Not As It Seems

Deputy Tempe Crabtree #15

by Marilyn Meredith

Deputy Tempe Crabtree and her husband, Hutch, travel to Morro Bay to celebrate their son's wedding. The festivities are complicated by the murder of the maid of honor. At her son's request, Tempe investigates too many suspects and clues from the spirit world.

218 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

aka F.M. Meredith.

Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series and the under the name F. M. Meredith, the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. She borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area, including the nearby Tule River Indian Reservation.

For the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, she uses a lot she remembers from her time living on the coast, in a place much like Rocky Bluff.

She does like to remind everyone that she is writing fiction. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America
Series:
* Deputy Tempe Crabtree

Reviews

[Billie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this novel, Tempe and her hubby Hutch, visit the Central Coast of California, combining a much needed vacation with attending her son, Blair's wedding. However, the light-hearted and joyous mood is taken down when Blair informs his mother that the maid of honor has gone missing. To the chagrin of Hutch, Tempe agrees to look into the matter. After many twists and turns, Tempe discovers what happened.

The author created Blair's new in-laws with an unique background (Ethiopian) and tantalizes readers with ethnic foods and customs, which adds to the interest for the novel. She also 'name drops' many attractions and dining establishments in the San Luis Obispo area...such that I began to think a trip to the Coast should be on my calendar soon!

Also, the 'day job' of the missing girl, an administrator of a group home, provides the reader with a view into an industry not often found in books and movies...affording the reader an opportunity to learn something.

Altogether, a very satisfying read...highly recommended!

[Patricia Gligor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Not As It Seems" is another great mystery novel by Marilyn Meredith. But, I expected nothing less. I've read numerous books by this author and I've never been disappointed. Ms. Meredith always comes through with a plot that intrigues from the beginning (and keeps me turning the pages until the very end) and characters I've come to know and love.

[Barbara Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marilyn Meredith's, Not As It Seems, has everything I adore in a story. A great setting, Morro Bay, CA and a terrifically plotted mystery with a touch of supernatural. What's not to love.
Tempe and Hutch are headed to Morro Bay for their son's wedding. But all isn't bliss. The Maid of Honor, has disappeared. The Bride-to-Be asks for Tempe's help. Of course Tempe agrees. There are plenty of suspects and much frustration on Tempe's part. She is way out of her jurisdiction. There is also some frustration felt on Hutch's part too. His wife can't seem to stop thinking about the missing girl long enough to attend a rehearsal dinner.
Marilyn gives her readers a good feel for Morro Bay and even gives those like myself who've been there many times a few new things to check out. I loved learning more about Morro Rock's history.

[Steve Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of fascinating lore

This tale, centered around Morro Rock, contains much historical background that I very much appreciated. Tempe's visions are becoming more pronounced - if only she could determine what they mean in real time.

[Lorna Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tempe Crabtree. I love Marilyn Meredith. I adore it when Tempe's Native American spirituality helps her solve crimes. I have read lots of the books in this series, and was looking forward to Blair's wedding. When the maid of honor goes missing, Tempe's commitment to justice can't be suppressed. This book is set in and around Moro Bay, an area I know and love. Marilyn Meredith captures the places perfectly while still telling a compelling story. Keep 'em coming!

[Jackie Zortman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deputy Tempe Crabtree's son is getting married, so she and her pastor husband, Hutch, travel to Morro Bay, CA for the wedding and to meet the bride and her family. Prior to the wedding, Tempe gets entangled in a murder case that carries the two of them through the story. The author's fondness for the Morro Bay area is apparent throughout this exciting and captivating story and I highly recommend the book. You won't be disappointed.

[Linda Thorne]

This was an light, easy ready, enjoyable all the way (and you can not guess who the murderer is). I won a contest before it was published and the prize was that a character in this author's next book would be named after me. So I had fun reading about the not-so-nice character called Linda Thorne throughout this book. If you read it, yes, there's no coincidence the character had my name.

[Victoria Heckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marilyn Meredith is one of those authors I can pick up anytime and be completely happy. Her work is intriguing, consistent and always fascinating and well-written. In Not As It Seems, Tempe and Hutch visit Morro Bay, a town near me. I just love all the local touches and obvious research that went into this book. As always, we learn a bit more about Tempe’s native roots and having them come to my neck of the woods was a fun bonus!