Drowning in Deception

Case Files of Sam Flanagan #4

by Judith White

In mid-September of 1943, Detroit private detective Sam Flanagan is contacted by the husband of a woman who drowned in their backyard pool six weeks ago. Along with the Detroit Police Department, the Wayne County Coroner, Fergus Macgregor, is calling it "accidental". And without any real evidence pointing in a different direction, that's all they can do. The husband, Victor Girard, just wants to make sure he knows the whole story behind this tragic occurrence. There are troubling thoughts that continue to linger in his mind; for instance, how could she have been so careless? How could Sondra Girard have done the things she did, prior to jumping in that pool for her nightly swim? When Sam delves into the case, he questions the deceased's state of mind that fateful evening in early August. Was this really accidental, or was the end result intentional on the part of the woman? Over an almost two week span of investigation, Sam stumbles onto something which is so dark and malevolent, that he finds it difficult to believe that it is happening in his own city.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2017

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Dealings

Private detective Sam Flanagan gets called to investigate the drowning of a senator's wife. He runs into several deadly obstacles in his investigation and a few twists and turns that will engage readers from beginning to end. Judith White creates characters that come alive with dialogue and description.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the wake of the unanticipated demise of journalist Sondra "Sonny" Girard, Sam Flanagan, a private investigator, is engaged in unraveling the mystifying conditions surrounding her death. The case comes to him from Senator Victor Girard, Sonny's former husband, who harbors suspicions of foul play. While Detective Flanagan initially anticipates a straightforward case, an unexpected dismissal by Senator Girard leaves him grappling with dwindling resources yet an abundance of leads to explore. As he ventures deeper into the investigation, a labyrinth of conflicting testimonies, enigmatic clues, and a myriad of suspects awaits him, all potentially hinting at a grander narrative against the backdrop of World War II.

Drowning in Deception, penned by Judith White, is a compelling detective noir novella chronicling the investigative journey of Sam Flanagan, an ex-cop from Detroit who has transitioned into a private investigator. Set amidst the global tumult of World War II, Flanagan must rely on his keen intellect and intuition to delve into a death initially presumed accidental but soon unveils its deceptive layers. Thrown into the milieu of journalists and high-brow politicians, Sam discerns that Sonny's demise is far from a simple drowning, and uncovering the motive becomes pivotal to cracking the case.

The narrative unfolds at a brisk pace, driven by succinct and punchy sentences that complement the high-octane plot. White masterfully orchestrates the narrative such that readers become active participants in the unfolding mystery, formulating theories and conjectures as new characters and details are introduced.

White triumphs in crafting a credible period mystery rife with unexpected twists and red herrings that will undoubtedly captivate mystery aficionados. I recommend Drowning in Deception to readers who enjoy intriguing murder mystery stories.

[John Dizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drowning In Deception by Judith White is a cozy mystery whose characters, pacing and storyline bring the audience into a enthralling tale that mystery lovers and detective novel fans won't want to miss. Private eye Sam Flanagan is recruited by Senator Victor Giraud to investigate the recent death of his wife Sondra in their backyard pool. Her activity with a patriotic tabloid during the WWII era raises questions, and eventually FBI agent George Foyle becomes involved. Sam's Gran and her friend Bernice are adamant about something seeming awry. Will the spinsters outplay Sam and Foyle in finding foul play involved in the death of the Senator's wife?

The theme of deception resonates throughout the novel as neighborhood characters cast doubt on the coroner's verdict that drugs in Sondra's system was the probable cause of her mishap. Foyle's curiosity is piqued by the contradictions found by Sam, and the hunches of the old ladies cast darker shadows over the open-and-shut case. The wartime backdrop leads to the gradual buildup of the conflict, and Sam finds himself wondering if Sondra was a casualty or a victim. The outcome has the Mickey Spillane effect that will leave readers fully satisfied with the ending.

Judith White's skill as a storyteller and weaver of this detective novel tapestry will have fans sorting through her impressive list of published works. Pick up a copy of Drowning and prepare for a cozy mystery evening you won't forget.

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its September 1943 and the WWII is happening. Meanwhile, in Detroit,Sam Flanagan PI is hired by a prominent senator to look into the circumstances of his second wife's death. Sam takes the job and gets mired in conspiracy upon conspiracy. Does any of these conspiracies tie to the death of the woman?

DROWNING IN DECEPTION BY JUDITH WHITE is the fourth in the Sam Flanagan series. This is my first audiobook of the series I have listen to or even read. Flanagan is hard core P.I. trying to eek out a living. Living with his grandmother and their cat,Sam gets involved in so much shady characters,Nazi's and death .

I loved the audiobook. The narrator , George Kuch brings each of the characters alive and keeps the pace going so the listener feels they are involved in the story. Of course,hats off to the author, Judith White for creating Sam!

I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1943. Forty year old Private Investigator Sam Flanagan of St. Aubin, Detroit is approached by State Senator Victor Girard because he is not satisfied with a recent police investigation. The police have determined that the death of his second wife Sondra was accidental. He wants Sam to investigate, to make sure that is the case.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery, with a likeable style of writing and good plotting, and importantly a likeable main character.
Although this is my first read in the series it can easily be read as a standalone story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only

[Kindle Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've got to love a detective who unashamedly lives with his grandmother. He thinks through his clues carefully while chatting with his neighbors (he knows them all). All in all a really enjoyable book.

[Moona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drowning in Deception by Judith White is a gripping mystery set in 1943 Detroit. Private detective Sam Flanagan is hired by Victor Girard, whose wife, Sondra, drowned in their backyard pool six weeks earlier. While authorities ruled the death an accident, Victor is haunted by lingering doubts about how it happened. As Sam investigates, he begins to question Sondra’s state of mind and whether her death was truly accidental. The case takes a dark turn as Sam uncovers malevolent forces at play, revealing a sinister reality beneath the surface of his own city. The novel offers a compelling mix of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists.

[Jenifer Ruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Sam Flanagan book, but I’ve read the author’s blogs and I expected this would be a smart, well-written novel and it did not disappoint. Although it’s part of a series, it read just fine as a stand-alone story. Written in first person, this mystery takes place in the 40s and there are perfectly placed WWII era details throughout to create a strong sense of setting. For some reason I expected the detective to be some old curmudgeon with a drinking problem. Not even close. He’s decent, diligent, and generous. I had a Humphrey Bogart/James Stewart type image and a clear voice in my head telling the story from the very first page. As I read I found myself sorting through all the interviews and exchanges, trying to figure out the identity and motive of the perpetrator. My favorite part of the book was the writing. It’s smooth, concise and pretty flawless, creating a perfect tone for this genre. Judy White is a very talented author and she’s created a likeable and credible character in Detective Sam Flanagan.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, Drowning in Deception, gives the reader a good picture of how life was in America during the WWII. The worry of having nazi envoys working through American cities, the lack of scientific tools to find murderers, and the naivety of people at the time make a wonderfull recollection of a very conflicted time. There are twists and turns till the murderer is discovered and the story also covers all the gruesome horrors of war and the indelible signs it left on people´s hearts.
I received a copy of this wonderful book through the author/Voracious Reader´s books in exchange for an honest review.