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Sam Prichard #21
More Than It Seems
Sam and the Windlass Team are called in to assist on a cold murder case from twenty-five years before, but it isn't long before Sam finds out that one of his oldest friends, former detective Steve Beck, had known the victim. As the story comes out, Sam learns that Steve's young son vanished back then, and the victim may have been the one who abducted him.
When newly discovered evidence makes that scenario more likely, and after learning that Steve was withholding facts, he's forced to consider whether his friend and fellow investigator could be the murderer. Knowing that he would never be able to rest if the wrong man was arrested, Sam pulls out all the stops to get to the truth.
When newly discovered evidence makes that scenario more likely, and after learning that Steve was withholding facts, he's forced to consider whether his friend and fellow investigator could be the murderer. Knowing that he would never be able to rest if the wrong man was arrested, Sam pulls out all the stops to get to the truth.
- GenresThriller
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2019
1197 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
David Archer
168 books499 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
David Archer was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. He is a fiction author and novelist, writing in the mysteries and thrillers genre. His approach to writing is to hit deep, keep you entertained, and leave you wanting MORE with every turn of the page. He writes mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels, all of which are primed to get your heart pumping.
David Archer was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. He is a fiction author and novelist, writing in the mysteries and thrillers genre. His approach to writing is to hit deep, keep you entertained, and leave you wanting MORE with every turn of the page. He writes mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels, all of which are primed to get your heart pumping.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 16, 2019
I am glad to see that the author got his mojo back, after the last Sam Prichard novel I was afraid that he was loosing it. However, he comes back with a well written story that didn't get too bogged down with a lot of inner character turmoil. However, I did think that the characters often seemed to get over traumatic events pretty quickly.
The pacing of the book seemed consistent. I do feel that the book may have been a bit too short, that the investigation could have been a little more significant. It seemed that instead the team just kept making huge discoveries that quickly propelled a 25 year cold case to a close. That is the problem when you have deux ex machinas like Indy's Herman program, and autistic genius Walter and super genius Erik, both of whom can almost instantly deduce major plot points in the investigation just by looking at a crime scene. While the author usually does a pretty good job limiting them, sometimes it is just a little too unbelievable.
***** SPOILERS *****
It seems that the author is paring down on the ensemble of characters that make up the Windlass team. A couple of the team are killed, and a few characters leave Windlass to setup their own consulting agency. It seems that the author is either ending the Sam Prichard novels, or he is setting it up to take it into a new direction. I do hope it is the latter.
Concerning the characters who were killed, I feel that a little more could have been done to make their exits a little more meaningful. While I understand that, realistically, death can happen quite sudden and with no "flourishes", but in the novel I think it could have been done with a little more significance then they were given.
After practically ignoring the death of Sam's mother in the last novel, he deals with it in this novel in a unique and appropriate to the novel's "universe" way. Something tells me that we will probably encounter Evelyn in the future.
Overall, an enjoyable quick read. I knocked off a star because of some of the issues above that I think diminished an otherwise good story.
The pacing of the book seemed consistent. I do feel that the book may have been a bit too short, that the investigation could have been a little more significant. It seemed that instead the team just kept making huge discoveries that quickly propelled a 25 year cold case to a close. That is the problem when you have deux ex machinas like Indy's Herman program, and autistic genius Walter and super genius Erik, both of whom can almost instantly deduce major plot points in the investigation just by looking at a crime scene. While the author usually does a pretty good job limiting them, sometimes it is just a little too unbelievable.
***** SPOILERS *****
It seems that the author is paring down on the ensemble of characters that make up the Windlass team. A couple of the team are killed, and a few characters leave Windlass to setup their own consulting agency. It seems that the author is either ending the Sam Prichard novels, or he is setting it up to take it into a new direction. I do hope it is the latter.
Concerning the characters who were killed, I feel that a little more could have been done to make their exits a little more meaningful. While I understand that, realistically, death can happen quite sudden and with no "flourishes", but in the novel I think it could have been done with a little more significance then they were given.
After practically ignoring the death of Sam's mother in the last novel, he deals with it in this novel in a unique and appropriate to the novel's "universe" way. Something tells me that we will probably encounter Evelyn in the future.
Overall, an enjoyable quick read. I knocked off a star because of some of the issues above that I think diminished an otherwise good story.
December 16, 2020
The latest book in the Sam/Indie series is about childhood Trauma, Religious belief and crooked Police Man. Sam and his group are asked to look into a 25 year old Cold Case, a minister was beaten to death with a Baseball Bat and no one was ever charged with the crime. The author really understands childhood Trauma and how it affects the victim and his family. The title is very appropriate because the image of Ministers and Policemen are above reproach and people believe in them. Great book and very good Ending.
January 26, 2021
Twenty Five years ago a pastor was murdered, and Windlass was hired to look into it. It became personal for Sam when a detective friend Steve his son vanished at that same time.
Interviewing people from the church that were still members and thought highly of the pastor. When Walter checked out the house that has been empty since then he found evidence of a darker side. Who all was involved in the kidnapping without leaving clues was a puzzle. Why was one boy returned. A good plot, there was a lost in the team. Sam was on death’s door recovering will take time and now ready to retire,will he.
Interviewing people from the church that were still members and thought highly of the pastor. When Walter checked out the house that has been empty since then he found evidence of a darker side. Who all was involved in the kidnapping without leaving clues was a puzzle. Why was one boy returned. A good plot, there was a lost in the team. Sam was on death’s door recovering will take time and now ready to retire,will he.
October 18, 2020
This to me was the best of the Sam Pritchard series. The suspense was from the beginning to the very end. It was also the second of the Sam Pritchard novels that someone died. This one though was really hard with Steve getting shot, and Jade's death, and then Sam getting shot, and Darren's death.
This was definitely a page turner from the very beginning. Kudos to David Archer
This was definitely a page turner from the very beginning. Kudos to David Archer
March 13, 2023
5 Stars
More Than It Seems (Sam Prichard Book #21; Sam and Indie Book #9) by David Archer...
Sam and the team are tasked with solving a 25 year-old cold case that has ties to a very close friend... now Sam will need to do his utmost to find the killer... but what happens when the truth comes out?
More Than It Seems (Sam Prichard Book #21; Sam and Indie Book #9) by David Archer...
Sam and the team are tasked with solving a 25 year-old cold case that has ties to a very close friend... now Sam will need to do his utmost to find the killer... but what happens when the truth comes out?
March 4, 2024
scary
That one got to me… I couldn’t put the book down. I kept thinking about all the children in the World that goes missing. I’d like to know what causes a man to go in that direction. Something is obviously wrong with their brain. It kept me up late reading and on the edge of.
That one got to me… I couldn’t put the book down. I kept thinking about all the children in the World that goes missing. I’d like to know what causes a man to go in that direction. Something is obviously wrong with their brain. It kept me up late reading and on the edge of.
September 27, 2020
Two Ghosts
How can i give this book TEN STARS? David Archer i love you😍.This is the ninth book in this series, and some of them i have read twice ,and I still want more! This is absolutely a GREAT READ
How can i give this book TEN STARS? David Archer i love you😍.This is the ninth book in this series, and some of them i have read twice ,and I still want more! This is absolutely a GREAT READ
November 27, 2021
One of the Best
The book that leads to many changes for the Pritchards. Plot twists to make you want to keep reading even though you are sure you know the outcome, but trust me, you're probably wrong.
The book that leads to many changes for the Pritchards. Plot twists to make you want to keep reading even though you are sure you know the outcome, but trust me, you're probably wrong.
July 12, 2022
Sam's team is slowly getting smaller!
Sam and his team have a real challenge in trying solve a 25 year old murder of a preacher. He was worked over with a aluminum baseball bat until he was almost unrecognizable. Crime scene reconstruction by the team was difficult at best.
Sam and his team have a real challenge in trying solve a 25 year old murder of a preacher. He was worked over with a aluminum baseball bat until he was almost unrecognizable. Crime scene reconstruction by the team was difficult at best.
June 29, 2023
Sam and his family and friends
Another good novel of Sam and family which includes all of his friends and coworkers. This is the eighth book I’ve read in the series and hope that there will be more.
Another good novel of Sam and family which includes all of his friends and coworkers. This is the eighth book I’ve read in the series and hope that there will be more.
May 23, 2020
Great book
June 30, 2020
Oh yes
Once again,another brilliant book. Wasn't sure this could compete with the ones before, but it certainly did, bring on the next book.
Once again,another brilliant book. Wasn't sure this could compete with the ones before, but it certainly did, bring on the next book.
July 5, 2020
another GREAT Sam Pritchard story! YAY!!!!
February 25, 2021
Retirement?
With all the next action in this book and not all of it good a lot of people might think about it. This book will shock a lot of readers. Read on!
With all the next action in this book and not all of it good a lot of people might think about it. This book will shock a lot of readers. Read on!
June 2, 2022
All star novel!
Sam and team are the best! Never, never, never... ANYTHING BORING!!!! Too fun to read and try to figure out what comes next.
Sam and team are the best! Never, never, never... ANYTHING BORING!!!! Too fun to read and try to figure out what comes next.
September 27, 2024
Such a good book, but also such a sad ending!😭
February 9, 2022
disappointed with the Kendall not the book.
What I read of the book, was good, because I’ve been having trouble with my Kindle for over three months and no one can do anything about it, I never got to finish it. I called up seven times with no help from anyone, so I went out and bought a nook, so that I can hopefully download the Kindle app and read my books again, it’s not seem to work, I miss Kendall I wish they could do something about it but I guess they can’t thank you.
What I read of the book, was good, because I’ve been having trouble with my Kindle for over three months and no one can do anything about it, I never got to finish it. I called up seven times with no help from anyone, so I went out and bought a nook, so that I can hopefully download the Kindle app and read my books again, it’s not seem to work, I miss Kendall I wish they could do something about it but I guess they can’t thank you.
January 31, 2020
Just not very good
So, why didn’t they get search warrants. They had probable cause. Characters were very under developed and we never get to know them. Not a great effort.
So, why didn’t they get search warrants. They had probable cause. Characters were very under developed and we never get to know them. Not a great effort.
July 30, 2019
Sam meets Beauregard.
Another excellent novel in the Sam Pritchard series.
Love the way new characters are introduced to part of the whole team, whether inner or outer circle, it really keeps things fresh. Wish more authors would move out of their comfort zone & follow this example.
A twenty five year old cold case hits close to home for one of the team, & two others are killed. Sam breaks his promise to Kenzie not to get shot & this time it's a very close call. Upon regaining consciousness after a week, Sam announces his intention to retire, seem to have heard that before.
Superb book - perhaps Sam could go into semi retirement to keep us readers supplied with first class reading material.
Another excellent novel in the Sam Pritchard series.
Love the way new characters are introduced to part of the whole team, whether inner or outer circle, it really keeps things fresh. Wish more authors would move out of their comfort zone & follow this example.
A twenty five year old cold case hits close to home for one of the team, & two others are killed. Sam breaks his promise to Kenzie not to get shot & this time it's a very close call. Upon regaining consciousness after a week, Sam announces his intention to retire, seem to have heard that before.
Superb book - perhaps Sam could go into semi retirement to keep us readers supplied with first class reading material.
September 3, 2019
I would have really liked this book except for the inconsistencies in the story line and the misspelled words. That's the editors issue, not the author, imo. First book of David Archer's that I've read; I liked the storyline and the mysteries attached to it.
These sorts of errors that turned me off on the writing: Someone went to check on the pastor, saw a body and called 911. BUT the neighbor heard a noise and called 911 and the police found the body.
The murder happened in the early morning hours 7am? , nope- the murder happened in the evening hours 10pm........ (All this was supposedly in a police report from twenty five years ago, so there shouldn't be this sort of inconsistency LOL.)
Don't even get me going on the spelling errors.
These sorts of errors that turned me off on the writing: Someone went to check on the pastor, saw a body and called 911. BUT the neighbor heard a noise and called 911 and the police found the body.
The murder happened in the early morning hours 7am? , nope- the murder happened in the evening hours 10pm........ (All this was supposedly in a police report from twenty five years ago, so there shouldn't be this sort of inconsistency LOL.)
Don't even get me going on the spelling errors.
July 8, 2019
Outstanding read as usual. I always love David’s books , especially the Sam Pritchard ones. Without giving spoilers, this one was more intense and emotional for me. Maybe because children were involved but I felt drawn into the story and felt the pain and the rush of the chase . I do hope we will see another Sam Pritchard book . Such a wonderful character, as are all of the team. The writing is so good, to me, they are real people!!
July 19, 2019
Cold Case is a Gripping Tail of Kidnapping, Murder and Life Altering Change
While this tail began as a Windlass Investigation into a 25 year old cold case, it quickly turns into one that is too close to home for the team. It involves team members who don't know they're involved and quickly impacts the team to the point of life altering decision. It ends way too abruptly but does leave room just in case, well, there's a new case.
While this tail began as a Windlass Investigation into a 25 year old cold case, it quickly turns into one that is too close to home for the team. It involves team members who don't know they're involved and quickly impacts the team to the point of life altering decision. It ends way too abruptly but does leave room just in case, well, there's a new case.
September 21, 2019
Every time David Archer releases a new Sam Prichard novel I am certain to enjoy another superlative story!
I have grown to love all the characters in every Sam Prichard story.
This was gut wrenching and possibly the best one yet in the series.
I know I am facing a great story, one that's stimulating, one I can't put down and am sad when it's over.
Don't miss this excellent read!
I have grown to love all the characters in every Sam Prichard story.
This was gut wrenching and possibly the best one yet in the series.
I know I am facing a great story, one that's stimulating, one I can't put down and am sad when it's over.
Don't miss this excellent read!
July 13, 2019
Wow, This Book Will Knock Your Socks Off
For those of you, like me, who have enjoyed the Sam Prichard series this book will certainly prove to be a departure from the usual. It deserves the Five-star rating I gave it by all means, don't misunderstand. You will have to read it to see why I say that. I highly recommend this book for certain.
For those of you, like me, who have enjoyed the Sam Prichard series this book will certainly prove to be a departure from the usual. It deserves the Five-star rating I gave it by all means, don't misunderstand. You will have to read it to see why I say that. I highly recommend this book for certain.
August 5, 2019
More than it seems most certainly is!
Considering the amount of change that the Windlass team is going to go through this book perhaps page for page the most important of the San Prichard series. In terms of action another winner. I'm not going to give anything away except if you have been a fan you can not slip this one!
Considering the amount of change that the Windlass team is going to go through this book perhaps page for page the most important of the San Prichard series. In terms of action another winner. I'm not going to give anything away except if you have been a fan you can not slip this one!
September 1, 2019
A Tragic Case for Sam Pritchard
Sam and his team are asked to look at a 25-year-old murder case. Their investigation takes many twists and turns, with the case finally solved, but Sam’s team decimated by one turn or another. Could Sam really be retiring? Or, is Beauregard right that only until the next case comes along. Only David Archer knows for sure!
Sam and his team are asked to look at a 25-year-old murder case. Their investigation takes many twists and turns, with the case finally solved, but Sam’s team decimated by one turn or another. Could Sam really be retiring? Or, is Beauregard right that only until the next case comes along. Only David Archer knows for sure!
July 9, 2019
The End of the Line?
Another Sam Prichard novel with more than the usual twists and turns, and plenty of misdirection that conceals the culprit and ending until the last page. It will be interesting to see how Sam comes back!
Another Sam Prichard novel with more than the usual twists and turns, and plenty of misdirection that conceals the culprit and ending until the last page. It will be interesting to see how Sam comes back!
July 22, 2019
More than just action
Sam Pritchett and his crew delve into a cold case and as soon as one mystery is solved, the next one comes into view. I love this series and will miss some of the characters.
Sam Pritchett and his crew delve into a cold case and as soon as one mystery is solved, the next one comes into view. I love this series and will miss some of the characters.
September 10, 2019
Great Dynamics and Characters
A missing child is so heartbreaking and the not knowing if they are alive or dead and then fast forward 25 years to a big mystery that holds the answers. Entertaining which is what you want when you read
A missing child is so heartbreaking and the not knowing if they are alive or dead and then fast forward 25 years to a big mystery that holds the answers. Entertaining which is what you want when you read
November 10, 2019
Holy Emotional Rollercoaster
WOW! This books is the most emotional of all the series. Steve with a child who went missing years ago,a cold case that lead back to his son missing. Dead agents,bombs,shootings and more. This book is the best.
WOW! This books is the most emotional of all the series. Steve with a child who went missing years ago,a cold case that lead back to his son missing. Dead agents,bombs,shootings and more. This book is the best.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews