Deadly Grounds

Sydney Bryant #2

by Patricia Wallace

Seventeen-year-old California blonde Melanie Cerise Whitman had the world at her feet--until she was found bludgeoned to death on the grounds of the Hilyer Academy. Private Investigator Sydney Bryant is out to solve the crime--because Melanie may have been only the beginning!

Genres: Mystery

319 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1989

Reviews

[I.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like reading very by-the-book detective stories where the lead spends the entire story doing paperwork, interviews, or dealing with the two super handsome men who are both into her, then this’ll be up your alley. It’s quite short and I was sure there would be some twist at the end to get around how obvious it all was, but the twist was that there was no twist! It’s pretty much exactly who you’d expect it to be the whole way, which isn’t a fault per say, just a let down. It’s not a bad written book, just very rote.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent average mystery. The writing is fine; however, it's somewhat dated but still too recent to have vintage charm.

[Tome Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first got this book I did not know it was part of a series. However, I was under the impression you did not need to read the series in order to fully enjoy the individual books though and started with this one. After reading it I wish I would’ve started with book one because it would’ve helped out a little bit with Sydney’s backstory/love affair and it does reference stuff that I guess took place in book one. That being said I still really enjoyed this book. Very well written, loved the characters and even though it is a police procedural book with the death of Melanie at the beginning and the ending scene sequence being the only real ACTION moments there was still a lot going on and keep me wanting to know who done it. Other reviews say that the killer was predictable and I disagree with that. Any one of the suspects gave me the vibe they could have been the killer. Short read at 319 pages but very entertaining and I already have purchased book one and plan on reading that as soon as I can then continuing the rest of the series. Four stars. After reading the series in its entirety I have to say this is the best book in the series.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, suspenseful reading!! Enjoyed this immensely and plan to read others by this author.