What do you think?
Rate this book
Mapleton Mystery #4.5-4.7
The Mapleton Mystery Novellas
Three Mapleton Mystery Novellas, a blend of police procedurals and cozy mysteries, now available in one volume. Deadly Places Life is a balancing act. When you’re a cop, the choices can be deadly. Ed Solomon, long-time police officer in the small town of Mapleton, Colorado, has been ribbed for thinking there’s a ring of assassins out killing deadbeat dads. However, he’s convinced these killers exist and they’re doing their dirty work from behind an innocuous-looking travel blog. Proving the ring exists has been a sideline investigation for him, but it’s shoved further onto the back burner when Ed is forced to assume the duties of Chief. Ed loves being a cop, but the Chief Stuff is getting him down. He’s juggling his own police duties, mounds of paperwork, and keeping the mayor happy. With all the extra hours, family tensions are on the rise as well. But when someone leaves an anonymous message for him at the station, handing him a new clue, he’s determined to prove these assassins exist. Setting up a sting operation by posing as a deadbeat dad makes Ed a target. Will he catch the assassins before he becomes their next victim? Deadly Engagement - International Digital Award for "Best Short Suspense" 2018 from the Oklahoma RWA If you’re with a cop, there’s no escaping mystery and crime, even on a Caribbean cruise. Angie Mead thinks time away from Gordon’s “Cop Stuff” is what he needs to distract him from being suspended as Mapleton’s Chief of Police and get over killing a man. A Caribbean cruise, where Gordon has no jurisdiction, seems the perfect solution—and Angie is looking forward to some fun in the sun. Communication mishaps and Gordon’s apparent lack of interest in their getaway create second thoughts for Angie. That is, until a series of petty thefts give Gordon a new bone to chew on. When he includes Angie in his investigative way of thinking, the two of them switch to sleuthing mode, and their real adventure begins. Deadly Assumptions Will a string of mysterious trespassing incidents give Rookie Officer Ed Solomon his chance at being a big-time detective? Gordon Hepler and Ed Solomon are reminiscing at Finnegan’s bar one snowy night, about a case that turned Gordon’s career path around and had Solomon rethinking his desires to be a big-city detective. Back then, Gordon had no intentions of being a cop, and Ed was a greener-than-green rookie police officer being trained by Arch Hepler, Gordon’s father. In most places, people breaking into garden and storage sheds might not be a big deal, but in the small town of Mapleton, Colorado, it’s a veritable crime wave, at least according to Chief Dixon. Kids playing pranks? Or something more serious? Could these trespassers have something to do with a much bigger, big-city crime? What starts out as a perfunctory investigation soon escalates. Will Dixon, Arch Hepler, and new rookie Solomon discover the truth before Mapleton sees its first homicide in decades?
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
About the author
Terry Odell
64 books224 followersTerry Odell was born in Los Angeles and after living several decades in Florida now makes her home in Colorado. An avid reader (her parents tell everyone they had to move from their first home because she finished the local library), she always wanted to "fix" stories so the characters did what she wanted, in books, television, and the movies. Once she began writing, she found this wasn't always possible, as evidenced when the mystery she intended to write rapidly became a romance.
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 31, 2020
The Mapleton Mystery Novella Set earns 5/5 Police Badges...Excellent!
I am new to Terry Odell’s police procedural-style dramas, but it took only a few chapters in the Mapleton Mystery trio to make me a “Deadly” fan! In this trio each individual story (100+ pages) is easily enjoyed in one sitting. The writing style is smooth, easy to follow with a very entertaining sense of humor that at times is delightfully snarky. Although I prefer the “I” perspective, Odell aptly uses a third-person narrative in Deadly Places and Deadly Engagement with realistic characters, effectively retelling valuable facts and background information (no spoilers), and some nail-biting peril. In the third book, Deadly Assumptions, she changes to a first-person narrative to better represent the story as a retelling from a main character’s perspective. Clever. The core set of characters have well-defined strengths and flaws and reacting in a realistic manner, but ultimately admirable with values that highlight the rule of law. I don’t usually read books with a male protagonist, but the two main characters, Ed Solomon and Gordon Hepler, along with two secondary characters, Arch and Dix, were all engaging reminiscent of a Walt Longmire, John Barnaby, and Inspector Morse personas: understated and introspective. Along with clever mysteries, often murder, to solve, small town mores and politics, other crimes and misdemeanors, family issues and conflicts, and a camaraderie found in a small town police group are incorporated well. I highly recommend this trio.
Deadly Places earns 5/5 Red Folders! Acting Chief of Police Ed Solomon, hopes Chief Hepler will return soon from his “vacation.” He had run afoul the mayor’s directive and although his 60-day suspension was rescinded, he still didn’t return to work. First thing in his morning review, Ed receives a “red folder,” indicating immediate attention. How did someone get past the front desk to deliver it to the deputy’s desk? Inside was an envelope and a partial URL that lead him to an obituary of a man death seems to fit with the Deadbeat Dad Killer investigation he’d been trying to get others to take seriously. So, what better way to prove his theory than going undercover. A great introduction for me! This police procedural-style drama is written well with intriguing contemporary questions to answer about men who refuse to support their families and vigilantism. With Solomon putting himself literally in the line of fire, the suspense is ramped up, and the final confrontation was a big “Wow!” Solomon is better suited to leadership than he thinks.
Deadly Engagement earns 5/5 Sea Passes! Chief Hepler is using his “suspension” as an opportunity to getaway with his girlfriend on a Caribbean cruise. Although his “Cop Vibe” was suppose to be offline, they decide to pit his vibes against her feelings when watching the other passengers. Angie has instincts, too, which come in handy when odd conversations are overheard, thefts are reported, people are not what they seem, and a dead body is propped in a vintage yellow Morgan. Clever! It’s fun to note this story overlaps with book one, Deadly Places. While Solomon is back in Mapleton appointed acting Police Chief and working to uncover an assassination ring, Gordon is off on vacation. This is my introduction to the main character in the novels. I thoroughly enjoyed his reactions, fun sense of humor, and his loving relationship with Angie also as a delightful investigative partnership.
Deadly Assumptions earns 5/5 Hindsight Memories! It’s been two years since Chief Dixon passed away and Gordon took over the Chief role, and with Gordon’s father, Archie Hepler, also a great cop, gone, too, “wallowing” in a drink seems apropos. Ed joins in with a retelling of a story from fifteen years back, when he was a “green” recruit under the tutelage of Hepler’s dad, Chief Dixon was in charge, and Gordon was away at college with no intention of following in his father’s footsteps. It was a dark and stormy night... A call came in about a possible break-in, and Dix reports an uptick of minor issues: trespassing, property damage, vandalism. Then strangers appear. A husband disappears. Assumptions are made, however, logical, but the old adage about “assuming” may put them in jeopardy...or dead. Engaging! It was delightful to be whisked back in time before the original novel when Solomon was a rookie, Hepler’s dad was his training officer, and Chief Dixon “Dix” was in charge. The narrative changes to first-person from Solomon’s perspective, but the drama was more explorative, real police work, and lamenting the tech shortcomings of the Mapleton PD. But, the “don’t assume anything rule” escalated well at the end for quite a page-turner experience.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
I am new to Terry Odell’s police procedural-style dramas, but it took only a few chapters in the Mapleton Mystery trio to make me a “Deadly” fan! In this trio each individual story (100+ pages) is easily enjoyed in one sitting. The writing style is smooth, easy to follow with a very entertaining sense of humor that at times is delightfully snarky. Although I prefer the “I” perspective, Odell aptly uses a third-person narrative in Deadly Places and Deadly Engagement with realistic characters, effectively retelling valuable facts and background information (no spoilers), and some nail-biting peril. In the third book, Deadly Assumptions, she changes to a first-person narrative to better represent the story as a retelling from a main character’s perspective. Clever. The core set of characters have well-defined strengths and flaws and reacting in a realistic manner, but ultimately admirable with values that highlight the rule of law. I don’t usually read books with a male protagonist, but the two main characters, Ed Solomon and Gordon Hepler, along with two secondary characters, Arch and Dix, were all engaging reminiscent of a Walt Longmire, John Barnaby, and Inspector Morse personas: understated and introspective. Along with clever mysteries, often murder, to solve, small town mores and politics, other crimes and misdemeanors, family issues and conflicts, and a camaraderie found in a small town police group are incorporated well. I highly recommend this trio.
Deadly Places earns 5/5 Red Folders! Acting Chief of Police Ed Solomon, hopes Chief Hepler will return soon from his “vacation.” He had run afoul the mayor’s directive and although his 60-day suspension was rescinded, he still didn’t return to work. First thing in his morning review, Ed receives a “red folder,” indicating immediate attention. How did someone get past the front desk to deliver it to the deputy’s desk? Inside was an envelope and a partial URL that lead him to an obituary of a man death seems to fit with the Deadbeat Dad Killer investigation he’d been trying to get others to take seriously. So, what better way to prove his theory than going undercover. A great introduction for me! This police procedural-style drama is written well with intriguing contemporary questions to answer about men who refuse to support their families and vigilantism. With Solomon putting himself literally in the line of fire, the suspense is ramped up, and the final confrontation was a big “Wow!” Solomon is better suited to leadership than he thinks.
Deadly Engagement earns 5/5 Sea Passes! Chief Hepler is using his “suspension” as an opportunity to getaway with his girlfriend on a Caribbean cruise. Although his “Cop Vibe” was suppose to be offline, they decide to pit his vibes against her feelings when watching the other passengers. Angie has instincts, too, which come in handy when odd conversations are overheard, thefts are reported, people are not what they seem, and a dead body is propped in a vintage yellow Morgan. Clever! It’s fun to note this story overlaps with book one, Deadly Places. While Solomon is back in Mapleton appointed acting Police Chief and working to uncover an assassination ring, Gordon is off on vacation. This is my introduction to the main character in the novels. I thoroughly enjoyed his reactions, fun sense of humor, and his loving relationship with Angie also as a delightful investigative partnership.
Deadly Assumptions earns 5/5 Hindsight Memories! It’s been two years since Chief Dixon passed away and Gordon took over the Chief role, and with Gordon’s father, Archie Hepler, also a great cop, gone, too, “wallowing” in a drink seems apropos. Ed joins in with a retelling of a story from fifteen years back, when he was a “green” recruit under the tutelage of Hepler’s dad, Chief Dixon was in charge, and Gordon was away at college with no intention of following in his father’s footsteps. It was a dark and stormy night... A call came in about a possible break-in, and Dix reports an uptick of minor issues: trespassing, property damage, vandalism. Then strangers appear. A husband disappears. Assumptions are made, however, logical, but the old adage about “assuming” may put them in jeopardy...or dead. Engaging! It was delightful to be whisked back in time before the original novel when Solomon was a rookie, Hepler’s dad was his training officer, and Chief Dixon “Dix” was in charge. The narrative changes to first-person from Solomon’s perspective, but the drama was more explorative, real police work, and lamenting the tech shortcomings of the Mapleton PD. But, the “don’t assume anything rule” escalated well at the end for quite a page-turner experience.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
March 1, 2026
As I'm always looking for the next great book, I decided to try these three mystery novellas by Terry Odell. They take place in the small town of Mapleton, Colorado. There has been a rift between the mayor and the police chief, and the mayor has suspended Gordon Hepler. The police chief will be out for 2 weeks to recover from minor wounds. In the second story, we learn that the police chief has gone on a cruise. In his stead is Ed Solomon, a long-time police officer, who is suddenly moved to acting police chief.
Upon reviewing the collection, it was word-heavy and plot-light. I didn't find them very interesting or engaging.
Deadly Places -- G
Ed Solomon, acting police chief, has been investigating the idea of a ring of assassins who kill deadbeat dads. He sets up a sting operation by posing as a deadbeat dad. I didn't think there could be a stranger story than this, but stay tuned, I was wrong.
Deadly Engagement -- 2 Stars
Police Chief Gordon Hepler and his girlfriend, Angie Mead, go on a Caribbean cruise. When they notice a series of petty crimes (and the disappearance of cruisers' passcards), the couple start sleuthing. Then, one of their on-board companions dies suddenly. Was it murder or natural causes?
I couldn't believe this won the "Best Short Suspense" award in 2018. I thought the whole thing was hokey.
Deadly Assumptions -- VG
This story is a trip down the road of nostalgia. Gordon Hepler and Ed Solomon are reminiscing at Finnegan’s bar one snowy night about a case that turned Gordon’s career path around and had Solomon rethinking his desires to be a big-city detective. At that time, Arch Hepler, Gordon's father, was Ed's training officer.
It starts when people report their sheds have been broken into. As crime isn't rampant in Mapleton, the officers investigate. This becomes a larger case because there was a jewelry heist in Denver, and the culprits decided to hide out in Mapleton.
Upon reviewing the collection, it was word-heavy and plot-light. I didn't find them very interesting or engaging.
Deadly Places -- G
Ed Solomon, acting police chief, has been investigating the idea of a ring of assassins who kill deadbeat dads. He sets up a sting operation by posing as a deadbeat dad. I didn't think there could be a stranger story than this, but stay tuned, I was wrong.
Deadly Engagement -- 2 Stars
Police Chief Gordon Hepler and his girlfriend, Angie Mead, go on a Caribbean cruise. When they notice a series of petty crimes (and the disappearance of cruisers' passcards), the couple start sleuthing. Then, one of their on-board companions dies suddenly. Was it murder or natural causes?
I couldn't believe this won the "Best Short Suspense" award in 2018. I thought the whole thing was hokey.
Deadly Assumptions -- VG
This story is a trip down the road of nostalgia. Gordon Hepler and Ed Solomon are reminiscing at Finnegan’s bar one snowy night about a case that turned Gordon’s career path around and had Solomon rethinking his desires to be a big-city detective. At that time, Arch Hepler, Gordon's father, was Ed's training officer.
It starts when people report their sheds have been broken into. As crime isn't rampant in Mapleton, the officers investigate. This becomes a larger case because there was a jewelry heist in Denver, and the culprits decided to hide out in Mapleton.
January 19, 2021
Ed Solomon is Acting Chief of Police while his boss, Gordon Hepler is away on a much needed vacation. While Solomon does not relish being in command he does it to the best of his ability.
Solomon must find someone who is murdering deadbeat dads and to do so he must put his own life in jeopardy.
While Solomon is doing his job Gordon Hepler finds himself trying to enjoy a cruise where a maitre d is murdered. Suspects are many as he was a very hated man. Hepler cannot be hands on because he is only a tourist but he tries his best to figure it out anyway.
In the third story in this book Hepler and Solomon reminisce about a time when Solomon was still a rookie and Hepler was his mentor. It seemed like a simple case of breaking and entering people's sheds until it wasn't.
I liked the characters and would read more by this author if my list of books wasn't already a mile long!
Solomon must find someone who is murdering deadbeat dads and to do so he must put his own life in jeopardy.
While Solomon is doing his job Gordon Hepler finds himself trying to enjoy a cruise where a maitre d is murdered. Suspects are many as he was a very hated man. Hepler cannot be hands on because he is only a tourist but he tries his best to figure it out anyway.
In the third story in this book Hepler and Solomon reminisce about a time when Solomon was still a rookie and Hepler was his mentor. It seemed like a simple case of breaking and entering people's sheds until it wasn't.
I liked the characters and would read more by this author if my list of books wasn't already a mile long!
March 5, 2026
All three Novelas in this series were very good, but my favorite was the first one, where a man was filling in for the sheriff while he was on vacation. They are all clean, short mysteries about murder and mayhem in the small town of Mapleton…
November 25, 2020
All the novellas in this set kept my interest from the start and kept it. Well and pleasantly narrated.
February 21, 2026
Please see individual stories for review.
February 28, 2026
Quaint stories. You know the times you just want an easy read. This is it. Little mystery/suspense. But no heavy plot. Could even be a good read for young readers.
March 1, 2026
Three related short stories. Very good.
August 27, 2019
I love the characters of Mapleton. This is a compilation of three novellas. I really like Ed and how he has to step up and put the pieces together. In Deadly Places he has to continue working on the deadbeat dad cases while also handling the duties of temporary chief. In Deadly Assumptions , we get a glimpse into the past to see how Ed got his start and tie to the current chief. And I love how Gordon and Angie finally get some time to themselves in Deadly Engagement.
I got to read and listen to these stories. I enjoyed the narrator and could visualize the characters through his presentation.
I got to read and listen to these stories. I enjoyed the narrator and could visualize the characters through his presentation.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews