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The Pepperman Mystery #1
Perplexity
What happens when a mistake from the past threatens to derail the future?
Retired pro football player Jim Pepperman is about to lose everything to the secret he’s locked down for eleven years—that he got into a bar fight with a stranger and might’ve left him for dead. It doesn’t really matter that it was self-defense. Nightmares are stealing Jim’s sanity, guilt is carving out pieces of his soul, and his silence is driving a wedge between him and his wife. Desperate to confess, he visits his dad’s grave and tells the only person he can. When Jim is almost shot leaving the cemetery and letters threatening his life show up, he begins to wonder if someone has finally discovered what happened that night.
Ex-Air Force Colonel Sean Halpin is an intelligent, meticulous, special investigator for the Newark Police Department. Assigned to Jim’s case, it’s Halpin’s job to sift through clues that make no sense. As the threats escalate, he’s put on a countdown to uncover the real story before it’s too late. But his top two suspects have iron-clad alibis, and Jim may be covering up the crucial evidence Halpin needs to save his life.
Retired pro football player Jim Pepperman is about to lose everything to the secret he’s locked down for eleven years—that he got into a bar fight with a stranger and might’ve left him for dead. It doesn’t really matter that it was self-defense. Nightmares are stealing Jim’s sanity, guilt is carving out pieces of his soul, and his silence is driving a wedge between him and his wife. Desperate to confess, he visits his dad’s grave and tells the only person he can. When Jim is almost shot leaving the cemetery and letters threatening his life show up, he begins to wonder if someone has finally discovered what happened that night.
Ex-Air Force Colonel Sean Halpin is an intelligent, meticulous, special investigator for the Newark Police Department. Assigned to Jim’s case, it’s Halpin’s job to sift through clues that make no sense. As the threats escalate, he’s put on a countdown to uncover the real story before it’s too late. But his top two suspects have iron-clad alibis, and Jim may be covering up the crucial evidence Halpin needs to save his life.
- GenresMystery
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2017
70 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Bill Briscoe
7 books32 followersBill Briscoe grew up in the oil and gas refinery town of Phillips in the Texas Panhandle. Bill describes it as the perfect place to grow up.
After graduating from college with a Master’s Degree in Education, he spent most of his career working for a major insurance company as an agency manager and consultant.
When he’s not writing, Bill spends time enjoying various hobbies, including going to sports venues across the country. Bill has seen baseball games at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Camden Yards in Baltimore, as well as St. Louis and Arlington One especially memorable trip was to South Bend, Indiana, to watch a Notre Dame football game. He has also attended college football games at Baylor, the University of Texas, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and the University of Oklahoma.
After graduating from college with a Master’s Degree in Education, he spent most of his career working for a major insurance company as an agency manager and consultant.
When he’s not writing, Bill spends time enjoying various hobbies, including going to sports venues across the country. Bill has seen baseball games at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Camden Yards in Baltimore, as well as St. Louis and Arlington One especially memorable trip was to South Bend, Indiana, to watch a Notre Dame football game. He has also attended college football games at Baylor, the University of Texas, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and the University of Oklahoma.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 28, 2018
Interesting
Although I read Pepperman's Promise (a prequel to this book) first, I have to remember that he wrote this book (Perplexity) first. While I still enjoyed Perplexity, I don't think it was as well written or as well developed as Promise. (I definitively saw improvement in the second book as far as plotting and characterization.) Also, one of the things I really liked about Promise was the main character's strong moral fiber and faith in God. In fact, most of the characters were good, decent people. While Pepperman's faith played an important part in his life, the reader wasn't constantly bombarded with this fact. Not so with Perplexity. Except for the "bad guys," it seemed like everybody else was portrayed in one way or another as a good Christian. For example, in one descriptive passage there was a wall hanging behind a nurse's desk, which left no doubt that she was a Christian woman. I found that a strange thing to have included when the nurse was a very minor character at best. Besides, in the real world not everybody who is good is a Christian. Bringing your religious perspective into your writing is fine, just don't hit me over the head with it.
Although I read Pepperman's Promise (a prequel to this book) first, I have to remember that he wrote this book (Perplexity) first. While I still enjoyed Perplexity, I don't think it was as well written or as well developed as Promise. (I definitively saw improvement in the second book as far as plotting and characterization.) Also, one of the things I really liked about Promise was the main character's strong moral fiber and faith in God. In fact, most of the characters were good, decent people. While Pepperman's faith played an important part in his life, the reader wasn't constantly bombarded with this fact. Not so with Perplexity. Except for the "bad guys," it seemed like everybody else was portrayed in one way or another as a good Christian. For example, in one descriptive passage there was a wall hanging behind a nurse's desk, which left no doubt that she was a Christian woman. I found that a strange thing to have included when the nurse was a very minor character at best. Besides, in the real world not everybody who is good is a Christian. Bringing your religious perspective into your writing is fine, just don't hit me over the head with it.
February 5, 2019
I have to say I really enjoyed this book very much. More so than the prequel, but to be fair that’s because I know nothing about American football. This continues Jim’s story involving blast from the past that threaten his life.
There was plenty of intrigue and mystery in this books and lots of twists and turns.
My interest was kept throughout
It was a complete surprise to me of the outcome and all the questions were answered in the end.
Thoroughly recommended.
There was plenty of intrigue and mystery in this books and lots of twists and turns.
My interest was kept throughout
It was a complete surprise to me of the outcome and all the questions were answered in the end.
Thoroughly recommended.
May 18, 2025
A good father son relationship is not always an automatic thing in a family. Yet, that was what Jim Pepperman and his father had.
Now, married and being father to triplets, life was good for Jim.
How come then somebody tried to assassinate him as he visited his father's grave?
How come he also heard his father's voice helping him escape?
Author Bill Briscoe crafted a first rate mystery thriller that hsd me spell bound with Perplexity, the first book in the Pepperman series. Wow!!!
Enjoy.
Now, married and being father to triplets, life was good for Jim.
How come then somebody tried to assassinate him as he visited his father's grave?
How come he also heard his father's voice helping him escape?
Author Bill Briscoe crafted a first rate mystery thriller that hsd me spell bound with Perplexity, the first book in the Pepperman series. Wow!!!
Enjoy.
June 19, 2018
If I could give more stars I would. If you liked the good old fashioned detective books from the '60s, '70s & '80s you will love this book. It will hook you from the start and not let go. When you think you have things figured out it will toss you a twist. I love the writing style. The characters are down to earth and relatable. I am very much looking forward to reading more by Mr. Bill Briscoe.
August 24, 2018
This is a two pronged mystery. It's part a personal "what would an everyday person do if he and his family were suddenly involved in such an event -- and it's part procedural. Told from multiple POVs this is a story which feels very real on every level. I recommend you read the prequal, PEPPERMAN'S PROMISE first.
January 11, 2018
Hauntings
The future is based on the past and what you keep. Things of consequence follow you into the future. Add a mystical haunting by passed family and you have a story of recovery. Borderline christian fiction.
The future is based on the past and what you keep. Things of consequence follow you into the future. Add a mystical haunting by passed family and you have a story of recovery. Borderline christian fiction.
December 19, 2017
Brill
Brilliant book. Kept me guessing as to who the potential killer was. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Brilliant book. Kept me guessing as to who the potential killer was. Look forward to reading more from this author.
January 5, 2018
Not bad. Will read another.
July 5, 2018
Easy read. Good beach book. Quick paced mystery testing characters faith.
July 19, 2018
Five Stars
Great book. Storyline was good. Characters we very well written. If you like suspense, read this one. It's part of a series.
Great book. Storyline was good. Characters we very well written. If you like suspense, read this one. It's part of a series.
August 30, 2018
Amazing first time book from this superb author. A brilliant detective story that is totally old fashioned. Has you guessing until the end as to who the killer was. Don’t forget to read it.
June 15, 2019
Enjoyed the whole book in one sitting!
I couldn’t put this one down. Briscoe had me hooked before the first chapter ended. Good clean storytelling at its best!
Jim Pepperman is facing a demon from his past, an attempt on his life, and a crumbling marriage. And maybe he’s imagining things.
Briscoe weaves a tight tale with interesting characters and vivid settings.
Great pacing, packed with action and intrigue. Keeps you guessing.
I couldn’t put this one down. Briscoe had me hooked before the first chapter ended. Good clean storytelling at its best!
Jim Pepperman is facing a demon from his past, an attempt on his life, and a crumbling marriage. And maybe he’s imagining things.
Briscoe weaves a tight tale with interesting characters and vivid settings.
Great pacing, packed with action and intrigue. Keeps you guessing.
August 12, 2020
Jim Pepperman has the perfect life until someone takes a shot at him as he's leaving his Father's graveside.
Here starts a game of cat and mouse in a good old fashioned whodunnit.
Is it a random attack or are things from his past coming back to haunt him ?
Nightmares and guilt start taking over Pepperman's life and threaten to undo everything he holds dear.
Jim Pepperman is an instantly likeable character who I found myself rooting for very quickly.
As the story unfolds you find yourself trying to identify who the shooter was and there are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing.
The book appealed to me as it sounded rather Harlan Coben-ish and it was definitely as easy to read, which I did and completed in two sittings.
A definite recommendation, in particular for fans of crime and mystery novels.
Here starts a game of cat and mouse in a good old fashioned whodunnit.
Is it a random attack or are things from his past coming back to haunt him ?
Nightmares and guilt start taking over Pepperman's life and threaten to undo everything he holds dear.
Jim Pepperman is an instantly likeable character who I found myself rooting for very quickly.
As the story unfolds you find yourself trying to identify who the shooter was and there are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing.
The book appealed to me as it sounded rather Harlan Coben-ish and it was definitely as easy to read, which I did and completed in two sittings.
A definite recommendation, in particular for fans of crime and mystery novels.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews