in this series, the other day and immediately purchased The Lure as soon as I'd finished it.
The Frank Bennett series is well written, fast paced and has a lot of twists. Just when I thought I'd figured out what had happened, something else would happen to make me realize I was wrong. I didn't want to put the book down because I wanted to find out 'whodunit' so badly!
The characters were a fun mix of the types of people every town has. Even the people that weren't very easy to like were wholly fleshed out and very real seeming. I could easily picture them all in my head.
If you like a good, fast paced and interesting mystery, definitely read this book and the first one in the series! I actually wanted to buy the 3rd as soon as I was done with The Lure, but it isn't yet on Kindle. I can also highly recommend this author's Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery series. I've read all of those and really like them.
The Frank Bennett series is well written, fast paced and has a lot of twists. Just when I thought I'd figured out what had happened, something else would happen to make me realize I was wrong. I didn't want to put the book down because I wanted to find out 'whodunit' so badly!
The characters were a fun mix of the types of people every town has. Even the people that weren't very easy to like were wholly fleshed out and very real seeming. I could easily picture them all in my head.
If you like a good, fast paced and interesting mystery, definitely read this book and the first one in the series! I actually wanted to buy the 3rd as soon as I was done with The Lure, but it isn't yet on Kindle. I can also highly recommend this author's Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery series. I've read all of those and really like them.
November 4, 2015
The lure- a small town murder mystery is exactly what the title says. Its about a murder in a rather small town where everyone knows everyone and thus everyone is believable and everyone is lying. :) :)
every character is detailed out - which didn't really help as i lost track of the characters and their characteristics. Having said that, the way everything comes together in the end is simply beautiful. You actually feel for Mary, Sarah, Frank and Beth.
The book does require some effort to get going but once it gets going - it gets going.....
enjoyed the book and details helped to visualize the town. Thank you for a nice read.
every character is detailed out - which didn't really help as i lost track of the characters and their characteristics. Having said that, the way everything comes together in the end is simply beautiful. You actually feel for Mary, Sarah, Frank and Beth.
The book does require some effort to get going but once it gets going - it gets going.....
enjoyed the book and details helped to visualize the town. Thank you for a nice read.
June 26, 2015
Title of the book is perfect
Because this does LURE you in!! This is a 2nd book in a series (I have not read the first) about a small town cop in upstate New York. Black market adoptions, a local girl found dead & having delivered a baby that no one knew about, environmental groups and quirky townsfolk made for a great mystery read. Have read another 2 books by this author Another Mans Treasure & its follow up & eagerly awaiting the newest book in that series as well. Main character Frank Bennett likable and relatable. Will look for more Frank Bennett mysteries!!!
Because this does LURE you in!! This is a 2nd book in a series (I have not read the first) about a small town cop in upstate New York. Black market adoptions, a local girl found dead & having delivered a baby that no one knew about, environmental groups and quirky townsfolk made for a great mystery read. Have read another 2 books by this author Another Mans Treasure & its follow up & eagerly awaiting the newest book in that series as well. Main character Frank Bennett likable and relatable. Will look for more Frank Bennett mysteries!!!
October 24, 2015
Excellent small town murder mystery
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters are very believable. Frank Bennett is an engaging police chief who came across as warm and likeable. In particular his nervousness at how to approach a lady in town, and feelings of guilt when an interrogation doesn't come out well come across as very human. I will be looking for more small town mysteries.
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the characters are very believable. Frank Bennett is an engaging police chief who came across as warm and likeable. In particular his nervousness at how to approach a lady in town, and feelings of guilt when an interrogation doesn't come out well come across as very human. I will be looking for more small town mysteries.
September 4, 2014
Hubbard is a very talented mystery writer. After reading her latest book for book club, I was determined to read her other books. I would never have picked up this book based on the title and cover. "Swallow the Hook"? But it kept me guessing, even if it wasn't as much fun as "Another Man's Treasure".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews