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Now You See Him…Now You’re DeadAn escaped prisoner eludes police in the thick forests and remote fishing cabins of the Adirondack Mountains. Using his backwoods skills, he stays one step ahead of his pursuers, mocking them as he slips away.To some, Ronnie Gatrell is a folk hero, bravely resisting government authority. To others, he’s a harmless prankster. Everyone in Trout Run, NY seems to enjoy watching him play the police for fools. Everyone except police chief Frank Bennett. He knows Ronnie is dangerous and unstable, and he’s determined to bring him to justice.Then the game of hide-and -seek turns deadly. Frank knows the only way he can catch Ronnie before he kills again is to figure out who’s helping the prisoner stay on the lam, and why. But the price of knowledge is steep. Frank may solve his most baffling case, but lose the friends he holds most dear. Readers who enjoy Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire small town mysteries will fall in love with police chief Frank Bennett, a tough cop who cares deeply about the citizens of the small Adirondack town he patrols. Be sure to read all the Frank Bennett THE LURE, BLOOK KNOT, DEAD DRIFT, and TAILSPINNER.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2017

1089 people are currently reading
609 people want to read

About the author

S.W. Hubbard

32 books453 followers
S.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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5 stars
668 (52%)
4 stars
430 (33%)
3 stars
143 (11%)
2 stars
27 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Big Time Book Junkie.
794 reviews47 followers
February 15, 2017
S.W. Hubbard has done it again with her latest in the Frank Bennett series! I have read every book in this series and absolutely love how the characters have grown and developed from the first book through to False Cast, her latest.

The town of Trout Run is the type of small town many of us would like to live in and Frank Bennett and his newly graduated deputy, Earl Davis are the type of police officers that fit that town perfectly. They look for solutions to people's problems even when those solutions might be more complex than if they'd simply arrested someone.

All that said, False Cast finds Frank and Earl dealing with major problems this time around, caused by an escaped prisoner and the folks that may or may not be, helping him to continue to elude police. This story is fast moving, the characters are very well developed people that I found myself caring about and the secondary storyline was woven into the main storyline perfectly, like a beautiful braid of suspense.

S.W. Hubbard definitely knows how to plot a tight, fast moving story that pulls readers in from the beginning and doesn't let them go until the final page, where they find themselves wanting to buy the next book already. I read a lot of mystery and suspense novels and I can honestly say this author has quickly become one of my favorites. Her other series, the Palmyrton Estate Sale series is just as good as this so luckily I have something to read while waiting for the next in the Frank Bennett series!
Profile Image for Heather Nicole.
99 reviews7 followers
February 17, 2017
I love these mysteries! So well crafted. A very intricate plot! Cannot get over how well it comes together at the end. You don't even need to have read previous books in this series to get it. A strong emotional connection is still there for the main characters!
Police chief Frank Bennett is on the case to locate an escaped prisoner. Many twist and turns kept me turning one page after another.
59 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2017
Loved it

I really like this series. Interesting storyline with smaller background stories to keep it interesting . It is a stand alone book which I like. Characters are from previous books but they are introduced so you don't feel like you should have read all the previous books to know who is who. I will be reading more in this series.
Profile Image for Pamela Hegarty.
Author 6 books25 followers
June 14, 2017
Great book for a summer staycation because you'll feel like you've been to Trout Run, a small town in the Adirondacks. Hubbard has a real talent for creating characters and settings that come to life. I've enjoyed all the books in this series, and look forward to finding out what's been happening in Trout Run. This time, police chief, Frank Bennett, has to use his experience both as an investigator and an outdoorsman to catch a dangerous criminal on the run. But more than that, Frank connects with his friends and foes, with their strengths and weaknesses, to solve a case. No spoilers here, but expect plenty of suspenseful situations and twists and turns.
19 reviews
May 20, 2017
So good!

Great stories! Excellent writing! You should read this series and anything else by this author. Very entertaining. Can't wait for more!
1,507 reviews7 followers
April 13, 2017
False Cast

This was a great series. Any mystery lover will enjoy this series. I wish there were more books in this series. I hope S.W.Hubbard writes more in this series in the future. Really loved it.
Profile Image for Rhyllis Bignell.
311 reviews18 followers
March 12, 2017
Great police procedural

Loved thhe small town policing, great cast of characters Frank and Earl are dedicated as they both are kept on their toes with a survivalist escapee and a young girls family dramas. Frank and his new wife Penny are a great couple supportive and both want to make Trout Run a better place. Well rounded police drama set against the backdropof the country.
Profile Image for Brandy Hope.
34 reviews8 followers
March 29, 2017
Being from Saranac Lake, which is so close to "Trout Run", I always feel biased reading this series. But, I truly love these books. And I can say with certainty that how she writes it, is really how it is on the inside of the blue line, in the 'Dacks. I really hope she writes more of these.
17 reviews
February 19, 2017
I read I to the night. S W Hubbard is a true storyteller. I feel as if I live in Trout Run and know all the inhabitants. Thank you .
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,550 reviews9 followers
December 15, 2018
totally different cover, than the one i read ...that is always so confusing for me as a reviewer ... golly geez i hope i am reviewing the right book??! love the cover on Amazon better??! the hubs and i have traveled to the Adirondacks gosh like 3 or 4 times ...a gorgeous area of New York state, would love to see it in the snow ...not sure that will ever happen though. we always travel there in great sunny camping weather. maybe one day??! oh this is book #4 ... i wonder if i needed to read book 1-3 before? i love a good series. (i will read more very very soon, great author!! totally would recommend.) love a great mystery. i am new to S.W. Hubbard writing. such amazing work! i look forward to more from S.W. Hubbard soon enough. mysteries are always my fave ...they duke it out with Christmas reads ... about a small town Trout Run, NY ... i wanna go there. sounds like i can get more info about these characters from past reads. such tension in this read. can you solve it?
Profile Image for Gail B Leatherwood.
7 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2017
When I started this book it seemed to be moving so slow and easy that I almost put it aside for more action oriented stuff. But then I kept on, and the more I read the more I wanted to see how this all came together, at last reading past my usual bedtime just so I could finish!
It's easy going, nice character development, although I got confused several times trying to keep up with them all, but that was my problem. The main character, Frank Bennett, had to call on all his "big city cop" skills and even learn another (patience) from his newbie, Earl, who is either related to or knows everyone in the county. No overt (and gratuitious) sex, no wild car chases, and enough soul searching to make Bennett a real person, not the stereotype burned out cop.
All in all, a good read.
Author 1 book3 followers
October 15, 2017
An entertaining mystery without all the 'gritty realism' of some modern police procedural's. The small town atmosphere is well drawn, and the characters have depth. The main police characters, Frank Bennett and Earl are excellent and make a good team. They are emotionally satisfying and well developed. I have read The Lure and the writing and the story is is better.
Profile Image for Dave.
638 reviews9 followers
October 28, 2017
I enjoyed this small-town murder mystery. The characters were well-drawn and interesting. The protagonist, Frank Bennett, is a likeable and sympathetic character. The plot made logical sense and the tale was well told. I found the pace a little slow, and the action a little tame, so you might consider this more of a 'cozy' mystery. I would be happy to read more by this author.
2 reviews
November 30, 2017
This is another great Frank Bennett book. It seems like his life develops more in this story. The story itself is a real mystery with all kinds of twists and turns. I don't want to give the ending away, but I came away feeling good. S.W. Hubbard has a real knack for developing her characters so you can just picture them as though they were right outside your door. This is another great story in this series of great stories.
Profile Image for Judy G Spivey.
412 reviews7 followers
April 5, 2018
How many things can go wrong in a small town.

Join sheriff Frank in his small town. A hostage situation involving a small daycare, leaves a survivalist on the run. The town seems to be making him a hero, meanwhile Frank's best friend loses his foster daughter, that Frank had assured him would never happen. What is the real reason behind everything, who is the puppet master? Great read,showing small town life and interaction as well as a fugitive situation, a murder, and a get rich scheme. Can the Sheriff figure out the connection, before it's to late.
Profile Image for Kim.
48 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2017
Great book

This book started out a little slow, but then I was so caught up init, I didn't want to put it down.
Profile Image for Laura.
228 reviews11 followers
October 29, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It is set in the Adirondacks so I knew all the towns mentioned and the storyline was perfect.
Profile Image for Scott Hildreth.
2 reviews25 followers
March 29, 2018
Fun read

This is a fun read. The book has a nice set of characters and plot twists. You will not be disappointed with this book.
106 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2018
An excellent read, very real people

I’ve read all of her books and I fell into each community and became friends with each character. I could easily see myself living in the towns and being involved with the community events. These are great characters and the writer does a fantastic job.
Profile Image for Diana L. Wells.
395 reviews
April 2, 2020
S.W. Hubbard does it again…

Did you every watch Longmire? Frank Bennett could be his brother, a sheriff in a small town in the Adirondacks. Small town life where things are never what they seem. How do you feed your family or pay your bills when you live in a town that bustles during the tourist season but returns to “normal” the rest of the year? If you love a good mystery this book will not disappoint. Time for the next visit in Ice Jig.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,629 reviews8 followers
February 16, 2017
Only Four Stars Because It Ended Too Soon!

Another gem about the insular community of Trout Run. Elements of small community life - the intricacies of political maneuvering for budget concerns, the interwoven links between families, the loyalties and betrayals, all skillfully wrought with love and care by the author. It's a good read - old-fashioned for this Baby Boomer - and very satisfying.
Profile Image for Loretta Gabriel.
837 reviews6 followers
January 17, 2018
An interesting and thrilling story

A very enjoyable story of the lives of the people in a small community that allow the believers and demons of a few to change their way of life. Very interesting story of many turns and events.
511 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2018
First rate

I love the Frank Bennett books. S.W. Hubbard has such a natural engaging way of writing and this book in particular pulled all the threads together in ways I just couldn't predict. I just want more.
Profile Image for Helen.
327 reviews5 followers
December 26, 2018
E-Reader Murder / Mystery

Frank Bennett married Penny, from the library.  He is older than Penny, but love each so much!


He is still the Police Chief of Trout Run, a small town, NY.  But Earl graduation from the Police Academy.  Frank made deal with the mayor of Verona.  That meant they were able pay more to Earl.  They both were able to take turns, to look for any trouble in either town.


A wife who ran a day care center, her husband got crazy.  He had6 children as hostages.  When Frank was able one child out who needed take medicine at same time every day.  When one parent called another parent.  The driveway & street had so many vehicles parked there.  Parents & also relatives.  When he decided to let the hostages out, he wrapped his arm around his wife's neck, with gun put to her temple.  


He went to prison, he had go to court say whether was guilty or not.  The day before he into fight, got cut on his hand & he twisted his his ankle, so they couldn't put hand cuff or ankle bracelets.  Two officers tried help him in the court house by holding his elblows.  He broken away running very fast.  Try catch if can me was written in different places.


This book so many characters to list.  I will tell you, so more happens in this book, even murder!


If read any books in this series of books, will also like this book!


I hope you will like this book as much as I did!  

Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,529 reviews9 followers
January 15, 2020
Earl graduates from the police academy, and almost immediately, he has to talk Ronnie, a desperate man, into releasing the kids at his wife’s daycare. Ronnie escapes, and so begins the chase.

In the meantime, Edwin and Lucy have to face losing their foster child when her mom gets out of jail. On top of that, a man is shot at his cabin, a weird vitamin Ponzi scheme is starting in town, and Frank has to figure it all out.

Each piece helps solve the bigger puzzle, including how the murder victim fits in with Ronnie’s escape.

I love the Adirondack setting, Frank, Penny, and my favourite, Earl. There are a few biases of the author that come across and I had to move on from, but luckily they don’t play a huge part in the story.

Great read, best of this series so far.

KU
Profile Image for Lilly.
203 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2024
Decent little story; not sure I can get behind the way it was wrapped up. Without spilling the beans, it seems to me that the 'answer' to what was behind the mystery could've been introduced a lot earlier in the story. Being brought into the story so late in the game kind of made it anti-climatic.
Ronnie reminded me of a dangerous version of Ernest T. Bass; not sure his response to the survivalist game was believable.
The ending was good; glad it happened the way it did, but was there a jump in the timeline that I missed? Olivia went from 12 (6th grade?) to 8th grade graduation? I was tired by the time I made it to the last couple of pages, so it's possible I missed it saying something like "2 yrs later..."
Profile Image for Christian.
128 reviews3 followers
May 21, 2018
I didn't realize this is the fifth book in a series when I started reading it, and I always read series in order. I was pleasantly surprised that it reads quite well as a stand-alone book.

Although it will never be a favorite of mine, I found False Cast to be a decent read. The relationships between the main characters are well presented and believable, and so is the small town atmosphere.

The writing itself presented a few issues for me, but not enough to distract me from the story or affect the flow.

I'll probably wait for the other books to be on sale before buying them, but this first exposure to the series was satisfying enough that I do want to read the other novels.

Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,886 reviews71 followers
May 4, 2022
False Cast - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Frank Bennett and his wife Penny, are drawn into a custody battle between a former convict and two of the couple's close friends, over the former's daughter.
Meanwhile another Trout Run family is torn apart, when a 'prepper' husband takes some pre-schoolers at his wife's daycare hostage, before Frank's deputy Earl talks him into surrendering.
What happens when he escapes from jail and goes on the run?
The fourth riveting Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery from SW Hubbard, False Cast, will keep you guessing right to the unpredictable ending...net yourself a copy today!
1,656 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2019
Small town police takes on a local hero after he escapes from custody and uses is backwoods skills to elude capture. This is a great read and moves at a fast pace. You feel some sympathy for the small town hero who is at is financial whit's end when refused the right to sell his property to developers to forestall the foreclosure of his home. He takes his wife and the children for which she provides child care hostage but later releases them only to escape when brought to trial.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews

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