Ten Days in Summer

by Susan Calder

Calgary, Alberta, gears up for its ten-day Stampede festival. When a hoarder dies in a suspicious house fire, adjuster Paula Savard sets the revelry aside to handle the property insurance claim. But Paula’s interviews with the hoarder’s bickering heirs raise questions. What are they hiding from each other and the police? Are they trying to help or to sabotage the investigation? Did one of them set the blaze to kill a relative and hasten an inheritance?


The case turns personal when Paula’s daughter becomes involved with a suspect and moves into his home. If Paula learns the truth, she can ensure her daughter’s safety. While the police are occupied with keeping order during the Stampede, Paula digs through the hoarder’s life. She unearths betrayal, murder and a long-ago secret that led to his death. Exposing the truth would put Paula at risk, but free a troubled family.


Editorial Reviews
“A pointedly nuanced debut novel, ...sparkles with tone and energy that set the pace, a concise storyline, and edgy dialogue that moves the story forward…a debut worth reading and a possible series with insurance claims providing a minefield of potential stories.” -- Don Graves, Hamilton Spectator
“Paula is an intelligent, determined, often critical (though in a good way) yet still compassionate sleuth, who is front and center in this mystery debut. She's a solidly developed character, one readers will want to get to know better, with an interesting supporting cast, which should serve her well in subsequent books. With possibly a new profession in hand, and her first case behind her, readers will look forward to seeing how she fares.” -- Mysterious Reviews

ebook

Published January 4, 2017

Reviews

[Pamela McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula's investigation into a fire turns much more serious, exposing a tangled mystery of motives and greed. I particularly enjoyed the Calgary setting. The Stampede provides an interesting backdrop that Calder uses to advantage in her story. This is a great follow-up to Deadly Fall, the first Paula Savard mystery.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like reading a book where the setting is a part of my own life. I knew where Paula was as she worked and celebrated Stampede events. So my connection was tight as I began this book.

BUT I really did not love the story line. There were too many coincidences that left me wanting for a real mystery. Although the idea of a crime (murder) of a hoarder seems like a probable and interesting plot, it really did not work for me. The characters were very shallow and did not seem particularly real. I really did not connect with any of the characters, though I really tried.

Because I kept reading to the end, I have rated this as a 6 / 10, but if the setting was not familiar, I would have rated it lower.

[J.Q. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten Days in Summer takes place in Calgary with the backdrop being the exciting, famous rodeo held there every year. We're headed to Calgary for vacation, so this story is especially timely for me. Ms Calder captures the rodeo's festivities and excitement in this book #2 in her series. I was drawn in by the excellent characterizations. I couldn't figure out the mystery until the very end which is what defines a good page-turner for me. If you like to figure out "who-dun-it", then this book is a must-read. I received the book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it.

[Sherry Wilson McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the second in the Paula Savard mysteries. Paula’s sharp-mindedness and helpful nature are enhanced by a sense of humor, and keen observations about human nature.

The backdrop of the Calgary Stampede adds a Western flavor. We learn something about the psychology of hoarders. The dialog is crisp, characters credible and the plotline solid, with a satisfying ending. The romantic subplot between Paula and Sam develops since the first book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Carla, posted by author: Really enjoyed this sequel to Deadly Fall, which I read a few years ago. Whether you love the Calgary Stampede or hate it, it made an interesting backdrop for this murder mystery, especially if you're familiar with the city. One of the things I enjoy about Calder's writing style is that you really get to know the character of the protagonist, Paula Savard, and there are several plot lines that involve her and her family, so it's more than just about solving the mystery. As in most good mystery novel series, you don't need to read any of her other books to follow this one, but it helps with understanding Paula's personal story line. Makes me want to dust off my cowboy hat...and also clear out some of the clutter in my basement.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this mystery purchased at a writing conference by the delightful author herself. However, I found the opening paragraph disappointing as the abrupt sentences defied what I had learned, use short sentences to show action. My encounter with Susan convinced me to carry on. She is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada, the Writers Guild of Alberta and a teacher of writing. Her experience led on to a pleasurable encounter with Paula Savard, an insurance adjuster who specializes in hard to solve cases.
This story takes places during the ten days of the Calgary Stampede when a fire takes the life of a hoarder. Paula puts on her sleuthing hat in the midst of the revelry to determine if this was arson.
Although the intriguing plot kept me turning the pages I would have liked to have seen the characters developed more. As well, there are copy editing errors in this edition which I think the publishing company should have caught.
Despite these drawbacks, I enjoyed reading this book and stayed up late a few nights with it. The ending put the pieces together well and not in a trite manner. Something I really loved about this book was the hidden staircase in the middle of the burned house. Was this a reference to the famed Nancy Drew book? Susan and I discussed Nancy at the conference. (The Hidden Staircase was the last book I read previous to this one. Shiver)

[Joan Havelange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced mystery, with many layers. I so enjoyed it.