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Professor Simon Shaw #3
The Fugitive King
University of North Carolina History Professor Simon Shaw doesn't spend all of his time in the classroom or grading term papers. In fact, he has been making headlines for his role in investigating murders that occurred over the last century. Various newspapers and magazines have even dubbed him a "forensic historian." Simon is just starting to warm up to this title when another mystery presents itself.
A forest ranger has discovered the remains of a young woman below the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone, North Carolina. It's the corpse of Eva Potter, who had disappeared in 1958. A man she was dating, Roy Freedman, confessed to her murder. Now Freedman, serving a life term, claims his confession was false and wants Simon's help in dicovering the real killer.
Although Simon can't decide whether or not the man really is innocent, he reluctantly agrees. His inquiries take him to Boone, the mountain town where he grew up and where many of his relatives still live. Even if nothing comes of the trip, Simon sees it as opportunity to get away from the unrelenting heat of Raleigh and his current quarrel with his girlfriend Julia; Simon, deep in his research, had forgotten their date and left her stranded on his front steps. It will also give him the chance to catch up with his aunts and uncles and cousins.
An old map of Watauga County leads Simon to believe that the key to the solution of Eva's murder is hidden near the spot where she was killed. When a man who seemed to have some long-hidden information about the woman's disappearance is killed, Simon realizes that there is someone in Boone who will stop at nothing to keep him from learning the truth.
A forest ranger has discovered the remains of a young woman below the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone, North Carolina. It's the corpse of Eva Potter, who had disappeared in 1958. A man she was dating, Roy Freedman, confessed to her murder. Now Freedman, serving a life term, claims his confession was false and wants Simon's help in dicovering the real killer.
Although Simon can't decide whether or not the man really is innocent, he reluctantly agrees. His inquiries take him to Boone, the mountain town where he grew up and where many of his relatives still live. Even if nothing comes of the trip, Simon sees it as opportunity to get away from the unrelenting heat of Raleigh and his current quarrel with his girlfriend Julia; Simon, deep in his research, had forgotten their date and left her stranded on his front steps. It will also give him the chance to catch up with his aunts and uncles and cousins.
An old map of Watauga County leads Simon to believe that the key to the solution of Eva's murder is hidden near the spot where she was killed. When a man who seemed to have some long-hidden information about the woman's disappearance is killed, Simon realizes that there is someone in Boone who will stop at nothing to keep him from learning the truth.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2002
31 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Sarah R. Shaber
20 books170 followersSarah Shaber is an award-winning mystery author from North Carolina. Her WWII historical mystery series begins with LOUISE'S WAR. It features young widow Louise Pearlie, a government girl who works for the Office of Strategic Services, the United States’ first spy agency.
Shaber is also the author of the Professor Simon Shaw mysteries, BLOOD TEST, and editor of TAR HEEL DEAD. Her first book, SIMON SAID, won the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic Award for best first traditional mystery. She is the Bouchercon15 (World Mystery Conference, 2015) Local Guest of Honor. Her home bookstore is Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. www.facebook.com/LouisePearlie
Shaber is also the author of the Professor Simon Shaw mysteries, BLOOD TEST, and editor of TAR HEEL DEAD. Her first book, SIMON SAID, won the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic Award for best first traditional mystery. She is the Bouchercon15 (World Mystery Conference, 2015) Local Guest of Honor. Her home bookstore is Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. www.facebook.com/LouisePearlie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 8, 2012
Liked it. This is a Professor Simon Shaw mystery whose home is in Cameron Village in Raleigh. The setting for this story is in the mountains in Boone. It's a great southern story complete with references to the pulled pork, sweet tea and banana pudding. Shaber does a great job in keeping me guessing, commenting on social issues of the time and pulling together a story with interesting twists. Will certainly try another story by her.
February 16, 2013
Quick read. Wry humor. Beautiful Appalachian settings. Just enough academia. Learned a few things (Melungeons, ginseng and other herb foraging). Didn't even mind that I accidentally read #3 before reading #2.
February 15, 2014
It was good to see Simon connecting with others in his family. He seems such a loner but really has a solid family background. I am glad that Julia seems to be out of the picture. A good read, and fairly fast!
August 23, 2023
Simon Shaw is a history professor at North Carolina University.
He has been investigating historical murder cases and having good results.
This time a convict in jail for murder, escapes and asks him to solve the murder of his girlfriend from 1953. The convict is Roy Freedman and has been in jail for 40 years. Why would he risk escape now? What is so important?
Well the body of his girlfriend has been discovered in an old truck that was pushed off a cliff in the Appalachians.
Simon is not sure he wants to take the case after being held at gunpoint in his own home by Freedman. But he starts to ask around and realizes the case occurred in Boone, North Carolina where Simon grew up.
Now he is really getting interested.
Simon does what he does best historical research.
He finds an old map of the county that leads him to believe that this case is NOT about an old murder at all.
The sheriff at the time is still alive in an old folks home and Simon goes to see him, but before he can say anything, he is killed. The plot thickens as they say! An interesting story based on history and following the clues.
He has been investigating historical murder cases and having good results.
This time a convict in jail for murder, escapes and asks him to solve the murder of his girlfriend from 1953. The convict is Roy Freedman and has been in jail for 40 years. Why would he risk escape now? What is so important?
Well the body of his girlfriend has been discovered in an old truck that was pushed off a cliff in the Appalachians.
Simon is not sure he wants to take the case after being held at gunpoint in his own home by Freedman. But he starts to ask around and realizes the case occurred in Boone, North Carolina where Simon grew up.
Now he is really getting interested.
Simon does what he does best historical research.
He finds an old map of the county that leads him to believe that this case is NOT about an old murder at all.
The sheriff at the time is still alive in an old folks home and Simon goes to see him, but before he can say anything, he is killed. The plot thickens as they say! An interesting story based on history and following the clues.
September 7, 2017
Having read all of Shaber's Louise series I tracked down one of the Simon Shaw series. I liked it. It's a fairly simple story with minimal violence, except historical. The series takes place in NC, my home state and this particular book in Watauga County, very near where I grew up. It is quite accurate in area description as well as the mountain culture. In it's way, this book was as much about the history of the area as about the mystery. My library doesn't have any of the series so I'm off to Paperback Swap to look for more of the series.
April 23, 2020
I like Professor Shaw's mysteries, but this one needed some editing. Hwy 401 does not go from Raleigh to Boone. It starts in north central NC and travels through Louisburg, Raleigh, and on to Fayetteville. Not even close to Boone. The road Shaber was referring to is Hwy 421. The mistake was made two different times. In another place, she talks about columbine growing up a pole and vining around a porch. Columbine does not grow as a vine; It only grows to about 15 - 20 inches tall. I have lived in NC over 60 years and little things like this in a book bother me...
July 30, 2019
This is a middling series entry, wasting a rich setting and a nicely plotted mystery. (The plot is far better than the investigation — which is why three stars rather than two) The problem is the main character is profoundly boring, and we are with him each plodding step of the way. Also, the big discovery is frankly implausible, combining stupidity with a whole lot of foolhardy luck.
So, meh. This could have been fun, or even moving, instead of just words on a page.
So, meh. This could have been fun, or even moving, instead of just words on a page.
March 16, 2019
Really well written; definitely a series I would continue even though I started with this book. The author writing is extremely detailed, sometimes too much so that unimportant details are included (i.e. all the southern food descriptions). The mystery plot was definitely interesting & in the end everything fit together well!
July 23, 2020
I really enjoy this series and as a Boone resident particularly liked this book. My quibble is with the description: Simon isn't a professor at UNC but at a small college in Raleigh, an important detail about his character. I notice a lot of NC residents among the reviewers but I would also recommend this series for people who enjoy traditional, non-gory mysteries. I hope Shaber writes more!
May 25, 2023
I picked up this book because it takes place in my home state of NC. Interesting mystery and interesting characters.
November 3, 2018
The Professor Shaw mysteries are excellent and I wish there were more in the series.
February 16, 2013
The Fugitive King is the 3rd book in the Simon Shaw Mystery series by Sarah R Shaber and the 3rd one I've read. I LOVED IT!
After reading the first two, I was afraid that one element would remain the same in the plot and if it did, I wouldn't read any more of these books--even though I love the amateur sleuth Simon Shaw PhD and forensic historian.
Saved! This mystery showed character growth and hence a new plot twist at the climax. (I don't want to give it away, but you'll like it too!) And so I could go on to read the next mystery, which I did. (another review coming soon.)
As an author of novels with spiritual content, I was interested in an intrinsic confict in Simon Shaw's character. His father was an Appalachian teacher from a Baptist family and his mother a NYC Jewish nurse who came to the mountains in the 1960's. An interesting marriage and an interesting conflict for their son. Simon struggles with the theology. This continues and I will say more in the next review as more is discussed in the next book.
Finally, I applaud Sarah Shaber--not only for a great amateur sleuth and great myseries---but also for all the local history I've learned from her. I had never heard of a Melungeon (I think I spelled that right.), have you?
The man convicted of the murder who wants Dr. Shaw's help is one of these, a group of dark-skinned pople who suffered racial prejudice till the late 20th century. If nothing else, reading about these people was worth the price of the book!
For more information http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05...
So bravo, Sarah R Shaber for another great and well-research mystery!!
PS. The title refers to a move in the game of checkers. I looked it up but I'll let you figure out what it has to do with the mystery!
After reading the first two, I was afraid that one element would remain the same in the plot and if it did, I wouldn't read any more of these books--even though I love the amateur sleuth Simon Shaw PhD and forensic historian.
Saved! This mystery showed character growth and hence a new plot twist at the climax. (I don't want to give it away, but you'll like it too!) And so I could go on to read the next mystery, which I did. (another review coming soon.)
As an author of novels with spiritual content, I was interested in an intrinsic confict in Simon Shaw's character. His father was an Appalachian teacher from a Baptist family and his mother a NYC Jewish nurse who came to the mountains in the 1960's. An interesting marriage and an interesting conflict for their son. Simon struggles with the theology. This continues and I will say more in the next review as more is discussed in the next book.
Finally, I applaud Sarah Shaber--not only for a great amateur sleuth and great myseries---but also for all the local history I've learned from her. I had never heard of a Melungeon (I think I spelled that right.), have you?
The man convicted of the murder who wants Dr. Shaw's help is one of these, a group of dark-skinned pople who suffered racial prejudice till the late 20th century. If nothing else, reading about these people was worth the price of the book!
For more information http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05...
So bravo, Sarah R Shaber for another great and well-research mystery!!
PS. The title refers to a move in the game of checkers. I looked it up but I'll let you figure out what it has to do with the mystery!
Read
November 16, 2013University of North Carolina History Professor Simon Shaw doesn't spend all of his time in the classroom or grading term papers. In fact, he has been making headlines for his role in investigating murders that occurred over the last century. Various newspapers and magazines have even dubbed him a "forensic historian." Simon is just starting to warm up to this title when another mystery presents itself.
A forest ranger has discovered the remains of a young woman below the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone, North Carolina. It's the corpse of Eva Potter, who had disappeared in 1958. A man she was dating, Roy Freedman, confessed to her murder. Now Freedman, serving a life term, claims his confession was false and wants Simon's help in dicovering the real killer.
Although Simon can't decide whether or not the man really is innocent, he reluctantly agrees. His inquiries take him to Boone, the mountain town where he grew up and where many of his relatives still live. Even if nothing comes of the trip, Simon sees it as opportunity to get away from the unrelenting heat of Raleigh and his current quarrel with his girlfriend Julia; Simon, deep in his research, had forgotten their date and left her stranded on his front steps. It will also give him the chance to catch up with his aunts and uncles and cousins.
An old map of Watauga County leads Simon to believe that the key to the solution of Eva's murder is hidden near the spot where she was killed. When a man who seemed to have some long-hidden information about the woman's disappearance is killed, Simon realizes that there is someone in Boone who will stop at nothing to keep him from learning the truth.
A mine is found and that is why Eva was killed. Freedman is innocent of her murder.
A forest ranger has discovered the remains of a young woman below the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone, North Carolina. It's the corpse of Eva Potter, who had disappeared in 1958. A man she was dating, Roy Freedman, confessed to her murder. Now Freedman, serving a life term, claims his confession was false and wants Simon's help in dicovering the real killer.
Although Simon can't decide whether or not the man really is innocent, he reluctantly agrees. His inquiries take him to Boone, the mountain town where he grew up and where many of his relatives still live. Even if nothing comes of the trip, Simon sees it as opportunity to get away from the unrelenting heat of Raleigh and his current quarrel with his girlfriend Julia; Simon, deep in his research, had forgotten their date and left her stranded on his front steps. It will also give him the chance to catch up with his aunts and uncles and cousins.
An old map of Watauga County leads Simon to believe that the key to the solution of Eva's murder is hidden near the spot where she was killed. When a man who seemed to have some long-hidden information about the woman's disappearance is killed, Simon realizes that there is someone in Boone who will stop at nothing to keep him from learning the truth.
A mine is found and that is why Eva was killed. Freedman is innocent of her murder.
August 22, 2017
Book Description:
When the remains of a young woman who disappeared forty years ago are found beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, the man who went to prison for her murder asks Professor Simon Shaw to help prove his innocence. Happy to escape the city's summer heat and brewing romantic troubles, Shaw heads up the mountains to the scene of the crime -- his own hometown of Boone.
Putting small-town gossip, obliging relatives and old memories to good use, Shaw is surprised by the lack of evidence against Roy Freedman. But what would drive a man to confess to a murder he didn't commit? Did Roy kill Eva Potter or was he a convenient scapegoat? A second murder disguised as an accident points Simon in the right direction, leading him to a stunning discovery hidden deep in the hills, to a secret worth lying -- and killing for.
My Review
This series is great for the amount of history of the 50s and the Appalachians the reader can learn about in North Carolina. We got introduced to Simon's family in this installment. The book is well plotted and the characters are very interesting. I did not figure out who the murderer was until the big reveal at the end of the book. I've now read the first three books in the series and look forward to the last two. If you enjoy cozies that are well written then you would enjoy this book too!
When the remains of a young woman who disappeared forty years ago are found beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, the man who went to prison for her murder asks Professor Simon Shaw to help prove his innocence. Happy to escape the city's summer heat and brewing romantic troubles, Shaw heads up the mountains to the scene of the crime -- his own hometown of Boone.
Putting small-town gossip, obliging relatives and old memories to good use, Shaw is surprised by the lack of evidence against Roy Freedman. But what would drive a man to confess to a murder he didn't commit? Did Roy kill Eva Potter or was he a convenient scapegoat? A second murder disguised as an accident points Simon in the right direction, leading him to a stunning discovery hidden deep in the hills, to a secret worth lying -- and killing for.
My Review
This series is great for the amount of history of the 50s and the Appalachians the reader can learn about in North Carolina. We got introduced to Simon's family in this installment. The book is well plotted and the characters are very interesting. I did not figure out who the murderer was until the big reveal at the end of the book. I've now read the first three books in the series and look forward to the last two. If you enjoy cozies that are well written then you would enjoy this book too!
December 27, 2018
Professor Simon Shaw comes home to be held at gunpoint by a fugitive who asks him to take on his case. A body has just been found from 1958--the woman the inmate is accused of killing. Shaw decided to take it on and goes home to the Appalachian mountains where his kinfolk live. While there he unravels the history of the case and meets some of the people involved.
Good writing and interesting history of the 50s and the Appalachians.
Good writing and interesting history of the 50s and the Appalachians.
February 14, 2016
This is the first in the series of Professor Simon Shaw mysteries that I have read however it is the third book in the series. It is a cozy, comfort read. No bloodshed, a murder that happened long ago and is yet unsolved. There were times when I felt the author, Sarah R. Shaber, was standing at a lectern getting the historical background of her novel hammered into the heads of students. Not fond of info dumping unless it is a bit more integrated into the storyline.
April 12, 2016
I am enjoying the Sarah R. Shaber books. Professor Simon Shaw is an interesting character. He considers himself to be a historic detective. He solves the mystery surrounding the wrongful conviction of a man who was believed to have killed the woman he loved. This story takes place in Boone, NC where Shaw grew up. It's what I consider a light mystery which I often read when there is a lot going on in my life.
June 13, 2016
I am enjoying the pace and tone of this Simon Shaw series a lot. Although it is set about 2000, it has some of the feel of mysteries of the early 20th century. No thriller violence, but a real mystery. Like earlier Simon Shaw mysteries, the story revolves around a murder that took place long ago. In this case it is "only" forty years so there are quite a few people still alive who have a piece of the story.
January 19, 2014
This is the third book in a series that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I like the character development so far; Simon has moved past his mopey sad sack state (thankfully) and hopefully has moved on from Julia (who is, to say it tastefully, a complete **** (rhymes with punt. Fill in the blank.) Can't wait to tackle the next book in the series!
December 18, 2015
"Forensic historian" Simon Shaw solves a decades-old murder. This was a decent "cozy," featuring Shaw, who teaches history at a small college in Raleigh, NC. The discovery of a body missing since a presumed murder fifty years earlier brings several skeletons out of the closet in Shaw's home town of Boone, NC.
April 8, 2012
I enjoyed the Raleigh, NC, setting, as always, and the addition of the Watauga County setting was fun for me too. Enjoyed the story as well, and the chance to "meet" some of Simon's family.
June 28, 2010
I am big fan of Shaber's work. Simon Shaw is just great.
February 7, 2012
Not as goods Simon Said nor Snipe Hunt, but entertaining
May 26, 2012
3 stars.
June 8, 2012
Unbelievably good reading. Can't wait for more!
June 9, 2013
The Fugitive King
is a triumph!
is a triumph!
April 18, 2015
Intriguing
Entertaining, well written, superb attention to details that only Southern bred readers can identify as true. I recommend the novel highly.
Entertaining, well written, superb attention to details that only Southern bred readers can identify as true. I recommend the novel highly.
June 12, 2016
Another Prof. Simon Shaw mystery
June 8, 2012
WONDERFUL series!! Love, love, LOVE!!!
July 8, 2013
Not one of my favorites but still worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews