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The Blackwood Files #1
File One: Family Secrets
Brooke Callahan’s life might not have been perfect, but it was pretty much what she had expected. She was successful, she was admired and she had a reputation for being a tough defense lawyer, even for her pro-bono cases. Her father was the well-respected and often feared, Judge Callahan. Her mother, Amy Callahan, was a successful hostess in the politically influential circles of Cook County, Illinois. Detective Arthur O’Reilly could care less about politics, except when they got in his way. He was interested in getting the bad guys off the streets. He was a good cop, a clean cop and his family had a reputation too. The O’Reilly’s were by-the-book and loyal to a fault. They were the ones you wanted on your side in a fight. Brooke’s client had been Art’s arrest, a drug dealer and kid killer. Art wanted him to go away for a long time. But Brooke wanted to win and besides, the clerical error that voided her client’s confession wasn’t her fault, it was shoddy police work. When Art confronted Brooke after court he didn’t mean to turn her world upside down, he just wanted to understand. How could the daughter of a murdered cop, Detective Bruce Blackwood, let her client get away with murder? What Art didn’t know was that Brooke Callahan didn’t realize she was really Brooke Blackwood and that her father had left her a legacy of mystery in The Blackwood Files.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2015
145 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Terri Reid
105 books827 followersTerri Reid is the author of the Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mysteries. An indie author, Reid uploaded her first book “Loose Ends” in August 2010. By the end of 2012, “Loose Ends” had sold over 82,000 copies and, as of the writing of this bio, was the number one bestselling book in Amazon’s ranking of Ghost Stories in the Book/Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/Horror/Ghosts section and the number two in the same area in the Kindle eBooks section. She has eight other books in the Mary O’Reilly Series and has enjoyed Top Rated and Hot New Release status for many of them in the Women Sleuths category through Amazon US. Her books have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese and are also now available through CreateSpace and Amazon in print versions. She is also working on an audiobook for “Loose Ends.”
Reid has been quoted in several books about the self-publishing industry, including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway. She was also honored to have some of her works included in A. J. Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers—The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” She has also had the distinct privilege of guest blogging for Joe Konrath.
Reid is from Northwest Illinois, near the town of Freeport, the home of her fictional characters. Her background is in marketing and public relations. She is married, the mother of seven children, and the grandmother of twenty-three.
She has her grandchildren convinced that she talks to fairies and animals - and they talk back.
Reid has been quoted in several books about the self-publishing industry, including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway. She was also honored to have some of her works included in A. J. Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers—The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” She has also had the distinct privilege of guest blogging for Joe Konrath.
Reid is from Northwest Illinois, near the town of Freeport, the home of her fictional characters. Her background is in marketing and public relations. She is married, the mother of seven children, and the grandmother of twenty-three.
She has her grandchildren convinced that she talks to fairies and animals - and they talk back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 25, 2016
The Blackwood Files-File One:Family Secrets
First, for those complaining that the book seems incomplete, please note that the title includes the phrase "Book One", so yes, it's the first in a series or, as some have labeled them, a serial. As to the style of leaving the story open ended and deliberately unfinished, I have to admit that I find this new development in Ms. Reid's publishing to be troublesome. Her previous method of giving us complete and fulfilling stories within each book, and then picking up the characters for the next installment in the series has been part of the delightful draw for her books. She has no need for the "cheap trick" of forcing her readers to purchase the next book just to finish the exciting conclusion to all of the build-up from the whole book we've just read. She's always served us the whole delicious meal, knowing without a doubt we'd always be back, craving the next one. She's a better storyteller than to have to leave us unfulfilled. Enough said.
The next point is the sad lack of proofreading in this book. It went beyond distracting into the realm of embarrassing. Again, I've been drawn to Ms. Reid's fun stories for their entertainment value as well as their professional presentation; lack of proofing in this one stole her usual clean, easy to read presentation. This one seemed rushed to publishing before it was a polished, finished product. Shame on whoever was responsible for letting this one slip through in such a shoddy condition.
Unfortunately, however, the same holds true within some of the storyline and character development. We are expected to believe that an extremely competent lawyer, an independent and strong woman would behave in the manner of an individual who still views her world through the perceptions of an adolescent in many ways. Innocent of sexual encounters I might believe, but to say the same about the ways of men, criminal attitudes and the rough world in general? I think not. To have her react the way she did to learning of her real father and his story was a disappointment. And just a point of referring believability? A whole boy of Irish Whisky for a young woman who only drinks a glass of white wine in a sitting? Silly slurring and giggling are NOT what would have ensue; violent illness and a very embarrassing loss of consciousness long birthday bottle was finished would be much more believable. Also, the following day wouldn't have been eased with energy drinks and acetaminophen, and no amount of will power would have saved that beautifu, cherished duvet cover. Sorry, Terri; not even close. Just saying. Even within Ms. Reid's charmingly blurred vision of her character's realities, this one was too far of a stretch. Character development for the parents, especially the mother, was ridiculously farfetched for the lead ins provided. Even Art didn't receive the best background sketch for his family to set the stage for the O'Reilly propensity for spirit interaction. Niki didn't even get a chance to warm her way into our hearts with her backstory. Perhaps this Book One tried to squeeze two books into its necessary number of one book of pages? Whatever the case, the readers got shortchanged.
If I found so many problematic issues, why did I still grant four stars? That one's easy. It's still a Terri Reid story, and it's still capable of pulling me into a much appreciated alternate world that's so much fun I'll give her lots of leeway to see if this was just a single blip on her screen. If it's to become the new normal, I'll probably find a new tour guide into my escapism journeys. In the meantime, I'll eagerly await the next installment in The Blackwood Files and hope for the best!
First, for those complaining that the book seems incomplete, please note that the title includes the phrase "Book One", so yes, it's the first in a series or, as some have labeled them, a serial. As to the style of leaving the story open ended and deliberately unfinished, I have to admit that I find this new development in Ms. Reid's publishing to be troublesome. Her previous method of giving us complete and fulfilling stories within each book, and then picking up the characters for the next installment in the series has been part of the delightful draw for her books. She has no need for the "cheap trick" of forcing her readers to purchase the next book just to finish the exciting conclusion to all of the build-up from the whole book we've just read. She's always served us the whole delicious meal, knowing without a doubt we'd always be back, craving the next one. She's a better storyteller than to have to leave us unfulfilled. Enough said.
The next point is the sad lack of proofreading in this book. It went beyond distracting into the realm of embarrassing. Again, I've been drawn to Ms. Reid's fun stories for their entertainment value as well as their professional presentation; lack of proofing in this one stole her usual clean, easy to read presentation. This one seemed rushed to publishing before it was a polished, finished product. Shame on whoever was responsible for letting this one slip through in such a shoddy condition.
Unfortunately, however, the same holds true within some of the storyline and character development. We are expected to believe that an extremely competent lawyer, an independent and strong woman would behave in the manner of an individual who still views her world through the perceptions of an adolescent in many ways. Innocent of sexual encounters I might believe, but to say the same about the ways of men, criminal attitudes and the rough world in general? I think not. To have her react the way she did to learning of her real father and his story was a disappointment. And just a point of referring believability? A whole boy of Irish Whisky for a young woman who only drinks a glass of white wine in a sitting? Silly slurring and giggling are NOT what would have ensue; violent illness and a very embarrassing loss of consciousness long birthday bottle was finished would be much more believable. Also, the following day wouldn't have been eased with energy drinks and acetaminophen, and no amount of will power would have saved that beautifu, cherished duvet cover. Sorry, Terri; not even close. Just saying. Even within Ms. Reid's charmingly blurred vision of her character's realities, this one was too far of a stretch. Character development for the parents, especially the mother, was ridiculously farfetched for the lead ins provided. Even Art didn't receive the best background sketch for his family to set the stage for the O'Reilly propensity for spirit interaction. Niki didn't even get a chance to warm her way into our hearts with her backstory. Perhaps this Book One tried to squeeze two books into its necessary number of one book of pages? Whatever the case, the readers got shortchanged.
If I found so many problematic issues, why did I still grant four stars? That one's easy. It's still a Terri Reid story, and it's still capable of pulling me into a much appreciated alternate world that's so much fun I'll give her lots of leeway to see if this was just a single blip on her screen. If it's to become the new normal, I'll probably find a new tour guide into my escapism journeys. In the meantime, I'll eagerly await the next installment in The Blackwood Files and hope for the best!
February 19, 2017
Murder & mayhem
Love it. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Wow.
Brooke is a lawyer with a big secret. Her family has even bigger and worse secrets. Thankfully she has some good friends and a couple if cops tossed in the mix.
I sure hope we get a sequel. Wow
Love it. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Wow.
Brooke is a lawyer with a big secret. Her family has even bigger and worse secrets. Thankfully she has some good friends and a couple if cops tossed in the mix.
I sure hope we get a sequel. Wow
February 22, 2016
This is a new series from Terri Reid about another of Mary O'Reilly's brothers. This time it is Art's story, and what a story! But don't think that if you haven't read Terri's Mary O'Reilly series that you can't read this because it totally can be read as a stand alone series!
The pace of the story is even, never dragging or rushed and as usual the characters are well developed and intriguing. Actually, you will fall in love with them, really, you will! Terri has a way of breathing a gentleness as well as strength into her characters that bring them to life and make them believable and lovable.
Because it is Terri Reid and the O'Reilly's you know there will be a touch of the paranormal and yep, you got it, there's a special ghost to help Art and his friends along the way and help protect them when needed.
Another hit Terri Reid and I for one can't wait to see what happens next!
The pace of the story is even, never dragging or rushed and as usual the characters are well developed and intriguing. Actually, you will fall in love with them, really, you will! Terri has a way of breathing a gentleness as well as strength into her characters that bring them to life and make them believable and lovable.
Because it is Terri Reid and the O'Reilly's you know there will be a touch of the paranormal and yep, you got it, there's a special ghost to help Art and his friends along the way and help protect them when needed.
Another hit Terri Reid and I for one can't wait to see what happens next!
January 17, 2016
Loved it!
Terri Reid's on-going series' about Mary O'Reilly and her paranormal life is outstanding. In this series, she weaves her tale around other members of her family. Ghosts show up in this book also, but not as much in her other series. Great characters - the Reilly Twins, their parents, Moose (a show stopper!)as well as the bad guys. The one truly bad guy is a surprise and a disappointment not of the author, but the character selected to be the baddest of the bunch. No spoiler alert from me. Read this very entertaining mystery and you will be hooked on Terri Reid!
Terri Reid's on-going series' about Mary O'Reilly and her paranormal life is outstanding. In this series, she weaves her tale around other members of her family. Ghosts show up in this book also, but not as much in her other series. Great characters - the Reilly Twins, their parents, Moose (a show stopper!)as well as the bad guys. The one truly bad guy is a surprise and a disappointment not of the author, but the character selected to be the baddest of the bunch. No spoiler alert from me. Read this very entertaining mystery and you will be hooked on Terri Reid!
December 15, 2015
Another great O'Reilly series
You can read this even if you haven't read any of Reid's other books. She does what she does best, create characters you want to hang out with. Add to that a fun conspiracy plot, and you have one fun book. I'm ready for #2.
You can read this even if you haven't read any of Reid's other books. She does what she does best, create characters you want to hang out with. Add to that a fun conspiracy plot, and you have one fun book. I'm ready for #2.
February 14, 2016
It's a page turner!
Terri did a fantastic job on this book. I was not ready for it to be over. I will definitely looking forward to the next one. Suspense and romance . You just fall in Love with the O'Rileys's !!!
Terri did a fantastic job on this book. I was not ready for it to be over. I will definitely looking forward to the next one. Suspense and romance . You just fall in Love with the O'Rileys's !!!
January 25, 2020
There is an enormous difference between writing a series and in what happened here: chopping up a single story to render it unfinished so that people have to buy the next book to finish reading the story.
If a book is good, we readers are happily going to buy the next one. If you use cheap tricks so that book one is really just section one, you simply piss us off. Personally, I will never buy the “next” book when it is really just the rest of the book.
Enough with the cheap tricks. Be honest with your readers.
If a book is good, we readers are happily going to buy the next one. If you use cheap tricks so that book one is really just section one, you simply piss us off. Personally, I will never buy the “next” book when it is really just the rest of the book.
Enough with the cheap tricks. Be honest with your readers.
June 8, 2019
It's Art O'Reilly's turn for a storyline. He meets Brooke Callahan at trial when she gets the criminal Art has been trying to put behind bars forever off on a technicality. He confronts her after the trial and sparks fly between them.
They are thrown together when they both are being visited by the ghost of Brooke's real father, a cop whose murder has remained unsolved for 25 years. Brooke is devastated to learn her parents lied to her about her real father. As they start unraveling the mystery, it becomes clear there is a group within the police force that have their own agenda.
The story is well done and another great addition to the Mary O'Reilly world.
They are thrown together when they both are being visited by the ghost of Brooke's real father, a cop whose murder has remained unsolved for 25 years. Brooke is devastated to learn her parents lied to her about her real father. As they start unraveling the mystery, it becomes clear there is a group within the police force that have their own agenda.
The story is well done and another great addition to the Mary O'Reilly world.
April 1, 2018
Fantastic!!
I love Terri Reid's novels! I've read several and my biggest complaint is I can't put them down. They are intriguing, with fantastic plots, supernatural, mystery and romance. A winning combination.
I love Terri Reid's novels! I've read several and my biggest complaint is I can't put them down. They are intriguing, with fantastic plots, supernatural, mystery and romance. A winning combination.
July 11, 2018
I really liked this book. Brooke Callahan finds out that her real father was murdered and her parents kept it from her. With Art O'Reilly and his partner Sam Sidney along with her friend Nikki, Brooke will find out who murdered her father.
January 20, 2019
Can't wait for the next one
I truly enjoy the writing style of Terri Reid. Coming from Chicago myself it feels familiar and flows just right for me. This is a great spin-off from Mary's stories.
I truly enjoy the writing style of Terri Reid. Coming from Chicago myself it feels familiar and flows just right for me. This is a great spin-off from Mary's stories.
March 25, 2019
Hooked on another series!
Terri has done it again! Love her writing. Another series that I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment! Her books are always finished leaving you fulfilled but just enough curiosity to look forward to the next!
Terri has done it again! Love her writing. Another series that I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment! Her books are always finished leaving you fulfilled but just enough curiosity to look forward to the next!
May 16, 2019
A story with no ending
I was enjoying the story but feel robbed the story line wasn’t concluded - IMHO a book needs the story line to come to a conclusion or it’s not a book it’s a disappointment
I was enjoying the story but feel robbed the story line wasn’t concluded - IMHO a book needs the story line to come to a conclusion or it’s not a book it’s a disappointment
September 19, 2020
I highly recommend this book
Terri Reid has captured my imagination. Paranormal mysteries are a great genre and this book is no exception. The characters are great and the story flows. You will live it.
Terri Reid has captured my imagination. Paranormal mysteries are a great genre and this book is no exception. The characters are great and the story flows. You will live it.
July 28, 2024
Loved it as well as others by this author. Character development was good. Plenty of Bad Guys. Strong characters who have good choice sense. Keeps you reading. Sets up for next book in the series, but this one has a HEA and good closure.
June 28, 2019
I have read the entire Mary O’Reilly series and loved them, but this is the best!
August 4, 2021
Loved this one!!
A great book, a great story line. Really enjoyed. Now onto the next in the series. Great job Terri. Keep it up.
A great book, a great story line. Really enjoyed. Now onto the next in the series. Great job Terri. Keep it up.
March 14, 2017
Enjoyed the plot
I enjoyed the main characters and the setting. I did not give it 5 stars for 2 reasons: the editing could have been much better and the bad guys dialogue wasn't authentic. But good read and will read the rest as well.
I enjoyed the main characters and the setting. I did not give it 5 stars for 2 reasons: the editing could have been much better and the bad guys dialogue wasn't authentic. But good read and will read the rest as well.
June 26, 2018
The Blackwood Files: Book 1
I truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I love the characters.
I truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I love the characters.
July 12, 2016
I like Terry Reid's Mary O'Reilly books, but I've read all of the ones she's written so far, so I thought I'd try the Blackwood Files. Mary's brother Art, one of the twins, meets a defense attorney who gets a criminal off on a technicality that Art has been trying to get convicted. It's dislike at first sight, but Brooke Callahan is in for a surprise when Art informs her that her real father is a murdered cop. This starts the two of them on a journey of discovery and intrigue, and soon sparks of a different sort are flying between the two of them.
February 16, 2016
Loved this book! Terri Reid you are an amazing author! I love the way you write and build your characters and then connect them to each other. This book is just as good as Mary O'Reilly books! I hope there is a next one because I really want to know what is going to happen! The dynamics of the story are so compelling and edge of seat! Never did I suspect the person who is in charge of the organization! WOW! Bring on the next one Please!
January 20, 2016
Another fun series surrounding the O'Reilly clan!
I am really excited about this new series. It's fun to see more of the O'Reillys and to get to know them better outside of just Mary's world. This series seems like it is going to be exciting and suspenseful, and that there's more going on than what we might initially suspect, as the reader. I can't wait for the next installment. As always, I was not let down by Reid's work!
I am really excited about this new series. It's fun to see more of the O'Reillys and to get to know them better outside of just Mary's world. This series seems like it is going to be exciting and suspenseful, and that there's more going on than what we might initially suspect, as the reader. I can't wait for the next installment. As always, I was not let down by Reid's work!
December 18, 2015
Another great O'Reilly story
I love Terri Reid's stories. This series has Mary's brother Art as our hero. It has the perfect amount of suspense and mystery. A few surprises I didn't see coming. I am already wanting to read the next book in this series. Plus another story for Mary and one for Sean.
I love Terri Reid's stories. This series has Mary's brother Art as our hero. It has the perfect amount of suspense and mystery. A few surprises I didn't see coming. I am already wanting to read the next book in this series. Plus another story for Mary and one for Sean.
June 19, 2016
The Blackwood Files
This book was great! Can't wait till the next book in this series comes out!
Brooke is a cut-throat lawyer who has spent her life trying to impress her father so she could finally feel like he loved her. When she finds out he's not really her father, her whole world is flipped upside down.
High recommended if you like mysteries with a paranormal twist!
This book was great! Can't wait till the next book in this series comes out!
Brooke is a cut-throat lawyer who has spent her life trying to impress her father so she could finally feel like he loved her. When she finds out he's not really her father, her whole world is flipped upside down.
High recommended if you like mysteries with a paranormal twist!
December 15, 2015
Don't read this book
Take my advice and don't try reading this book before you fall asleep.
This book is a page turner that is hard to put down. My kindle needed recharging iand that was why I put it down. Can't wait for more installments in the series.
Take my advice and don't try reading this book before you fall asleep.
This book is a page turner that is hard to put down. My kindle needed recharging iand that was why I put it down. Can't wait for more installments in the series.
December 15, 2015
Mary O'Reilly's brother gets his own story
I have all of the Mary O'Reilly stories. It is fun reading about one of her brothers. The ending is good but leaves you wanting more. Hope it won't. Be long until a sequel.
I have all of the Mary O'Reilly stories. It is fun reading about one of her brothers. The ending is good but leaves you wanting more. Hope it won't. Be long until a sequel.
January 31, 2016
I enjoyed reading the story and getting to know Mary O'Reilly's brother Art. The story had a twist which kept me reading, only to be left hanging at the end. What really irked me was the amount of errors in the kindle edition. It was an embarrassment to Terri Reid.
January 3, 2016
Oh, what a wicked web. we weave...and this one is two plus decades in the making. a murdered policeman, a distraught daughter, lies, more lies, criminal conspiracies, crooked cops, crooked judges....and a ghost. looking forward to the next one.
January 26, 2016
One of my new fans! Terri Reid has done it again!
Great story into another member of the O'Reilly family. If you are a fan of Mary O'Reilly series, you are in for a treat. Can't wait for the next book.
Great story into another member of the O'Reilly family. If you are a fan of Mary O'Reilly series, you are in for a treat. Can't wait for the next book.
January 29, 2016
Fine addition to the O'Reilly saga
I enjoyed this book immensely, pleased with the tie in to Mary's brother. Looking forward to more in this series, but hope Terri gets a better proofreader -- pick me!
I enjoyed this book immensely, pleased with the tie in to Mary's brother. Looking forward to more in this series, but hope Terri gets a better proofreader -- pick me!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews