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The San Francisco Mystery #3
Stabscotch
Detective Tommy Vietti expects the Feds to take a murder case from him since it involves an employee of the Federal Reserve Bank. Instead, they send Roxy MacNeil, a Scottish banking expert, to co-investigate. Smoking her cigarettes, using vulgar language, and drinking Scotch, Roxy gives the impression that she's a number-crunching savant, until she and Tommy pay a visit to a strip club, that is. Tommy wonders who she really is.
District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne wonders if she should have a baby, like her fiancée, Dr. Jen, but Amanda is in the middle of a re-election cycle. As they consider who might be the perfect sperm donor, Amanda becomes immersed in Tommy and Roxy's murder investigation.
Juggling her busy clinical practice and raising baby Kristin, Jen is by Amanda's side at public events. She can handle Amanda being a semi-celebrity, having a ton of old girlfriends, and even being hit on by strangers at the Dyke March. Roxy MacNeil, however, is Jen's worst nightmare. Beautiful. Mysterious. Smart. Sexy. And powerful. As far as Jen knows, Roxy is more powerful than Amanda, and Amanda is drawn to power like a dog to raw meat.
Message from Alexi Venice: "I have a confession. This was my favorite book in the SFMS to write. Why? Because the cyber attacks by North Korea are based on real events. Remember Sony Pictures and the Federal Reserve Bank heist? In addition, everything Roxy MacNeil does makes me laugh. I just follow her around and chronicle her badass behavior! Expect to see her again in Book 7."
District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne wonders if she should have a baby, like her fiancée, Dr. Jen, but Amanda is in the middle of a re-election cycle. As they consider who might be the perfect sperm donor, Amanda becomes immersed in Tommy and Roxy's murder investigation.
Juggling her busy clinical practice and raising baby Kristin, Jen is by Amanda's side at public events. She can handle Amanda being a semi-celebrity, having a ton of old girlfriends, and even being hit on by strangers at the Dyke March. Roxy MacNeil, however, is Jen's worst nightmare. Beautiful. Mysterious. Smart. Sexy. And powerful. As far as Jen knows, Roxy is more powerful than Amanda, and Amanda is drawn to power like a dog to raw meat.
Message from Alexi Venice: "I have a confession. This was my favorite book in the SFMS to write. Why? Because the cyber attacks by North Korea are based on real events. Remember Sony Pictures and the Federal Reserve Bank heist? In addition, everything Roxy MacNeil does makes me laugh. I just follow her around and chronicle her badass behavior! Expect to see her again in Book 7."
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2018
85 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Alexi Venice
29 books401 followersAlexi Venice writes award-winning medical, legal, and crime thrillers with smart and gritty female leads. Her stories blend high-stakes investigations, courtroom shenanigans, emotional depth, and character-driven romance in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 28, 2018
'Generously provided by Author in exchange for an unbiased review'
A provocatively great 3rd series. From the first page to the very last page this series was filled with a few strong,well developed supporting characters along with the leads from the previous two series who were all engaged in some pretty intense,intriguing plot twists and pulsating action. This book was also loaded with incredible concepts,exceptionally well written,very descriptive,even well detailed with lots of information,mature dialogue,fast-paced,relationship drama,great storytelling and readers would not be disappointed. The conclusion gives some hint to lots of explosives problems and issues to come in the future installment of the series,but there is plenty here to hold over for all readers..Highly recommend!
A provocatively great 3rd series. From the first page to the very last page this series was filled with a few strong,well developed supporting characters along with the leads from the previous two series who were all engaged in some pretty intense,intriguing plot twists and pulsating action. This book was also loaded with incredible concepts,exceptionally well written,very descriptive,even well detailed with lots of information,mature dialogue,fast-paced,relationship drama,great storytelling and readers would not be disappointed. The conclusion gives some hint to lots of explosives problems and issues to come in the future installment of the series,but there is plenty here to hold over for all readers..Highly recommend!
July 16, 2022
I finally read Stabscotch, part 3 in the San Francisco Mystery series by Alexi Venice. I can’t believe it took me 3 years to pick this back up!
We return to District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne, her fiancée Dr. Jen and their baby daughter Kristin. Together with baby daddy Detective Tommy Vietti they experience happy family bliss until Roxy MacNeil waltzes into a joint investigation (and their lives). After that you can just feel it with your clogs on (‘het op je klompen aanvoelen’ as we say in Dutch) that things are going to unravel for Amanda and Jen.
I still love the series! Action and drama and a helluva lot of cigarettes(!)
f/f explicit
themes: North Korea, MI6, CIA, forbidden fruit, cheating.
4 Stars
We return to District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne, her fiancée Dr. Jen and their baby daughter Kristin. Together with baby daddy Detective Tommy Vietti they experience happy family bliss until Roxy MacNeil waltzes into a joint investigation (and their lives). After that you can just feel it with your clogs on (‘het op je klompen aanvoelen’ as we say in Dutch) that things are going to unravel for Amanda and Jen.
I still love the series! Action and drama and a helluva lot of cigarettes(!)
f/f explicit
themes: North Korea, MI6, CIA, forbidden fruit, cheating.
4 Stars
December 8, 2021
I kept deferring reading Book 3. Why? Cos this is the book when Amanda went rogue, where she caved in to seduction and done the deed with foxy Roxy. Damn! With all the drama, angst, mystery… I just can’t put the damn book down.
Ratings: 4⭐️
Ratings: 4⭐️
June 3, 2018
Interesting characters with a lot of intriguing conflict and growth. This is far more than a mystery story.
October 24, 2019
Distrust & betrayal is like an epidemic in this book
“Jen could deal with Amanda being a semi-celebrity, being hit on by strangers, and even having a ton of old girlfriends. Roxy, however, was Jen’s worst nightmare. Beautiful. Mysterious. Smart. Sexy. And powerful. As far as Jen knew, Roxy was more powerful than Amanda. And Amanda was drawn to power. If she couldn’t have it, she needed to control those who did.”
“There was something about Roxy that turned her off. Beneath the attractive veneer, she sensed a shiftiness—similar to the hidden agenda she encountered in patients who were angling for narcotics. She formed the distinct impression that Roxy was not to be trusted.”
+ • + • + • +
📌
Is it paranoia if it ends up being true???
📌
An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like they're your family in your mind. The riveting plot lines draws you in without you even noticing & the action is compelling enough to grab, hold & keep you anticipating the “end game”.
BTW… gotta keep it 💯, but… ma
—I SOOOO CAN'T STAND ROXY & her conniving, manipulative & predatory shady a$$!!!!
“Jen could deal with Amanda being a semi-celebrity, being hit on by strangers, and even having a ton of old girlfriends. Roxy, however, was Jen’s worst nightmare. Beautiful. Mysterious. Smart. Sexy. And powerful. As far as Jen knew, Roxy was more powerful than Amanda. And Amanda was drawn to power. If she couldn’t have it, she needed to control those who did.”
“There was something about Roxy that turned her off. Beneath the attractive veneer, she sensed a shiftiness—similar to the hidden agenda she encountered in patients who were angling for narcotics. She formed the distinct impression that Roxy was not to be trusted.”
+ • + • + • +
📌
Is it paranoia if it ends up being true???
📌
An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like they're your family in your mind. The riveting plot lines draws you in without you even noticing & the action is compelling enough to grab, hold & keep you anticipating the “end game”.
BTW… gotta keep it 💯, but… ma
—I SOOOO CAN'T STAND ROXY & her conniving, manipulative & predatory shady a$$!!!!
May 17, 2018
3.5 stars . I do like the authors writing style, unfortunately I feel this book falls a little flat in comparison to the first 2 books. I'm going to read book 4, hoping it rebounds back. the book is still a decent read.
January 24, 2018
This was a much anticipated book!!! Couldn't wait to see what was next for Tommy..... Read this in two days and now waiting for the next one!!1 Great read.... keeps you guessing from beginning to end...Love the trio of characters!!! Great job Alexi.... on to the next one!!!
March 19, 2018
Love the action and relationships in this third book in the series. You really get a great insight into complex female character and what drives her passions!
December 3, 2020
Loved the book
I've read the series this far and am enjoying it very much. Instead of taking a break and reading something different, I'm now compelled to continue to the next book. As a counterpoint to the title of this review, I'm equally compelled to dislike the author.... you know why....
I've read the series this far and am enjoying it very much. Instead of taking a break and reading something different, I'm now compelled to continue to the next book. As a counterpoint to the title of this review, I'm equally compelled to dislike the author.... you know why....
June 4, 2018
::An variant version of this review appears on Bookbub's Website.::
I finished it over the course of Easter Weekend, so obviously it's readable - the characters are mainly well-drawn, the mystery is decent, and the thriller aspects don't strain credulity as they sometimes do in
J.D. Robb's IN DEATH series. What it also is, and I'm not sure if this is a bad or a good thing, is a Lesbian Soap Opera set in the San Francisco PD and DA's Offices - a lot like a typical Shonda Rhimes series, only with far fewer People of Color and More Lesbians.
This entry in the San Francisco Mystery Series by Alexi Venice has got grue, cop work, interagency pissing matches, North Korean Villainy (because what's a cop drama without The Fiendish Whiff of Fu Manchu?), sex scenes, and violence.
The story so far: Det. Tommy Vietti's ex, Dr. Jen Dawson, is living with female DA Amanda Hawthorne - and Jen's daughter by Tommy, Kristin. Tommy, being a sufficiently "woke" dude, is comfortable(ish) sharing his daughter with Jen & Amanda - though he's far less so when Amanda suggests an in vitro fertilization of Tommy's sperm with egg to have a son as well. Amanda is running for re-election as District Attorney as an Out Lesbian in a committed relationship with Jen - when "Federal Reserve Bank Investigator" Roxy MacNeil comes into all their lives, all chain-smoking, boundary-busting, hard-drinking, Scottish as a Starfleet Engineer, badass as 007, unashamedly lesbian, and quite clearly...looking for piss-up and a good shag. Toss in a dead Korean Federal Reserve regulator who moonlights as a stripper in a club known to be a front for North Korean Espio-Nagey, some internal corruption to muddy the waters, and Tommy's current lawyer girlfriend trying to run interference for her Federal Reserve roommate? And you've got quite a stew of action, mayhem, and Woman-on-Woman heavy breathing.
I know my review sounds like I hated it, and laying the story out like this shows how credulity-straining it all is (haven't read the previous books, but reference is made to Amanda's "Dragonfly", the name she gave her pistol - not the usual accessory carried by a District Attorney in 21st Century San Francisco!). But, like the Shonda Rhimes shows I mentioned above, the story's ridiculously addictive, the characters engaging enough that you hope for the best and expect the worst, and it's certainly never dull. Give you an idea of what you're in for - the title refers to a dangerous game where you spread out your hand, and let another person stab a knife between your fingers repeatedly as a sign of both bravery and trust...and yes, we get a scene where it happens!
I finished it over the course of Easter Weekend, so obviously it's readable - the characters are mainly well-drawn, the mystery is decent, and the thriller aspects don't strain credulity as they sometimes do in
J.D. Robb's IN DEATH series. What it also is, and I'm not sure if this is a bad or a good thing, is a Lesbian Soap Opera set in the San Francisco PD and DA's Offices - a lot like a typical Shonda Rhimes series, only with far fewer People of Color and More Lesbians.This entry in the San Francisco Mystery Series by Alexi Venice has got grue, cop work, interagency pissing matches, North Korean Villainy (because what's a cop drama without The Fiendish Whiff of Fu Manchu?), sex scenes, and violence.
The story so far: Det. Tommy Vietti's ex, Dr. Jen Dawson, is living with female DA Amanda Hawthorne - and Jen's daughter by Tommy, Kristin. Tommy, being a sufficiently "woke" dude, is comfortable(ish) sharing his daughter with Jen & Amanda - though he's far less so when Amanda suggests an in vitro fertilization of Tommy's sperm with egg to have a son as well. Amanda is running for re-election as District Attorney as an Out Lesbian in a committed relationship with Jen - when "Federal Reserve Bank Investigator" Roxy MacNeil comes into all their lives, all chain-smoking, boundary-busting, hard-drinking, Scottish as a Starfleet Engineer, badass as 007, unashamedly lesbian, and quite clearly...looking for piss-up and a good shag. Toss in a dead Korean Federal Reserve regulator who moonlights as a stripper in a club known to be a front for North Korean Espio-Nagey, some internal corruption to muddy the waters, and Tommy's current lawyer girlfriend trying to run interference for her Federal Reserve roommate? And you've got quite a stew of action, mayhem, and Woman-on-Woman heavy breathing.
I know my review sounds like I hated it, and laying the story out like this shows how credulity-straining it all is (haven't read the previous books, but reference is made to Amanda's "Dragonfly", the name she gave her pistol - not the usual accessory carried by a District Attorney in 21st Century San Francisco!). But, like the Shonda Rhimes shows I mentioned above, the story's ridiculously addictive, the characters engaging enough that you hope for the best and expect the worst, and it's certainly never dull. Give you an idea of what you're in for - the title refers to a dangerous game where you spread out your hand, and let another person stab a knife between your fingers repeatedly as a sign of both bravery and trust...and yes, we get a scene where it happens!
June 25, 2019
These characters, Jen, Amanda, Tommy and all the rest will grow on you and you will want to immediately read the next installment of this series!
This installment was outstanding! There were a few new characters so as to introduce a new case. This case involves a young Korean woman, Jina Pak a Federal Reserve Bank employee found dead on the beach after a gathering of work friends. Digging into her life, Det. Tommy Vietta discovers that still waters run deep and Jina's demure exterior disguises a darker life.
Enter Roxy MacNeil from Scotland. Roxy says she works for the Federal Reserve as an investigator of banking fraud, but the events and people that surround her belie her real reason for being in San Francisco. Roxy is dangerous in a whole lot more ways than one. No one really needs a Roxy MacNeil in their lives.
The upstanding DA Amanda Hawthorne makes some terrible choices, and I'll leave it at that. You'll want to know what happens next. I want to know what happens next!
Also, if you don't know (I didn't) what "Stabscotch" means, you'll learn.
February 14, 2021
I liked the two books before this one and grew very fond of the two leading women, espeially Amanda, as she showed herself to be able to be a badass defending the people she loves.
This book therefore was a do no finish book for me, the minute a character was introduced, who was not only a right pain in the proverbial bottom, but designed to become a temptation for Amanda to betray her Jen. I hate stories, who are supoosed to have "romance" sub-plots, that involve completely gratuitous heartbreak, especially to so wonderful characters as Jen Dawson and compromising her before worthy love. As I would never be able to excuse a similar betrayal I decided to stop reading, no matter what the author planned to do to reconcile the unforgivable.
Very disappointed!
This book therefore was a do no finish book for me, the minute a character was introduced, who was not only a right pain in the proverbial bottom, but designed to become a temptation for Amanda to betray her Jen. I hate stories, who are supoosed to have "romance" sub-plots, that involve completely gratuitous heartbreak, especially to so wonderful characters as Jen Dawson and compromising her before worthy love. As I would never be able to excuse a similar betrayal I decided to stop reading, no matter what the author planned to do to reconcile the unforgivable.
Very disappointed!
June 1, 2019
So, I made a mistake, here. I wasn't aware of the fact that this book is third in a series, so I missed a lot of background, and that probably played a part in my assessment of the story.
The story is well written, and the plot decent although not very believeable. But I really didn't connect with the characters, and every time the phrase 'lady's garden' show up I couldn't help to cringe in second-hand embarrassment.
I might try the series from book one, but... you know, so many books, so little time...
The story is well written, and the plot decent although not very believeable. But I really didn't connect with the characters, and every time the phrase 'lady's garden' show up I couldn't help to cringe in second-hand embarrassment.
I might try the series from book one, but... you know, so many books, so little time...
January 22, 2019
More lost sleep !
Alexi, you should be ashamed, depriving an old lost soul it's sleep. This series with it's ultra intense mystery / steamy lust and tear your heart out emotional love plot is utterly enthralling and I cannot put them down. By the way, kuddos to your editors and staff and especially your proofreaders, job well done !! And I am a picky geezer on sentax, punctuation, tense , person and common sense plot line. I loved it !
Alexi, you should be ashamed, depriving an old lost soul it's sleep. This series with it's ultra intense mystery / steamy lust and tear your heart out emotional love plot is utterly enthralling and I cannot put them down. By the way, kuddos to your editors and staff and especially your proofreaders, job well done !! And I am a picky geezer on sentax, punctuation, tense , person and common sense plot line. I loved it !
September 1, 2025
The cheating subplot has made the story even more boring than it was before. I honestly could barely continue with it, but when I saw where it was going (confirmed by the descriptions of the following books), I knew there is no redeeming it. The first two books were ok at best, but this one was lazy. Saw the last book introduces some super powers or something? That’s honestly kinda lazy. DNF at 67% 🙄
April 9, 2022
I Enjoyed It, But
I enjoyed the story very much. Loved the whole murder mystery and the way it was solved. I am really loving the character Tommy more and more. The "but" comes in because of how I hated the actions of Amanda's character. I wonder if the main relationship can be saved... On to San Francisco Mystery Book4
I enjoyed the story very much. Loved the whole murder mystery and the way it was solved. I am really loving the character Tommy more and more. The "but" comes in because of how I hated the actions of Amanda's character. I wonder if the main relationship can be saved... On to San Francisco Mystery Book4
July 4, 2018
Didn't love it. The romantic parts were fine --- believable and they fit the characters. But there were too many holes in the plot for me to get totally engaged. Otherwise, this book has been edited well.
Read
February 24, 2024REALLY GREAT SERIES
Oh my god, I hated this story line between Amanda and Jen, they have such a great relationship. But I can’t blame Jen for how she feels. I have mixed feelings about Tommy.
The plot is fantastic though. On to the next in the series.
Oh my god, I hated this story line between Amanda and Jen, they have such a great relationship. But I can’t blame Jen for how she feels. I have mixed feelings about Tommy.
The plot is fantastic though. On to the next in the series.
July 9, 2018
Not a bad read.
March 13, 2020
Lost
I am not exactly sure how to feel with this one. I am not a fan of Tommy and Jen relationship. Not sure how I feel about the affair, because I think will end up with Tommy.
I am not exactly sure how to feel with this one. I am not a fan of Tommy and Jen relationship. Not sure how I feel about the affair, because I think will end up with Tommy.
April 10, 2020
Another solid read in the series. Love the family dynamics!
May 21, 2020
Wow this is a great read! The books in this series keep getting better! I am looking forward to the next book!
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary review.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary review.
September 4, 2020
Hmmm next
Definitely not what I was expecting. Interesting read and now of course I have to get the next one because you just can leave it with that ending
Definitely not what I was expecting. Interesting read and now of course I have to get the next one because you just can leave it with that ending
July 19, 2023
Great story
I am enjoying this action pack Heart break adventure of the San Francisco mystery from Amanda the DA and her fiance Dr Jen and the father of Jen daughter Tommy.
I am enjoying this action pack Heart break adventure of the San Francisco mystery from Amanda the DA and her fiance Dr Jen and the father of Jen daughter Tommy.
February 23, 2018
Alexi Venice did it again, she’s left me with an ending that makes me want more! Love getting lost in these characters and I love that each book is from a different point of view.
February 8, 2023
Good main plot, Armanda you are an idiot, hate cliffhangers on to the next book
June 3, 2018
fast paced, page turner! can't wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews