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Carolina Slade #4
Newberry Sin
EPIC Award Winning Series
“Author C. Hope Clark brings to life . . . endearing and strong-minded characters that linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.” —New York Times bestselling author Karen White
Beneath an idyllic veneer of Southern country charm, the town of Newberry hides secrets that may have led to murder.
When a local landowner’s body, with pants down, is found near Tarleton’s Tea Table Rock—a notorious rendezvous spot, federal investigator Carolina Slade senses a chance to get back into the field again. Just as she discovers what might be a nasty pattern of fraud and blackmail, her petty boss reassigns her fledgling case to her close friend and least qualified person in their office.
Forced to coach an investigation from the sidelines, Slade struggles with the twin demons of professional jealousy and unplanned pregnancy. Something is rotten in Newberry. Her personal life is spiraling out of control. She can’t protect her co-worker. And Wayne Largo complicates everything when the feds step in after it becomes clear that Slade is right.
One wrong move and Slade may lose everything. Yet it’s practically out of her hands . . . unless she finds a way to take this case back without getting killed.
Author C. Hope Clark, an award-winning writer of two mystery series (Carolina Slade and the Edisto Island mysteries), founded FundsforWriters.com, which Writer's Digest has recognized in its annual 101 Best Web Sites for Writers for almost two decades. Hope is married to a 30-year veteran of federal law enforcement, a Senior Special Agent, now a private investigator. They live in South Carolina, on the banks of Lake Murray. Hope is ever hard at work on the next novel, and you can visit her at chopeclark.com.
“Author C. Hope Clark brings to life . . . endearing and strong-minded characters that linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.” —New York Times bestselling author Karen White
Beneath an idyllic veneer of Southern country charm, the town of Newberry hides secrets that may have led to murder.
When a local landowner’s body, with pants down, is found near Tarleton’s Tea Table Rock—a notorious rendezvous spot, federal investigator Carolina Slade senses a chance to get back into the field again. Just as she discovers what might be a nasty pattern of fraud and blackmail, her petty boss reassigns her fledgling case to her close friend and least qualified person in their office.
Forced to coach an investigation from the sidelines, Slade struggles with the twin demons of professional jealousy and unplanned pregnancy. Something is rotten in Newberry. Her personal life is spiraling out of control. She can’t protect her co-worker. And Wayne Largo complicates everything when the feds step in after it becomes clear that Slade is right.
One wrong move and Slade may lose everything. Yet it’s practically out of her hands . . . unless she finds a way to take this case back without getting killed.
Author C. Hope Clark, an award-winning writer of two mystery series (Carolina Slade and the Edisto Island mysteries), founded FundsforWriters.com, which Writer's Digest has recognized in its annual 101 Best Web Sites for Writers for almost two decades. Hope is married to a 30-year veteran of federal law enforcement, a Senior Special Agent, now a private investigator. They live in South Carolina, on the banks of Lake Murray. Hope is ever hard at work on the next novel, and you can visit her at chopeclark.com.
- GenresMystery
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2018
53 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
C. Hope Clark
40 books657 followersC. Hope Clark was born and reared in the South, from Mississippi to South Carolina with a few stints in Alabama and Georgia. The granddaughter of a Mississippi cotton farmer, Hope holds a B.S. in Agriculture with honors from Clemson University and 25 years’ experience with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to include awards for her management, all of which enable her to talk the talk of Carolina Slade, the protagonist in most of her novels. Her love of writing, however, carried her up the ranks to the ability to retire young, and she left USDA to pen her stories and freelance.
Lowcountry Bribe‘s won several awards to include finalist status of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense sponsored by Romance Writers of America. The novel enjoyed semi-finalist status (top 100 out of 10,000) in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. The book went on to win the Silver Falchion Award for Crime Fiction twice and the EPIC E-book Award for Best Mystery three times.
Her books cover three mystery series in the Carolina Slade Mysteries, the Edisto Island Mysteries, and the Craven County Mysteries.
Hope is married to a 30-year veteran of federal law enforcement, a Senior Special Agent, now a contract investigator. They met on a bribery investigation within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the basis for the opening scene to Lowcountry Bribe. Hope and her special agent live on the rural banks of Lake Murray outside of Chapin, South Carolina, forever spinning tales on their back porch, bourbon and coke in hand, when not tending a loveable flock of hens.
She also currently manages FundsforWriters.com, a weekly newsletter service she founded that reaches 28,000 writers to include university professors, professional journalists and published mystery authors. Writer’s Digest has recognized the site in its annual 101 Best Web Sites for Writers for two dozen years.
She’s published in The Writer Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and other trade and online publications. She speaks at writers’ conferences, book clubs, libraries and more, and has taught many webinars for the Writer's Digest University world. Hope is a member of Mystery Writers of America.
Lowcountry Bribe‘s won several awards to include finalist status of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense sponsored by Romance Writers of America. The novel enjoyed semi-finalist status (top 100 out of 10,000) in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. The book went on to win the Silver Falchion Award for Crime Fiction twice and the EPIC E-book Award for Best Mystery three times.
Her books cover three mystery series in the Carolina Slade Mysteries, the Edisto Island Mysteries, and the Craven County Mysteries.
Hope is married to a 30-year veteran of federal law enforcement, a Senior Special Agent, now a contract investigator. They met on a bribery investigation within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the basis for the opening scene to Lowcountry Bribe. Hope and her special agent live on the rural banks of Lake Murray outside of Chapin, South Carolina, forever spinning tales on their back porch, bourbon and coke in hand, when not tending a loveable flock of hens.
She also currently manages FundsforWriters.com, a weekly newsletter service she founded that reaches 28,000 writers to include university professors, professional journalists and published mystery authors. Writer’s Digest has recognized the site in its annual 101 Best Web Sites for Writers for two dozen years.
She’s published in The Writer Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and other trade and online publications. She speaks at writers’ conferences, book clubs, libraries and more, and has taught many webinars for the Writer's Digest University world. Hope is a member of Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 25, 2018
Slade is back!
C Hope Clark’s Newberry Sin is the perfect balance of intrigue and suspense, of heartwarming and heartbreak. Carolina Slade can be her own worst enemy and her best defense. Solving crimes might not be her obvious talent, but she gets it right in the end. I love that Clark’s writing is so good you forget that these people are fictional characters. Great read!!
C Hope Clark’s Newberry Sin is the perfect balance of intrigue and suspense, of heartwarming and heartbreak. Carolina Slade can be her own worst enemy and her best defense. Solving crimes might not be her obvious talent, but she gets it right in the end. I love that Clark’s writing is so good you forget that these people are fictional characters. Great read!!
April 25, 2018
Readers of C. Hope Clark's Carolina Slade Mystery Series ("Low Country Bribe," "Tidewater Murder," and "Palmetto Poison") didn't see Ms. Slade for several years while the author was working on her Edisto Island Mysteries. It's a pleasure meeting Slade again in "Newberry Sin."
Newberry has a potential murder, a truckload of motives and prospective suspects, and, of course, enough sin to require the use of oven mitts while reading this mystery. Slade and her petty boss are in town for a radio show when a local man dies under suspicious circumstances. Even though USDA investigator Slade befriends a potential confidential informant, her boss--who has a grudge against her--assigns a less-experienced investigator to the case and orders Slade to stay away from Newberry.
Slade is a somewhat less self-assured investigator in this book than in earlier stories. She has good reason to be. Her boss assigns her nothing but administrative assistant duties, there are emotional issues at home and conflicts with her boyfriend, and the looming reality that she will probably be fired if she follows up on her informant's constant pleas for help. This mix results in a somewhat muddled approach to the case at the outset, and she makes a few mistakes that don't help.
However, readers of "Newberry Sin" will discover a deeper, more complex Slade in this novel as she wrestles with personal and chain-of-command issues while trying to sort out who might have killed whom and why. The book starts out at a high pitch and never slows down. Every page brings a new revelation or incident that clearly shows Newberry will get worse before it gets better.
Slade doesn't want to become one of the casualties or let the bad guys get away with whatever they're trying to do to a nice town (except for its contagious gossip).
I wanted to savor this novel for a week or so, but I couldn't because the plot made me feel like I was riding a bat out of hell with no brakes. Slade seems to have a similar opinion.
-
I received a free ARC (advance readers copy) of "Newberry Sin" in exchange for an honest review.
Newberry has a potential murder, a truckload of motives and prospective suspects, and, of course, enough sin to require the use of oven mitts while reading this mystery. Slade and her petty boss are in town for a radio show when a local man dies under suspicious circumstances. Even though USDA investigator Slade befriends a potential confidential informant, her boss--who has a grudge against her--assigns a less-experienced investigator to the case and orders Slade to stay away from Newberry.
Slade is a somewhat less self-assured investigator in this book than in earlier stories. She has good reason to be. Her boss assigns her nothing but administrative assistant duties, there are emotional issues at home and conflicts with her boyfriend, and the looming reality that she will probably be fired if she follows up on her informant's constant pleas for help. This mix results in a somewhat muddled approach to the case at the outset, and she makes a few mistakes that don't help.
However, readers of "Newberry Sin" will discover a deeper, more complex Slade in this novel as she wrestles with personal and chain-of-command issues while trying to sort out who might have killed whom and why. The book starts out at a high pitch and never slows down. Every page brings a new revelation or incident that clearly shows Newberry will get worse before it gets better.
Slade doesn't want to become one of the casualties or let the bad guys get away with whatever they're trying to do to a nice town (except for its contagious gossip).
I wanted to savor this novel for a week or so, but I couldn't because the plot made me feel like I was riding a bat out of hell with no brakes. Slade seems to have a similar opinion.
-
I received a free ARC (advance readers copy) of "Newberry Sin" in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2018
Newberry Sin sees USDA Special Projects Representative Carolina Slade sensing a mystery and a crime where others see just a death from natural causes. And once again, we are off on another excursion into life lived the Slade way.
Sometimes Slade makes me so mad, I just want to shake her! Why does she put herself - and her family and friends - through so much? Why does she keep bending or breaking the rules, doing what she does, even when she knows it's not sensible? Why can't she just play nice for once? Then suddenly, there she is, in the middle of another murder case, trusted by the women in trouble, if not the men, and still not being listened to by anyone else; and I realise what makes her tick and why she just has to keep going down a certain path, not necessarily the right one. Above all, it's about the women sticking together.
The fourth Carolina Slade Mystery is just as good as the rest of the series. There are some well-developed characters; in addition to Slade, there's her sister Ally, who is shaping up to be a great part; her kids, Ivy, with raging hormones, and little Zack, who's got one of the best bit-parts in the whole book. And of course, the two men in her life, Wayne and Monroe. Plus a great cast of extras: Harden and Lottie are stand-outs this time. And the setting is beautifully laid out before us. Ms Clark is so obviously at home this part of the world, and she opens the door and invites us right in. Her turn of phrase is as engaging as ever. I loved "my daughter choosing a boyfriend I'd rather use as gator bait." And one comment made me realise that small town living is probably the same wherever in the world you are: "A tug of war existed between wanting more for the town and wanting the town to be left alone."
This was a great read; I finished it in just two sittings and look forward to more from C. Hope Clark. Highly recommended.
Sometimes Slade makes me so mad, I just want to shake her! Why does she put herself - and her family and friends - through so much? Why does she keep bending or breaking the rules, doing what she does, even when she knows it's not sensible? Why can't she just play nice for once? Then suddenly, there she is, in the middle of another murder case, trusted by the women in trouble, if not the men, and still not being listened to by anyone else; and I realise what makes her tick and why she just has to keep going down a certain path, not necessarily the right one. Above all, it's about the women sticking together.
The fourth Carolina Slade Mystery is just as good as the rest of the series. There are some well-developed characters; in addition to Slade, there's her sister Ally, who is shaping up to be a great part; her kids, Ivy, with raging hormones, and little Zack, who's got one of the best bit-parts in the whole book. And of course, the two men in her life, Wayne and Monroe. Plus a great cast of extras: Harden and Lottie are stand-outs this time. And the setting is beautifully laid out before us. Ms Clark is so obviously at home this part of the world, and she opens the door and invites us right in. Her turn of phrase is as engaging as ever. I loved "my daughter choosing a boyfriend I'd rather use as gator bait." And one comment made me realise that small town living is probably the same wherever in the world you are: "A tug of war existed between wanting more for the town and wanting the town to be left alone."
This was a great read; I finished it in just two sittings and look forward to more from C. Hope Clark. Highly recommended.
April 30, 2018
Slade is back and she’s kicking butt and taking names…well, sorta
None too happy, Slade is at odds with her new boss who has a personal ax to grind and happy to weild revenge on a whim. Relegated to scut work and having her every move watched, Slade will have to do some fancy dancing to get back out in the field.
An opportunity to look into a juicy case of fraud and blackmail arises and Slade tries her best to investigate on the sly. Only to be found out and have the rug pulled out from under her. The case is given to her ill-equipped colleague and friend, Monroe, and things quickly spiral from bad to worse.
Meanwhile, her personal life isn’t doing her any favors. Her federal agent boyfriend, Wayne, and her teenaged daughter, Ivy, pull her every which way and drag her into emotional quandries she’d rather not deal with.
Will Slade, manage to investigate the case without losing her job, the love of her life, her best friend, and her life? Guess you’ll have to read to find out.
Newberry Sin is an engaging read and solid whodunit, populated with quirky characters, lush southern settings, and a heroine who you can root for. I enjoyed this book so much that I took all of Sunday to read it. Time well spent.
None too happy, Slade is at odds with her new boss who has a personal ax to grind and happy to weild revenge on a whim. Relegated to scut work and having her every move watched, Slade will have to do some fancy dancing to get back out in the field.
An opportunity to look into a juicy case of fraud and blackmail arises and Slade tries her best to investigate on the sly. Only to be found out and have the rug pulled out from under her. The case is given to her ill-equipped colleague and friend, Monroe, and things quickly spiral from bad to worse.
Meanwhile, her personal life isn’t doing her any favors. Her federal agent boyfriend, Wayne, and her teenaged daughter, Ivy, pull her every which way and drag her into emotional quandries she’d rather not deal with.
Will Slade, manage to investigate the case without losing her job, the love of her life, her best friend, and her life? Guess you’ll have to read to find out.
Newberry Sin is an engaging read and solid whodunit, populated with quirky characters, lush southern settings, and a heroine who you can root for. I enjoyed this book so much that I took all of Sunday to read it. Time well spent.
July 16, 2018
I was given a copy of this book by the author for review. Once again, Ms. Clark did not disappoint! I took this book with me on a weekend camping trip. I opened it up on Saturday morning and did not put it down until I finished it up under the glow of a single Tiki torch later that same night. I have enjoyed every book of Ms. Clark's that I have read, which have been many, but not all -- YET!
In Newberry Sin, once again federal investigator Carolina Slade pushes boundaries and buttons in order to solve the mysterious and highly speculative murder of one of the local community's prominent landowners, found post-mortem with his pants down. The scandals and stories that pour out of the corpse and its surroundings keep you wanting to turn the page and find out the details of each backstory that supports the main storyline. This is a definite page-turner must-read for any fan of murder mysteries and/or the "Southern charm" way of life!
In Newberry Sin, once again federal investigator Carolina Slade pushes boundaries and buttons in order to solve the mysterious and highly speculative murder of one of the local community's prominent landowners, found post-mortem with his pants down. The scandals and stories that pour out of the corpse and its surroundings keep you wanting to turn the page and find out the details of each backstory that supports the main storyline. This is a definite page-turner must-read for any fan of murder mysteries and/or the "Southern charm" way of life!
August 3, 2019
Small towns are filled with drama, if you know who to talk to, and Newberry, South Carolina is no different. Carolina Slade finds herself the recipient of some small town gossip that keeps you itching to learn more right from the beginning. Her decisions are compounded by a boss that has sidelined her, a daughter who is entering the dating world and her own romantic woes.
C Hope Clark does an amazing job of creating relatable characters. From the things Slade says (or doesn’t say) or does, her mistakes and triumphs will fill you with heartbreak and joy. Even the minor characters, especially Lottie, have a way of worming their into your heart that you find yourself wishing them well even after all is said and done.
These are the books I crave: perfect little mysteries just right for the beach, the plane, a weekend away or your lunch break. (I may have come back late from lunch on more than one occasion.) If you've never read a Carolina Slade book, don't let the fact that this is book 4 of the series deter you. There's enough backstory without being cumbersome. Those juicy tidbits will make you want to go back and read the other three.
C Hope Clark does an amazing job of creating relatable characters. From the things Slade says (or doesn’t say) or does, her mistakes and triumphs will fill you with heartbreak and joy. Even the minor characters, especially Lottie, have a way of worming their into your heart that you find yourself wishing them well even after all is said and done.
These are the books I crave: perfect little mysteries just right for the beach, the plane, a weekend away or your lunch break. (I may have come back late from lunch on more than one occasion.) If you've never read a Carolina Slade book, don't let the fact that this is book 4 of the series deter you. There's enough backstory without being cumbersome. Those juicy tidbits will make you want to go back and read the other three.
June 7, 2018
I just finished Newberry Sin and while it is not the first book by C. Hope Clark that I have read, it was the first of her fiction. She has a unique writing style which gives her characters a lot of spunk and personality. I loved not only the main character but the supporting character of Lottie was a real treat. This book is in a series and it captured not only the charm of a small southern town but also the intriguing underpinnings often hidden beneath big hats and sweet tea. The flawed but likable Carolina Slade frustrated me with her decisions that, as a reader you can see objectively, but that didn't stop her from rushing headlong into trouble brought on by indecision and bad judgement. That trait just makes you want to root for her even more! I will definitely be picking up the other books in this series to see what else Slade gets mixed up in and more importantly, how she gets out of it!
April 17, 2020
Having enjoyed the three previous Carolina Slade mysteries, I started reading Newberry Sin, certain I would like it just as much. But I didn't. I enjoyed it MORE. In my opinion, this was the best of the four. Although Slade's drive and curiosity to solve the who, where and why is just as present in this book, I think the character is deeper and more complex. I felt I got to know the Slade, the woman, more this time around.
As usual, I loved her secondary characters. The inhabitants of Newberry seemed so real to me. Maybe because I live in a small Southern town (although probably bigger than Newberry), I could relate to the characters and the layers of secrets and history that aren't visible on the surface. You have to be a long time resident in a small town to know what closets have skeletons.
I assume the story of Slade and Wayne will be ongoing since the ending hinted at a HEA but left the door open. And I really hope there's a HEA somewhere along the way for Monroe.
As usual, I loved her secondary characters. The inhabitants of Newberry seemed so real to me. Maybe because I live in a small Southern town (although probably bigger than Newberry), I could relate to the characters and the layers of secrets and history that aren't visible on the surface. You have to be a long time resident in a small town to know what closets have skeletons.
I assume the story of Slade and Wayne will be ongoing since the ending hinted at a HEA but left the door open. And I really hope there's a HEA somewhere along the way for Monroe.
July 13, 2018
I love to read in bed, but not many books will keep me turning pages into the wee hours. Newberry Sin was one that did – three nights in a row. Carolina Slade is a heroine you can’t help rooting for even when she makes decisions that you want to shout at her NOT to make, and you’re right there with her in the chaos and muddle she finds herself in. I love Wayne Largo from the brim of his cowboy hat to the tips of his boots and wish I had a man like him in my life. Ms. Clark kept me guessing right to the end which I never saw coming. Okay, bits and pieces of it began to come together in my mind, but the “whole” picture blew me away. What a terrific story. If you’ve read any of the previous Carolina Slade mysteries, I probably don’t have to urge you to check this one out, too, but if you haven’t met Carolina yet, please, click that buy button and settle in for a great read.
May 1, 2018
Excellent mystery as always.
Once again Hope brings the Carolinas to life for this landlocked Kansas fan. As you know I've read every book and love each one even more than the last.
Spade has her hands full with Ivy's first beau, a sassy new co-worker, the boss from Hades, and more. Truly things are a hot mess, but she keeps being her tenacious self to find out what is going on in Newbury county.
Murder, intrigue, family and romantic entanglement keep us wondering who did what to whom. I recommend you read this and all of Hope's wonderful mysteries.
Once again Hope brings the Carolinas to life for this landlocked Kansas fan. As you know I've read every book and love each one even more than the last.
Spade has her hands full with Ivy's first beau, a sassy new co-worker, the boss from Hades, and more. Truly things are a hot mess, but she keeps being her tenacious self to find out what is going on in Newbury county.
Murder, intrigue, family and romantic entanglement keep us wondering who did what to whom. I recommend you read this and all of Hope's wonderful mysteries.
September 24, 2018
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What a delight to sink into the fourth Carolina Slade mystery from award-winning author C. Hope Clark, NEWBERRY SIN. Well actually, this is the kind of sometimes chilling murder mystery that makes me jump up to check that the door is locked, on my way to put the kettle on. But that's all good, when suspense and risk are supposed to be lining up!
What a delight to sink into the fourth Carolina Slade mystery from award-winning author C. Hope Clark, NEWBERRY SIN. Well actually, this is the kind of sometimes chilling murder mystery that makes me jump up to check that the door is locked, on my way to put the kettle on. But that's all good, when suspense and risk are supposed to be lining up!
November 7, 2023
From tbe opening pages, I was drawn to the characters and captured by the events as they played out. Carolina Slade is very believable as she juggles work, home, and relationships. A farmer's mysterious death spools into a story of intrigue involving shady agricultural land deals, scheming women, and temperamental men. As I read the book, I could see the plot play outin my mind as though I was watching a movie. C. Hope Clark, keep the books coming!
May 19, 2018
Best one yet!
I've read every one of th Carolina Slade mysteries and instantly became a fan. Didn't think they could get any better, but Newberry Sin gets the gold medal! A must-have for fans of high voltage action, mystery and just the right amount of romantic tension. Hope this series continues.
I've read every one of th Carolina Slade mysteries and instantly became a fan. Didn't think they could get any better, but Newberry Sin gets the gold medal! A must-have for fans of high voltage action, mystery and just the right amount of romantic tension. Hope this series continues.
September 22, 2024
A Lot to Like
Well-written. Believable characters. Authentic settings. This one has everything readers love in a mystery and more. The tension builds to a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.
Well-written. Believable characters. Authentic settings. This one has everything readers love in a mystery and more. The tension builds to a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.
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December 26, 2024Enjoy this series!
June 21, 2025
Love this Slade series. What a great, captivating writer you are C. Hope Clark! Keep em coming!
October 3, 2019
87 / 248
May 16, 2018
Murder, Fraud, Mayhem and Southern Charm, welcome back Slade.
I first discovered Author C Hope Clark, back in 2010 when I subscribed to her Funds For Writers Newsletter, chosen for Writer's Digest Magazine as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 10 years running at the time. I found her generous with her time and wisdom. So, it was only natural, when she published her first novel, Low Country Bribe, I bought the book and was hooked.
The phrase, “Write What You Know”, certainly applies to C Hope Clark. She’s a born and bred Southern Bell, holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Clemson University and had 25 years of Investigative experience with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, before leaving to pursue her love of writing.
With that background, her novels, set in South Carolina, where she lives, lends credence to her protagonist, Carolina Slade, in Newberry Sin, the fourth novel in the series following Ms. Slade through her adventures, mayhem, romance, single parenthood, and career.
Slade’s boss is out to get her, holding a grudge against her, even though he was promoted over her. By the way, she’d make a terrible boss; she’s much better in the field. He forces her into menial office work, trying to keep her out of the field, when investigation is her strong suit.
He drags her along to Newberry for a radio show interview, where he gives a local Ag worker an award, while she’s forced to twiddle her thumbs in the outer office. When a local man dies under suspicious circumstances, in an area notorious for sexual rendezvous’ and the radio host befriends Slade, becoming a confidential informant, the boss, assigns the case to a friend and less experienced investigator, ordering Slade to stay away from Newberry.
The Town of Newberry is as Southern as they get, with gossiping ladies, protecting their men, hiding secrets, all under the disguise of those southern charm manners, which I’ll never understand, as long as I live. But, the radio hosts insist Carolina meet these woman, who reveal just enough to wet her appetite to investigate, despite the boss.
She realizes fraud and blackmail are involved, and her close friend and coworker is ill equipped to handle the investigation. And her on again/off again fiancé, a Federal Special Agent gets involved and all hell breaks lose.
While all this is going on, Slade’s 14 year old daughter is dating a loser who goes by Bug, her 11 year old son is spying on them, the sister who came to help out is trying to deal with the kids, buys a pregnancy kit for Slade who may be pregnant (the one predicament I didn’t care for in this novel as I felt it diminished Slade’s character), then worries perhaps the daughter has taken it when it goes missing.
The back and forth between personal and professional dilemma’s makes for fast reading, and page turning. Just when I was ready to turn the light off for the night, a page turn would create yet another unbelievable twist in this jam-packed murder mystery drama.
The ending is much more violent and dramatic than I would have expected from a Southern based novel, but then this is a murder mystery.
Slade’s character is a complex mix of personal baggage and professional moxie. She survives to live another day, the boss won’t be harassing her any more, she maintains her relationship with both her coworker and fiancé Wayne, the kids and sister are safe, and hopefully C. Hope Clark is in the midst of yet another page-turning Slade Southern Mystery in Farm Country, as I wait in anticipation.
I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of "Newberry Sin" in exchange for an honest review.
I first discovered Author C Hope Clark, back in 2010 when I subscribed to her Funds For Writers Newsletter, chosen for Writer's Digest Magazine as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 10 years running at the time. I found her generous with her time and wisdom. So, it was only natural, when she published her first novel, Low Country Bribe, I bought the book and was hooked.
The phrase, “Write What You Know”, certainly applies to C Hope Clark. She’s a born and bred Southern Bell, holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Clemson University and had 25 years of Investigative experience with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, before leaving to pursue her love of writing.
With that background, her novels, set in South Carolina, where she lives, lends credence to her protagonist, Carolina Slade, in Newberry Sin, the fourth novel in the series following Ms. Slade through her adventures, mayhem, romance, single parenthood, and career.
Slade’s boss is out to get her, holding a grudge against her, even though he was promoted over her. By the way, she’d make a terrible boss; she’s much better in the field. He forces her into menial office work, trying to keep her out of the field, when investigation is her strong suit.
He drags her along to Newberry for a radio show interview, where he gives a local Ag worker an award, while she’s forced to twiddle her thumbs in the outer office. When a local man dies under suspicious circumstances, in an area notorious for sexual rendezvous’ and the radio host befriends Slade, becoming a confidential informant, the boss, assigns the case to a friend and less experienced investigator, ordering Slade to stay away from Newberry.
The Town of Newberry is as Southern as they get, with gossiping ladies, protecting their men, hiding secrets, all under the disguise of those southern charm manners, which I’ll never understand, as long as I live. But, the radio hosts insist Carolina meet these woman, who reveal just enough to wet her appetite to investigate, despite the boss.
She realizes fraud and blackmail are involved, and her close friend and coworker is ill equipped to handle the investigation. And her on again/off again fiancé, a Federal Special Agent gets involved and all hell breaks lose.
While all this is going on, Slade’s 14 year old daughter is dating a loser who goes by Bug, her 11 year old son is spying on them, the sister who came to help out is trying to deal with the kids, buys a pregnancy kit for Slade who may be pregnant (the one predicament I didn’t care for in this novel as I felt it diminished Slade’s character), then worries perhaps the daughter has taken it when it goes missing.
The back and forth between personal and professional dilemma’s makes for fast reading, and page turning. Just when I was ready to turn the light off for the night, a page turn would create yet another unbelievable twist in this jam-packed murder mystery drama.
The ending is much more violent and dramatic than I would have expected from a Southern based novel, but then this is a murder mystery.
Slade’s character is a complex mix of personal baggage and professional moxie. She survives to live another day, the boss won’t be harassing her any more, she maintains her relationship with both her coworker and fiancé Wayne, the kids and sister are safe, and hopefully C. Hope Clark is in the midst of yet another page-turning Slade Southern Mystery in Farm Country, as I wait in anticipation.
I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of "Newberry Sin" in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2018
I've been an avid C. Hope Clark reader from her first Carolina Slade book, Lowcountry Bribe. So I was excited to jump back into Slade's next adventure!
Slade's always been a character I've had a strong love/hate relationship with. In one chapter, she's frustratingly stumbling over her own two feet and struggling to get out of her own way. Then the next, she discovers a clue, cracks the case, and solves the mystery in her nothing-but-good-intentioned way she always seems to have a knack for doing.
Also, as someone who grew up in the SC Midlands, it's always a blast seeing Clark traipse Slade around the different counties in the area I'm familiar with. This time, it's the small town of Newberry that takes the spotlight. Slade balances helping her new friends with their real estate quandaries, solving the mystery of a murdered local farmer, and juggling her hot and cold relationship with Wayne, her federal agent boyfriend, all while trying to skirt a boss that's out to get her after recent bad blood.
Newberry Sin's an entertaining read I made quick work of due to Clark's way with words. I'd highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a quick mystery and some plain ol' Southern charm!
Slade's always been a character I've had a strong love/hate relationship with. In one chapter, she's frustratingly stumbling over her own two feet and struggling to get out of her own way. Then the next, she discovers a clue, cracks the case, and solves the mystery in her nothing-but-good-intentioned way she always seems to have a knack for doing.
Also, as someone who grew up in the SC Midlands, it's always a blast seeing Clark traipse Slade around the different counties in the area I'm familiar with. This time, it's the small town of Newberry that takes the spotlight. Slade balances helping her new friends with their real estate quandaries, solving the mystery of a murdered local farmer, and juggling her hot and cold relationship with Wayne, her federal agent boyfriend, all while trying to skirt a boss that's out to get her after recent bad blood.
Newberry Sin's an entertaining read I made quick work of due to Clark's way with words. I'd highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a quick mystery and some plain ol' Southern charm!
May 16, 2018
Another winner by C Hope Clark. From the first Introduction of Slade in Low Country Bribe until Newberry Sin, the characters continue to grow. From murder to relationships with her children and of course love, she is becoming a more complex character. Keep them coming, Hope.
May 8, 2018
You can’t keep a good woman – especially an overly curious one – down for long. Carolina is back!
Amateur sleuth Carolina Slade has spent six long months chafing under the onerous thumb of her brutish boss Harden Harris. Slade thrives on investigating troublemakers for the Ag Department, but Harden seems hell-bent on punishing her with mind-numbing menial tasks –payback for her sending several of his cronies to prison. His rude treatment seems to give her gastric distress – or is it that the unstoppable Carolina is more than a little “late” for “that monthly thing”? OMG – maybe.
Forced to tag along with Harden to nearby Newberry for his interview at the local radio station, Slade overhears talk show host Lottie Bledsoe field a hot lead on a farmer found dead under mysterious circumstances. Slade doesn’t need her arm twisted to be willingly sucked into figuring out why a growing handful of farmers – some dead – have all been forced into strange deals involving thousands of acres – but who refuse to say why.
When Harden learns of the situation, Slade is benched. The matter is dumped on her friend/colleague, Monroe Prevatte, but Monroe becomes a viciously compromised pawn in Newberry’s deadly, secretive power play. Slade is sent back in, along with Special Agent Wayne Largo. Her sleuthing impulses spin out of control, and the friction between Carolina and Wayne builds to catastrophic levels. As she struggles with a possible pregnancy, Wayne’s too-long-standing proposal, and her teenage daughter’s impending leap into womanhood with a creepy boy named “Bug”, Slade can’t keep her head on straight to save her soul, all at a time when not thinking clearly could cost her everything.
My takeaway: A new Carolina Slade episode! I dove into this book, having read and absolutely loved the series. The start was a little slower, but I was still hooked, and as the mystery deepened and the action increased, the style slid smoothly back into the caliber of writing I had come to expect of Ms. Clark. By the end, I was a happy camper!
The character Lottie Bledsoe was priceless, providing snippets of comic relief from the silent menace of the unsolved mystery. Lottie reminded me of “Flo” on the old TV sit-com “Alice” – gritty and sassy, although I expected more backbone from her when things turned dicey.
Slade is a difficult character – a determined, almost cocky survivor with lots of ups and downs to her life. Sometimes she just doesn’t handle simple situations well – if at all. She knows she can be self-reliant, but hasn’t learned she can safely lean on others, or how to do it without sending mixed signals or taking undue advantage of a relationship. It’s a big character flaw, one with which many readers may empathize. However, this time that flaw nearly undoes her, and I’m not certain she actually learned the lesson that was in front of her nose. Think we'll need at least one more Slade book, Hope!
(FYI: I received an ARC.)
Amateur sleuth Carolina Slade has spent six long months chafing under the onerous thumb of her brutish boss Harden Harris. Slade thrives on investigating troublemakers for the Ag Department, but Harden seems hell-bent on punishing her with mind-numbing menial tasks –payback for her sending several of his cronies to prison. His rude treatment seems to give her gastric distress – or is it that the unstoppable Carolina is more than a little “late” for “that monthly thing”? OMG – maybe.
Forced to tag along with Harden to nearby Newberry for his interview at the local radio station, Slade overhears talk show host Lottie Bledsoe field a hot lead on a farmer found dead under mysterious circumstances. Slade doesn’t need her arm twisted to be willingly sucked into figuring out why a growing handful of farmers – some dead – have all been forced into strange deals involving thousands of acres – but who refuse to say why.
When Harden learns of the situation, Slade is benched. The matter is dumped on her friend/colleague, Monroe Prevatte, but Monroe becomes a viciously compromised pawn in Newberry’s deadly, secretive power play. Slade is sent back in, along with Special Agent Wayne Largo. Her sleuthing impulses spin out of control, and the friction between Carolina and Wayne builds to catastrophic levels. As she struggles with a possible pregnancy, Wayne’s too-long-standing proposal, and her teenage daughter’s impending leap into womanhood with a creepy boy named “Bug”, Slade can’t keep her head on straight to save her soul, all at a time when not thinking clearly could cost her everything.
My takeaway: A new Carolina Slade episode! I dove into this book, having read and absolutely loved the series. The start was a little slower, but I was still hooked, and as the mystery deepened and the action increased, the style slid smoothly back into the caliber of writing I had come to expect of Ms. Clark. By the end, I was a happy camper!
The character Lottie Bledsoe was priceless, providing snippets of comic relief from the silent menace of the unsolved mystery. Lottie reminded me of “Flo” on the old TV sit-com “Alice” – gritty and sassy, although I expected more backbone from her when things turned dicey.
Slade is a difficult character – a determined, almost cocky survivor with lots of ups and downs to her life. Sometimes she just doesn’t handle simple situations well – if at all. She knows she can be self-reliant, but hasn’t learned she can safely lean on others, or how to do it without sending mixed signals or taking undue advantage of a relationship. It’s a big character flaw, one with which many readers may empathize. However, this time that flaw nearly undoes her, and I’m not certain she actually learned the lesson that was in front of her nose. Think we'll need at least one more Slade book, Hope!
(FYI: I received an ARC.)
May 2, 2018
The allure of a C Hope Clark story is the way she doesn’t lightly tiptoe to the edge of the shoreline and gradually test the waters of the tale to be told. She dives off the cliff directly into the depths; right into the murky waters full of weeds, mud and sharp, slippery stones. She’s a master at keeping you in the dark until you are surfacing at the end of the story before you can see all the answers. Even then, it is not until you are gasping for air before the answers appear clearly.
Having grown up on a dairy farm and having had a father that worked for the Department of Ag for 35 years, I was drawn to the Carolina Slade Mysteries because of their agriculture focus. I listened to my Dad’s stories for years, never really sharing them with anyone because who believes there can be such diabolical happenings in the lives of America’s heart and soul – our farmers? Although, I grew up in the Midwest, and C Hope’s stories are all Southern-based, the crimes are the same across the borders.
C Hope Clark has managed to take a well-worn genre, murder mystery, and freshen it with an angle that has not been taken to any extent before, the farming industry. Also, having been raised with a family in farming, having a degree in Agriculture with honors from Clemson and having 25 years’ experience with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, along with a Hubby who has 30 years in federal law enforcement, Clark is able to add the details to her stories that assure her readers legitimacy. After years of hearing my Dad's stories, I can never help reading C Hope's books without suspecting fact outweighs fiction more than we realize.
Newberry Sin, fourth in the Carolina Slade Mysteries, does not fall short of what we have come to expect from Clark’s word-weaving. Sweet southern charm laced with dark deceit and debauchery, mix in a little murder, some work-place corruption, and balance it all with single-motherhood challenges and a splash of a complicated love-life, and you have the nonstop, barn-burnin’, page-turner, Newberry Sin.
Having grown up on a dairy farm and having had a father that worked for the Department of Ag for 35 years, I was drawn to the Carolina Slade Mysteries because of their agriculture focus. I listened to my Dad’s stories for years, never really sharing them with anyone because who believes there can be such diabolical happenings in the lives of America’s heart and soul – our farmers? Although, I grew up in the Midwest, and C Hope’s stories are all Southern-based, the crimes are the same across the borders.
C Hope Clark has managed to take a well-worn genre, murder mystery, and freshen it with an angle that has not been taken to any extent before, the farming industry. Also, having been raised with a family in farming, having a degree in Agriculture with honors from Clemson and having 25 years’ experience with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, along with a Hubby who has 30 years in federal law enforcement, Clark is able to add the details to her stories that assure her readers legitimacy. After years of hearing my Dad's stories, I can never help reading C Hope's books without suspecting fact outweighs fiction more than we realize.
Newberry Sin, fourth in the Carolina Slade Mysteries, does not fall short of what we have come to expect from Clark’s word-weaving. Sweet southern charm laced with dark deceit and debauchery, mix in a little murder, some work-place corruption, and balance it all with single-motherhood challenges and a splash of a complicated love-life, and you have the nonstop, barn-burnin’, page-turner, Newberry Sin.
May 28, 2018
C. Hope Clark returns to her writing roots and resurrects Carolina Slade, a woman as strong and flawed as Callie Jean Morgan in the Edisto Island mystery series that I've read and so thoroughly enjoyed.
Slade's latest case begins with the USDA agent sidelined and assigned desk duty by a boss with a major grudge. A mundane interview on a rural South Carolina radio station, and a dead farmer who passed from apparent natural causes while apparently cheating on his wife, leads Slade to collaborate with reporter and Newberry native snoop Lottie Bledsoe. Lottie's connections with wronged wives willing to share their pain and suspicions with Slade sparks an investigation into loans and sales of mortgaged family farmland at well below market value without the full knowledge and consent of the farmers' life partners. Sex, bribery, and money trail maneuvers orchestrated by real estate broker and Newberry queen of all she surveys Lorena Carson drag reputations and relationships into a web of jealousy and deceit with a high stakes price that not everyone involved will survive.
Only C. Hope Clark can make a murder mystery about agriculture so compelling and engaging. Readers feel the thin veneer of Southern hospitality required even when the visitor whose come calling isn't welcome. We want to know how and why the stewards of land owned by their family for generations could be swindled out of their inheritance and how far the swindlers will go to grab and secure more profit. The future of every character in this rural passion play is at stake and, at the center of it all, Slade fights for her job, her family, and battles her own demons of self-doubt.
Although this novel stands alone, I want to go back to the beginning of the series and experience more of Carolina Slade. Who knew that farm-based intrigue could be such a good read?
Slade's latest case begins with the USDA agent sidelined and assigned desk duty by a boss with a major grudge. A mundane interview on a rural South Carolina radio station, and a dead farmer who passed from apparent natural causes while apparently cheating on his wife, leads Slade to collaborate with reporter and Newberry native snoop Lottie Bledsoe. Lottie's connections with wronged wives willing to share their pain and suspicions with Slade sparks an investigation into loans and sales of mortgaged family farmland at well below market value without the full knowledge and consent of the farmers' life partners. Sex, bribery, and money trail maneuvers orchestrated by real estate broker and Newberry queen of all she surveys Lorena Carson drag reputations and relationships into a web of jealousy and deceit with a high stakes price that not everyone involved will survive.
Only C. Hope Clark can make a murder mystery about agriculture so compelling and engaging. Readers feel the thin veneer of Southern hospitality required even when the visitor whose come calling isn't welcome. We want to know how and why the stewards of land owned by their family for generations could be swindled out of their inheritance and how far the swindlers will go to grab and secure more profit. The future of every character in this rural passion play is at stake and, at the center of it all, Slade fights for her job, her family, and battles her own demons of self-doubt.
Although this novel stands alone, I want to go back to the beginning of the series and experience more of Carolina Slade. Who knew that farm-based intrigue could be such a good read?
June 22, 2018
Just like the first three Carolina Slade books, there is a crime within the first few pages. CS has been demoted due to her inability to follow orders, which irks her something fierce. That character trait has also put her relationship with Wayne on slightly shaky ground. The unplanned pregnancy (no spoiler here- that info is on the back cover) which she chooses to not share with Wayne only adds some emotional distance between the two. Fortunately no one in her immediate family is in harms way (as in a previous book). There is a bit of everything in this one: nudity, sex, violence, blood, death. For the main characters all is well by the end of the book.
As for the villains and the victims, the body count rises with each few chapters. Whether intended or not, I found a neat parallel in the relationship of Carolina and Ivy, and another mother/daughter. Trying to not give too much away here.
I am not so big on graphic murder mysteries. For my taste the South is better portrayed with some magical realism. Far too little of that up here in the North East. The Carolina Slade books offer just enough quirky characters and unexpected twists to hold my interest. Additionally - and this may sound odd, but I am willing to bet many readers will agree with me on the importance – the book is a good size for toting along if you feel you may need a diversion during your day. My biggest complaint is this, and it holds true for every almost every genre I read: I need a character list or a family tree included. Two female characters with “L” names confused me and I had to go back a bit to get it straight.
Wayne still has that engagement ring in his pocket, and it appears Carolina will be getting her job back – we have to wait and see in the next book.
As for the villains and the victims, the body count rises with each few chapters. Whether intended or not, I found a neat parallel in the relationship of Carolina and Ivy, and another mother/daughter. Trying to not give too much away here.
I am not so big on graphic murder mysteries. For my taste the South is better portrayed with some magical realism. Far too little of that up here in the North East. The Carolina Slade books offer just enough quirky characters and unexpected twists to hold my interest. Additionally - and this may sound odd, but I am willing to bet many readers will agree with me on the importance – the book is a good size for toting along if you feel you may need a diversion during your day. My biggest complaint is this, and it holds true for every almost every genre I read: I need a character list or a family tree included. Two female characters with “L” names confused me and I had to go back a bit to get it straight.
Wayne still has that engagement ring in his pocket, and it appears Carolina will be getting her job back – we have to wait and see in the next book.
June 30, 2018
This was a tough book for me at first, then I realized it had nothing to do with the read but how closely my life was running alongside Slade's. Once the similarities dawned on me, (being the same age, dealing with my own version of Harden at work, fertility to name a few) I couldn't just milk the book and make it last. I burned through it in one day. This is a tough one to review without spoilers but Slade's vulnerability, toughness, trying desperately as a working mom to make everything work, get it all done and everyone happy, oy! I felt for her. If she could get through it, I could.
It was also good to see the relationship between the sisters flesh out. Ally has become an ally, not just giving support, but stepping in and up with Slade really needs it and just can't ask for it. The tensions with friends and family vibrates throughout the story, as you feel not only Slade's frustration but that of those who love her and are equally frustrated with her. Despite the love, there are still struggles.
The intrigue and ins and outs of small towns is rich, surprising and funny when you least expect it. Every town has a Lottie; knower and keeper of all secrets (occasionally used as needed), who is that one person who can get you into a close knit community and become yet another unintentional ally.
I always like the mystery and crime story behind Slade but with this one, the interpersonal relationships just shine and demand attention that they deserve and humanize the characters on a whole new level. I don't just want another crime story, I now want more of the characters. "Newberry Sin" has somehow made me that much more invested in the characters, their stories and their well being. I can't wait for the next one.
It was also good to see the relationship between the sisters flesh out. Ally has become an ally, not just giving support, but stepping in and up with Slade really needs it and just can't ask for it. The tensions with friends and family vibrates throughout the story, as you feel not only Slade's frustration but that of those who love her and are equally frustrated with her. Despite the love, there are still struggles.
The intrigue and ins and outs of small towns is rich, surprising and funny when you least expect it. Every town has a Lottie; knower and keeper of all secrets (occasionally used as needed), who is that one person who can get you into a close knit community and become yet another unintentional ally.
I always like the mystery and crime story behind Slade but with this one, the interpersonal relationships just shine and demand attention that they deserve and humanize the characters on a whole new level. I don't just want another crime story, I now want more of the characters. "Newberry Sin" has somehow made me that much more invested in the characters, their stories and their well being. I can't wait for the next one.
May 3, 2018
Caroline Slade is back. As ornery and compassionate as ever. Her boss is a piece of work and her career is on the line. Suspicious agricultural loans lead to murder. Special Agent Wayne Largo, Slade’s almost fiancé’ is still by her side even when she acts psycho dealing with her personal stuff while trying to solve a crime. Slade’s ability to read people and uncover clues is as sharp as ever. Since I was first introduced to Caroline Slade in Lowcountry Bribe as a woman who in real life would never be my friend I’ve learned to love her. With each new book in the series Slade discovers more about herself. She is slowly letting her guard down and evolving into a nicer person. I found it fascinating to watch Slade maintain a friendship with her male co-worker Monroe. Somehow, he and her boyfriend Wayne manage an odd friendship because they both love Slade.
The mystery unfolding in a small farming community has many wow factors. The plot was fun and when I thought I could close the book and pick it up the next day something would be revealed that kept me reading. The crazy, old school southern characters made me laugh and shake my head at their ignorance. In the end Clark shows these odd birds as caring individuals doing the best they can.
The wrapping up of the personal stuff in her life had me holding my breath. Even though I was hoping for something different I loved how Hope stayed true to Slade and Wayne’s characters and left me feeling satisfied and looking forward to her next adventure.
The mystery unfolding in a small farming community has many wow factors. The plot was fun and when I thought I could close the book and pick it up the next day something would be revealed that kept me reading. The crazy, old school southern characters made me laugh and shake my head at their ignorance. In the end Clark shows these odd birds as caring individuals doing the best they can.
The wrapping up of the personal stuff in her life had me holding my breath. Even though I was hoping for something different I loved how Hope stayed true to Slade and Wayne’s characters and left me feeling satisfied and looking forward to her next adventure.
July 8, 2018
(The Carolina Slade Mystery Series Book 4)
Author C. Hope Clark has done it again. I know I sound cliché but how else do I explain this unstoppable character, Carolina Slade?
In this fourth novel in the series the main character, Slade, is still learning, growing, self-chastising, self-doubting and, novel by novel remains a very plausible character as real as you and me. C. Hope, writes strong-minded characters not always perfect or predictable yet they linger with you months after spending time with them.
This novel is set in Newberry, an old agricultural county with a tight nit somewhat gossipy community. As always, the author gives readers a great plot and character profundity. Slade, always complex with an intensity of bravado, willingness to put herself in the face of danger to find the truth, solve a case, and yet she’s as bull-at-a-gate stupid and self-doubting with her decisions and in her personal relationships as ever she was in the first novel. Those snap decisions have repercussions.
As always, Hope focuses on the hearts and minds of farmers in agriculture and the communities that make them tick. This story is plausible and could easily have happened anywhere in any town.
I like how the author ties up all the loose ends in a nice neat bow.
This book is a must-read.
Author C. Hope Clark has done it again. I know I sound cliché but how else do I explain this unstoppable character, Carolina Slade?
In this fourth novel in the series the main character, Slade, is still learning, growing, self-chastising, self-doubting and, novel by novel remains a very plausible character as real as you and me. C. Hope, writes strong-minded characters not always perfect or predictable yet they linger with you months after spending time with them.
This novel is set in Newberry, an old agricultural county with a tight nit somewhat gossipy community. As always, the author gives readers a great plot and character profundity. Slade, always complex with an intensity of bravado, willingness to put herself in the face of danger to find the truth, solve a case, and yet she’s as bull-at-a-gate stupid and self-doubting with her decisions and in her personal relationships as ever she was in the first novel. Those snap decisions have repercussions.
As always, Hope focuses on the hearts and minds of farmers in agriculture and the communities that make them tick. This story is plausible and could easily have happened anywhere in any town.
I like how the author ties up all the loose ends in a nice neat bow.
This book is a must-read.
May 16, 2018
When I heard Hope Clark explain how Caroline Slade came to life, I immediately purchased Low Country Bribe and was soon immersed into a story I couldn’t stop reading, then continued to buzz through the rest of the series and on to the Edisto Beach series, hungry for each volume as it was released.
Carolina Slade and the intricacies of her life, her relationships, and her career weave a fascinating tale. After a hiatus of a few years, I wasn’t certain I’d remember everything, but Hope wisely supplied memory joggers along the way for returning readers, which served as explanations for those who hadn’t read the previous series books. Newberry Sin can easily stand on its own…but you'll probably want to go back and read the other books too.
I love the twists and turns of life in the small town of Newberry, which seems so bucolic, so normal …but wait, there’s more! Subterfuge is the name of the game, and Carolina’s intuition is amazing. Well, except it sometimes falters when family ties and situations come into play.
I received a manuscript of this book from Hope, in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’m proud to associate with this fine author, and I truly think mystery readers are in for a treat with Newberry Sin.
Carolina Slade and the intricacies of her life, her relationships, and her career weave a fascinating tale. After a hiatus of a few years, I wasn’t certain I’d remember everything, but Hope wisely supplied memory joggers along the way for returning readers, which served as explanations for those who hadn’t read the previous series books. Newberry Sin can easily stand on its own…but you'll probably want to go back and read the other books too.
I love the twists and turns of life in the small town of Newberry, which seems so bucolic, so normal …but wait, there’s more! Subterfuge is the name of the game, and Carolina’s intuition is amazing. Well, except it sometimes falters when family ties and situations come into play.
I received a manuscript of this book from Hope, in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’m proud to associate with this fine author, and I truly think mystery readers are in for a treat with Newberry Sin.
June 1, 2018
I’m reviewing “Newberry Sin” because I received an Advance Reader’s Copy from the author for an honest response. As a reader of three of Clark’s superior “Edisto Island” mysteries, I came to my first Carolina Slade story with elevated expectations. She meets the mark.
Set in a still traditional rural South, the well-conceived story of sex, extortion, political chess to termination, and Slade’s reluctance to face multiple layers of personal issues races to the finish.
A whorl of strong women crash egos and pit their roles against a corrupt world of government and masculine culture: Slade, the USDA investigator; Lottie Bledsoe, Newberry’s radio host; Cricket Carson, the USDA county manager, and Lorena Carson, local real estate mogul. Each struggles to claim territory away from the shadows of male bosses and husbands. In the process, these women reveal the unrecognized limits of men. As a consequence of the murder investigation, Slade wears the scars that intense, dangerous inquiries exact.
If you like a deeper summer read, “Newberry Sin” opens an intriguing view of the new South where mundane government programs hide disasters bred of power, lust, and money.
William Walles
Author of “All About the Money”
Set in a still traditional rural South, the well-conceived story of sex, extortion, political chess to termination, and Slade’s reluctance to face multiple layers of personal issues races to the finish.
A whorl of strong women crash egos and pit their roles against a corrupt world of government and masculine culture: Slade, the USDA investigator; Lottie Bledsoe, Newberry’s radio host; Cricket Carson, the USDA county manager, and Lorena Carson, local real estate mogul. Each struggles to claim territory away from the shadows of male bosses and husbands. In the process, these women reveal the unrecognized limits of men. As a consequence of the murder investigation, Slade wears the scars that intense, dangerous inquiries exact.
If you like a deeper summer read, “Newberry Sin” opens an intriguing view of the new South where mundane government programs hide disasters bred of power, lust, and money.
William Walles
Author of “All About the Money”
October 2, 2018
In this latest installment of the Carolina Slade series, C. Hope Clark really created a masterpiece. I think this one was better than the last book and it is definitely a must read! Slade once again makes real-life choices that affect her everyday life and it is so relatable. It is like meeting her on the sidewalk and chatting for a few hours. The scenes are vivid and the secondary characters are on point. I like the small town feel where you are keyed into the gossip and involved in the drama. I especially loved the houses that were described in such detail. The plot was as thick as molasses. So much was happening, I wondered if anyone got any sleep or ate anything at all! It read like a TV show, where you kept wanting to turn the pages just to get to a stopping point if there was one. I also loved the romantic aspect and the little snippets of home life that we see Slade experience in between the time she works. Wayne has a beard, enough said. The only thing that could've been improved was the end when everything came to a head, I feel as if that should've been highlighted better and then we could've moved to the conclusion. Anyway, I definitely can't wait for the next one!
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