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Sam Smith Mystery #14
Boston
Book fourteen in the Sam Smith Mystery Series. All the books in the series can be read as stand-alones.
Please note: the printed version of this book runs to 238 pages, not the estimate listed by Amazon.
"Morgan Brooks is a fine man," Alan said, "a great psychologist and my mentor. He's invited us to spend Christmas with him and his family. Should we accept?" Of course, I said, "Yes."
And so, I met Morgan Brooks in snowy Boston, on my first trip to America. I also met Amelia, his celebrity chef wife and Madison, his somewhat reticent daughter. Furthermore, I encountered Dexter Trask, a businessman, a megalomaniac, the self-styled 'King of Boston'.
The holiday started well. Then the first body appeared, a young man murdered in the woods. That murder led to a kidnapping and further murders. The clues pointed in one direction. However, did the truth lie in that direction? With the aid of Gabe, Morgan's friend and neighbour, and a fellow private detective, I wandered through the snow-kissed maze.
And the solution? That surprised everyone.
Boston, ten days in a winter wonderland, ten days that confirmed that people are multi-faceted, multi-layered, and that everyone has at least one skeleton ready to fall out of their closet.
Please note: the printed version of this book runs to 238 pages, not the estimate listed by Amazon.
"Morgan Brooks is a fine man," Alan said, "a great psychologist and my mentor. He's invited us to spend Christmas with him and his family. Should we accept?" Of course, I said, "Yes."
And so, I met Morgan Brooks in snowy Boston, on my first trip to America. I also met Amelia, his celebrity chef wife and Madison, his somewhat reticent daughter. Furthermore, I encountered Dexter Trask, a businessman, a megalomaniac, the self-styled 'King of Boston'.
The holiday started well. Then the first body appeared, a young man murdered in the woods. That murder led to a kidnapping and further murders. The clues pointed in one direction. However, did the truth lie in that direction? With the aid of Gabe, Morgan's friend and neighbour, and a fellow private detective, I wandered through the snow-kissed maze.
And the solution? That surprised everyone.
Boston, ten days in a winter wonderland, ten days that confirmed that people are multi-faceted, multi-layered, and that everyone has at least one skeleton ready to fall out of their closet.
- GenresMystery
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2018
29 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 8, 2019
Another trump card in Hannah Howe’s arsenal, her writing is flawless and as smooth as an oiled baby seal on a toboggan run. Boston has a well engineered plot, a mystery, a twist, flirtatious interaction that toy’s with the possibility of Sam dabbling with adultery, some guns, some blood, a few dead people, cops, a Private Investigator and a mountain of snow.
We’re taken on a rapid ride armoured with a wealth of wry humour, which rollercoaster’s its way around kidnapping, covered secrets, angst, guilt, egotism, and drug fueled psychosis, an outing that treats us to historical titbit's, a tour of Boston and further insight as to what makes Sam Smith tick. She’s a pragmatist, intuitive and highly resourceful, her husband, uber confident with his spouse, is happy to let her get on with the caper while he stays toes up safely indoors, psychoanalyzing his distraught friends. It’s an adventure alright, but to announce that “Boston was great” when they finally arrive home I found a tad misplaced, Boston was traumatizing! Surely, if I had gone on holiday and had to put up with all that adversity, I’d want a refund, Christmas was ruined!
We’re taken on a rapid ride armoured with a wealth of wry humour, which rollercoaster’s its way around kidnapping, covered secrets, angst, guilt, egotism, and drug fueled psychosis, an outing that treats us to historical titbit's, a tour of Boston and further insight as to what makes Sam Smith tick. She’s a pragmatist, intuitive and highly resourceful, her husband, uber confident with his spouse, is happy to let her get on with the caper while he stays toes up safely indoors, psychoanalyzing his distraught friends. It’s an adventure alright, but to announce that “Boston was great” when they finally arrive home I found a tad misplaced, Boston was traumatizing! Surely, if I had gone on holiday and had to put up with all that adversity, I’d want a refund, Christmas was ruined!
September 22, 2018
Another enjoyable adventure with enquiry agent, Sam Smith. She's in my part of the world, and it was great to see what lessons she'd learn about Boston. And the answer is "plenty." Sam bustles around the Boston area with new P.I. friend Gabe, trying to find a murderer/kidnapper. Family secrets could destroy more than one person...
I love Sam's wit in this story. It shines bright. She puts those Americans in their place. Wales? How can they not know where it is? Sad but true in many cases. The characters are vivid. Dexter Trask and his son Mason will have you rolling your eyes at their stupidity and arrogance. And Gabe will have you thinking naughty thoughts along with Sam.
Wonderful entertainment as are all the Sam Smith books.
I love Sam's wit in this story. It shines bright. She puts those Americans in their place. Wales? How can they not know where it is? Sad but true in many cases. The characters are vivid. Dexter Trask and his son Mason will have you rolling your eyes at their stupidity and arrogance. And Gabe will have you thinking naughty thoughts along with Sam.
Wonderful entertainment as are all the Sam Smith books.
March 4, 2019
Another enjoyable story in the Sam Smith series, this time in Boston at Christmas and lots of snow.
There are many twists and turns in this well-written tale, with some great descriptions and historical interest.
Themes such as insanity, love, betrayal, parental issues, lies and secrets are alongside a variety of crimes (no spoilers) making it a compelling read. I loved the sense of humour and the emotional and psychological insights to human behaviour and Sam's character.
Highly recommended.
There are many twists and turns in this well-written tale, with some great descriptions and historical interest.
Themes such as insanity, love, betrayal, parental issues, lies and secrets are alongside a variety of crimes (no spoilers) making it a compelling read. I loved the sense of humour and the emotional and psychological insights to human behaviour and Sam's character.
Highly recommended.
March 23, 2019
Continuing excellence
The Sam Smith series continues in Boston while on their Christmas vacation. She teams up with a local PI to solve a murder and a double kidnapping. The plot twists and character interplay makes for very good reading.
The Sam Smith series continues in Boston while on their Christmas vacation. She teams up with a local PI to solve a murder and a double kidnapping. The plot twists and character interplay makes for very good reading.
September 22, 2025
A good selection of bad guys
While on a Christmas trip to Boston, Sam gets involved in a murder that she almost witnessed. Of course her investigative skills kick into overdrive. There were plenty of surprises in this story to keep me reading.
While on a Christmas trip to Boston, Sam gets involved in a murder that she almost witnessed. Of course her investigative skills kick into overdrive. There were plenty of surprises in this story to keep me reading.
October 8, 2018
A good story with some interesting twists
Sam Smith and her husband are in Boston to spend the Christmas holidays with friends. The friend’s daughter is kidnapped and Sam is drawn into the investigation with a tall, dark and handsome neighbor, (and Boston PI) Gabe... A good story with some interesting twists.
Sam Smith and her husband are in Boston to spend the Christmas holidays with friends. The friend’s daughter is kidnapped and Sam is drawn into the investigation with a tall, dark and handsome neighbor, (and Boston PI) Gabe... A good story with some interesting twists.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews