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Caitlin Rourke #3
The Staircase Murder
Esther Ackermann believes her son-in-law, Daniel Schneider, is responsible for her daughter's death. So does DA investigator Richard Morris and Prosecutor Bill Reese. The evidence points to him and it's convincing, but could they be sending an innocent man to prison? Readers will experience even more twists and turns in my newest book in the series, Stabbing Pains, released in 2024.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2019
16 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
About the author
Susan T. Parker
4 books26 followersI am a retired journalist now living in Richmond, Texas. But I will always be a Pittsburgher at heart since I was born and raised there. I graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. I was a journalist for 40 years, working for a number of newspapers and publications. I have a dog, Spencer, who drives me crazy at times, but I still love him.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 27, 2024
I received a Kindle version of this book as a Goodreads giveaway, so thank you to the Author and Publisher for a chance to read this cozy little mystery.
First things first- ANYONE who starts off a book by explaining that western Pittsburgh has it own language and a passion for "chipped ham" has my immediate attention.
These are things anyone from the area, or loves the area, will smile about. Also- pop IS the only way to refer to soda, but I digress.
This cozy little mystery set in a fictional western PA town is under 200 pages and could be considered an "easy read"
The characters are fleshed out well and it throws a few red herrings out there. I had never had the opportunity to read a Caitlin Rourke mystery, but happily passed this along as a recommendation to others.
First things first- ANYONE who starts off a book by explaining that western Pittsburgh has it own language and a passion for "chipped ham" has my immediate attention.
These are things anyone from the area, or loves the area, will smile about. Also- pop IS the only way to refer to soda, but I digress.
This cozy little mystery set in a fictional western PA town is under 200 pages and could be considered an "easy read"
The characters are fleshed out well and it throws a few red herrings out there. I had never had the opportunity to read a Caitlin Rourke mystery, but happily passed this along as a recommendation to others.
March 18, 2024
Diane's husband, Daniel, awakes her in the night to cook him a meal. Frustrated, she heads downstairs and is suddenly hit with a Louisville Slugger. Her son, Mark, hears his mother scream and finds her lying at the bottom of the staircase. Caitlin spends several days in the hospital, but unfortunately does not recover from the injuries.
Caitlin's mother is suspicious of her death after Daniel rushes to bury her and does not follow their Jewish traditions. Did Daniel murder his wife or was someone else lurking in the shadows?
The plot of the story was a wonderful idea, but the storyline lacked depth. I noticed the author repeated some of the information twice. There also was a lack of suspense, but the author did add an unexpected twist that helped increase reader interest.
Thank you goodreads and Susan T. Parker for allowing me to read and review your short mystery.
#goodreads giveaway
Caitlin's mother is suspicious of her death after Daniel rushes to bury her and does not follow their Jewish traditions. Did Daniel murder his wife or was someone else lurking in the shadows?
The plot of the story was a wonderful idea, but the storyline lacked depth. I noticed the author repeated some of the information twice. There also was a lack of suspense, but the author did add an unexpected twist that helped increase reader interest.
Thank you goodreads and Susan T. Parker for allowing me to read and review your short mystery.
#goodreads giveaway
April 13, 2020
THE STAIRCASE MURDER is third in the Mystery series starring Caitlin Rourke, intrepid investigative reporter in a small community near Pittsburgh. A friend of Caitlin's mother and grandmother has just learned of her daughter's death--a month earlier--and asks Caitlin to look into it. Soon the Assistant District Attorney's Office is hot on the case, which proves to possess more layers than an Onion, more deceits, and to showcase some truly revolting villains, while uncovering serious crimes and multiple types of abuse. At the same time, this is a comfortably cozy Mystery with heart, an entertaining and surprising one-sitting "whodunnit."
February 2, 2020
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
The plot has possibilities, there are twists, and I kept reading until the end.
That being said, there were parts of the plot that were not plausible, the dialogue lacked depth and credibility, and there was a lot of summary as opposed to advancing the plot with dialogue, description, and action.
The plot has possibilities, there are twists, and I kept reading until the end.
That being said, there were parts of the plot that were not plausible, the dialogue lacked depth and credibility, and there was a lot of summary as opposed to advancing the plot with dialogue, description, and action.
February 14, 2020
Terrific Plotting
While I found some of the writing to be a little stilted, the plot of this story was really great. Still, I deducted 1 star because Caitlin Rorke was barely a substantial character, let alone enough of one for the book to be part of her series. That being said, there is enough real truth about the crimes' contexts too keep this story real, yet still an enjoyable fiction.
While I found some of the writing to be a little stilted, the plot of this story was really great. Still, I deducted 1 star because Caitlin Rorke was barely a substantial character, let alone enough of one for the book to be part of her series. That being said, there is enough real truth about the crimes' contexts too keep this story real, yet still an enjoyable fiction.
February 3, 2020
I loved this mystery. Daniel (& Dianne, his wife) were incredibly naive but there are people like them everywhere. (At least their offspring wasn't a lamb to the slaughter: GO MARK!). I was happy with the ending and will read more. Recommended!
**This was an Advance Reader's Copy that I WON and the review is Honestly Mine.**
**This was an Advance Reader's Copy that I WON and the review is Honestly Mine.**
February 27, 2020
Thankyou to NetGalley and the author, Susan T Parker, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Staircase Murder in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
The storyline was well thought out and written. I was hooked from the start. I read the story in one sitting.
The characters draw you in to their story. 3.5 stars.
Worth a read.
The storyline was well thought out and written. I was hooked from the start. I read the story in one sitting.
The characters draw you in to their story. 3.5 stars.
Worth a read.
June 28, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and the author Susan T Parker for the free book in exchange for a honest review.
The Staircase Murder is the third book in the Caitlin Rourke series.The plot had a lot of twists .
it was well written and very engaging.I did not expect the twist at the end.The characters were well developed.
The Staircase Murder is the third book in the Caitlin Rourke series.The plot had a lot of twists .
it was well written and very engaging.I did not expect the twist at the end.The characters were well developed.
July 5, 2020
A woman fell down the steps or was pushed. Her husband was a big suspect. They had a young son. The woman often had bruises all over her and so did the son. Neither ever said what happened to them. So they arrest the dad and he goes to trial. your never going to believe what happens then and the real truth comes out
May 26, 2024
Intriguing
I've won this ebook in goodreads giveaway.this is the 1st book I've read from this author and the series .
The story is about Dianne's death/murder, which happened when she fell from the staircase of her house.there are many twists in this story, and the pacing of the story is great. It exceeded my expectations.
I've won this ebook in goodreads giveaway.this is the 1st book I've read from this author and the series .
The story is about Dianne's death/murder, which happened when she fell from the staircase of her house.there are many twists in this story, and the pacing of the story is great. It exceeded my expectations.
December 27, 2019
Page turner
I enjoyed every page of this story.
There were a few strangling plot lines left unattended but the flowofthe story was otherwise good and held enough surprises to keep me engaged.
The characters were basically well developed.
I enjoyed every page of this story.
There were a few strangling plot lines left unattended but the flowofthe story was otherwise good and held enough surprises to keep me engaged.
The characters were basically well developed.
March 5, 2020
The Review of The Staircase Murder
As part of winning a book from Goodreads you need to review the book. The woman that was murdered Dianna . Her grandmother asks Caitlin's grandmother if she will look into because something is wrong.
As part of winning a book from Goodreads you need to review the book. The woman that was murdered Dianna . Her grandmother asks Caitlin's grandmother if she will look into because something is wrong.
March 7, 2024
Excellent whodunnit
Always love a mystery and this did not disappoint. Made more interesting through writer's knowledge of the legal system. Big surprise I did not see coming. Love the Pittsburgh references and mentions of areas I'm familiar with.
Always love a mystery and this did not disappoint. Made more interesting through writer's knowledge of the legal system. Big surprise I did not see coming. Love the Pittsburgh references and mentions of areas I'm familiar with.
January 23, 2020
Quick read. Kept my interest
March 3, 2020
I enjoyed the story and the plot. It did pull me in and keep me wondering about a few things. I enjoyed the story and the plot twists in the story.
It was a quick read with a good story!
It was a quick read with a good story!
March 12, 2020
I have not read any previous Caitlin Rourke books but I absolutely will have to now. The Book was very well written. The plot could have been a case from todays headline.
December 30, 2021
Loved the series!
Loved the characters and the twists and turns in this series. I think the second book is my favorite. I read them all in 5 days.
Loved the characters and the twists and turns in this series. I think the second book is my favorite. I read them all in 5 days.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews