Good men can keep terrible secrets. The secrets don’t even have to be their own in order to bring them down… Wyatt Dixon has worn a badge for close to thirty years. He takes his vow to protect and serve the citizens of Olman County seriously. But everything he’s worked for is put in jeopardy by a blackmail letter. The sheriff isn’t the only one who receives a demand. All over town, prominent citizens are panicking, trying to figure out who has access to their dirtiest, darkest secrets… and how to shut them up, legally or otherwise. The timing couldn’t be worse. Wyatt’s only just come to terms with his attraction to IT director Maria Pace. Despite the fact that he’s old enough to be her father, he wants to be with her on an intimate level that has nothing to do with work and everything to do with serious romance. If the blackmailer gets their way, they won’t even make it past their first date. With the stakes climbing, his personal life under a microscope, and his county turned upside down, Wyatt faces the toughest decision of his career. Does he stay and fight for all that he’s worked for? Or does he walk away from everything, including the woman he loves?
T.L. Haddix is the author of the Firefly Hollow Series, women's fiction romances set in Eastern Kentucky, as well as numerous other projects under various pen names. She's a self-described eccentric, a somewhat reclusive stick in the mud who lives in Eastern Kentucky with her husband and their cat-children. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, reading, genealogy, casual bird-and-critter watching, and being short.
She writes books about characters who are flawed but who somehow still manage to overcome the challenges thrown in their paths and reach for happiness with their soul mates. And while she can't tell a joke in the real world to save her life, she tries to inject her characters' lives with quirky, unintentional humor that surprises readers at just the right moment.
For my taste, this book is too focused on the romance and not enough on the mystery. The one person who looks and acts guilty...is guilty. There was also a scene where characters were coming out of the woodwork and I couldn't keep them straight, or how they were related. Note, I did not read the previous book in the series, but so many people with no explanation was confusing. There also seems to be tons of detail-oriented description on unimportant actions (making popcorn) but then the author skipped over impactful scenes (two main characters clashing over how the woman performed her job). I would rather see the emotionally impactful clash between the two characters than watch her make popcorn.
This series is a must read for anyone who enjoys romantic mystery involving community and family. Easy page turner with just enough to keep you guessing
Well, now we are on round three of this series and I haven't been disappointed yet. Chase Hudson is the brother of Beth Hudson whom we met in Under the Moon's Shadow. He is a successful attorney in Leroy, IN, with a major loss in his past. His fiance, Kieley was murdered and her killer has never been caught. Now women around Leroy are being killed and the murders are much like Kieley's. Determined to put the past behind him once and for all Chase begin to look into these murders. What he didn't count on was falling for his sister's best friend. The one thing I really liked about this book that made it different than any other in the series (haven't seen #5 yet, so it may make a liar out of me) is that our heroine doesn't have to have some big strong man come rescue her. She manages to rescue herself. Loved it. All the women in this series are strong, independent, resourceful women but they can't seem to get themselves out of trouble without the help so some big strong men.
Even the good guys sometimes have secrets they don't want revealed to the rest of the world.... For thirty years, Wyatt Dixon had worn a badge. Sworn to protect and serve, he'd done just that for the people of Olman County, Indiana. He'd even sacrificed his first marriage on the altar of the office of Sheriff. But then the blackmail letter came... And everything he'd worked so hard to build threatened to crumble around him. Wyatt wasn't the only one to receive a letter, either... Fighting a deep attraction to a woman he should know better than to become involved with, Wyatt's professional frustration also grows as the investigation is thwarted at every turn by a master extortionist who has the citizens of Olman County, Indiana, in an uproar. With decisions to make that will affect his life and the sheriff's department for a long time to come, Wyatt has to choose - to reach for personal happiness and risk it all, or to walk away from what could be his soul mate
Like the first three in the series, I really enjoyed this one. By this point, the author has given us an opportunity to get to know the residents of Leroy and each book provides us with a deeper dive into a few of the characters. Once again, Haddix blends mystery with a touch of romance - well balanced. My only regret with this one is that it is the last one in this series ... hoping she brings us back to Leroy in the future.
This one wasn't as good as the earlier ones in the series. I think mainly because the main characters weren't as familiar. And while I like when an author is able to keep a little mystery in a who-done-it, it would be nice to somehow get more background on the baddie throughout the book. I know that might give away too much but it kind of gets old when it's some random person and it's only at the end when they divulge why they did it.
I wish I could give a half star cause this book is right between a 4 and a 5. Great plot lines throughout and good characters even if there were a few too many. The book does not take long to get started and keeps a very steady pace throughout with a very good climax and epilogue. Definitely a good read for anyone that likes mystery/thriller.
I am not really a fan of detective novels. I read this one because it is based in Indiana. I did enjoy this book but am not interested in reading the others in the series. However, if I WERE a fan of this genre I would certainly buy them all. well written and suspenseful with enough mystery it did keep me guessing. and reading.
I think out of all the books in T.L. Haddix's 'Leroy' series, this would be my absolute favorite, but I'm a sucker for an older man/younger woman romance. The characters were fun and enjoyable to get to know, and I thought the reactions of those around them were realistic. Once again, T.L. Haddix has woven an entertaining mystery throughout the romance - and I recommend it highly.
Another glimpse into the lives of the citizens of Leroy. The romance in this story centers around the sheriff and the IT Director of the Sheriff's department along with the deadly mystery that includes blackmailing some of the town's most prominent citizens. Don't miss another great story by T.L. Haddix.
This was my forth "Leroy" book and I wasn't disappointed. It was nice reading about my favorite characters and following their lives. The book was very easy to read and I really enjoyed watching the characters grow. I'm looking forward to book five. Jp
This book didn't really appeal to me. I hadn't read any of the previous ones so I was behind on some of the character development, but none of the characters we interesting enough to want to know them. I found this book tried too hard to be a romance and a mystery but didn't do either well.
Blackmail is the main theme to this detective mystery and there´s plenty of good characters and zippy plot to keep you entertained. I liked the characters and the romance angle which was light-hearted and fun.