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Murder At The Fourth: A Forest Pines Mystery
Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B01BN5J4XO
Retired Miami Detective, Jenny Pickett, is loving life in the small Montana town of Forest Pines. That is until local businessman, Donald Sands, is found murdered on the local golf course.
Young and inexperienced Sheriff, Steve Calder, needs help and turns to Jenny to assist him in his investigation. Suddenly Jenny is plunged into a mystery unlike any other she has encountered and faces a multitude of suspects who all have a reason to rejoice the victim's death. It isn’t going to be as easy as Jenny thought, as she tries to find out who killed the most unpopular man in town.
A string of mistresses, a jealous husband, a shady realtor as well as a down on his luck store owner, who couldn't repay a debt, are just some of the suspects as the plot thickens, and twists abound.
Meanwhile, skeletons from Jenny's past are rattling their unwelcome bones.
The truth contorts to a climax that will leave readers breathless.
Retired Miami Detective, Jenny Pickett, is loving life in the small Montana town of Forest Pines. That is until local businessman, Donald Sands, is found murdered on the local golf course.
Young and inexperienced Sheriff, Steve Calder, needs help and turns to Jenny to assist him in his investigation. Suddenly Jenny is plunged into a mystery unlike any other she has encountered and faces a multitude of suspects who all have a reason to rejoice the victim's death. It isn’t going to be as easy as Jenny thought, as she tries to find out who killed the most unpopular man in town.
A string of mistresses, a jealous husband, a shady realtor as well as a down on his luck store owner, who couldn't repay a debt, are just some of the suspects as the plot thickens, and twists abound.
Meanwhile, skeletons from Jenny's past are rattling their unwelcome bones.
The truth contorts to a climax that will leave readers breathless.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2016
80 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Duncan Whitehead
24 books316 followersAward-winning writer Duncan Whitehead was born in England and is the author of the best-selling and award-winning GORDONSTON LADIES DOG WALKING CLUB Trilogy. The series, inspired by the quirky characters and eeriness in the real-life Savannah neighborhood in which he once lived, is a humorous mystery that boasts an assortment of characters and plot twists. The first book in this series won the 2013 Reader's Favorite Book Award for Comedy.
He has also written over 2,000 spoof and comedy news articles under various aliases for a variety of websites both in the US and the UK. Duncan now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has written further novels, including the four-book FOREST PINES MYSTERY SERIES and a stand-alone comedy, THE RELUCTANT JESUS, which won the 2014 Reader's Favorite Book Award for Comedy.
The final and fourth book in the FOREST PINES SERIES was released in December 2023, written after a four-year hiatus from writing. He is the author of the parody A COZY MYSTERY…WITH ZOMBIES!, which was released in January 2024. He has recently completed his next book, a comedy and parody entitled MURDER, SHE HOPED, and has commenced work on his next comedy/mystery, THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT FLETCHER'S END.
Duncan is well known for his charity work and kindness to animals, children, and old people. His charity, 'Habitat for Hotties,' where he finds housing for retired Hooter's waitresses, was recently voted the least likely charity anyone would ever donate to. He has donated several organs to puppies and kittens and, to help save the planet does not leave a carbon footprint, as he only wears slippers. In February 2040, he invented time travel and now spends much of his time in either the future (where he has won the lottery an astonishing 117 times) or the present day. Attempts to return to 1985 and write The Harry Potter series of books have thus far failed.
He has also written over 2,000 spoof and comedy news articles under various aliases for a variety of websites both in the US and the UK. Duncan now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has written further novels, including the four-book FOREST PINES MYSTERY SERIES and a stand-alone comedy, THE RELUCTANT JESUS, which won the 2014 Reader's Favorite Book Award for Comedy.
The final and fourth book in the FOREST PINES SERIES was released in December 2023, written after a four-year hiatus from writing. He is the author of the parody A COZY MYSTERY…WITH ZOMBIES!, which was released in January 2024. He has recently completed his next book, a comedy and parody entitled MURDER, SHE HOPED, and has commenced work on his next comedy/mystery, THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT FLETCHER'S END.
Duncan is well known for his charity work and kindness to animals, children, and old people. His charity, 'Habitat for Hotties,' where he finds housing for retired Hooter's waitresses, was recently voted the least likely charity anyone would ever donate to. He has donated several organs to puppies and kittens and, to help save the planet does not leave a carbon footprint, as he only wears slippers. In February 2040, he invented time travel and now spends much of his time in either the future (where he has won the lottery an astonishing 117 times) or the present day. Attempts to return to 1985 and write The Harry Potter series of books have thus far failed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 13, 2017
This book's official description says the "truth contorts to a climax that will leave readers breathless." Oh, I beg to differ. In fact, I've got plenty of wind left to shout this: I hate cliffhangers. Not slightly, not even a titch - especially when they're of this magnitude. No doubt some folks will say I have no right to complain since I got it free through one of the free/low-cost book services to which I belong, but that's my issue and I'm s-s-sticking to it.
I chose to download it for two reasons: First, it was a murder mystery - my genre of choice, and second, the lead character's surname is Pickett - the surname I was born with. It was the same thing that attracted me to the popular series by C.J. Box featuring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett; I've read every single one of those and loved them all.
This one, not so much. Besides the monumental cliffhanger - and trust me, it's a doozy - there were just too many things that were turn-offs, starting with misused apostrophes and other grammatical glitches such as the mention (several times) that a male character was expected to be "discrete" in his philandering. Yikes - more than enough to drive this writer/copy editor up the wall.
And while I rather liked Jenny Pickett - a retired Miami police detective now living in small-town Forest Pines, Montana - in several instances she simply came off sounding stupid. She knew giggling at a funeral isn't appropriate? Well, since she's pushing 50, I should hope so. And she "couldn't help but notice" that a possible suspect was nervous? Oh, gosh, might that be because he turned pasty white and dropped his coffee on the floor, cup and all? Big whoop - I think a four-year-old would have picked up on that one.
Ah well, it is a cozy mystery, after all, so perhaps I should go a little easier. So there's this: The story itself is pretty good. Jenny is single, and beautiful (of course), and the town of Forest Pines is so laid back that the novice sheriff, Steve Calder, has had an easy go of it. But all that changes when a dead guy with a bullet hole in his head turns up on the fourth tee of a local golf course. Faced with leading a real investigation, Steve turns to the vastly more experienced Jenny for help (and oh, did I mention that Steve, who's only 29, has a serious crush on the much-older Jenny)?
As the investigation begins, several possible culprits turn up, including a husband whose wife played hanky-panky with the victim and a store owner who owed the victim a bundle of money but couldn't repay. Toss in a couple of the victim's mistresses and a wronged wife, and you've got the makings for an intriguing race to the finish. In between were some chapters detailing why Jenny retired and left Miami; interesting background, I suppose, but I never understood the relevance to anything that happened in this book.
Actually, until I reached that last fateful chapter, I found the book to be engrossing (it's very short, so I easily finished in one day). The bottom line is this: If you've got no problem with being forced into buying the next book to find out what (IMHO) should have been included in this one, go for it - it's quite enjoyable.
I do, and I won't.
I chose to download it for two reasons: First, it was a murder mystery - my genre of choice, and second, the lead character's surname is Pickett - the surname I was born with. It was the same thing that attracted me to the popular series by C.J. Box featuring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett; I've read every single one of those and loved them all.
This one, not so much. Besides the monumental cliffhanger - and trust me, it's a doozy - there were just too many things that were turn-offs, starting with misused apostrophes and other grammatical glitches such as the mention (several times) that a male character was expected to be "discrete" in his philandering. Yikes - more than enough to drive this writer/copy editor up the wall.
And while I rather liked Jenny Pickett - a retired Miami police detective now living in small-town Forest Pines, Montana - in several instances she simply came off sounding stupid. She knew giggling at a funeral isn't appropriate? Well, since she's pushing 50, I should hope so. And she "couldn't help but notice" that a possible suspect was nervous? Oh, gosh, might that be because he turned pasty white and dropped his coffee on the floor, cup and all? Big whoop - I think a four-year-old would have picked up on that one.
Ah well, it is a cozy mystery, after all, so perhaps I should go a little easier. So there's this: The story itself is pretty good. Jenny is single, and beautiful (of course), and the town of Forest Pines is so laid back that the novice sheriff, Steve Calder, has had an easy go of it. But all that changes when a dead guy with a bullet hole in his head turns up on the fourth tee of a local golf course. Faced with leading a real investigation, Steve turns to the vastly more experienced Jenny for help (and oh, did I mention that Steve, who's only 29, has a serious crush on the much-older Jenny)?
As the investigation begins, several possible culprits turn up, including a husband whose wife played hanky-panky with the victim and a store owner who owed the victim a bundle of money but couldn't repay. Toss in a couple of the victim's mistresses and a wronged wife, and you've got the makings for an intriguing race to the finish. In between were some chapters detailing why Jenny retired and left Miami; interesting background, I suppose, but I never understood the relevance to anything that happened in this book.
Actually, until I reached that last fateful chapter, I found the book to be engrossing (it's very short, so I easily finished in one day). The bottom line is this: If you've got no problem with being forced into buying the next book to find out what (IMHO) should have been included in this one, go for it - it's quite enjoyable.
I do, and I won't.
February 2, 2021
Jenny Pickett is a retired Miami homicide detective, now living in Forest Pines, Montana. She's got a quiet life, her dog Thor is with her, she has friends. It's all good, and even if it is a teensy bit boring, well, she needed to get away from Miami and the events leading to her PTSD and medical retirement.
The police force in Forest Pines consists of Steve Calder, Sheriff, who is handsome, charming, interested, and more than ten years younger. Her closest friends are Evelyn, the bartender at Dave's Bar, and Claire, the town librarian.
Into all this quiet falls a murder. Donald Sands, a local businessman and real estate magnate, is found shot dead on the golf course, at the fourth hole.
The problem is not a lack of suspects; It's a surfeit of them. Donald Sands was an unfaithful husband, a ruthless businessman, and willing to wreck his friends and business associates over money.
Since Forest Pines hasn't seen a murder since forever, Steve asks Jenny to help investigate it.
This part of the story, the main mystery, is decently done, moves along, has interesting characters, and resolves well.
We also get flashbacks to the events leading up to Jenny's retirement. In the end, this turns into a major cliffhanger. Be warned.
Also, content note: The dog dies.
Well done, and I'll be interested in reading more from Whitehead, but... No, really, I won't. I could have been, but the dog dies, gruesomely, in a gratuitous set-up for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The police force in Forest Pines consists of Steve Calder, Sheriff, who is handsome, charming, interested, and more than ten years younger. Her closest friends are Evelyn, the bartender at Dave's Bar, and Claire, the town librarian.
Into all this quiet falls a murder. Donald Sands, a local businessman and real estate magnate, is found shot dead on the golf course, at the fourth hole.
The problem is not a lack of suspects; It's a surfeit of them. Donald Sands was an unfaithful husband, a ruthless businessman, and willing to wreck his friends and business associates over money.
Since Forest Pines hasn't seen a murder since forever, Steve asks Jenny to help investigate it.
This part of the story, the main mystery, is decently done, moves along, has interesting characters, and resolves well.
We also get flashbacks to the events leading up to Jenny's retirement. In the end, this turns into a major cliffhanger. Be warned.
Also, content note: The dog dies.
Well done, and I'll be interested in reading more from Whitehead, but... No, really, I won't. I could have been, but the dog dies, gruesomely, in a gratuitous set-up for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2016
This book started out slow but picked up the pace a few chapters in. I did enjoy the book and loved the twist at the end! I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series. I highly recommend you give this book a chance! Jenny is a former detective from Miami and when she decided that she had enough she moved to Montana to relax and start over. When a dead body turns up on the golf course the sheriff turns to her for help. She knows that Steve has no experience in murder so she agrees to help. Sometimes small towns are more dangerous than big cities and the victim has a long list of enemies. It will take a lot of work to figure out who killed the most hated man in town! I was giving this book for a fair and honest review
June 18, 2018
Okay
The story line was good. I couldn't get past the grammatical errors. Didn't much care for the heroine acting like a 13 year old by 'playfully slapping his shoulder or knee". All in all a good story so MAY try the next book in this series to see if the heroine has grown up any.
The story line was good. I couldn't get past the grammatical errors. Didn't much care for the heroine acting like a 13 year old by 'playfully slapping his shoulder or knee". All in all a good story so MAY try the next book in this series to see if the heroine has grown up any.
February 16, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was excited to read this cozy mystery as I really enjoyed The Reluctant Jesus. I'm sorry to say I was a bit disappointed by the characters and the mystery. The main character is Jenny Pickett a retired Captain from the Miami police department. She is a damaged spirit needing a move to a simpler time and place. Hanging at Daves place, the local pub, with her friends and walking her dog, Thor, Jenny has found it in Forest Pines, a small town in Montana, where crime doesn't happen...until now.
In comes the young, handsome, well built, and inexperienced Sheriff asking for Jenny's help. He is not quite the bumbling idiot, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of substance there. My first question was, how did this idiot become a sheriff? Second, there are a lot of rich people living in this small, quiet, Montana town. There is also a mystery within a mystery in the book and I actually liked it better.
The cliffhanger was a bit much and not really enough to make me want to get the next possible book in the series. It left a few more question that I really don't care enough to wait to find out the answers.
All in all, it's a quick read but not one I will come back to again.
I was excited to read this cozy mystery as I really enjoyed The Reluctant Jesus. I'm sorry to say I was a bit disappointed by the characters and the mystery. The main character is Jenny Pickett a retired Captain from the Miami police department. She is a damaged spirit needing a move to a simpler time and place. Hanging at Daves place, the local pub, with her friends and walking her dog, Thor, Jenny has found it in Forest Pines, a small town in Montana, where crime doesn't happen...until now.
In comes the young, handsome, well built, and inexperienced Sheriff asking for Jenny's help. He is not quite the bumbling idiot, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of substance there. My first question was, how did this idiot become a sheriff? Second, there are a lot of rich people living in this small, quiet, Montana town. There is also a mystery within a mystery in the book and I actually liked it better.
The cliffhanger was a bit much and not really enough to make me want to get the next possible book in the series. It left a few more question that I really don't care enough to wait to find out the answers.
All in all, it's a quick read but not one I will come back to again.
October 23, 2017
Who would want to murder Donald Sands? Actually a lot of people all with very good reason! He wasn't a very nice person under his pleasant veneer. Steve Calder is the Sheriff of this small town and has little to no experience with murder--he is more used to having to hand out speeding tickets and acts of that nature. The only person who could help him was Jenny Pickett, a retired Miami Detective. Jenny had retired to this small town to escape the hustle and bustle and dangers of Miami.
Not at all sure she wanted to help--but knowing that she had to-she teams up with the Sheriff to not only help him solve the case but to teach him the ropes!
As in every small town you have your town gossips and favorite watering hole. Jenny learns more there from her two friends then anywhere else. You are going to love the interactions between them. Of course they are positive that Jenny should hook up with Steve--but he is so much younger then she is!! Steve will have you laughing at his constant attempts to make her more then a comrade in arms.
But just when you think all is well with the world a person from Jenny's path comes to town. Jenny tries to call Steve-----and you won't guess who murdered Donald Sands!
This is not the first in this series and I think that perhaps you should read from book 1 onward. I am going to have to back track-but have no problem with this since I did really enjoy this book.
Murder At The Fourth: A Forest Pines Mystery
Not at all sure she wanted to help--but knowing that she had to-she teams up with the Sheriff to not only help him solve the case but to teach him the ropes!
As in every small town you have your town gossips and favorite watering hole. Jenny learns more there from her two friends then anywhere else. You are going to love the interactions between them. Of course they are positive that Jenny should hook up with Steve--but he is so much younger then she is!! Steve will have you laughing at his constant attempts to make her more then a comrade in arms.
But just when you think all is well with the world a person from Jenny's path comes to town. Jenny tries to call Steve-----and you won't guess who murdered Donald Sands!
This is not the first in this series and I think that perhaps you should read from book 1 onward. I am going to have to back track-but have no problem with this since I did really enjoy this book.
Murder At The Fourth: A Forest Pines Mystery
February 17, 2024
FOREST PINES MYSTERY/JENNY PICKETT COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
This is a new author to me and he kindly gave me the four books to this series. With the second book, Whitehead flip-flops with his writing style; one serious, the other hollywood-style dribble. With the third book, the writing is ridiculous and definitely unrealistic. The story lines are interesting, although attention to details is lacking.
MURDER AT THE FOURTH, #1 - Interesting story lines and good characters made this a quick read. The book sets up the next story so there's no ending. 4.
MURDER IN MIAMI, 2 - Picks up at same place where FOURTH ended. The author had a difficult time trying to figure out if Steve was a competent professional or an immature idiot. The main characters were not well done this time, although the story lines were interesting. The dialogues were silly in some places. This book ends incomplete with two issues. 3*
MURDER ON THE SET, #3 - Boy, Whitehead took a lot of liberties with this story. I have MURDER IN FOREST PINES, #4, but SET had me shaking my head and finding things to do just to give me a break that I will not waste my time reading the fourth book. A twist at the end sets up the last book. 2*
This is a new author to me and he kindly gave me the four books to this series. With the second book, Whitehead flip-flops with his writing style; one serious, the other hollywood-style dribble. With the third book, the writing is ridiculous and definitely unrealistic. The story lines are interesting, although attention to details is lacking.
MURDER AT THE FOURTH, #1 - Interesting story lines and good characters made this a quick read. The book sets up the next story so there's no ending. 4.
MURDER IN MIAMI, 2 - Picks up at same place where FOURTH ended. The author had a difficult time trying to figure out if Steve was a competent professional or an immature idiot. The main characters were not well done this time, although the story lines were interesting. The dialogues were silly in some places. This book ends incomplete with two issues. 3*
MURDER ON THE SET, #3 - Boy, Whitehead took a lot of liberties with this story. I have MURDER IN FOREST PINES, #4, but SET had me shaking my head and finding things to do just to give me a break that I will not waste my time reading the fourth book. A twist at the end sets up the last book. 2*
January 1, 2022
My first book by this Author - stumbled across as a Kindle freebie ..
Set in small town America, we meet a young and inexperienced Sheriff and an ex Miami Dade Police Captain, who join forces to solve the murder of a prominent businessman ..
At first, I didn't know whether to take this book seriously - lots of strangely inappropriate character interactions & conversations that were not very true to life for the situation .. however, as we get drawn further into the storyline, we start to find out more about Jennifer's past & why she left Miami ..
The final quarter of this book really give it the Stars - as the duo slowly close in on their killer, the back story spins on it's head and even though the cliches made alarm bells ring, I'm now left with a cliffhanger wanting to know what happens next ..
A strong 3.5 rounded up to a 4 ..
Set in small town America, we meet a young and inexperienced Sheriff and an ex Miami Dade Police Captain, who join forces to solve the murder of a prominent businessman ..
At first, I didn't know whether to take this book seriously - lots of strangely inappropriate character interactions & conversations that were not very true to life for the situation .. however, as we get drawn further into the storyline, we start to find out more about Jennifer's past & why she left Miami ..
The final quarter of this book really give it the Stars - as the duo slowly close in on their killer, the back story spins on it's head and even though the cliches made alarm bells ring, I'm now left with a cliffhanger wanting to know what happens next ..
A strong 3.5 rounded up to a 4 ..
October 2, 2017
Book 1 of Jenny Pickett Mystery. Jenny Pickett is a retired Miami homicide detective who has moved to Montana. Here she for the first time in 20 years has made friends. One morning the young Sheriff Steve Caulder calls her for professional help, a body has been found on the 4th hole of the golf course. The Sheriff has never investigated a murder and Jenny helps him learn the procedures.
I’m not sure I connected with the characters. Since I didn’t guess the murderer or the motive I plan to read the next book in the series and see how it goes.
I’m not sure I connected with the characters. Since I didn’t guess the murderer or the motive I plan to read the next book in the series and see how it goes.
September 13, 2017
Good reading!!!
I read a LOT, and a large percentage of what I read is murder mysteries. I really liked this one and am looking forward to reading the book that comes next. I won't say anything about the ending, for fear of ruining the best ending in quite awhile. The only real downer (a mild one) is that I don't think y'all used a professional editor, as I caught a few misses. No biggie, but something to think about maybe. To the author: good job!
I read a LOT, and a large percentage of what I read is murder mysteries. I really liked this one and am looking forward to reading the book that comes next. I won't say anything about the ending, for fear of ruining the best ending in quite awhile. The only real downer (a mild one) is that I don't think y'all used a professional editor, as I caught a few misses. No biggie, but something to think about maybe. To the author: good job!
March 25, 2017
GOOD STORY LOTS OF TWISTS
I enjoyed this book. The story had more blood than most cozies, but the the author is a good story teller. The budding relationship between the two main characters was a nice touch. The ending makes me want to read more. Being a dog lover I could have easily done without the ending.
I enjoyed this book. The story had more blood than most cozies, but the the author is a good story teller. The budding relationship between the two main characters was a nice touch. The ending makes me want to read more. Being a dog lover I could have easily done without the ending.
November 12, 2017
Murder At The Fourth
I enjoyed reading your mystery. The storyline was entreating and the characters were great as they brought the mysterious family dynamics to the book. Some of the mysteries I read are bloodier and cussing. I liked the flow and pleasant language. Thanks on to book #2.
I enjoyed reading your mystery. The storyline was entreating and the characters were great as they brought the mysterious family dynamics to the book. Some of the mysteries I read are bloodier and cussing. I liked the flow and pleasant language. Thanks on to book #2.
January 18, 2018
I enjoyed this book! I like the characters. I totally understand how Steve seemed pretty inept in the beginning. Small town....not really any crime. Thank goodness I have the next book and started that after that cliffhanger/continuation.
May 17, 2019
Great intrigue, Again!
Great lead into next book. Unfortunately I read the next first!......Loving this series. Easy to follow, not easy to solve though! Hope they continue to be as good as the three Ive read !
Great lead into next book. Unfortunately I read the next first!......Loving this series. Easy to follow, not easy to solve though! Hope they continue to be as good as the three Ive read !
March 13, 2017
Excellently written thriller/mystery. Well developed character, interesting location and great back story. Off to download book 2.
March 16, 2017
Book review
I loved this book and the ending left you wanting the next installment. So not expecting the ending at all.
I loved this book and the ending left you wanting the next installment. So not expecting the ending at all.
March 21, 2017
Good Read
I enjoyed this book immensely. It kept me guessing all the way to the end. I would recommend it to everyone who likes a good mystery.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It kept me guessing all the way to the end. I would recommend it to everyone who likes a good mystery.
September 14, 2017
good story
September 22, 2017
Great second in the series. Sheriff Steve needs help from Jenny, even though she's looking for peace and quiet. How can she not help. Ready for the third in the series.
October 15, 2017
Great book
Truly good book couldn't put it down until I was done, a must read for mystery lovers so get your copy
Truly good book couldn't put it down until I was done, a must read for mystery lovers so get your copy
November 22, 2017
Perfect light mystery for a busy time of year.
April 23, 2019
Good story and the twist at the end wow.
November 14, 2019
This book rocked!!!
The storyline was believable and the characters were well developed. Mr. Whitehead has a wonderful gift of being able to put you in the story. I loved this book.
The storyline was believable and the characters were well developed. Mr. Whitehead has a wonderful gift of being able to put you in the story. I loved this book.
March 18, 2017
This book seemed pretty good, maybe a little too predictable, but then came the bizarre ending. It was as if the author realized he needed more twists in the plot, so he decided to place them all in the last few chapters which made the book worse, not better.
March 16, 2017
MURDER AT THE FOURTH by Duncan Whitehead. Jenny relocating to Forest Pines, a life without Miami, and crime. Until Sheriff calls her to come to the exclusive golf course, a murder, that would be a first, in along time for this town. It also would help with the stress free, but bored life now, for Jenny.
The murder guy, had investiments, were they shaky to have made enemies.
Easy, and good flowing plot, for all to enjoy. Does continue, so looking forward to next by Duncan.
The murder guy, had investiments, were they shaky to have made enemies.
Easy, and good flowing plot, for all to enjoy. Does continue, so looking forward to next by Duncan.
March 19, 2017
I rate this one four stars. I wasn't a fan of the ending, not sure about the relationship of the two protagonists.
March 17, 2017
Great read
Whoa,just when you get to the good part.......I can't wait to read the next book. Lots of intrigue then a surprise ending!!
Whoa,just when you get to the good part.......I can't wait to read the next book. Lots of intrigue then a surprise ending!!
March 17, 2017
Really liked this story until the end.
Good story. Believable characters. Definitely keeps you guessing.
I prefer a story with a definite ending. This one keeps you hanging.
Good story. Believable characters. Definitely keeps you guessing.
I prefer a story with a definite ending. This one keeps you hanging.
June 10, 2023
The first book I read from this author was, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club. I have been a fan ever since. Duncan Whitehead is an award-winning author (2013 Reader’s Favorite International Book Award and Gold Medalist) who really knows what he is doing when he takes up his pen and puts it to paper. So when I saw he was about to bring out Book 2 in this series, I knew I had to get Book 1 read so I could go on to the next one. That book is entitled: “Murder In Miami: A Forest Pines Mystery, and it just came out on March 6th, 2017.
I found Book 1, Murder At The Fourth, to be everything that I expected it would be. Was it about murder? Yes, it was. Was it a mystery that would parcel out the clues in bits and pieces until you “knew” who did it? Yes, it was. Was I wrong about who the murderer was? Yes, I was. Did Whitehead include a humorous approach to the storyline? Yes, once again. In fact, I found it absorbing and uniquely amusing, which is a surprising characteristic for a story about murder.
My favourite part of the book? That’s easy. It’s the foreshadowing in the first chapter. The encounter, seemingly innocent, between Steve and the stranger, Lawson, caught my attention. It is obvious that this chance meeting will contain significance for later events in the book, and I was not disappointed.
The first chapter seems to present the inner life of a small town policeman who has had the fortune to meet the woman of his dreams, Ms. Jenny Pickett. That part, Steve’s love life, carries the greater impact on the reader. However, it subtly distracts from the fact that Steve’s mission in life is capturing criminals.
The focus on love lulls the reader into taking your eyes off an event that should register more deeply, namely, a stranger in a small town. As you can see, this drew me into the story, and it intrigued me. My hunch was that Lawson would be the eventual murderer, and I read on to see if I could confirm my hunch. As I said before, I failed.
If you are the kind of person who enjoys a well-written murder mystery with twists and turns, you will enjoy this book. Highly recommended.
I found Book 1, Murder At The Fourth, to be everything that I expected it would be. Was it about murder? Yes, it was. Was it a mystery that would parcel out the clues in bits and pieces until you “knew” who did it? Yes, it was. Was I wrong about who the murderer was? Yes, I was. Did Whitehead include a humorous approach to the storyline? Yes, once again. In fact, I found it absorbing and uniquely amusing, which is a surprising characteristic for a story about murder.
My favourite part of the book? That’s easy. It’s the foreshadowing in the first chapter. The encounter, seemingly innocent, between Steve and the stranger, Lawson, caught my attention. It is obvious that this chance meeting will contain significance for later events in the book, and I was not disappointed.
The first chapter seems to present the inner life of a small town policeman who has had the fortune to meet the woman of his dreams, Ms. Jenny Pickett. That part, Steve’s love life, carries the greater impact on the reader. However, it subtly distracts from the fact that Steve’s mission in life is capturing criminals.
The focus on love lulls the reader into taking your eyes off an event that should register more deeply, namely, a stranger in a small town. As you can see, this drew me into the story, and it intrigued me. My hunch was that Lawson would be the eventual murderer, and I read on to see if I could confirm my hunch. As I said before, I failed.
If you are the kind of person who enjoys a well-written murder mystery with twists and turns, you will enjoy this book. Highly recommended.
February 21, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Murder at the Fourth is a well-written and entertaining mystery with relatable characters. The twists and turns keep a reader on the edge of their seat. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Jenny Pickett resides in small town Forest Pines, Montana. When a murder is discovered, Sheriff Steve Calder asks for Jenny’s assistance because she is a retired Miami homicide detective and he is inexperienced when it comes to investigating murders. Donald Sands, the victim, was an unfaithful husband, a ruthless real estate investor who cared more for money than family or friends and there is no shortage of suspects. Jenny’s backstory is interspersed with the current mystery. She was an excellent homicide detective who advanced in rank but was injured on-the-job and consequently suffers from PTSD.
Murder at the Fourth is a well-written and entertaining mystery with relatable characters. The twists and turns keep a reader on the edge of their seat. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Jenny Pickett resides in small town Forest Pines, Montana. When a murder is discovered, Sheriff Steve Calder asks for Jenny’s assistance because she is a retired Miami homicide detective and he is inexperienced when it comes to investigating murders. Donald Sands, the victim, was an unfaithful husband, a ruthless real estate investor who cared more for money than family or friends and there is no shortage of suspects. Jenny’s backstory is interspersed with the current mystery. She was an excellent homicide detective who advanced in rank but was injured on-the-job and consequently suffers from PTSD.
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