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Samantha True Mysteries #1
One Hit Wonder
Put up or shut up
A year into Samantha True’s forensic photography classes she knows three things:
1.Crime scenes are messy.
2.Especially when you throw up on them.
3.She may not be cut out for this.
When the police drag her to an investigation, she’s just as baffled by the scene. With clues like superhero masks, disco balls, and Bigfoot, are they ever going to find who did it?
As she digs deeper into the photographic evidence, she realizes her small town is full of secrets. And she might be happier staying in the dark.
A year into Samantha True’s forensic photography classes she knows three things:
1.Crime scenes are messy.
2.Especially when you throw up on them.
3.She may not be cut out for this.
When the police drag her to an investigation, she’s just as baffled by the scene. With clues like superhero masks, disco balls, and Bigfoot, are they ever going to find who did it?
As she digs deeper into the photographic evidence, she realizes her small town is full of secrets. And she might be happier staying in the dark.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2019
1392 people are currently reading
1255 people want to read
About the author
Kristi Rose
54 books258 followersHey! I’m Kristi. I write romances that will tug your heartstrings and laugh out loud mysteries. In all my stories you’ll fall in love with the cast of characters, they’ll become old, fun friends. My one hope is that I create stories that satisfy any of your book cravings and take you away from the rut of everyday life (sometimes it's a good rut).
When I’m not writing I’m spinning (riding a stationary bike, repurposing Happy Planners, or drinking a London Fog (hot tea with frothy milk).
I’m the mom of 2 and a milspouse (retired). We live in the Pacific Northwest and are under-prepared if one of the volcanoes erupts.
Here are 3 things about me:
• I lived on the outskirts of an active volcano (Mt.Etna)
• A spider bit me and it laid eggs in my arm (my kids don’t know that story yet)
• I grew up in Central Florida and have skied in lakes with gators.
I’d love to get to know you better. Join my Read & Relax community and then fire off an email and tell me 3 things about you!
Not ready to join? Email me or follow me here. Thanks for popping by!
You can connect with Kristi at any of the following:
www.kristirose.net
kristi@kristirose.net
When I’m not writing I’m spinning (riding a stationary bike, repurposing Happy Planners, or drinking a London Fog (hot tea with frothy milk).
I’m the mom of 2 and a milspouse (retired). We live in the Pacific Northwest and are under-prepared if one of the volcanoes erupts.
Here are 3 things about me:
• I lived on the outskirts of an active volcano (Mt.Etna)
• A spider bit me and it laid eggs in my arm (my kids don’t know that story yet)
• I grew up in Central Florida and have skied in lakes with gators.
I’d love to get to know you better. Join my Read & Relax community and then fire off an email and tell me 3 things about you!
Not ready to join? Email me or follow me here. Thanks for popping by!
You can connect with Kristi at any of the following:
www.kristirose.net
kristi@kristirose.net
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
August 21, 2021
Samantha True, a forensic photographer with dyslexia, documents her first case.
The protagonist is relatable, interesting and self-deprecating. The plot held my interest, particularly with all the twists. And there's plenty of humor in this clever story.
'One Hit Wonder' is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
The protagonist is relatable, interesting and self-deprecating. The plot held my interest, particularly with all the twists. And there's plenty of humor in this clever story.
'One Hit Wonder' is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
June 30, 2019
Conflicted about reading the rest of this series. It sounds interesting, but this book had some juvenile aspects. Mostly Samantha, who was fairly immature and her name-calling, which was juvenile (dumb dumb, butthead); I’m glad there was no cursing (clean books rock!), but I think there are other words that could have been used that aren’t also used by five year olds.
December 28, 2021
After taking her forensic photography classes, Samantha True must work with the local police to complete the courses. Suffering from the effects of the flu, Sam is called out to the scene of an accident in the middle of the night. A local man hit a deer on the way to work. As the police sergeant instructs her about the pictures that will be needed, Sam throws up on the crime scene. A second call leads her to the scene of a robbery. As Sam snaps pictures of superhero masks and bigfoot, she tries to deduce exactly what happened here.
This is a novella that begins the Samantha True series. It was billed as a humorous mystery, but I didn't find it very funny. This story felt like a Nancy Drew mystery. In fact, the cop on duty compared Sam and her friend to Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon. I guessed the villain early in the book and I was continued listening to the audiobook to see how the author gave the clues. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
This is a novella that begins the Samantha True series. It was billed as a humorous mystery, but I didn't find it very funny. This story felt like a Nancy Drew mystery. In fact, the cop on duty compared Sam and her friend to Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon. I guessed the villain early in the book and I was continued listening to the audiobook to see how the author gave the clues. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
April 19, 2022
I absolutely loved it! I really loved the storyline and the characters too…
This is what I like about this book was a great mystery and finding the clues..
Definitely will read another book series soon…
This is what I like about this book was a great mystery and finding the clues..
Definitely will read another book series soon…
May 28, 2021
A nice little book, a small town story without actually rubbing it in!
Wondering where you fit in, is a question that each of us face, so when Samantha True wonders if her chosen path is well 'true enough' for her, it resonates with the reader.
Wondering where you fit in, is a question that each of us face, so when Samantha True wonders if her chosen path is well 'true enough' for her, it resonates with the reader.
February 23, 2021
Oh, man. Samantha's first foray into photographing a crime scene was...messy. To be fair, it wasn't her fault. The flu makes you do terrible things. Like vomit in places you shouldn't. While vomiting on a crime scene is awful (in so many ways), doing it in front of the one detective who likes to poke at her is even worse. Yikes. I feel like Leo is never going to let her live that down.
Yep, Samantha had a bad start to her day on the job. And it went downhill from there. Yet she keeps pushing forward because she doesn't want to be known for quitting in the middle of something this important.
A sassy friend, Bigfoot sightings, dark secrets, a hunky cop who likes to give Sam a hard time, and a mystery that gets weirder the deeper she looks into it. Samantha is pretty dogged in ferreting out the truth even when she's fighting the flu and I can totally respect that.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Yep, Samantha had a bad start to her day on the job. And it went downhill from there. Yet she keeps pushing forward because she doesn't want to be known for quitting in the middle of something this important.
A sassy friend, Bigfoot sightings, dark secrets, a hunky cop who likes to give Sam a hard time, and a mystery that gets weirder the deeper she looks into it. Samantha is pretty dogged in ferreting out the truth even when she's fighting the flu and I can totally respect that.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
April 27, 2020
Loved it
The main characters are absolutely perfect. The dialogue between Samantha and Precious was hilarious with lots of fun believable antics. I'm dyslexic as well as three of my kids. I'm so impressed with the way Kristi Rose wrote about Sam's dyslexia with accurate information that showed the positives of dyslexia as well as the difficulties. I loved that she included those details because I've read books that were not flattering with dyslexic characters that couldn't read which is a hugh error. All dyslexic people are different but we can read yet we do see the world a bit differently. Thank you Kristi Rose for writing a creative mystery with a strong intelligent dyslexic character.
The main characters are absolutely perfect. The dialogue between Samantha and Precious was hilarious with lots of fun believable antics. I'm dyslexic as well as three of my kids. I'm so impressed with the way Kristi Rose wrote about Sam's dyslexia with accurate information that showed the positives of dyslexia as well as the difficulties. I loved that she included those details because I've read books that were not flattering with dyslexic characters that couldn't read which is a hugh error. All dyslexic people are different but we can read yet we do see the world a bit differently. Thank you Kristi Rose for writing a creative mystery with a strong intelligent dyslexic character.
April 22, 2024
I think I've discovered another new series. Samantha True is more like a Kinsey Malone or Stephanie Plum than Liz Talbot or Sunni Taylor ... grittier than lighthearted. In this first book, it's a prequel to the series and gives a kind of backstory to the characters.
July 28, 2021
One Hit Wonder is an interesting story that's extremely fast paced. I liked the heroine a lot, the only downside was this is a prequel and the rest of the series happens ten years later.
July 29, 2024
This short novel introduces Samantha True who is training to be a crime scene photographer. Her first call-out by the local police department coincides with a raging case of the flu and results in her vomiting on the crime scene - a deer-car collision.
Then she is called to a second crime scene. This time the beloved lunch lady from her school has been blindfolded and handcuffed to a pole and then had her car pushed into her. Samantha is determined to find out who did that to her beloved Miss Trina. But her investigation leads to secrets in her small town.
One unique feature about Samanta is that she is dyslexic but has an amazing visual memory. Her visual memory is one of the factors that enable her to solve the crime. I enjoyed her and enjoyed her best friend Precious who has a bigfoot obsession.
Then she is called to a second crime scene. This time the beloved lunch lady from her school has been blindfolded and handcuffed to a pole and then had her car pushed into her. Samantha is determined to find out who did that to her beloved Miss Trina. But her investigation leads to secrets in her small town.
One unique feature about Samanta is that she is dyslexic but has an amazing visual memory. Her visual memory is one of the factors that enable her to solve the crime. I enjoyed her and enjoyed her best friend Precious who has a bigfoot obsession.
March 4, 2025
An intern forensic photographer- Sam is on her first two cases. Not ideal timing as she is suffering the flu and vomits over her first crime scene.
When her second scene is someone she knows, she is determined to not just take the photos but to crack the case.
When her second scene is someone she knows, she is determined to not just take the photos but to crack the case.
June 3, 2022
I enjoyed this series beginning. Good characters, humor and a light mystery. Looking forward to book 2!
April 22, 2025
3.5/5! Will continue with the series.
September 14, 2025
Probably closer to a 3.5, but as always, I rounded up. I liked Samantha as the main character. The mystery, unfortunately, was fairly obvious. At times, the writing also felt a little disjointed. Other than that, I liked it. I'm not sure I will continue in the series.
March 2, 2025
Platform: E-Book
Since the main character went to school for criminal justice (forensic photography), I would think she would be smart enough to not go around people on the scene and at a HOSPITAL with a contagious virus! Also, the book ended with her deciding to completely waste her college degree and the next starts ten years later… I feel like I wasted my time learning these current characters - like is Leo secretly in love with her or what? Otherwise, it was a quick read.
Since the main character went to school for criminal justice (forensic photography), I would think she would be smart enough to not go around people on the scene and at a HOSPITAL with a contagious virus! Also, the book ended with her deciding to completely waste her college degree and the next starts ten years later… I feel like I wasted my time learning these current characters - like is Leo secretly in love with her or what? Otherwise, it was a quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2021
Good book
Sam learned a hard lesson in this one. A lesson some people never learn. She worked hard to discover who was robbing places and who was the copy cat. She learned that people you have known and trust are not the people you thought they were.
Sam learned a hard lesson in this one. A lesson some people never learn. She worked hard to discover who was robbing places and who was the copy cat. She learned that people you have known and trust are not the people you thought they were.
June 10, 2024
Almost a standard cozy but there isn't any meeting of and drooling over the hot new guy/guys that the MC has met, the name of the hometown doesn't make me cringe from being overly sweet and, though I guessed who the killer was, there was a twist at the end that at least I didn't see coming.
December 23, 2020
Absolutely love the character
March 6, 2021
Despite having flu and a raging temperature Samantha drags herself out of bed to attend not one but two accident/crime scenes and then to go on to solve the mystery (mainly because she is in the right place at the right time). Samantha is very much an amateur detective (not really sure why people told her things - perhaps because she is well liked?) she cannot keep a secret to save her life and makes assumptions about people based on how they were at school. It was interesting to have a dyslexic character and I assume that this book sets up relationships between friends and family members that will continue into the series but I’m not sure that I’m invested enough to read any of them.
Great that this book had no obvious typos - kudos to her. I am soooo tired of reading stories where the author hasn’t proofread their book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book given away by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Great that this book had no obvious typos - kudos to her. I am soooo tired of reading stories where the author hasn’t proofread their book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book given away by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 15, 2020
Probably more like 3.5 but I’m bumping it up to 4 because it’s the first in a series and the author is new to me. There were lots of things I liked about Samantha and also some things I didn’t like. I loved her overall go-get ‘em attitude and her banter with Leo but I did not like how she couldn’t keep her mouth shut even when her job required her to. Very unprofessional. She also did some stupid things but that’s pretty typical in a cozy mystery which this definitely felt like despite her being a trainee police photographer. She was a college student in this book so I’m cutting her some slack and hoping she’s grown up somewhat in the later books in the series since they take place years later.
This is a novella so the mystery is short and to the point but it’s a good introduction to the character.
I started this on audio and the reader was awful. She started off somewhat ok and I kept hoping she’d get better but she just got worse. I had to abandon the audio and pick up the kindle version instead.
This is a novella so the mystery is short and to the point but it’s a good introduction to the character.
I started this on audio and the reader was awful. She started off somewhat ok and I kept hoping she’d get better but she just got worse. I had to abandon the audio and pick up the kindle version instead.
June 19, 2020
Thinking that she wants to go into this field, Samatha is taking a forensic photography class in college. When the regular police forensic photographer is busy in a different case, she is called out to take the photos of a new crime scene. Unfortunately, she knows everyone involved in the incident so the situation quickly becomes emotional. How could someone tie up Ms. Trina to a pole and crush her hand to the point of amputation and just drive off? Ms. Trina has always been so kind, not to mention the fact that she lost her husband to a heart attack not very long ago. Samantha finds herself struggling with her need to find out who did it and the desire to not know the nasty side of life. With her Father, the newspaper editor, and her best friend by her side, she manages to put the pieces together to solve the crime. But with the way it all turns out, does she want this for a career, or is she better off finding something else to do?
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July 18, 2022You can also grab this in audio!
Narrated by Jennifer Stoneking. Who is AWESOME!
A 2 hour and 55 minute listen!
AT APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/...
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AT LIBRO: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/978194451...
AT AUDIBLE: https://kristirose.net/ST1AudioZon
Narrated by Jennifer Stoneking. Who is AWESOME!
A 2 hour and 55 minute listen!
AT APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/...
AT KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/...
AT AUDIOBOOKS: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/...
AT CHIRP: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks...
AT GOOGLE: https://play.google.com/store/audiobo...
AT NOOK: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-...
AT HOOPLA: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/1...
AT BINGEBOOKS: https://bingebooks.com/book/one-hit-w...
AT LIBRO: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/978194451...
AT AUDIBLE: https://kristirose.net/ST1AudioZon
February 9, 2021
2.5 or 3. Very easy, lightweight read.
Pros: 1) I thought it was well-plotted and decently written (I only rolled my eyes a couple of times.). I have to believe that the tension between Samantha and Leo will resolve with them becoming romantic, which is predictable and their interactions were very annoying, but 2) the rest of the plot was creative and unexpected..at least to me. 3) The audiobook narrator was just fine..B++
Cons: 1) Our heroine is cookie-cutter feisty, smart-mouthed, hair-trigger defensive; it’s as if there’s a checklist out there for female leads, and it requires smart-mouthed, sassy, unconventional, don’t-mess-with-me, blah, blah, blah. 2) Her best friend’s obsession with Bigfoot (Yes, I get why Bigfoot was part of the plot.) was stupid.
Pros: 1) I thought it was well-plotted and decently written (I only rolled my eyes a couple of times.). I have to believe that the tension between Samantha and Leo will resolve with them becoming romantic, which is predictable and their interactions were very annoying, but 2) the rest of the plot was creative and unexpected..at least to me. 3) The audiobook narrator was just fine..B++
Cons: 1) Our heroine is cookie-cutter feisty, smart-mouthed, hair-trigger defensive; it’s as if there’s a checklist out there for female leads, and it requires smart-mouthed, sassy, unconventional, don’t-mess-with-me, blah, blah, blah. 2) Her best friend’s obsession with Bigfoot (Yes, I get why Bigfoot was part of the plot.) was stupid.
March 5, 2020
Interesting story about a young woman studying to be a forensic photographer. Samantha gets called to an accident to take pictures right in the middle of a nasty bout of flu. Only a second crime scene is called in before she can leave the first one, so going home to bed isn't going to happen. Things go from bad to worse in the crimes department, and Sam manages to figure out exactly what has happened.
I liked reading this, but I can't say I really liked the characters especially. It was different than most cozy mysteries, and many of the standard cliches were avoided. I am on the fence about reading more of this series, but I will definitely read more by this author.
I liked reading this, but I can't say I really liked the characters especially. It was different than most cozy mysteries, and many of the standard cliches were avoided. I am on the fence about reading more of this series, but I will definitely read more by this author.
February 26, 2020
A cute cozy mystery. The story line seemed to jump right in and was relatively fast paced. I really enjoyed the dynamic with Samantha and those around her and I enjoyed her inner dialogue both of which added some humor to this read / listen. I think there could have been more depth to the characters or story line - overall it felt a little rushed to me but I liked the story itself and the narration was wonderful!
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
January 22, 2022
I really wanted to like this as I live in seattle and always love seeing authors incorporate landmarks and sights in a book. However, this book really fell short. There was very little character development to the point I really didn’t connect with any of the characters. The biggest let down was the aha moment; the main character basically explains the entire whodunnit to a group of hostages, very anticlimactic.
I think the author was trying to go for a Stephanie plum-esque vibe but came up short.
I think the author was trying to go for a Stephanie plum-esque vibe but came up short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
A snappy little mystery but truly nothing special. The mystery was very far-fetched and kinda undeveloped. The entire ending was one of the strangest things I have ever read – the real bad guys were just standing around chatting with the town members and we had this very Scooby Doo-esque reveal of who dunnit.
July 22, 2020
Enjoyable reading
This is the first book of series. The characters were well defined and relatable. I will continue on as it will be interesting to see how it develops.
This is the first book of series. The characters were well defined and relatable. I will continue on as it will be interesting to see how it develops.
August 3, 2021
The plot is as scintillating as a Scooby Doo episode, and the characters are just about as complex. On the plus side - it’s only 192 pages long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews