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Undetected
UNDETECTED
Suzy Perry, a lovely, accomplished older woman, has married into a new family in Westchester County, NY, after being widowed not long before in Atlanta. Her new husband, Dean Perry, is besotted with her, but his son, Alex, and daughter-in-law Lisa are troubled by how little they know about her. Who is she?
Little by little, clues and tidbits of information persuade Alex that he needs to know more. As the questions pile up, Alex, a journalist, elects to hire a private detective to probe Suzy's past, without informing his father. Over time, it becomes clear that Suzy changed her name when she moved to Atlanta - and that she had been married for many years to a car dealer in Missouri who died suddenly shortly before she left.
Is all this innocent, or something more sinister? Once circumstantial, the evidence becomes more concrete - and then Suzy is on the run.
AUTHOR
Jeffrey Marshall is a retired journalist and the author of three books, including Little Miss Sure Shot, a historical novel about Annie Oakley. He has been published widely in newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and New Jersey Monthly, and was at various times a reporter, editor, feature writer, columnist and book reviewer.
During his career, Marshall was involved with every medium in journalism except television - newspapers, magazines, radio, newsletters and journals. He was a winner or co-winner of numerous editorial awards for magazine writing and design. He wrote a book about community reinvestment in the banking industry and published a volume of collected poems, River Ice, in 2009. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Judy, and two dogs, Maggie and Blaze.
Suzy Perry, a lovely, accomplished older woman, has married into a new family in Westchester County, NY, after being widowed not long before in Atlanta. Her new husband, Dean Perry, is besotted with her, but his son, Alex, and daughter-in-law Lisa are troubled by how little they know about her. Who is she?
Little by little, clues and tidbits of information persuade Alex that he needs to know more. As the questions pile up, Alex, a journalist, elects to hire a private detective to probe Suzy's past, without informing his father. Over time, it becomes clear that Suzy changed her name when she moved to Atlanta - and that she had been married for many years to a car dealer in Missouri who died suddenly shortly before she left.
Is all this innocent, or something more sinister? Once circumstantial, the evidence becomes more concrete - and then Suzy is on the run.
AUTHOR
Jeffrey Marshall is a retired journalist and the author of three books, including Little Miss Sure Shot, a historical novel about Annie Oakley. He has been published widely in newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and New Jersey Monthly, and was at various times a reporter, editor, feature writer, columnist and book reviewer.
During his career, Marshall was involved with every medium in journalism except television - newspapers, magazines, radio, newsletters and journals. He was a winner or co-winner of numerous editorial awards for magazine writing and design. He wrote a book about community reinvestment in the banking industry and published a volume of collected poems, River Ice, in 2009. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Judy, and two dogs, Maggie and Blaze.
232 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2019
31 people are currently reading
8000 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Marshall
15 books37 followersJeffrey Marshall is a writer, poet and retired journalist from Scottsdale, AZ. He is the author of five books, including the novels Undetected, Little Miss Sure Shot, and Squeeze Plays (June 2022). Undetected was named a Notable 100 indie book for 2020 by Shelf Unbound, and Squeeze Plays had a similar award in 2022.
During his 35-year journalism career in the New York area, he was a reporter, editor, feature writer, columnist and book reviewer. He was editor in chief of two national business magazines at the close of his career and has freelanced to more than two dozen publications, including The New York Times.
Marshall has freelanced recently to fishing and environmental publications, as well as publishing flash fiction in online magazines such as Brightflash Literary Review. A short story of his won first place in the 2022 Arizona Authors competition.
He has a bachelor's degree from Princeton and a master's in journalism from Northwestern. Interests include tennis, golf, fly-fishing, travel, hiking and movies. He and his wife, Judy, have a rambunctious dog, Blaze, who loves everyone and everything.
During his 35-year journalism career in the New York area, he was a reporter, editor, feature writer, columnist and book reviewer. He was editor in chief of two national business magazines at the close of his career and has freelanced to more than two dozen publications, including The New York Times.
Marshall has freelanced recently to fishing and environmental publications, as well as publishing flash fiction in online magazines such as Brightflash Literary Review. A short story of his won first place in the 2022 Arizona Authors competition.
He has a bachelor's degree from Princeton and a master's in journalism from Northwestern. Interests include tennis, golf, fly-fishing, travel, hiking and movies. He and his wife, Judy, have a rambunctious dog, Blaze, who loves everyone and everything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 28, 2019
Dean Perry has recently married Suzy Perry. The family doesn't know much about her, as she's very secretive about her life before. Dean's son and daughter are becoming troubled and concerned about their father.
Suzy unknowingly lets a few little things drop and Alex, Dean's son, gets that little feeling in his gut that something is seriously wrong. Being a journalist, he listens to his gut ...and then hires a private investigator to look into her past.
What he discovers does not put him at ease.
When it comes to crime fiction, I always look for at least some credibility in the story telling. Sadly, I found none here. The ending was convoluted and I felt the author didn't quite know how to end it .. so it just hangs there. I was hoping for more and it just didn't quite make the cut. It was a great start .. but fizzled.
Many thanks to the author / Dog Ear Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of UNDETECTED. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 22, 2019
‘Force of nature – fit Suzy like a fine suede glove’
Arizona author Jeffrey Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his masters in Journalism from Northwestern. Having retired from a lauded career as a journalist, he now writes poetry, a business book on community reinvestment, and two novels – LITTLE MISS SURE SHOT and now UNDETECTED.
Creating a solid suspense novel requires latching on to the reader’s attention within the initial pages. Jeffrey manages this with aplomb as he designs the central character of this story in the opening lines: ‘She could almost smell the inside of the motel before she went in. With its whitewash fading and the vacancy sign missing an “n”, it would have the scent of cheap disinfectant and perhaps a slight mustiness. Suzy Perry remembered that smell, but it had been years since she’d experienced it. She never thought she’d have to revisit it, but things were desperate now, she was on the run, and she had no choice. Enjoying the comforts of an upscale motel was out of the question. She had left Rye in mid-morning, steering the Mercedes was across the car-choked George Washington Bridge and into New Jersey…’ Offering this information that induces suspicion allows the background of the mystery to flow forward.
One fine plot synopsis increases curiosity – ‘Suzy Perry, a lovely, accomplished older woman, has married into a new family in Westchester County, NY, after being widowed not long before in Atlanta. Her new husband, Dean Perry, is besotted with her, but his son, Alex, and daughter-in-law Lisa are troubled by how little they know about her. Who is she? Little by little, clues and tidbits of information persuade Alex that he needs to know more. As the questions pile up, Alex, a journalist, elects to hire a private detective to probe Suzy’s past, without informing his father. Over time, it becomes clear that Suzy changed her name when she moved to Atlanta – and that she had been married for many years to a car dealer in Missouri who died suddenly shortly before she left. Is all this innocent, or something more sinister? Once circumstantial, the evidence becomes more concrete – and then Suzy is on the run.’
Tightly spun and rich in character individualization and sculpting, UNDETECTED is a very fine new novel by an author who obviously understands the impact of journalistic precision in defining a ‘report’ – this one being a keen mystery. Jeffrey Marshall is a writer to watch, and this suspense thriller is one terrific evening’s read! Recommended.
Arizona author Jeffrey Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his masters in Journalism from Northwestern. Having retired from a lauded career as a journalist, he now writes poetry, a business book on community reinvestment, and two novels – LITTLE MISS SURE SHOT and now UNDETECTED.
Creating a solid suspense novel requires latching on to the reader’s attention within the initial pages. Jeffrey manages this with aplomb as he designs the central character of this story in the opening lines: ‘She could almost smell the inside of the motel before she went in. With its whitewash fading and the vacancy sign missing an “n”, it would have the scent of cheap disinfectant and perhaps a slight mustiness. Suzy Perry remembered that smell, but it had been years since she’d experienced it. She never thought she’d have to revisit it, but things were desperate now, she was on the run, and she had no choice. Enjoying the comforts of an upscale motel was out of the question. She had left Rye in mid-morning, steering the Mercedes was across the car-choked George Washington Bridge and into New Jersey…’ Offering this information that induces suspicion allows the background of the mystery to flow forward.
One fine plot synopsis increases curiosity – ‘Suzy Perry, a lovely, accomplished older woman, has married into a new family in Westchester County, NY, after being widowed not long before in Atlanta. Her new husband, Dean Perry, is besotted with her, but his son, Alex, and daughter-in-law Lisa are troubled by how little they know about her. Who is she? Little by little, clues and tidbits of information persuade Alex that he needs to know more. As the questions pile up, Alex, a journalist, elects to hire a private detective to probe Suzy’s past, without informing his father. Over time, it becomes clear that Suzy changed her name when she moved to Atlanta – and that she had been married for many years to a car dealer in Missouri who died suddenly shortly before she left. Is all this innocent, or something more sinister? Once circumstantial, the evidence becomes more concrete – and then Suzy is on the run.’
Tightly spun and rich in character individualization and sculpting, UNDETECTED is a very fine new novel by an author who obviously understands the impact of journalistic precision in defining a ‘report’ – this one being a keen mystery. Jeffrey Marshall is a writer to watch, and this suspense thriller is one terrific evening’s read! Recommended.
August 24, 2019
: Undetected
Author: Jeffrey Marshall
Genre: thriller
Pages:232
August 6,2019 - all ready out to buy
Netgalley ARC
AUTHOR
Jeffrey Marshall is a retired journalist and the author of three books, including Little Miss Sure Shot, a historical novel about Annie Oakley. He has been published widely in newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and New Jersey Monthly, and was at various times a reporter, editor, feature writer, columnist and book reviewer.
During his career, Marshall was involved with every medium in journalism except television - newspapers, magazines, radio, newsletters and journals. He was a winner or co-winner of numerous editorial awards for magazine writing and design. He wrote a book about community reinvestment in the banking industry and published a volume of collected poems, River Ice, in 2009. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Judy, and two dogs, Maggie and Blaze.
UNDETECTED
Suzy Perry, a lovely, accomplished older woman, has married into a new family in Westchester County, NY, after being widowed not long before in Atlanta. Her new husband, Dean Perry, is besotted with her, but his son, Alex, and daughter-in-law Lisa are troubled by how little they know about her. Who is she?
Little by little, clues and tidbits of information persuade Alex that he needs to know more. As the questions pile up, Alex, a journalist, elects to hire a private detective to probe Suzy's past, without informing his father. Over time, it becomes clear that Suzy changed her name when she moved to Atlanta - and that she had been married for many years to a car dealer in Missouri who died suddenly shortly before she left.
Is all this innocent, or something more sinister? Once circumstantial, the evidence becomes more concrete - and then Suzy is on the run.
My thoughts
Rating:5
Black Widow: highly venomous American spider which has a black body with red markings.
2nd meaning:woman who kills her husband or lover, especially one who kills multiple husbands or lovers.
Do we really knew the people in our lives as well as we think we do, after reading this I would say not so much, and after reading this I'm going to be a lot more safer when letting new people in , because after reading this I can definitely say this Don't ever let Suzy (or what ever her new name is ) into your live because you might be welcoming a surprise that you wasn't looking for , in fact run the other way because she's like a praying mantis who killed their mate after getting what she wants all the time thinking she's the one that's been wronged and she's the innocent party. I do have to say that it was the cover that got me to pick up the book and this is the first time I've ever read a thriller where the main character is a black widow , in fact I don't think I've ever read one that has that in it,which made this so different from other thrillers I've read, and it was so easy to get lost into the story . I especially felt sorry for her new husband because he was a lovesick fool .With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinio
Author: Jeffrey Marshall
Genre: thriller
Pages:232
August 6,2019 - all ready out to buy
Netgalley ARC
AUTHOR
Jeffrey Marshall is a retired journalist and the author of three books, including Little Miss Sure Shot, a historical novel about Annie Oakley. He has been published widely in newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and New Jersey Monthly, and was at various times a reporter, editor, feature writer, columnist and book reviewer.
During his career, Marshall was involved with every medium in journalism except television - newspapers, magazines, radio, newsletters and journals. He was a winner or co-winner of numerous editorial awards for magazine writing and design. He wrote a book about community reinvestment in the banking industry and published a volume of collected poems, River Ice, in 2009. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Judy, and two dogs, Maggie and Blaze.
UNDETECTED
Suzy Perry, a lovely, accomplished older woman, has married into a new family in Westchester County, NY, after being widowed not long before in Atlanta. Her new husband, Dean Perry, is besotted with her, but his son, Alex, and daughter-in-law Lisa are troubled by how little they know about her. Who is she?
Little by little, clues and tidbits of information persuade Alex that he needs to know more. As the questions pile up, Alex, a journalist, elects to hire a private detective to probe Suzy's past, without informing his father. Over time, it becomes clear that Suzy changed her name when she moved to Atlanta - and that she had been married for many years to a car dealer in Missouri who died suddenly shortly before she left.
Is all this innocent, or something more sinister? Once circumstantial, the evidence becomes more concrete - and then Suzy is on the run.
My thoughts
Rating:5
Black Widow: highly venomous American spider which has a black body with red markings.
2nd meaning:woman who kills her husband or lover, especially one who kills multiple husbands or lovers.
Do we really knew the people in our lives as well as we think we do, after reading this I would say not so much, and after reading this I'm going to be a lot more safer when letting new people in , because after reading this I can definitely say this Don't ever let Suzy (or what ever her new name is ) into your live because you might be welcoming a surprise that you wasn't looking for , in fact run the other way because she's like a praying mantis who killed their mate after getting what she wants all the time thinking she's the one that's been wronged and she's the innocent party. I do have to say that it was the cover that got me to pick up the book and this is the first time I've ever read a thriller where the main character is a black widow , in fact I don't think I've ever read one that has that in it,which made this so different from other thrillers I've read, and it was so easy to get lost into the story . I especially felt sorry for her new husband because he was a lovesick fool .With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinio
December 24, 2019
I'm reading in my comfy armchair with a hot totty and I feel calm in my home. The rainstorm isn't bothering me yet. But then I read about motels and walls that are whitewashed, describing despair and that's just in the first few sentences. I feel like I'm reading about a character less fortunate than I am and have a desire to share my earnings.
I keep reading still feeling compassion towards a character I've just met, and I'm liking. Suzy is put together, independent and loves travel. The despair comes through in many scenes to show her upbringing and the backstory so readers can identify with her and her journey. Married once a large part of the novel describes a desperate woman who faced a series of choices that rattled her core.
The character arc is strong believing in the magnitude of life and wondering if the past will follow. The first husband dies. I won't reveal the middle or how the story unfolds but Suzy finds herself married again in a posh new community with skeletons in their closet. Suzy Perry suspects there is a secret that needs uncovering with her stepmom.
... and now I've drank the last of my hot totty.
Arizona author Jeffrey Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his masters in Journalism from Northwestern.
I keep reading still feeling compassion towards a character I've just met, and I'm liking. Suzy is put together, independent and loves travel. The despair comes through in many scenes to show her upbringing and the backstory so readers can identify with her and her journey. Married once a large part of the novel describes a desperate woman who faced a series of choices that rattled her core.
The character arc is strong believing in the magnitude of life and wondering if the past will follow. The first husband dies. I won't reveal the middle or how the story unfolds but Suzy finds herself married again in a posh new community with skeletons in their closet. Suzy Perry suspects there is a secret that needs uncovering with her stepmom.
... and now I've drank the last of my hot totty.
Arizona author Jeffrey Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his masters in Journalism from Northwestern.
December 13, 2019
Tina/Suzy is one femme fatale you don’t want to mess with... She’s cunning, she’s slick, and she’s bad, bad, bad. She has married twice before, all to men with hefty sums at the bank and such. Who can blame these men? She’s gorgeous, she’s refined, and she’s got the skills of a great partner in marriage. Her third husband, Dean, is unsuspecting and a kind man who is also endowed with the dollar signs that she often looks for in a potential husband. But not to Dean’s son Alex and his wife Lisa and two children. To them, Suzy is artificial and seems to be hiding something from all of them. Her moves are calculated and her past is mysterious. Only when Alex starts an investigation and hires a professional detective to look into Suzy’s past that they all realize this new woman in their lives is not who she claims to be.
I enjoyed this quick read a lot. Having grown up on thrilling teen reads from authors like R.L. Stine and Diane Hoh and having watched a gazillion similar movies on the dramatic Lifetime channel, I found this book to be quite a joyriding experience. It is fast-paced and the reading level is very simple and easy to navigate. I likened Suzy to the Black Widow character of all films and books where the wife murders her husbands for their money. Suzy grew up in a dysfunctional family and she has a lot of sexual encounters with teenage boys in her youth as well as having been deflowered by her very own father. I felt bad for her and at the same time I was hoping for her to be admonished for her sins, give her the punishment she deserves for being a ruthless man-killer. This book has raised fears such as what if the stepmother your father is married to is really a killer because no one knows where she came from and where he picked her up from after mom died a time ago. I am not in that situation but I am wondering about those who are…anyway, this book is just what it is, a fictional tale written from the imagination of another human being just like you or me. All I am going to say for now is that it was a good book and I will not provide any more spoiler alerts because then I might ruin its appealing suspense.
I enjoyed this quick read a lot. Having grown up on thrilling teen reads from authors like R.L. Stine and Diane Hoh and having watched a gazillion similar movies on the dramatic Lifetime channel, I found this book to be quite a joyriding experience. It is fast-paced and the reading level is very simple and easy to navigate. I likened Suzy to the Black Widow character of all films and books where the wife murders her husbands for their money. Suzy grew up in a dysfunctional family and she has a lot of sexual encounters with teenage boys in her youth as well as having been deflowered by her very own father. I felt bad for her and at the same time I was hoping for her to be admonished for her sins, give her the punishment she deserves for being a ruthless man-killer. This book has raised fears such as what if the stepmother your father is married to is really a killer because no one knows where she came from and where he picked her up from after mom died a time ago. I am not in that situation but I am wondering about those who are…anyway, this book is just what it is, a fictional tale written from the imagination of another human being just like you or me. All I am going to say for now is that it was a good book and I will not provide any more spoiler alerts because then I might ruin its appealing suspense.
December 20, 2019
I received a free electronic ARC of this mystery from Netgalley, Jeffery Marshall, and Dog Ear Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this mystery of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Undetected to friends and family. It is a quirky tale, partly southern, that is a fast, compelling read.
Suzy is a well-kept, wealthy older woman setting up house in New York with her latest husband. Dean Perry is aware of the death of Suzy's former husband in the Atlanta area, but he is enchanted with Suzy. His deceased spouse died after a long bout with Alzheimers and dementia - the future looks much brighter now with Suzy by his side. Dean has a couple of grown kids and some grandkids, Suzy has a couple of step-kids, also grown and on their own, and the world is honestly their oyster. There is nothing that can hold them back. Except for the possible murder of her late husband... husbands?
pub date August 9, 2019
received August 26, 2019
Dog Ear Publishing
Reviewed on December 19, 2019, on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
Suzy is a well-kept, wealthy older woman setting up house in New York with her latest husband. Dean Perry is aware of the death of Suzy's former husband in the Atlanta area, but he is enchanted with Suzy. His deceased spouse died after a long bout with Alzheimers and dementia - the future looks much brighter now with Suzy by his side. Dean has a couple of grown kids and some grandkids, Suzy has a couple of step-kids, also grown and on their own, and the world is honestly their oyster. There is nothing that can hold them back. Except for the possible murder of her late husband... husbands?
pub date August 9, 2019
received August 26, 2019
Dog Ear Publishing
Reviewed on December 19, 2019, on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
November 25, 2019
Undetected by Jeffrey Marshall is a thrilling crime mystery novel that grabs you in the opening few pages and refuses to let go until it's reached its thrilling conclusion.
Marshall expertly begins to ramp up the tension and the mystery as the novel’s central plot unfolds and you will find yourself unable to put the book down. The book’s opening is particularly absorbing as Marshall sets up the rest of the novel perfectly.
His complex and well-developed characters are what really keep the book going though and they only get more interesting as the novel goes on. The pacing of the book is perfect and he unwraps all of the central mysteries perfectly, leaving you guessing until the very end of the book.
The book is ideal for those who enjoy romantic crime novels, especially books like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl or Paula Hawkin’s Girl on the Train. The book’s page-turning narrative makes it the perfect book for a weekend getaway.
Marshall expertly begins to ramp up the tension and the mystery as the novel’s central plot unfolds and you will find yourself unable to put the book down. The book’s opening is particularly absorbing as Marshall sets up the rest of the novel perfectly.
His complex and well-developed characters are what really keep the book going though and they only get more interesting as the novel goes on. The pacing of the book is perfect and he unwraps all of the central mysteries perfectly, leaving you guessing until the very end of the book.
The book is ideal for those who enjoy romantic crime novels, especially books like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl or Paula Hawkin’s Girl on the Train. The book’s page-turning narrative makes it the perfect book for a weekend getaway.
November 27, 2019
I'm reading in my comfy armchair with a hot totty and I feel calm in my home. The rainstorm isn't bothering me yet. But then I read about motels and walls that are whitewashed, describing despair and that's just in the first few sentences. I feel like I'm reading about a character less fortunate than I am and have a desire to share my earnings.
I keep reading still feeling compassion towards a character I've just met, and I'm liking. Suzy is put together, independent and loves travel. The despair comes through in many scenes to show her upbringing and the backstory so readers can identify with her and her journey. Married once a large part of the novel describes a desperate woman who faced a series of choices that rattled her core.
The character arc is strong believing in the magnitude of life and wondering if the past will follow. The first husband dies. I won't reveal the middle or how the story unfolds but Suzy finds herself married again in a posh new community with skeletons in their closet. Suzy Perry suspects there is a secret that needs uncovering with her stepmom.
... and now I've drank the last of my hot totty.
Arizona author Jeffrey Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his masters in Journalism from Northwestern.
I keep reading still feeling compassion towards a character I've just met, and I'm liking. Suzy is put together, independent and loves travel. The despair comes through in many scenes to show her upbringing and the backstory so readers can identify with her and her journey. Married once a large part of the novel describes a desperate woman who faced a series of choices that rattled her core.
The character arc is strong believing in the magnitude of life and wondering if the past will follow. The first husband dies. I won't reveal the middle or how the story unfolds but Suzy finds herself married again in a posh new community with skeletons in their closet. Suzy Perry suspects there is a secret that needs uncovering with her stepmom.
... and now I've drank the last of my hot totty.
Arizona author Jeffrey Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his masters in Journalism from Northwestern.
July 10, 2025
Undetected by Jeffery Marshall is a gripping psychological thriller about Alex Perry, who is suspicious of his father's new wife, Suzy. Despite trying to be happy for his dad, especially after years of his mother's passing, Alex can't shake off the feeling that something isn't quite right about Suzy. This prompts him to investigate, opening a whole can of worms and revealing the truth about Suzy's manipulations.
The novel starts with an exciting note about Suzy's getaway and is filled with suspense, leaving you wondering why and what's to come. I was shocked by how casually Suzy confessed to Sally that she had murdered her husband, showing no guilt. It's clear she's a crazy narcissistic psychopath, and I believe her actions stem from her complicated relationship with her father.
I felt bad for Alicia, who experienced the psychological pain of being abandoned by her mother and then her husband. As a single mom with no close relatives, she must have faced immense challenges. I understand her decision not to dig into the past and move on, given the generational trauma and fear of lacking maternal love that could spill onto her children.
The ending left me thinking, "Will Suzy ever stop?" or "Can no one stop her?" Will she ever face punishment for her actions? This book kept me on the edge of my seat and even taught me some new vocab words. Still reeling from the ending, wondering what the future holds for the characters. If you like psychological thrillers, definitely check this out!
The novel starts with an exciting note about Suzy's getaway and is filled with suspense, leaving you wondering why and what's to come. I was shocked by how casually Suzy confessed to Sally that she had murdered her husband, showing no guilt. It's clear she's a crazy narcissistic psychopath, and I believe her actions stem from her complicated relationship with her father.
I felt bad for Alicia, who experienced the psychological pain of being abandoned by her mother and then her husband. As a single mom with no close relatives, she must have faced immense challenges. I understand her decision not to dig into the past and move on, given the generational trauma and fear of lacking maternal love that could spill onto her children.
The ending left me thinking, "Will Suzy ever stop?" or "Can no one stop her?" Will she ever face punishment for her actions? This book kept me on the edge of my seat and even taught me some new vocab words. Still reeling from the ending, wondering what the future holds for the characters. If you like psychological thrillers, definitely check this out!
November 19, 2019
There is something strange about his new stepmother Suzy Perry and Alex is determined to find out what it is. Dean, his father is in awe of his new wife, but Alex and his sister Lisa are perplexed at how this widow from Atlanta has suddenly implanted herself right in the centre of their lives in New York. As a journalist, Alex's natural investigative instincts kick in and after a few remarks from his new stepmother don't add up, he hires a private investigator to look into her past. When he discovers her first husband died suddenly and mysteriously, Alex's concern for his father grows. Is Suzy Perry a black widow ready to take her next victim, or is Alex worried over nothing?
'Undetected' by Jeffrey Marshall is a fast-paced thriller with compelling characters, no more so than Suzy Perry. She is so hard to figure out, you will be wondering just like Alex, what her motives are. You will be kept guessing, right up until the ending. A very engaging and engrossing read.
'Undetected' by Jeffrey Marshall is a fast-paced thriller with compelling characters, no more so than Suzy Perry. She is so hard to figure out, you will be wondering just like Alex, what her motives are. You will be kept guessing, right up until the ending. A very engaging and engrossing read.
August 26, 2019
2 -2.5 stars
Is this the first in a series?? If not, do not read this book! There is utterly no ending. I have never been so conflicted by a book. I would say this rates about 2 to 3 stars.at the very best.
This started off as a 5-star book but I am giving it 2.5 stars just because the beginning was so good yet the end was so beyond tragic. The beginning of the book is utterly absorbing and I was very quickly drawn into the story. This is the first book by this author I have ever read and was loving every page and then it all just fell apart.
The author made some took some bizarre turns with the story; for example, when Suzy went on the run, she uses credit cards that easily could have been traced, she used her best friends name yet another item that any detective worth his salt could have traced. She uses her cell phone yet no cop thinks to ping it? Seriously? How did none of this happen? Why was there literally no ending? I even checked to make sure the book downloaded properly. This book needed at least another 50 pages to wrap up the story. Seriously, I do not recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.
Is this the first in a series?? If not, do not read this book! There is utterly no ending. I have never been so conflicted by a book. I would say this rates about 2 to 3 stars.at the very best.
This started off as a 5-star book but I am giving it 2.5 stars just because the beginning was so good yet the end was so beyond tragic. The beginning of the book is utterly absorbing and I was very quickly drawn into the story. This is the first book by this author I have ever read and was loving every page and then it all just fell apart.
The author made some took some bizarre turns with the story; for example, when Suzy went on the run, she uses credit cards that easily could have been traced, she used her best friends name yet another item that any detective worth his salt could have traced. She uses her cell phone yet no cop thinks to ping it? Seriously? How did none of this happen? Why was there literally no ending? I even checked to make sure the book downloaded properly. This book needed at least another 50 pages to wrap up the story. Seriously, I do not recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.
September 6, 2023
“Undetected” by Jeffrey Marshall is an engaging psychological thriller exploring a past that refuses to stay buried. Diving into themes of duality and deception it invites readers to question the masks we all wear. What lengths will you go to in order to protect your own story?
Suzy Perry is the Queen Bee in this tale. She’s an elegant older woman who becomes part of a well-respected Westchester County family. Suzy is charming and sophisticated—much the envy of her new bridge circle. But beneath her allure hides a chilling secret: both of her prior marriages ended under mysterious conditions. A bit of a narcissist, Suzy has always used her charm and wits to stay ahead of her past. However, her inquisitive stepson, a determined journalist, senses something isn’t quite right.
I genuinely enjoyed this captivating read, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Channeling the essence of a true black widow narrative, Suzy’s detached yet alluring nature offers a distinct perspective on the serial killer trope. Marshall’s approach truly resonated with me, and I breezed through the pages in just a few sittings.
Marshall’s writing style is gripping, with the right balance of suspense and insight. Each chapter propelled me to the next, creating an urgency to uncover the truth. With the help of a private investigator, fragments of Suzy’s history come to light. As she feels the walls closing in, Suzy flees once again, adopting another new identity in her relentless bid to elude her history. But can she ever truly outrun her past?
While Suzy and Alex are clearly at the center of the story, they never have a direct showdown, a choice that adds a festering type of tension to the narrative. The supporting characters offer a rich backdrop to this silent cat-and-mouse chase, with their own interactions and dynamics bringing depth to the plot, and evoking questions about trust, loyalty, and the ties that bind a family together. Poor Dean, Suzy’s husband, often appears overshadowed by her commanding presence. While he provides some insights towards the end, I still yearned for a more in-depth exploration of their relationship. Nonetheless, I recognize their dynamic wasn’t the central focus of the narrative. Alex, the investigative reporter and Suzy’s stepson, skillfully pieces together each thrilling new clue, working his way to exposing what his instincts are telling him—there’s a darker side to his father’s new bride.
In “Undetected” Jeffrey Marshall does more than tell a story; he takes readers on a roller-coaster of emotions, challenging our perceptions and beliefs about family, trust, and the ghosts of our past. I recommend ‘Undetected’ to readers who enjoy diving into the darker corners of the human psyche and to those who appreciate a well-crafted suspense tale.
Suzy Perry is the Queen Bee in this tale. She’s an elegant older woman who becomes part of a well-respected Westchester County family. Suzy is charming and sophisticated—much the envy of her new bridge circle. But beneath her allure hides a chilling secret: both of her prior marriages ended under mysterious conditions. A bit of a narcissist, Suzy has always used her charm and wits to stay ahead of her past. However, her inquisitive stepson, a determined journalist, senses something isn’t quite right.
I genuinely enjoyed this captivating read, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Channeling the essence of a true black widow narrative, Suzy’s detached yet alluring nature offers a distinct perspective on the serial killer trope. Marshall’s approach truly resonated with me, and I breezed through the pages in just a few sittings.
Marshall’s writing style is gripping, with the right balance of suspense and insight. Each chapter propelled me to the next, creating an urgency to uncover the truth. With the help of a private investigator, fragments of Suzy’s history come to light. As she feels the walls closing in, Suzy flees once again, adopting another new identity in her relentless bid to elude her history. But can she ever truly outrun her past?
While Suzy and Alex are clearly at the center of the story, they never have a direct showdown, a choice that adds a festering type of tension to the narrative. The supporting characters offer a rich backdrop to this silent cat-and-mouse chase, with their own interactions and dynamics bringing depth to the plot, and evoking questions about trust, loyalty, and the ties that bind a family together. Poor Dean, Suzy’s husband, often appears overshadowed by her commanding presence. While he provides some insights towards the end, I still yearned for a more in-depth exploration of their relationship. Nonetheless, I recognize their dynamic wasn’t the central focus of the narrative. Alex, the investigative reporter and Suzy’s stepson, skillfully pieces together each thrilling new clue, working his way to exposing what his instincts are telling him—there’s a darker side to his father’s new bride.
In “Undetected” Jeffrey Marshall does more than tell a story; he takes readers on a roller-coaster of emotions, challenging our perceptions and beliefs about family, trust, and the ghosts of our past. I recommend ‘Undetected’ to readers who enjoy diving into the darker corners of the human psyche and to those who appreciate a well-crafted suspense tale.
June 13, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this adventurous thriller. The author has done a magnificent job with the plot and main character. I look forward to reading the author’s other books.
June 15, 2020
What a page turner this novel has been! I could not put it down and was done with it in just two days. The author does not let you lose interest even for a minute.
June 1, 2020
What is Suzy running from? If you like losing yourself in a story, or trying to figure out the end before you get there, you'll enjoy Undetected. Jeffrey Marshall grabs your attention and doesn't let it go until the end.
June 1, 2020
Absolutely loved Suzy’s character. So fierce, intense, and yet soft and poised. A story with phenomenal narrative and descriptions that will keep you guessing till the end.
April 18, 2020
In his novel, Undetected, retired journalist Jeffrey Marshall hooks his reader from the very beginning! I couldn't put the book down, and eagerly turned the pages to find out what Suzy's next move would be.
This psychological thriller kept me engaged throughout the length of the book, as I found myself honing my detective skills and trying to solve the case myself. The story is filled with many twists and turns, and the author's vivid style and imagery submerges the reader into the plot and makes them clearly experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the various settings where the mystery unfolds--I felt like I was an accessory to the crime(s)!
After finishing Undetected, I have a new appreciation and understanding of the cover art with the snake slithering among the Carolina jasmine. Brilliant!
Kudos to Mr. Marshall for writing such a gripping story. I look forward to reading more works by this author.
This psychological thriller kept me engaged throughout the length of the book, as I found myself honing my detective skills and trying to solve the case myself. The story is filled with many twists and turns, and the author's vivid style and imagery submerges the reader into the plot and makes them clearly experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the various settings where the mystery unfolds--I felt like I was an accessory to the crime(s)!
After finishing Undetected, I have a new appreciation and understanding of the cover art with the snake slithering among the Carolina jasmine. Brilliant!
Kudos to Mr. Marshall for writing such a gripping story. I look forward to reading more works by this author.
August 8, 2020
This story was quite interesting as you know who the killer is, but it is how she got away with it that is really interesting. A woman "rights the wrongs" done to her by her husband by killing. It worked the first time, so when she remarried and it happened again...she does what she did the first time. This makes her a very, very wealthy woman. Then she remarries for the third time to Dean Perry. Dean's son isn't happy with 'Suzy's' lack of history and hires a private investigator to look into her past. This is where her world starts to crumble. How? You will have to read the book to find out. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, and I gave an honest review.
June 8, 2020
Best thriller I have read in a while. This book has everything from intense drama, to suspense and a mix of relationships and emotions.
August 3, 2020
Please see my full opinion of this book on https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
July 4, 2024
Suzy is on the run, hiding out in a downscale motel in Nashville (hey, I’m Susie from Nashville. I think I know that motel), on her way to Little Rock. She’s recently buried her husband Avery, whom she killed. Now, she is married to Dean, Alex’s dad.
Alex has trouble communicating with his teenage son Jason—not so much his daughter Jennifer.
Alicia and her husband are getting a divorce. Brian is walking out of her life just like her mother Tina did 21 years ago. Her daughter Alison is defending her friend Suri against racist trolls on Facebook. ‘It must have been hard for you not to be able to talk to your mother like this,’ she says.
Jennifer’s leg is badly hurt in a hockey game, and Suzy’s reaction to this tragedy is bizarre.
Then one day in New York, Dean and Suzy are having lunch at the Ritz, and a woman comes up and calls Suzy ‘Tina’.
Sally in Little Rock has kept up an email correspondence with Tina since they were 16, since the day Tina broke her tibia being chased by her drunken father.
Alex and Jason help Dean clear out some boxes in the garage. They find an old obit which sets Alex on a mission to uncover his step-mother Suzy’s secrets. Alex meets another stepson, who admits he and his siblings grew up ‘like mushrooms, kept in the dark’.
There’s a sense that this sort of thing could happen to any family. Time separates people, and you don’t always get the chance to check up on everyone. In this case, led by Alex, this family starts to put their heads together and figure out what’s going on.
There is admirable attention to verisimilitude when it comes to the process of changing identities, murders going undetected, etc. I think it might have been more exciting if we’d had some kind of ticking timebomb. There’s a good build up of suspense, though, a drip feed of new information as each member of the family adds their own bit to the puzzle.
Except for the prologue/chapter 1, which lets us know Suzy killed her husband Avery, it takes a few chapters to figure out what the book is going to be about. The snake on the (absolutely gorgeous) cover is a hint. By Chapter 11 we understand that it’s a mystery around Suzy’s identity or her past. The ending is not what you expect.
Alex has trouble communicating with his teenage son Jason—not so much his daughter Jennifer.
Alicia and her husband are getting a divorce. Brian is walking out of her life just like her mother Tina did 21 years ago. Her daughter Alison is defending her friend Suri against racist trolls on Facebook. ‘It must have been hard for you not to be able to talk to your mother like this,’ she says.
Jennifer’s leg is badly hurt in a hockey game, and Suzy’s reaction to this tragedy is bizarre.
Then one day in New York, Dean and Suzy are having lunch at the Ritz, and a woman comes up and calls Suzy ‘Tina’.
Sally in Little Rock has kept up an email correspondence with Tina since they were 16, since the day Tina broke her tibia being chased by her drunken father.
Alex and Jason help Dean clear out some boxes in the garage. They find an old obit which sets Alex on a mission to uncover his step-mother Suzy’s secrets. Alex meets another stepson, who admits he and his siblings grew up ‘like mushrooms, kept in the dark’.
There’s a sense that this sort of thing could happen to any family. Time separates people, and you don’t always get the chance to check up on everyone. In this case, led by Alex, this family starts to put their heads together and figure out what’s going on.
There is admirable attention to verisimilitude when it comes to the process of changing identities, murders going undetected, etc. I think it might have been more exciting if we’d had some kind of ticking timebomb. There’s a good build up of suspense, though, a drip feed of new information as each member of the family adds their own bit to the puzzle.
Except for the prologue/chapter 1, which lets us know Suzy killed her husband Avery, it takes a few chapters to figure out what the book is going to be about. The snake on the (absolutely gorgeous) cover is a hint. By Chapter 11 we understand that it’s a mystery around Suzy’s identity or her past. The ending is not what you expect.
February 1, 2021
Undetected held my interest and kept me reading, wanting to find out not only what would happen in the story, but why certain things happened. I enjoyed the way the author integrated the flashback scenes to not only give context to Suzy's present day storyline, but also insight as to what shaped her to become the woman she is in the book's present timeline. I don't want to give anything away, but there are a few things that make more sense once you get through most of the novel, and specific things are put into perspective to give the reader further depth to Suzy. My only confusion was regarding Suzy's decisions towards the end of the novel. Again, I don't want to spoil anthing, but I feel most of her choices would have landed her in hot water. While reading, I thought realistically she had the means and smarts to go international to truly feel safe and secure, but nonetheless I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of the author's work.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and Jeffrey Marshall for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and Jeffrey Marshall for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 29, 2021
I enjoyed this suspenseful book. This is a new author for me and I look for to read more from them. This is a well written story that has characters that made the story engaging and fast paced. This is a story about Suzy who just married into a new family. The family questions things about her, who is she really? Is there more to her than what she really says? I really enjoyed the characters and what they brought to the story. They are connectable and entertaining. I highly recommend this book.
August 8, 2020
Loved this crime thriller. It was a fast read which kept me glued...read in one day. A black widow story that travels through many parts of the U.S. and ends in Westchester County NY. Always fun to read about an area where you live and recognize places. The story kept you intrigued and ending was not predictable— the best kind of ending. I highly recommend it!
June 18, 2020
‘Undetected’ is a captivating and addictive read. It is bound to draw in the reader with its striking female lead and an interesting storyline.
January 25, 2021
It's not often that I DNF a book, however I found this book confusing, disjointed and tedious.
Read
December 25, 2022Superb in every way.
January 22, 2020
Light suspense-thriller is the perfect word that I can give for this book. This Suzy character is very slick, have charisma, smart enough how to maintain her big amount of money that she had, had great escape plan while she’s running with the time to get convicted...and there she goes...keep moving on.
Her first husband dies, leaves her a lot of money, abandoned her daughter. Moved to Atlanta, remarried but then her new husband dies. Moved again to New York, remarried for the third time, but this time her husband was perfectly fine...except her. Dean (her third husband) found something suspicious and shared it to his son, Alex, who then found more mysteries about her previous life.
I’d say suspense-thriller because how Suzy arrange her plan and have a great escape plan with only shot amount of time is really makes me doing many curious guesses “what would she do next” or “how this is even works” or “that’s it, and it works?” kinda thinking. The plot is easy reading, very good detail for each characters that involved with Suzy. I assure you this Suzy is very smart, modern, has lifestlye and dangerous.
I admire how the author put many uncommon/formal English language in this book, maybe because he’s a journalist for such a long time so this is works very well for him.
Her first husband dies, leaves her a lot of money, abandoned her daughter. Moved to Atlanta, remarried but then her new husband dies. Moved again to New York, remarried for the third time, but this time her husband was perfectly fine...except her. Dean (her third husband) found something suspicious and shared it to his son, Alex, who then found more mysteries about her previous life.
I’d say suspense-thriller because how Suzy arrange her plan and have a great escape plan with only shot amount of time is really makes me doing many curious guesses “what would she do next” or “how this is even works” or “that’s it, and it works?” kinda thinking. The plot is easy reading, very good detail for each characters that involved with Suzy. I assure you this Suzy is very smart, modern, has lifestlye and dangerous.
I admire how the author put many uncommon/formal English language in this book, maybe because he’s a journalist for such a long time so this is works very well for him.
February 18, 2020
Dean Perry, a wealthy widower in Rye, N.Y, is thoroughly smitten with his new wife, Suzy. a stylish, poised and sophisticated widow from Atlanta.
We see her charming the country club crowd in coastal Westchester County.
She’s cultivated and sociable, plays a ferocious, take-no-prisoners game of bridge, and she’s adding zest to Dean’s life.
But Dean’s son, Alex, an accomplished journalist and magazine editor, is withholding approval.
And when Alex learns from his father that -- while at lunch in Manhattan an older woman approached their table and greeted Suzy familiarly as “Tina Tallman from St. Louis” – alarm bells go off.
That’s when Alex decides to do some sleuthing and hires a private investigator to dig into Suzy’s past; it’s also when Undetected, an engrossing, page-turner by longtime financial journalist-turned-novelist Jeffrey Marshall, really gains steam.
Suzy’s former husbands -- men who were ostensibly in robust physical and financial health, Alex learns -- had an alarming tendency to drop dead from heart attacks and leave their widow gobs of money.
The noirish novel deftly takes the reader on a tour of two worlds: leafy, upper middle-class American suburbs -- with their soccer fields and bridge clubs, financial advisers and accountants –as well as the on-the-road world of down-market motels, bus stations and backwater cafes as Suzy’s sordid and heart-hardening past catches up with her.
Undetected is the perfect book for late-night reading or your next train ride. But beware: you’ll stay up too late or miss your train-stop discovering the fate of Suzy or Tina or whatever she’s calling herself now.
And, even as you wonder whether the lady has another homicide left in her, you might find yourself guiltily admiring this unforgettable femme fatale.
We see her charming the country club crowd in coastal Westchester County.
She’s cultivated and sociable, plays a ferocious, take-no-prisoners game of bridge, and she’s adding zest to Dean’s life.
But Dean’s son, Alex, an accomplished journalist and magazine editor, is withholding approval.
And when Alex learns from his father that -- while at lunch in Manhattan an older woman approached their table and greeted Suzy familiarly as “Tina Tallman from St. Louis” – alarm bells go off.
That’s when Alex decides to do some sleuthing and hires a private investigator to dig into Suzy’s past; it’s also when Undetected, an engrossing, page-turner by longtime financial journalist-turned-novelist Jeffrey Marshall, really gains steam.
Suzy’s former husbands -- men who were ostensibly in robust physical and financial health, Alex learns -- had an alarming tendency to drop dead from heart attacks and leave their widow gobs of money.
The noirish novel deftly takes the reader on a tour of two worlds: leafy, upper middle-class American suburbs -- with their soccer fields and bridge clubs, financial advisers and accountants –as well as the on-the-road world of down-market motels, bus stations and backwater cafes as Suzy’s sordid and heart-hardening past catches up with her.
Undetected is the perfect book for late-night reading or your next train ride. But beware: you’ll stay up too late or miss your train-stop discovering the fate of Suzy or Tina or whatever she’s calling herself now.
And, even as you wonder whether the lady has another homicide left in her, you might find yourself guiltily admiring this unforgettable femme fatale.
Read
August 7, 2022It's easy for the author to pontificate on his own book, but I'd let others do the talking:
"...hits the sweet spot between sympathy and repulsion for a probable killer." - Kirkus Reviews
"This is the ideal book if you're in the mood for a solid suspense novel to while away the weekend. That book's cinematic appeal is undeniable. I hope there's a sequel." - Online BookClub professional reviewer
"I fell right into the characters and the world they inhabit. The premise of the novel is imaginative, compelling and commercially appealing." - NYC literary agent
"His strong and interesting characters maintained my interest right from the start. His story was compelling and addictive; I found myself more engaged with the characters than I have been in other thrillers... Undetected was an excellent, suspensful story, an addictive read which I devoured in just two days." - Online BookClub professsional reviewer
Find it at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Undetected-Jef...
"...hits the sweet spot between sympathy and repulsion for a probable killer." - Kirkus Reviews
"This is the ideal book if you're in the mood for a solid suspense novel to while away the weekend. That book's cinematic appeal is undeniable. I hope there's a sequel." - Online BookClub professional reviewer
"I fell right into the characters and the world they inhabit. The premise of the novel is imaginative, compelling and commercially appealing." - NYC literary agent
"His strong and interesting characters maintained my interest right from the start. His story was compelling and addictive; I found myself more engaged with the characters than I have been in other thrillers... Undetected was an excellent, suspensful story, an addictive read which I devoured in just two days." - Online BookClub professsional reviewer
Find it at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Undetected-Jef...
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