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The Paperboys Club
How well do you know your children?
Detective Samantha Banter is assigned a cold case that will test her skills like no other. A seven-year-old boy was brutally murdered, and Sam is determined to bring the killer to justice.But as she delves deeper into the case, she finds herself drawn into a world of mystery and danger. Her daughter, Maryann, is quiet and withdrawn, but she befriends two boys who, like her, possess gifts that are the result of traumatic events from their pasts.Meanwhile, Clarence Hynes has been locked up in a mental institute for a crime he committed two years ago. But he is burdened with something far worse, a secret that links him to the murdered boy and the mysterious powers of Maryann, Thomas, and Christopher.As Sam races to solve the case and protect her daughter, she must confront the supernatural forces that threaten to destroy everyone she loves.
THE PAPERBOYS CLUB is a paranormal thriller with twists and turns that lead to a shocking conclusion.
Detective Samantha Banter is assigned a cold case that will test her skills like no other. A seven-year-old boy was brutally murdered, and Sam is determined to bring the killer to justice.But as she delves deeper into the case, she finds herself drawn into a world of mystery and danger. Her daughter, Maryann, is quiet and withdrawn, but she befriends two boys who, like her, possess gifts that are the result of traumatic events from their pasts.Meanwhile, Clarence Hynes has been locked up in a mental institute for a crime he committed two years ago. But he is burdened with something far worse, a secret that links him to the murdered boy and the mysterious powers of Maryann, Thomas, and Christopher.As Sam races to solve the case and protect her daughter, she must confront the supernatural forces that threaten to destroy everyone she loves.
THE PAPERBOYS CLUB is a paranormal thriller with twists and turns that lead to a shocking conclusion.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2010
About the author
Mobashar Qureshi
35 books19 followersMOBASHAR QURESHI was named one of the ten rising mystery writers to watch by Quill & Quire Magazine. He is the author of THE BLUE HORNET, THE OCTOBER FIVE, THE PAPERBOYS CLUB, along with several other novels. He is married and lives in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 25, 2019
A Detective works hard to get her job done while raising a teenager with her lawyer husband. Her daughter is hard to get close to at times, seems to keep to herself and not want to join in! But she has some 'gift' that helps her through her teenage years, especially when she hooks up with a couple of boys who also hide talents!
Detective Samantha is up for promotion against another cop who likes to do things the easy way! To learn about the two candidates they are each given a case to close, however Samantha gets a 5 year old cold case involving the murder of a young boy. Working to find anyone related to the case in the area,to find any evidence still available to study, and find any new evidence is daunting!
But Detective Sam learns about herself, her daughter and that there Are those in this world who have a different ability than most folks, not a problem but helpful when used for good...
A nice edition of this story, tightened up and coming across clearly, that if you stop and listen to what others are really saying, you can learn alot about yourself, your family, and life...
I received an ARC of this story from author Thomas Fincham, who I thank for an eye opening tale, and I give you my thoughts in this review to let you in on the revelations within...
Detective Samantha is up for promotion against another cop who likes to do things the easy way! To learn about the two candidates they are each given a case to close, however Samantha gets a 5 year old cold case involving the murder of a young boy. Working to find anyone related to the case in the area,to find any evidence still available to study, and find any new evidence is daunting!
But Detective Sam learns about herself, her daughter and that there Are those in this world who have a different ability than most folks, not a problem but helpful when used for good...
A nice edition of this story, tightened up and coming across clearly, that if you stop and listen to what others are really saying, you can learn alot about yourself, your family, and life...
I received an ARC of this story from author Thomas Fincham, who I thank for an eye opening tale, and I give you my thoughts in this review to let you in on the revelations within...
April 10, 2019
I loved the different characters and how it took til almost the end to see how they all fit together. This book definitely keeps you intrigued and wanting to know what happens.
June 17, 2011
I feel this book has an intriguing subject, but I had trouble accepting the idea that a significant promotion would be granted to the candidate who first solved their assigned cold case and that those assignments would be so blatantly skewed. The author weaves multiple story threads, and they kept my interest, but I feel the construction, in a few places, was a hindrance and this story could benefit from some editorial tightening. Some sentences did not make sense though I could generally discern the intended meaning. It seems possible that English may not be the author’s first language, or perhaps this book has been translated from another language. In most cases, there was clear distinction between the various threads when the scenes changed, but there were also instances where the point of view, place, or time radically changed from one paragraph to the next with no warning. I found those disconcerting, and they undeniably broke my concentration and pushed me out of my make-believe realm, even if only for a few moments. I enjoyed this book while I was reading it, but it ended with too many unresolved issues, and I actually wanted to feel a deeper connection to and concern for the characters.
Laurie
Reviewer for Night Owl Reviews
Laurie
Reviewer for Night Owl Reviews
October 10, 2011
A great mystery with a sense of the macabre. This book involved the re-opening of a cold case involving a seven year old child that was murdered. Now Samantha Banter has to figure out who did it. This story has elements of the paranormal as well involving two children that have special abilities due to a traumatic past and a man that has been locked up in a state hospital for a crime he may or may not have committed. To find out how it all ties in together you'll just have to read it!
Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud / http://www.greatmindsliterarycommunit...
Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud / http://www.greatmindsliterarycommunit...
May 29, 2012
The story was okay with a lot of potential. However, the start was dragging. The real action only starts towards the end. I think the author tried to be dramatic, subtlety revealing information but it just didn't work. I guess the coherence was a problem and there were a lot of scenes that I think is not important that the author could have just removed.
August 11, 2019
Interesting
There are some good parts to this book & some that could have & probably should have been left out. I know the kids are where the title came from but so much of the book dedicated to them just bored me to tears. I have no interest in reading about the daily life of elementary school kids with unexplained "gifts". Even the end where it's mention didn't explain how. It just told you why each child had their specific had. It didn't explain why Clarence had his abilities. The end made no sense. There was no need for the drama between Sam & Henricks. It just muddied the plot with unnecessary & boring points. I found myself rolling my eyes whenever they interacted. The redeeming part of the book is the actual murder mystery. It was good & well thought out. The story of the poor little boy who was murdered 5 years before the book took place & his death unsolved was truly gripping. The fragmented family from the aftermath of this event was truly sad. The killer, cold & calculating, made me angry. My regret is his punishment was not relayed in this book. My hopes that he would be murdered in jail in an spectacularly violent fashion did not come to fruition, sadly.
There are some good parts to this book & some that could have & probably should have been left out. I know the kids are where the title came from but so much of the book dedicated to them just bored me to tears. I have no interest in reading about the daily life of elementary school kids with unexplained "gifts". Even the end where it's mention didn't explain how. It just told you why each child had their specific had. It didn't explain why Clarence had his abilities. The end made no sense. There was no need for the drama between Sam & Henricks. It just muddied the plot with unnecessary & boring points. I found myself rolling my eyes whenever they interacted. The redeeming part of the book is the actual murder mystery. It was good & well thought out. The story of the poor little boy who was murdered 5 years before the book took place & his death unsolved was truly gripping. The fragmented family from the aftermath of this event was truly sad. The killer, cold & calculating, made me angry. My regret is his punishment was not relayed in this book. My hopes that he would be murdered in jail in an spectacularly violent fashion did not come to fruition, sadly.
April 11, 2019
Page Turner!
Love finding new to me authors. The story was a little slow to start but I kept going. Even though it was slow it was still gripping and I had to know what was going to happen next. Characters were great. I do wish there was more to the story though. I feel as though theres so many unanswered questions. I actually went and googled to see if there was another book after this one. All in all still worth the read though. I will definitely be reading more work from this author!
Love finding new to me authors. The story was a little slow to start but I kept going. Even though it was slow it was still gripping and I had to know what was going to happen next. Characters were great. I do wish there was more to the story though. I feel as though theres so many unanswered questions. I actually went and googled to see if there was another book after this one. All in all still worth the read though. I will definitely be reading more work from this author!
January 26, 2021
A struggle
I have read most of the author's other book, including all 4 series. While I found those books for the most part fast and entertaining reads, I did find this one to be a struggle to get through. I didn't find any of the characters or story lines to be particularly engaging. Was it still good? It was interesting and I can't really say it was bad, but not exactly good either. To complete reading the author's work, I would say absolutely read it, but as a starting point for him, not recommended.
I have read most of the author's other book, including all 4 series. While I found those books for the most part fast and entertaining reads, I did find this one to be a struggle to get through. I didn't find any of the characters or story lines to be particularly engaging. Was it still good? It was interesting and I can't really say it was bad, but not exactly good either. To complete reading the author's work, I would say absolutely read it, but as a starting point for him, not recommended.
January 4, 2022
A better choice for reading entertainment would be a dictionary–at a minimum it would be organized.
I have to say that I recall nothing of my first reading of _The Paperboys Club_, and when I saw that I had failed to leave a rating and review, i had to re-read it to note the significant aspects and parts.
Unfortunately I cannot read it; it is so disjointed that the effort to hold the story while being dumped into into an entirely different story is not an option.
I have to say that I recall nothing of my first reading of _The Paperboys Club_, and when I saw that I had failed to leave a rating and review, i had to re-read it to note the significant aspects and parts.
Unfortunately I cannot read it; it is so disjointed that the effort to hold the story while being dumped into into an entirely different story is not an option.
March 25, 2019
A detective with a gifted child soon realizes that her daughter along with her friends are connected to a cold case file she is working. With a possible promotion on the line, she and her partner along with the help of another gifted man are soon on the right track to solving the case. With an exceptional cast of characters and a very intriguing story line this book was extremely fun to read.
March 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, and the link between Detective Banter's case and her daughter and friends is a nice twist. And having to solve the case to get a promotion does not make things easier... although it makes it a little less believable :P
I liked the paranormal elements, and, all in all, kept me intrigued until the end.
I liked the paranormal elements, and, all in all, kept me intrigued until the end.
March 27, 2019
This is a really good story, so much so that I sat and read the whole thing in one sitting!! If you love mysteries with a paranormal twist (people with special powers), you'll love this book. I certainly cannot recommend it highly enough!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
April 11, 2019
Absolutely riveting reading! Couldn't put it down!
This story grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go! 3 kids with unique gifts, a cold murder case of a young boy, and a recently released patient from a mental institution with the same special gift, what could go wrong. Fast paced action packed with a wild plot. Loved it
This story grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go! 3 kids with unique gifts, a cold murder case of a young boy, and a recently released patient from a mental institution with the same special gift, what could go wrong. Fast paced action packed with a wild plot. Loved it
April 12, 2019
Had my doubts
Paranormal is not my usual choice of genre but I figured I'd give a try because T. Fincham is one of my favorite authors. This was good, interesting, even intriguing although weird. The gift had a uniqueness that would be cool to possess, well, except for the side effects. Something that just might be a useful.
Paranormal is not my usual choice of genre but I figured I'd give a try because T. Fincham is one of my favorite authors. This was good, interesting, even intriguing although weird. The gift had a uniqueness that would be cool to possess, well, except for the side effects. Something that just might be a useful.
May 1, 2019
Strange gifts
But feelings, women's intuition, precognition, ESP or just nonsense? Sometimes people see or know things that there is no way they should, and this book explores it, in a very small way while trying to solve the murder of a small child. Fincham continues with his unique writing style to enter and keep the pages flipping. Phenomenal author!
But feelings, women's intuition, precognition, ESP or just nonsense? Sometimes people see or know things that there is no way they should, and this book explores it, in a very small way while trying to solve the murder of a small child. Fincham continues with his unique writing style to enter and keep the pages flipping. Phenomenal author!
February 15, 2022
An interesting and fun read
As in past books, Fincham follows several storylines at once, slowly intertwining the different characters and stories until the end. The female detective and her partner are likable and relatable. The 10 year old members of the Paperboys Club will make you smile. Some characters’ psychic abilities make for an interesting twist.
As in past books, Fincham follows several storylines at once, slowly intertwining the different characters and stories until the end. The female detective and her partner are likable and relatable. The 10 year old members of the Paperboys Club will make you smile. Some characters’ psychic abilities make for an interesting twist.
March 28, 2019
If you like paranormal thrillers, pick this book up. This is the first book I have read by Thomas Fincham. I love books that keep you guessing and have surprises. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.
March 30, 2019
Quite enjoyable
While I have read quite a few of Fincham's books and enjoyed all of them, this one is a bit different from the others. While I was puzzled by the title and how everything came together it still makes a great read. It all becomes clear in the end.
While I have read quite a few of Fincham's books and enjoyed all of them, this one is a bit different from the others. While I was puzzled by the title and how everything came together it still makes a great read. It all becomes clear in the end.
April 3, 2019
Absolutely loved it!
The characters were awesome! I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down! I really can’t wait to read more from this author! Thank you for an entertaining afternoon!
The characters were awesome! I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down! I really can’t wait to read more from this author! Thank you for an entertaining afternoon!
April 27, 2019
This one had me going right to the end.Full of mystery with something new around every corner not to mention one question after another. I am really
looking forward to having a chance to get more books by Thomas Fincham
looking forward to having a chance to get more books by Thomas Fincham
May 29, 2019
The Paperboys Club
I loved this stand alone book. I liked the bit of paranormal that was in it. It held me captivated from beginning to the end. Not surprising as all your books do! Thank you! 😊
I loved this stand alone book. I liked the bit of paranormal that was in it. It held me captivated from beginning to the end. Not surprising as all your books do! Thank you! 😊
May 31, 2019
Unsatisfied with the ending it seems like you just ran out of your interest in your characters
Interested in characters
A good set up for a series.
Endingwas very hollow for my taste
It felt like you ran out of interest in your characters.
Interested in characters
A good set up for a series.
Endingwas very hollow for my taste
It felt like you ran out of interest in your characters.
March 26, 2019
OK, but weird!
I have read all of his book series. I loved them all, but this one is a little too unusual for my taste.
I have read all of his book series. I loved them all, but this one is a little too unusual for my taste.
March 31, 2019
Great read
Thomas Fincham I enjoyed this book, it was a little different but It kept me interested, I finished the story in one sitting. I highly recommend this book.
Thomas Fincham I enjoyed this book, it was a little different but It kept me interested, I finished the story in one sitting. I highly recommend this book.
April 21, 2019
Strange way to get a promotion: first one to solve the case, and that person is promoted....I don't think so. Otherwise a good, not great read
May 5, 2019
Good book!
Wasn't sure at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it because it turned out to be a great read!
Wasn't sure at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it because it turned out to be a great read!
August 1, 2019
5his was very good!
This was a very good book! Written on a child’s level it was very interesting. Made you wonder what was behind all the twist and turns.
This was a very good book! Written on a child’s level it was very interesting. Made you wonder what was behind all the twist and turns.
August 18, 2019
Fast read, compelling, A real page turner.
Very good book. Stayed up late reading!
Easy to connect with the characters .
Good plot, shows how life happens.
Very good book. Stayed up late reading!
Easy to connect with the characters .
Good plot, shows how life happens.
February 4, 2016
How long did it take me: I finished it in one night. :0) I bought this from Amazon Kindle - the main reason I finished it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Basics:
There are 2 basic storylines being woven together. The first is that single mom Samantha Bantar who is a police officer would like a better relationship with her daughter, Maryann. Her daughter has a gift of sorts and is often introverted to the point of being almost anti-social, especially with her mom. But her mom works long hours at the police station so it is sometimes as if the daughter is forgotten or left to whatever scraps of time might be left over.
Maryann finally makes friends with 3 other 'misfits' who also have special abilities and they form a bond and then a secret club.
The second story line is that Samantha is up for a promotion at the department. There are two candidates who are being considered, Samantha being one of them and in order to choose who would be the best Sergeant, the current sergeant gives both detectives a cold case file to solve.
The other detective's case is a simple breaking and entering but Samantha's case is a 5 yr old child murder where the leads are either in an insane asylum or just plain missing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I thought:
Once I got beyond the first 4 chapters, I was ok. The writing style in the first 4 chapters was very choppy, with short sentences and I felt needed to be edited- something added. I wondered if the first few chapters had started out with more information in them but then had gotten edited out, just leaving choppy short sentences that didn't make a lot of sense.
I kept finding repetitive misspelled words as well and parts of the story didn't flow.
About chapter 5 the writing style improved 100 % and I was able to enjoy the story and overlook the spelling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Basics:
There are 2 basic storylines being woven together. The first is that single mom Samantha Bantar who is a police officer would like a better relationship with her daughter, Maryann. Her daughter has a gift of sorts and is often introverted to the point of being almost anti-social, especially with her mom. But her mom works long hours at the police station so it is sometimes as if the daughter is forgotten or left to whatever scraps of time might be left over.
Maryann finally makes friends with 3 other 'misfits' who also have special abilities and they form a bond and then a secret club.
The second story line is that Samantha is up for a promotion at the department. There are two candidates who are being considered, Samantha being one of them and in order to choose who would be the best Sergeant, the current sergeant gives both detectives a cold case file to solve.
The other detective's case is a simple breaking and entering but Samantha's case is a 5 yr old child murder where the leads are either in an insane asylum or just plain missing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I thought:
Once I got beyond the first 4 chapters, I was ok. The writing style in the first 4 chapters was very choppy, with short sentences and I felt needed to be edited- something added. I wondered if the first few chapters had started out with more information in them but then had gotten edited out, just leaving choppy short sentences that didn't make a lot of sense.
I kept finding repetitive misspelled words as well and parts of the story didn't flow.
About chapter 5 the writing style improved 100 % and I was able to enjoy the story and overlook the spelling.
February 10, 2012
originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions
*I won a free copy of this e-book in a LibraryThing Member Giveaway*
Three children with extraordinary gifts.
Two detectives trying to solve a five-year-old case.
One man in a mental institute with all three gifts and the ability to solve the case.
this book is filled with mystery and action.. i really like detective books...and this one shows..mystery at its fullest..you could actually think like you're one of the characters.. i'm so into this book..not only because i feel like it..but the story is written well. and unexpected twist are all over it..
this is the synopsis of the book taken from the author's website..
Detective Samantha ‘Sam’ Banter is assigned a cold case involving the murder of a seven-year-old boy. With the help of her partner, Detective Fred Bashir, Sam must solve the case before her rival Detective Glen Henkson solve his case. The outcome will lead to the appointment of the new police sergeant.
Sam’s daughter, Maryann, is quiet and withdrawn. She befriends Thomas and Christopher, who, like her, have a secret—gifts that are a result of traumatic episodes in their pasts.
Clarence Hynes has been locked up in the mental institute for a crime he committed two year ago. But was the crime wrong or justified? Clarence is burdened with all three gifts, and with something far worse.
Can Sam solve her case before her rival? Will Maryann, Thomas, and Chrisopher share their secret? Does Clarence get out of the mental institute?
The Paperboys Club is a supernatural thriller with twists and turns that lead to a shocking
*I won a free copy of this e-book in a LibraryThing Member Giveaway*
Three children with extraordinary gifts.
Two detectives trying to solve a five-year-old case.
One man in a mental institute with all three gifts and the ability to solve the case.
this book is filled with mystery and action.. i really like detective books...and this one shows..mystery at its fullest..you could actually think like you're one of the characters.. i'm so into this book..not only because i feel like it..but the story is written well. and unexpected twist are all over it..
this is the synopsis of the book taken from the author's website..
Detective Samantha ‘Sam’ Banter is assigned a cold case involving the murder of a seven-year-old boy. With the help of her partner, Detective Fred Bashir, Sam must solve the case before her rival Detective Glen Henkson solve his case. The outcome will lead to the appointment of the new police sergeant.
Sam’s daughter, Maryann, is quiet and withdrawn. She befriends Thomas and Christopher, who, like her, have a secret—gifts that are a result of traumatic episodes in their pasts.
Clarence Hynes has been locked up in the mental institute for a crime he committed two year ago. But was the crime wrong or justified? Clarence is burdened with all three gifts, and with something far worse.
Can Sam solve her case before her rival? Will Maryann, Thomas, and Chrisopher share their secret? Does Clarence get out of the mental institute?
The Paperboys Club is a supernatural thriller with twists and turns that lead to a shocking
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews