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A Woman to Blame
Hours after a thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies after finishing last in a race he was favored to win, his trainer—a young woman with a promising career—is found dead on a suburban Chicago beach. To the police, it's a simple case of murder-suicide. But Mike Hegan, veteran police detective, refuses to believe the official story. Instead of retiring like they want him to, he embarks upon a search for the truth, and finds himself on a Caribbean island where scores are settled—and lives are lost.
Fans of James Patterson and other crime fiction writers will find a new hero in Mike Hegan—a detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served.
Fans of James Patterson and other crime fiction writers will find a new hero in Mike Hegan—a detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2014
2 people are currently reading
7159 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Panettiere
7 books735 followersVincent Panettiere is the author of four novels. His latest is THE MUSIC OF WOMEN. Other novels are: A WOMAN TO BLAME, THE SCOPAS FACTOR and the award-winning and critically acclaimed THESE THY GIFTS.
He has also written The Internet Financing Illusion which deals with the dark side of the Internet.
Website www.vincentpanettiere.com
He is a former licensed and bonded literary agent in Los Angeles representing writers and directors in TV/Film. At the same time he was an agent certified by the Major League Baseball Players Association to represent major league baseball players and did so. As a writer early in his career he wrote and sold several film projects that in the byzantine world of motion pictures went unproduced.
He began his career as a reporter for the wire service UPI and Boston Herald, a daily newspaper.
He has also written The Internet Financing Illusion which deals with the dark side of the Internet.
Website www.vincentpanettiere.com
He is a former licensed and bonded literary agent in Los Angeles representing writers and directors in TV/Film. At the same time he was an agent certified by the Major League Baseball Players Association to represent major league baseball players and did so. As a writer early in his career he wrote and sold several film projects that in the byzantine world of motion pictures went unproduced.
He began his career as a reporter for the wire service UPI and Boston Herald, a daily newspaper.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 27, 2019
Vincent Panettiere was a literary agent and a legend to his profession, representing writers and directors in televIsion and film. In 2014, Panettiere reported in an interview, he was certified by the Major League Players Association (MLBPA) to represent major league baseball players. Previously he was an executive with Twentieth Century Fox and CBS.
A Woman To Blame riles every core of exasperation, routing for justice, grief, anger, unprecedented events that create layers of truth and deception. How can all of the adjectives fit together? How can a man stumble on 2 murders and be brave enough to play detective and seek out the truth? Not only a person's murder but the a defenseless horse.
In the interview, https://thepenmuse.net/blog-tour-woma... reports this novel was a rejected screenplay, Panettiere dug out of his hard drive years later and decided to attempt at writing his first novel.
Kudos indeed.
"Crime fiction writers will find a new hero in Mike Hegan—a detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served." says the author.
Mike Hegan's intuition has never been dull even after a work related injury, nothing will stop his pursuit of investigating the wrongdoings of criminals hurting the ones he loves. Even in retirement, he does not tire to be the most beloved, well rounded character in the book. While the facts are facts, seek your own intuition to the truth.
A Woman To Blame riles every core of exasperation, routing for justice, grief, anger, unprecedented events that create layers of truth and deception. How can all of the adjectives fit together? How can a man stumble on 2 murders and be brave enough to play detective and seek out the truth? Not only a person's murder but the a defenseless horse.
In the interview, https://thepenmuse.net/blog-tour-woma... reports this novel was a rejected screenplay, Panettiere dug out of his hard drive years later and decided to attempt at writing his first novel.
Kudos indeed.
"Crime fiction writers will find a new hero in Mike Hegan—a detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served." says the author.
Mike Hegan's intuition has never been dull even after a work related injury, nothing will stop his pursuit of investigating the wrongdoings of criminals hurting the ones he loves. Even in retirement, he does not tire to be the most beloved, well rounded character in the book. While the facts are facts, seek your own intuition to the truth.
December 18, 2017
If you are a fan of novels that keep a good pace and also keep you thinking then A Woman to Blame by Vincent Panettiere will be right up your alley. The main character is Mike Heagan, tough guy cop whose career ends because of medical disability. His life was no cup of tea either. After announcing his engagement to his fiancé he loses her. He has substantial conflicts to deal with within in his family. And he’s a cop, it can’t get much harder.
The story opens with Mike on a small Carribean Island investigating a homicide that he disagrees with the official ruling on. His quest for the truth takes him places from Chicago to the Carribean and introduces to characters from all walks of life. Even the small characters that we only see briefly are well developed and interesting. The characters are so engaging that I would love to see Mike Heagan as the center of a series. Well done.
The story opens with Mike on a small Carribean Island investigating a homicide that he disagrees with the official ruling on. His quest for the truth takes him places from Chicago to the Carribean and introduces to characters from all walks of life. Even the small characters that we only see briefly are well developed and interesting. The characters are so engaging that I would love to see Mike Heagan as the center of a series. Well done.
December 18, 2017
I personally love a book with a great cast of characters and a plot that keeps me guessing. I will admit, when I first picked up A Woman to Blame, however, I was left trying to figure out where Vincent Panettiere was going. The plot jumped around a bit at the beginning but as I got further into it I realized that it was because he was writing the novel as if it would be a screen play. The jumping around also provided me with the background information that I needed about the main characters in order to follow what was going on. Once the plot got going I really enjoyed Panettiere’s ability to keep me on my toes with his writing style.
Our hero is a Veteran cop whose career ended with medical disability after an incident. Our hero, Mike Heagan, had a rough go of it between the physical altercations and the emotional events that take place throughout the novel. Any normal person wouldn’t be able to take all of the struggles thrown at Heagan. The way that Panettiere writes this novel makes you fall in love with not just Heagan but all of the characters that he writes about all the way down to the minor characters that we only see briefly.
Our hero is a Veteran cop whose career ended with medical disability after an incident. Our hero, Mike Heagan, had a rough go of it between the physical altercations and the emotional events that take place throughout the novel. Any normal person wouldn’t be able to take all of the struggles thrown at Heagan. The way that Panettiere writes this novel makes you fall in love with not just Heagan but all of the characters that he writes about all the way down to the minor characters that we only see briefly.
January 17, 2015
It’s been a while since I have indulged in reading a good mystery and I made it my goal to read more mysteries in 2015. When I read the synopsis for A Woman to Blame, I thought this would be a good start to achieving my goal. Based on what I read I honestly believed that this would be an exciting and entertaining read. The fact that I had no knowledge of the author did not deter me from making my choice. The incentive for me was that this book involved the hero solving a murder and I could not wait to get in between the pages. After completing this title I knew I had made a good choice and I would definitely read more of this author’s work. A Woman to Blame had me hooked from the first page and it had me eagerly turning the pages as I attempted to figure out who did it. There were many suspects and just when you think you have it figured out, Mr. Panettiere throws in a twist that has you questioning your initial deductions. The characters are colourful and interesting and the way they are portrayed kept me on my toes. The male protagonist is Mike Hegan a veteran cop who was forced into retirement as a result of an injury he received off-duty. He, however, was not willing to turn his badge until he solved the murder of Ariel Sutherland. To say he was obsessed with this case is an understatement. He is willing to risk life and limb to prove that she is a victim of foul play and not suicide as the powers that be would want the public to believe. Mike is not the type of cop who sees things as being black and white, instead he thinks outside the box. He is a strong believer that all is not as it seems. This is what makes him a good investigator. He is joined in his quest by the victim’s sister Portia Sutherland. Portia is determined to avenge her sister’s murder. She is stubborn and she has an acerbic attitude as such, she did not have much friends. However, Mike was not going to let that deter him has he needed her help in solving this murder. They are complete opposites with the same goal. The story possesses all the elements that makes is a good suspenseful read. The plot is well paced and there are enough twists to make your head spin. This is a great read and the best I have read so far in 2015. The only problem I had and it prevented me from giving it 5 stars is the editing. There were several typos and grammatical errors. If you enjoy a good mystery and you are looking for a story that will keep you guessing at every turn, then A Woman to Blame is the script for you.
October 29, 2019
Veteran police detective Mike Hegan investigates a murder-suicide as he struggles to come to terms with a personal loss in Panettiere’s latest well-crafted police procedural.
When a champion thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies in mysterious circumstances after finishing last in a race while his trainer goes missing and is later found dead miles away on a suburban beach, Detective Mike Hegan knows a crucial link is missing in the case. While the police rule the case as a murder-suicide, Hegan sets on to search for the truth on his own and finds himself entangled in a deadly game of deception and revenge.
The pace of the book is smooth and the prose elegant, but it’s characterization at which Panettiere truly excels. All the characters, including major and ancillary, are sketched with utmost precision and come alive in the reader’s mind. Hegan’s police career is at a low ebb following his injury in a shooting incident and his ongoing discord with his brother-in-law, and his unhappy personal life (with the loss of his fiancé) makes it even harder to bear. Lucy doesn’t get much space in the book but succeeds in making her place in the reader’s heart, whereas Hegan’s friends make for an endearing lot. The main antagonist (Johnny Faraci) comes out as a formidable figure, while the other villains are equally menacing.
Panettiere explores complex themes of domestic violence, anger issues and includes plenty of law enforcement particulars with details of police bureaucracy and mafia politics to please crime lovers. Full of both subtle twists and swift revelations, the narrative is fueled with a hefty dose of tension as the brutal killings continue and separate narrative threads come together as the story advances. Although the murderers are known to the reader right from the beginning, the tension keeps on building with the progression of the story as the motives of the killers remain unknown. It’s only at the end that the reader is able to piece together the loose ends and learns of the actual solution.
This is a slow-building, complex, and elaborate mystery, but Panettiere keeps a relentless grip on his readers as new motives arise throughout the story. With its top-notch characterization, elaborate backstory, and a hefty dose of relentless tension, this rich, engrossing novel will delight lovers of slow-building, intricate mysteries.
Highly recommended to fans of Elizabeth George, Peter Robertson!
When a champion thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies in mysterious circumstances after finishing last in a race while his trainer goes missing and is later found dead miles away on a suburban beach, Detective Mike Hegan knows a crucial link is missing in the case. While the police rule the case as a murder-suicide, Hegan sets on to search for the truth on his own and finds himself entangled in a deadly game of deception and revenge.
The pace of the book is smooth and the prose elegant, but it’s characterization at which Panettiere truly excels. All the characters, including major and ancillary, are sketched with utmost precision and come alive in the reader’s mind. Hegan’s police career is at a low ebb following his injury in a shooting incident and his ongoing discord with his brother-in-law, and his unhappy personal life (with the loss of his fiancé) makes it even harder to bear. Lucy doesn’t get much space in the book but succeeds in making her place in the reader’s heart, whereas Hegan’s friends make for an endearing lot. The main antagonist (Johnny Faraci) comes out as a formidable figure, while the other villains are equally menacing.
Panettiere explores complex themes of domestic violence, anger issues and includes plenty of law enforcement particulars with details of police bureaucracy and mafia politics to please crime lovers. Full of both subtle twists and swift revelations, the narrative is fueled with a hefty dose of tension as the brutal killings continue and separate narrative threads come together as the story advances. Although the murderers are known to the reader right from the beginning, the tension keeps on building with the progression of the story as the motives of the killers remain unknown. It’s only at the end that the reader is able to piece together the loose ends and learns of the actual solution.
This is a slow-building, complex, and elaborate mystery, but Panettiere keeps a relentless grip on his readers as new motives arise throughout the story. With its top-notch characterization, elaborate backstory, and a hefty dose of relentless tension, this rich, engrossing novel will delight lovers of slow-building, intricate mysteries.
Highly recommended to fans of Elizabeth George, Peter Robertson!
December 18, 2017
Great story – should be a series
The characters, even those who only put in a brief appearance, are three-dimensional and fleshed out well. The main character, Mike Hegan, is a tough guy who’s had a rough time of it emotionally – and the punches, literal and mental, keep rolling for him throughout the book. All of this makes you want to take his side in every fight.
With this mystery, the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride that weaves in and out of the lives of several different people from varying walks of life, including mobsters, horse trainers, artists, policemen and florists. The setting also changes often – from racetracks to mobsters’ homes to Caribbean islands. All of this combines to make the story anything but boring.
I would love to see this turned into a series. Hegan and his large florist friend would make an interesting PI duo, especially if the author added some more humor to the mix.
The only thing that keeps this novel from being a truly great book is the lack of proofreading done on the manuscript. Please, for the love of God, get someone to fix the manuscript and resubmit it so that readers can truly enjoy the experience of reading this great story without the irritation of typos, incorrect punctuation, etc.
The characters, even those who only put in a brief appearance, are three-dimensional and fleshed out well. The main character, Mike Hegan, is a tough guy who’s had a rough time of it emotionally – and the punches, literal and mental, keep rolling for him throughout the book. All of this makes you want to take his side in every fight.
With this mystery, the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride that weaves in and out of the lives of several different people from varying walks of life, including mobsters, horse trainers, artists, policemen and florists. The setting also changes often – from racetracks to mobsters’ homes to Caribbean islands. All of this combines to make the story anything but boring.
I would love to see this turned into a series. Hegan and his large florist friend would make an interesting PI duo, especially if the author added some more humor to the mix.
The only thing that keeps this novel from being a truly great book is the lack of proofreading done on the manuscript. Please, for the love of God, get someone to fix the manuscript and resubmit it so that readers can truly enjoy the experience of reading this great story without the irritation of typos, incorrect punctuation, etc.
December 18, 2017
A well-written mystery novel is highly dependent on its cast of characters. If they are not well-rounded, there will not be as much intrigue regarding who is guilty. If they are not interesting, then the reader will not care who is guilty and who is innocent. The way in which the characters are introduced is fairly interesting as well. From early on, the novel will occasionally appear to shift viewpoints slightly. While some reviewers have claimed that this can get confusing, it also teaches the readers to stay on their toes. It is also a much more sensible style of writing when one considers that the author, Vincent Panettiere, used to work on unproduced screenplays.
The main character is definitely one of the most interesting of the bunch. Mike Hegan is supposed to be ending his career, but he cannot let go of a case that he feels has been wrapped up too neatly. He decides to delve further, and turns out to be right in doing so. Some reviewers have stated a desire to see this tough, stubborn detective as the basis for a longer series. Whether or not this comes to fruition, the depth of Panettiere’s character writing would certainly validate further mystery novels by this impressive author.
“A Woman to Blame” would have made an excellent movie had the original idea been picked up for a screenplay, but it might make an even more excellent novel as it is now. This incredibly well-written mystery is worth checking out for those who like a truly gritty tale with a sense of intrigue that seems torn straight out of yesteryear and fashioned in a way that modern audiences should be easily able to appreciate.
The main character is definitely one of the most interesting of the bunch. Mike Hegan is supposed to be ending his career, but he cannot let go of a case that he feels has been wrapped up too neatly. He decides to delve further, and turns out to be right in doing so. Some reviewers have stated a desire to see this tough, stubborn detective as the basis for a longer series. Whether or not this comes to fruition, the depth of Panettiere’s character writing would certainly validate further mystery novels by this impressive author.
“A Woman to Blame” would have made an excellent movie had the original idea been picked up for a screenplay, but it might make an even more excellent novel as it is now. This incredibly well-written mystery is worth checking out for those who like a truly gritty tale with a sense of intrigue that seems torn straight out of yesteryear and fashioned in a way that modern audiences should be easily able to appreciate.
November 25, 2019
Vincent Panettiere’s A Woman to Blame is perhaps the author’s finest work to date. The book is a slow burner of a mystery that hooks it reader in during the early stages and then takes down on a rollercoaster ride through to the conclusion.
Panettiere’s strength lies in his exceptional character development. The characters in A Woman to Blame are all fully formed and complex, and its this believability that really helps drive the novel forward. The novel works both as a thrilling mystery and an intensely personal character study.
Panettiere is also not afraid to tackle some darker themes in the novel. Domestic violence, anger, and law enforcement politics are tackled head-on in the novel and its Panettiere’s unwavering commitment to delivering a story that feels authentic that really makes this one a must-read.
A Woman to Blame is perfect for those who enjoy detailed and vivid character descriptions as well as a mystery and an excellent crime novel.
Panettiere’s strength lies in his exceptional character development. The characters in A Woman to Blame are all fully formed and complex, and its this believability that really helps drive the novel forward. The novel works both as a thrilling mystery and an intensely personal character study.
Panettiere is also not afraid to tackle some darker themes in the novel. Domestic violence, anger, and law enforcement politics are tackled head-on in the novel and its Panettiere’s unwavering commitment to delivering a story that feels authentic that really makes this one a must-read.
A Woman to Blame is perfect for those who enjoy detailed and vivid character descriptions as well as a mystery and an excellent crime novel.
November 22, 2019
A bristlingly fine mystery
Los Angeles author Vincent Panettiere began his colorful career as a sports writer for a wire service and Boston daily, altered his path by accepting several executive positions at CBS and Fox Network, wrote several film scripts yet to be produced and served as a literary agent for television and film writers and directors, and as a sports agent for major league and professional baseball players. He is the author of THE INTERNET FINANCING SOLUTION, and while that book is an expose of Internet scams, it is also the experience of the author and his personal unfortunate experiences with the Internet global scams. With the success of that first outing with writing he followed with a well-sculpted mystery thriller THE SCOPAS FACTOR, and continued success with THESE THY GIFTS, and this revised edition of A WOMAN TO BLAME.
The impact of this novel rises from the exceptional art of the cover and proceeds with Vincent’s facility with language allowing him to say so much in so few poignant words. And example of this is his opening paragraphs – “What’s the mystery?” Mike Hegan asked as his boots shuffled a path through the newly fallen snow. They were not words he would use when called to the scene of the most recent homicide in Chicago. As the icy winds of January sliced into the city from Lake Michigan, Hegan cared less about this destination. He wanted the slog to end so his cheeks, all four of them, could thaw. “You’ll See. We’re almost there,” a warm, female voice answered with barely a trace of shiver. Hegan knew the voice belonged to Lucy. As they made their way up Michigan Avenue, she was barely visible. Her head was bent against the wind and snow sprinkles. Her body was swaddled in a floor-length, cranberry-colored down coat. “I heard a voice, but all I can see is cranberry Bubble Wrap”… And with this entry Vincent reminds us of his main character’s droll qualities – ‘Humor had saved Hegan from uncomfortable moments and situations since he was an adolescent. Now, he felt his comedic chops emerging to rescue him again.’
The concise summary offered before reading is adequate to place us in the realm of the gist of the tale. `Hours after a thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies after finishing last in a race he was favored to win, his trainer—a young woman with a promising career—is found dead on a suburban Chicago beach. To the police, it's a simple case of murder-suicide. But Mike Hegan, veteran police detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served, refuses to believe the official story. Instead of retiring like they want him to, he embarks upon a search for the truth, and finds himself on a Caribbean island where scores are settled—and lives are lost.’
This edition shows a polished Vincent Panettiere, further substantiating his remarkably solid stance as a writer of substance. His insights, sensitivity to issues - contemporary and enduring ones, and his eloquent prose place him near the top of today’s authors’ peak. Highly recommended.
Los Angeles author Vincent Panettiere began his colorful career as a sports writer for a wire service and Boston daily, altered his path by accepting several executive positions at CBS and Fox Network, wrote several film scripts yet to be produced and served as a literary agent for television and film writers and directors, and as a sports agent for major league and professional baseball players. He is the author of THE INTERNET FINANCING SOLUTION, and while that book is an expose of Internet scams, it is also the experience of the author and his personal unfortunate experiences with the Internet global scams. With the success of that first outing with writing he followed with a well-sculpted mystery thriller THE SCOPAS FACTOR, and continued success with THESE THY GIFTS, and this revised edition of A WOMAN TO BLAME.
The impact of this novel rises from the exceptional art of the cover and proceeds with Vincent’s facility with language allowing him to say so much in so few poignant words. And example of this is his opening paragraphs – “What’s the mystery?” Mike Hegan asked as his boots shuffled a path through the newly fallen snow. They were not words he would use when called to the scene of the most recent homicide in Chicago. As the icy winds of January sliced into the city from Lake Michigan, Hegan cared less about this destination. He wanted the slog to end so his cheeks, all four of them, could thaw. “You’ll See. We’re almost there,” a warm, female voice answered with barely a trace of shiver. Hegan knew the voice belonged to Lucy. As they made their way up Michigan Avenue, she was barely visible. Her head was bent against the wind and snow sprinkles. Her body was swaddled in a floor-length, cranberry-colored down coat. “I heard a voice, but all I can see is cranberry Bubble Wrap”… And with this entry Vincent reminds us of his main character’s droll qualities – ‘Humor had saved Hegan from uncomfortable moments and situations since he was an adolescent. Now, he felt his comedic chops emerging to rescue him again.’
The concise summary offered before reading is adequate to place us in the realm of the gist of the tale. `Hours after a thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies after finishing last in a race he was favored to win, his trainer—a young woman with a promising career—is found dead on a suburban Chicago beach. To the police, it's a simple case of murder-suicide. But Mike Hegan, veteran police detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served, refuses to believe the official story. Instead of retiring like they want him to, he embarks upon a search for the truth, and finds himself on a Caribbean island where scores are settled—and lives are lost.’
This edition shows a polished Vincent Panettiere, further substantiating his remarkably solid stance as a writer of substance. His insights, sensitivity to issues - contemporary and enduring ones, and his eloquent prose place him near the top of today’s authors’ peak. Highly recommended.
November 19, 2019
'A Woman to Blame' by Vincent Panettiere is a cracking crime novel with a plot that has twists and turns that you will never see coming. Mike Hagen feels compels to investigate when a champion horse mysteriously collapses and dies, and its trainer is found dead soon after one. Hagen knows there is more to this case than meets the eye and instead of wrapping up his career after a serious injury, he finds himself drawn back into danger once again. His quest for the truth takes him to the Caribbean and deep into a murky tale of revenge and betrayal, that may just swallow him up too.
The fast-paced read, kept me entertained all weekend. It was full of tension and suspense, with a twisting plot that expertly interweave several subplots until the thrilling conclusion. Mike Hagen is a great protagonist – one of those classic hard-nosed, persistent, and fearless detectives that will risk everything to uncover the truth. I loved it!
The fast-paced read, kept me entertained all weekend. It was full of tension and suspense, with a twisting plot that expertly interweave several subplots until the thrilling conclusion. Mike Hagen is a great protagonist – one of those classic hard-nosed, persistent, and fearless detectives that will risk everything to uncover the truth. I loved it!
January 16, 2020
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
Awoman To Blame was first in Mike Hegan mystery series. This book was packed with murder, drama, horse race gambling, mafia feud, exploitation and swindling along with grief, loss, guilt, and romance.
As I read the second book in this series I was familiar with the writing style. Like second book in this too, it was third person narrative from multiple perspective. The plot was interesting and suspenseful.
It started with wedding bell ringing over Hegan’s head, he was trying to take leap of faith and marry Lucy in 6 months. 6 months later, he was returning back to Chicago from Caribbean with dead bodies, one of it was of woman’s for which he would feel guilty forever. Timeline was not mentioned and so it was confusing in the beginning but I could make connection later. It made me curious to know what happened to marriage and how and why he went to Caribbean. It peddles back taking readers to present and to the case mentioned in the synopsis and how it all started with a burnt fish. Yes, you heard it right and it was quite funny. That burnt fish and huge misunderstanding leads to mafia feud, a dead body of loan shark, vendetta and to the death of thoroughbred race horse and its trainer.
Lots of things happened with many turns and some shocking twist that involved long list of characters and many suspects. All characters were introduced one by one- some with their story and what was going on in their life and some indirectly related to them- and how they all, directly or indirectly, were connected to the death of a young woman with promising carrier as horse trainer. It was clear very early how that woman died. The story was about who killed her and why and how it leads Hegan to Caribbean. As I read more, new questions were added to the mystery and it made me doubt to my theory and my guesses.
Along with this complicated but really interesting mystery there were glimpse of Hegan’s life, his girlfriend, his family drama and tragedy in his life (which was so very movie like, that made me shake my head in disbelief). His emotions, frustration and anger was palpable. It was really unfair the way his department was treating him, I’m sure there could be alternative to the situation Hegan was into, but I guess a departmental politics was involved here or more like keeping control of unruly officer and I could later case was more predominant. As the story developed, Hegan also developed, he learned to accept his situation eventually. His drive to get justice for dead woman was admirable and at the same time crazy. But his this madness unrevealed the complicated mystery and also helped him to move on in his life. I loved his sense of responsibility and protectiveness towards his loved ones.
All the secondary characters were great, even villain or villains. My favorite character was Clay and Portia. Clay was Hegan’s florist friend. I liked this big guy who made this tense story light. Portia was fierce, kickass artist, determined to find out who killed her sister. It was horrible to read what she and her sister gone through and after reading it, I felt they deserved happiness. I could understand Portia’s mistrust towards men and her extreme reactions.
Suspense was great that kept me guessing who real culprit was until climax. So much happened in last few ages. Climax was shocking, tense and tragic. Even after so much loss in short time, I liked how Hegan kept moving in life at the end.
Why 4 stars-
Though story was interesting and engaging, it moved slowly, maybe because of length. I didn’t like that dramatic turn at his sister’s house. Couldn’t Hegan shoot in defense, why being such hero and doing all that! And that scene around climax at cliff with Hegan’s taxi driver. It was eye roll moment. Both these scenes felt so Bollywood like.
Overall, it was interesting, cleverly written, complicated mystery with many characters and twist and turns.
*** Note: I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author. ***
Awoman To Blame was first in Mike Hegan mystery series. This book was packed with murder, drama, horse race gambling, mafia feud, exploitation and swindling along with grief, loss, guilt, and romance.
As I read the second book in this series I was familiar with the writing style. Like second book in this too, it was third person narrative from multiple perspective. The plot was interesting and suspenseful.
It started with wedding bell ringing over Hegan’s head, he was trying to take leap of faith and marry Lucy in 6 months. 6 months later, he was returning back to Chicago from Caribbean with dead bodies, one of it was of woman’s for which he would feel guilty forever. Timeline was not mentioned and so it was confusing in the beginning but I could make connection later. It made me curious to know what happened to marriage and how and why he went to Caribbean. It peddles back taking readers to present and to the case mentioned in the synopsis and how it all started with a burnt fish. Yes, you heard it right and it was quite funny. That burnt fish and huge misunderstanding leads to mafia feud, a dead body of loan shark, vendetta and to the death of thoroughbred race horse and its trainer.
Lots of things happened with many turns and some shocking twist that involved long list of characters and many suspects. All characters were introduced one by one- some with their story and what was going on in their life and some indirectly related to them- and how they all, directly or indirectly, were connected to the death of a young woman with promising carrier as horse trainer. It was clear very early how that woman died. The story was about who killed her and why and how it leads Hegan to Caribbean. As I read more, new questions were added to the mystery and it made me doubt to my theory and my guesses.
Along with this complicated but really interesting mystery there were glimpse of Hegan’s life, his girlfriend, his family drama and tragedy in his life (which was so very movie like, that made me shake my head in disbelief). His emotions, frustration and anger was palpable. It was really unfair the way his department was treating him, I’m sure there could be alternative to the situation Hegan was into, but I guess a departmental politics was involved here or more like keeping control of unruly officer and I could later case was more predominant. As the story developed, Hegan also developed, he learned to accept his situation eventually. His drive to get justice for dead woman was admirable and at the same time crazy. But his this madness unrevealed the complicated mystery and also helped him to move on in his life. I loved his sense of responsibility and protectiveness towards his loved ones.
All the secondary characters were great, even villain or villains. My favorite character was Clay and Portia. Clay was Hegan’s florist friend. I liked this big guy who made this tense story light. Portia was fierce, kickass artist, determined to find out who killed her sister. It was horrible to read what she and her sister gone through and after reading it, I felt they deserved happiness. I could understand Portia’s mistrust towards men and her extreme reactions.
Suspense was great that kept me guessing who real culprit was until climax. So much happened in last few ages. Climax was shocking, tense and tragic. Even after so much loss in short time, I liked how Hegan kept moving in life at the end.
Why 4 stars-
Though story was interesting and engaging, it moved slowly, maybe because of length. I didn’t like that dramatic turn at his sister’s house. Couldn’t Hegan shoot in defense, why being such hero and doing all that! And that scene around climax at cliff with Hegan’s taxi driver. It was eye roll moment. Both these scenes felt so Bollywood like.
Overall, it was interesting, cleverly written, complicated mystery with many characters and twist and turns.
*** Note: I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author. ***
October 23, 2021
BLURB :
Hours after a thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies after finishing last in a race he was favored to win, his trainer a young woman with a promising career—is found dead on a suburban Chicago beach. To the police, it's a simple case of murder-suicide. But Mike Hegan, veteran police detective, refuses to believe the official story. Instead of retiring like they want him to, he embarks upon a search for the truth, and finds himself on a Caribbean island where scores are settled and lives are lost.Fans of James Patterson and other crime fiction writers will find a new hero in Mike Hegan a detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served.
MY THOUGHTS :
As the story progresses it unwraps all the thrill and Suspense Gradually.The unexpected and unpredictable happenings with several twists back to back piqued my anxiety and excitement perpetually.It is a perfect page turner.I was out of my mind and left All Agog after reading this book.
I appreciate the Author for his creative narration and immense knowledge of the Realistic Crime World.I literally felt like watching a fully packed Action Movie. Author's Comparison of the Characters of the Novel to that of the Characters of the Movie is Worth Notable.
Author's narration is creative and Hilarious when describes Frankie as "Rumpled Frankie Rumbled" and "Like a beached Hippo".
Mike Hegan is an Epitome of A Police Detective.
Hats off to Mike Hegan when he says "I get my reward from helping the People ". His Ethics and Honesty inspired and motivated me.
The Technique used for Murdering Ariel is quite Unique.It also Proved that all my Presumptions were wrong while Guessing the Murderer.
Who is responsible for the death of the Italian Scallion and it's Trainer Ariel Sutherland? Is it really a Murder-Suicide Case? Will Hegan be Successful in resolving this Mystery? Whose help will Hegan seeks to resolve this Mystery? How this Mystery is connected to St.Vincent? Forms the rest of the Story.
It's a Must-read !
Hours after a thoroughbred racehorse collapses and dies after finishing last in a race he was favored to win, his trainer a young woman with a promising career—is found dead on a suburban Chicago beach. To the police, it's a simple case of murder-suicide. But Mike Hegan, veteran police detective, refuses to believe the official story. Instead of retiring like they want him to, he embarks upon a search for the truth, and finds himself on a Caribbean island where scores are settled and lives are lost.Fans of James Patterson and other crime fiction writers will find a new hero in Mike Hegan a detective who defies convention to make sure that justice is served.
MY THOUGHTS :
As the story progresses it unwraps all the thrill and Suspense Gradually.The unexpected and unpredictable happenings with several twists back to back piqued my anxiety and excitement perpetually.It is a perfect page turner.I was out of my mind and left All Agog after reading this book.
I appreciate the Author for his creative narration and immense knowledge of the Realistic Crime World.I literally felt like watching a fully packed Action Movie. Author's Comparison of the Characters of the Novel to that of the Characters of the Movie is Worth Notable.
Author's narration is creative and Hilarious when describes Frankie as "Rumpled Frankie Rumbled" and "Like a beached Hippo".
Mike Hegan is an Epitome of A Police Detective.
Hats off to Mike Hegan when he says "I get my reward from helping the People ". His Ethics and Honesty inspired and motivated me.
The Technique used for Murdering Ariel is quite Unique.It also Proved that all my Presumptions were wrong while Guessing the Murderer.
Who is responsible for the death of the Italian Scallion and it's Trainer Ariel Sutherland? Is it really a Murder-Suicide Case? Will Hegan be Successful in resolving this Mystery? Whose help will Hegan seeks to resolve this Mystery? How this Mystery is connected to St.Vincent? Forms the rest of the Story.
It's a Must-read !
December 14, 2019
A Woman to Blame by Vincent Panettiere is a fast-paced, action novel that will satisfy any crime lover. Mike Hegan is a police officer in Chicago, Illinois, that gets his share of grief. From the death of his fiancé, supporting his sister's divorce, getting shot; he doesn't get a break. When a dead body in a university pool becomes his case, he finds it opens multiple levels of crime. Chicago is known for its gangs and crime lords, this novel gives you a close up view of what the police officers face on a daily basis.
The first couple chapters drew me in completely and I knew A Woman to Blame would be a compelling novel and Vincent Panettiere an engaging author. The author breaths live into his characters and the intriguing plot grabs the reader. This complex novel is a must read for crime thrillers and police procedural. It was quite interesting as the con men would get conned themselves. About the complaints in previous reviews about the errors within the book; it appears the author did have the book edited.
The first couple chapters drew me in completely and I knew A Woman to Blame would be a compelling novel and Vincent Panettiere an engaging author. The author breaths live into his characters and the intriguing plot grabs the reader. This complex novel is a must read for crime thrillers and police procedural. It was quite interesting as the con men would get conned themselves. About the complaints in previous reviews about the errors within the book; it appears the author did have the book edited.
May 12, 2020
“A Woman to Blame” follows a stubborn cop, Mike Hegan, who has faced his own share of personal tragedy and is now determined to find the truth behind one case that never felt truly closed. Hegan has been pulled through the dirt time and again, but his unwavering resolve keeps readers cheering for him throughout his journey across the shadiest parts of Chicago and into the Caribbean, to uncover what really happened. The story starts off slow as the author works to build the background story and introduce some of the major players, but it is well worth the wait. The initial backstory leads to a gripping, action-packed tale with well-developed characters of all varieties. This book weaves together so many different facets into one fascinating, complex story that fans of murder mysteries will definitely enjoy.
April 9, 2020
What makes a good murder mystery? Does it need to have multiple murders? Check. Does it need to have unpredictability? Debatable. It just depends on the author's writing style and whether they are able to engage the reader even after we know who did what. Does it need to have romance? Probably not, but it may be a bonus if worked in correctly. Panettiere has a murder mystery that takes a while to get kick-started, but once it does... readers will run through all of the aforementioned elements to formulate their own hypothesis of what makes a good murder mystery.
A woman swerves on an icy road into a tree, ending her life. A headless man winds up in the local school's pool. A racehorse in peak condition falls over dead after a big race. That horse's trainer who has no reason for wanting to die, commits suicide on the beach that very same day. There are too many coincidences and loose ends, but not enough people who actually care about the truth like police officer Mike Hegan does. With a determination to find out what is really going on, he may not be prepared to handle it once he finds out some heavy hitters may be involved. Everyone seems to know exactly why bodies keep turning up, but no one wants to talk when it might mean their death next. The only one that seems to want answers just as much as Hegan does is the trainer's sister, Portia. While recovering from a gunshot wound, Hegan decides that he may be better off by enlisting her help instead of fighting her off every step of the way, even though he could get into trouble for it... or worse.
Panettiere could captivate more readers by focusing his attention on the case instead of deflating the mystery with inconsequential details. While reading this novel, it is blatantly obvious that there is an absence of an investigation going on until the reader reaches well over a hundred pages. This is not a good start for a murder mystery, since most begin with the murder actually taking place, or detectives and police on the scene. The reader will either be bored or depressed by the police officer's personal life before reaching what the actual story is truly about. This is something that can be easily remedied by taking the huge chunk of text from the beginning out and slowly working it back into the story and adding more detail about what was done to try and identify the headless man. Either way, completing at least one of these suggestions is good practice if the author really wants a book that is well defined and catches the reader's attention. A back story and character development is great, but too much can overpower a story. Also, there are so many spelling and grammatical errors that it makes it difficult to enjoy the story. Big words appear in small sentences, and sometimes it is the wrong one. There is a lot of filler that does not appear to have anything to do with the story, and some of the characters and their actions do not appear credible. Scenes are artificial and thrown together which reflects that research was not thoroughly completed. For instance, the budding romance is completely unprofessional from the beginning, with immature quips and a lack of respect for Hegan's position of power. This can give the reader a negative outlook on the main character, especially if he is supposed to be the "good guy". It is recommended for the the author to go back and rework this story as there is a lot to be desired, which drives us to provide A Woman to Blame with a two-star rating.
An electronic copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery and in no way affects the honesty of this review.
A woman swerves on an icy road into a tree, ending her life. A headless man winds up in the local school's pool. A racehorse in peak condition falls over dead after a big race. That horse's trainer who has no reason for wanting to die, commits suicide on the beach that very same day. There are too many coincidences and loose ends, but not enough people who actually care about the truth like police officer Mike Hegan does. With a determination to find out what is really going on, he may not be prepared to handle it once he finds out some heavy hitters may be involved. Everyone seems to know exactly why bodies keep turning up, but no one wants to talk when it might mean their death next. The only one that seems to want answers just as much as Hegan does is the trainer's sister, Portia. While recovering from a gunshot wound, Hegan decides that he may be better off by enlisting her help instead of fighting her off every step of the way, even though he could get into trouble for it... or worse.
Panettiere could captivate more readers by focusing his attention on the case instead of deflating the mystery with inconsequential details. While reading this novel, it is blatantly obvious that there is an absence of an investigation going on until the reader reaches well over a hundred pages. This is not a good start for a murder mystery, since most begin with the murder actually taking place, or detectives and police on the scene. The reader will either be bored or depressed by the police officer's personal life before reaching what the actual story is truly about. This is something that can be easily remedied by taking the huge chunk of text from the beginning out and slowly working it back into the story and adding more detail about what was done to try and identify the headless man. Either way, completing at least one of these suggestions is good practice if the author really wants a book that is well defined and catches the reader's attention. A back story and character development is great, but too much can overpower a story. Also, there are so many spelling and grammatical errors that it makes it difficult to enjoy the story. Big words appear in small sentences, and sometimes it is the wrong one. There is a lot of filler that does not appear to have anything to do with the story, and some of the characters and their actions do not appear credible. Scenes are artificial and thrown together which reflects that research was not thoroughly completed. For instance, the budding romance is completely unprofessional from the beginning, with immature quips and a lack of respect for Hegan's position of power. This can give the reader a negative outlook on the main character, especially if he is supposed to be the "good guy". It is recommended for the the author to go back and rework this story as there is a lot to be desired, which drives us to provide A Woman to Blame with a two-star rating.
An electronic copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery and in no way affects the honesty of this review.
September 6, 2024
✨ Vincent Panettiere's "A Woman to Blame" is a gripping and gritty crime thriller, issues like domestic violence, anger, and the politics within law enforcement are addressed directly.
✨ The story begins with Mike on a small Caribbean island, investigating a homicide he disagrees with the official ruling on. His search for the truth leads him from Chicago to the Caribbean, where he encounters a wide range of characters.
✨ Even the minor characters, though briefly seen, are well-developed and intriguing. The characters are so captivating that I’d love to see Mike Hegan as the lead in a series. Well done!
✨ A woman crashes into a tree, a headless man is found in a pool, and a healthy racehorse dies after a race. On the same day, the horse's trainer commits suicide.
✨ Detective Mike Hegan knows there's a missing piece to the puzzle. While the police label it a murder-suicide, Hegan embarks on his own investigation, uncovering a deadly web of deception and revenge.
✨ Though the murderers are revealed to the reader from the start, the tension steadily rises as the killers' motives remain unclear. Only at the end does everything come together, allowing the reader to finally uncover the true resolution.
✨ Mike Hegan's character is one of the novel's strongest aspects. His stubbornness and determination to dig deeper, even at great personal cost, make him an incredibly compelling protagonist.
✨ The novel is also noteworthy for its well-constructed plot and suspenseful pacing. The mystery is tightly woven, with enough twists to keep readers guessing
✨ "A Woman to Blame" could have easily been a great movie, but as a novel, it stands strong on its own & is a must-read for those who enjoy a suspenseful, character-driven mystery.
✨ I only reason I don't give this book 5 star, because of the unnecessary drama, otherwise this book is highly recommended to fans of Elizabeth George, Peter Robertson!
✨ Thanks to the BookTasters team for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
✨ The story begins with Mike on a small Caribbean island, investigating a homicide he disagrees with the official ruling on. His search for the truth leads him from Chicago to the Caribbean, where he encounters a wide range of characters.
✨ Even the minor characters, though briefly seen, are well-developed and intriguing. The characters are so captivating that I’d love to see Mike Hegan as the lead in a series. Well done!
✨ A woman crashes into a tree, a headless man is found in a pool, and a healthy racehorse dies after a race. On the same day, the horse's trainer commits suicide.
✨ Detective Mike Hegan knows there's a missing piece to the puzzle. While the police label it a murder-suicide, Hegan embarks on his own investigation, uncovering a deadly web of deception and revenge.
✨ Though the murderers are revealed to the reader from the start, the tension steadily rises as the killers' motives remain unclear. Only at the end does everything come together, allowing the reader to finally uncover the true resolution.
✨ Mike Hegan's character is one of the novel's strongest aspects. His stubbornness and determination to dig deeper, even at great personal cost, make him an incredibly compelling protagonist.
✨ The novel is also noteworthy for its well-constructed plot and suspenseful pacing. The mystery is tightly woven, with enough twists to keep readers guessing
✨ "A Woman to Blame" could have easily been a great movie, but as a novel, it stands strong on its own & is a must-read for those who enjoy a suspenseful, character-driven mystery.
✨ I only reason I don't give this book 5 star, because of the unnecessary drama, otherwise this book is highly recommended to fans of Elizabeth George, Peter Robertson!
✨ Thanks to the BookTasters team for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2024
A Woman to Blame is a gripping crime novel that intertwines mystery, drama, and elements of dark humor. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's icy winters and the tropical allure of the Caribbean, the story follows Mike Hegan, a Chicago detective with a knack for finding himself in complex and perilous situations.
The narrative kicks off with Hegan trudging through a snowstorm to a crime scene, only to find himself drawn into a web of intrigue that spans continents. The initial homicide in Chicago sets the stage for a series of events that lead Hegan to the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. There, he becomes embroiled in a case involving the deaths of seven individuals due to a burnt fish incident. through his investigations and experiences, Mike Hegan ends up with a strong, personal motive to go after the woman he believes is responsible for the deaths he is investigating.
Hegan's fiancée (Lucy), who introduces a softer, more domestic aspect to his life. Her determination to teach him how to dance provides a humorous and tender subplot that contrasts with the darker themes of the book.
And there's Madame Stella the enigmatic dance instructor whose cryptic phrase "D.E.A.D." introduces a uniquely odd yet fascinating scene in the story.
The author employs a straightforward yet evocative prose style, blending witty dialogue with vivid descriptions. The book is easy to read with a mix of suspense and humor.
The narrative kicks off with Hegan trudging through a snowstorm to a crime scene, only to find himself drawn into a web of intrigue that spans continents. The initial homicide in Chicago sets the stage for a series of events that lead Hegan to the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. There, he becomes embroiled in a case involving the deaths of seven individuals due to a burnt fish incident. through his investigations and experiences, Mike Hegan ends up with a strong, personal motive to go after the woman he believes is responsible for the deaths he is investigating.
Hegan's fiancée (Lucy), who introduces a softer, more domestic aspect to his life. Her determination to teach him how to dance provides a humorous and tender subplot that contrasts with the darker themes of the book.
And there's Madame Stella the enigmatic dance instructor whose cryptic phrase "D.E.A.D." introduces a uniquely odd yet fascinating scene in the story.
The author employs a straightforward yet evocative prose style, blending witty dialogue with vivid descriptions. The book is easy to read with a mix of suspense and humor.
November 9, 2024
Synopsis: Mike Hegan, a renowned police detective on the cusp of his retirement, with the emotional turmoil of the loss of his fiancée and scars deeper than those he’s gotten from his time on the field, like a moth to flame, he is drawn to the death of a prized racehorse, Italian Scallion and it’s young, spirited trainer, Ariel Sutherland. As he digs deeper into this peculiar case he is thrown into a web of deceit, greed, power tussle and ultimately an unfounded love interest.
The book is set in third person narration with alternating chapters/sections for each character.
I could not help but notice how the thematic concepts of love and pain were woven into the plot; the healing power of love, how it slowly seeps in against the emotional barricades put up by former experiences, how it subtly soothes and heals past grievances.
The most definitive feature of the book, for me, has to be the coruscating brilliance of wordplay along with the movie references, this is not surprising given the background of the author.
I had a quite a slow start because it was difficult for me to grasp the workings of the characters, but that hurdle was soon overcome as I found myself getting invested in them (the characters), some more than others.
If you’re one who loves mystery with a dash of humor then this is the book for you. This is undeniably one of Vincent’s best work yet.
The book is set in third person narration with alternating chapters/sections for each character.
I could not help but notice how the thematic concepts of love and pain were woven into the plot; the healing power of love, how it slowly seeps in against the emotional barricades put up by former experiences, how it subtly soothes and heals past grievances.
The most definitive feature of the book, for me, has to be the coruscating brilliance of wordplay along with the movie references, this is not surprising given the background of the author.
I had a quite a slow start because it was difficult for me to grasp the workings of the characters, but that hurdle was soon overcome as I found myself getting invested in them (the characters), some more than others.
If you’re one who loves mystery with a dash of humor then this is the book for you. This is undeniably one of Vincent’s best work yet.
April 22, 2020
Like all the best murder/mysteries, Vincent Panettiere’s A Woman to Blame wastes no time building upon its instantly intriguing premise. On the wrong side of an early-retirement, Veteran detective Mike Hegen is haunted by a case whose conclusion never felt quite right. What begins as a guilt-driven attempt to make sense of the past quickly snowballs into an exploration of a criminal underworld rife with murder and deceit.
After a storied career in the sports and entertainment industry, Panettiere reportedly decided to finally resurrect and rework this once-rejected screenplay into what would ultimately become his debut novel, A Woman to Blame. The results are impressive, to say the least; Panettiere writes with a clear, distinct voice that often ‘shows’ and rarely ‘tells.’ While the novel could benefit from a good professional ‘edit’ (the text is somewhat littered with typos and other grammatical errors), the overall strength of the story renders this a forgivable gripe.
With a colorful cast of meticulously-crafted characters and a cleverly-constructed, twist-laden plot, A Woman to Blame is a James Patterson-esque, hard-boiled murder-mystery that will likely keep readers on their toes until the very last page—highly recommended.
After a storied career in the sports and entertainment industry, Panettiere reportedly decided to finally resurrect and rework this once-rejected screenplay into what would ultimately become his debut novel, A Woman to Blame. The results are impressive, to say the least; Panettiere writes with a clear, distinct voice that often ‘shows’ and rarely ‘tells.’ While the novel could benefit from a good professional ‘edit’ (the text is somewhat littered with typos and other grammatical errors), the overall strength of the story renders this a forgivable gripe.
With a colorful cast of meticulously-crafted characters and a cleverly-constructed, twist-laden plot, A Woman to Blame is a James Patterson-esque, hard-boiled murder-mystery that will likely keep readers on their toes until the very last page—highly recommended.
September 16, 2024
As my first dive into Vincent Panettiere's writing, A Woman to Blame is a riveting introduction to the author's literary prowess. Panettiere, known for his ability to write intricate and intriguing stories, does not disappoint with this book.
The novel immediately immerses you in its intricate network of characters and motivations. The tale concentrates around a primary mystery, which unfolds with great care, reflecting Panettiere's ability to build rich narratives. The characters are more than just archetypes; they have depth and nuance, which makes their travels both sympathetic and interesting.
The text is snappy and fascinating, displaying Panettiere's talent for vivid imagery and emotional impact. His speech is sharp, and the story's tempo keeps you engaged from start to finish.
As the tale deepens, Panettiere expertly weaves in twists and turns that test your assumptions and keep the tension alive.
One of the novel's merits is its examination of subjects such as responsibility, atonement, and the human condition. Panettiere dives into these subjects with depth, prompting readers to consider their own beliefs and judgement.
The novel immediately immerses you in its intricate network of characters and motivations. The tale concentrates around a primary mystery, which unfolds with great care, reflecting Panettiere's ability to build rich narratives. The characters are more than just archetypes; they have depth and nuance, which makes their travels both sympathetic and interesting.
The text is snappy and fascinating, displaying Panettiere's talent for vivid imagery and emotional impact. His speech is sharp, and the story's tempo keeps you engaged from start to finish.
As the tale deepens, Panettiere expertly weaves in twists and turns that test your assumptions and keep the tension alive.
One of the novel's merits is its examination of subjects such as responsibility, atonement, and the human condition. Panettiere dives into these subjects with depth, prompting readers to consider their own beliefs and judgement.
October 9, 2024
A Woman to Blame by Vincent Panettiere is a complex mystery novel that follows Detective Mike Hegan as he investigates the apparent suicide of a young horse trainer, Ariel Sutherland, and the murder of her racing champion, The Italian Scallion.
The story delves into a web of suspects, including a college professor, a mob enforcer, and a ruthless Russian mafia operator.
This book was a lengthy read for me, and I'll admit it took me longer than normal to finish, there were times where I was confused. But it's mystery after all, I get it - I mean we're meant to be clueless at first.
Initially, I struggled to grasp the purpose of certain scenes, but as the story unfolded, everything made sense. The book's complexity is both a strength and weakness.
Overall, this book is an engaging mystery, even if it felt a bit long-winded. If you're patient and willing to piece together the puzzle, you'll find it interesting.
The story delves into a web of suspects, including a college professor, a mob enforcer, and a ruthless Russian mafia operator.
This book was a lengthy read for me, and I'll admit it took me longer than normal to finish, there were times where I was confused. But it's mystery after all, I get it - I mean we're meant to be clueless at first.
Initially, I struggled to grasp the purpose of certain scenes, but as the story unfolded, everything made sense. The book's complexity is both a strength and weakness.
Overall, this book is an engaging mystery, even if it felt a bit long-winded. If you're patient and willing to piece together the puzzle, you'll find it interesting.
September 29, 2024
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..
Despite this book being a bit slow in places I really enjoyed the story line and the ending of this book. The book had a lot of unexpected events for me which kept me interested through the slower parts.
I really liked portia and Hagens characters in the book and was really invested in them becoming a couple before portia’s death, however I also was happy with Hagens relationship with Diana at the end of the book.
There were parts of the story line that I couldn’t figure out the relevance when I read them however it all came together towards the end of the book and provided a really good ending.
Other than the slowness of some parts of the book I really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend to anyone who likes crime thrillers.
Despite this book being a bit slow in places I really enjoyed the story line and the ending of this book. The book had a lot of unexpected events for me which kept me interested through the slower parts.
I really liked portia and Hagens characters in the book and was really invested in them becoming a couple before portia’s death, however I also was happy with Hagens relationship with Diana at the end of the book.
There were parts of the story line that I couldn’t figure out the relevance when I read them however it all came together towards the end of the book and provided a really good ending.
Other than the slowness of some parts of the book I really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend to anyone who likes crime thrillers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2024
3/5
In this book, we follow Hegan, a stubborn cop, who has recently lost his partner, Lucy. He is determined to resolve the murder mystery of Ariel, a young woman victim of a bigger situation. We can find mystery, murders, and a little dark humor.
I liked Hegan, I liked his courageousness and intelligence. Portia was exceptional, and I really empathized with her.
I just have one complaint: the first 100 pages are the set-up and the background for the real story, which made it a little tedious. Then, we get into the real story, which was fine, I was liking it, but the ending is very fast-paced, like 10 pages!! So I was a little disappointed, I was waiting more.
Either way, interesting book, interesting story, and I liked the characters.
In this book, we follow Hegan, a stubborn cop, who has recently lost his partner, Lucy. He is determined to resolve the murder mystery of Ariel, a young woman victim of a bigger situation. We can find mystery, murders, and a little dark humor.
I liked Hegan, I liked his courageousness and intelligence. Portia was exceptional, and I really empathized with her.
I just have one complaint: the first 100 pages are the set-up and the background for the real story, which made it a little tedious. Then, we get into the real story, which was fine, I was liking it, but the ending is very fast-paced, like 10 pages!! So I was a little disappointed, I was waiting more.
Either way, interesting book, interesting story, and I liked the characters.
August 27, 2024
I have never been so immersed in a book; A Woman to Blame got all of my attention. I love the way the author made the long book so easy to read and the characters relatable. Hegan and Portia made me believe that love will always find you where you are so long as you stay put to your purpose. I thought the two would end up getting married, but a twist in the tale proved me otherwise; that is one of the reasons I kept falling in love with this novel. The twist and turn of events! I'd rate it 4/5 though, because at some point, the author gives too much details which got me lost in what that particular scene is all about. Nevertheless, it's been a perfect ride!😊
August 30, 2024
Amazing thrilling, layered up with so much of twist and turns that it would either make a reader fall in love or think if it matters who is guilty or not.
The story revolves around Mike Hegan, the lead detective of a perfectly wrapped up case. He just can't shake the feeling that there is more to it than meets the eye. And yes, there is so much more than anyone would have thought.
It's a great book, but it starts off slow. If the readers just keep patient with the story and characters, it turns out completely worth it. After that 15 per cent mark, all of the story just got so much more interesting. Definitely recommend to readers who want to get an intriguing suspense thriller.
The story revolves around Mike Hegan, the lead detective of a perfectly wrapped up case. He just can't shake the feeling that there is more to it than meets the eye. And yes, there is so much more than anyone would have thought.
It's a great book, but it starts off slow. If the readers just keep patient with the story and characters, it turns out completely worth it. After that 15 per cent mark, all of the story just got so much more interesting. Definitely recommend to readers who want to get an intriguing suspense thriller.
September 28, 2024
A Woman to Blame
At first, I found the narrative a bit disorienting due to the shifts in focus, but soon realized the author was building a detailed backstory for each character. The story begins with a cop who loses his fiancée after warning her not to go out. From there, the plot moves to other characters, including Ariel, a horse trainer whose horse tragically dies during a competition—an event linked to Franci, who played a role in the mishap.
This is a fantastic thriller that immerses you in the emotions of each character. The author does an excellent job of developing and explaining each one.
At first, I found the narrative a bit disorienting due to the shifts in focus, but soon realized the author was building a detailed backstory for each character. The story begins with a cop who loses his fiancée after warning her not to go out. From there, the plot moves to other characters, including Ariel, a horse trainer whose horse tragically dies during a competition—an event linked to Franci, who played a role in the mishap.
This is a fantastic thriller that immerses you in the emotions of each character. The author does an excellent job of developing and explaining each one.
May 20, 2020
I loved the setting, especially being from an area where the weather is colder. The Caribbean is a nice reprieve. The character development was great and you can really feel for each of them. However, the same care wasn't provided to the plot and also to the editing. The errors are enough that they are big distractions that pulled me out of the story on numerous occasions. There's a lot of purple prose that is distracting as well and the flow/pacing is very slow due to this. This could have been a great book, but definitely needs more developmental editing and copyediting.
August 9, 2024
This is my first time reading anything from Vincent Panettiere. To be honest, I was not expecting his writing style at all. The book is very fast paced with a very abrupt approach. The plot complexity is minimal and jumps between different characters throughout the book which can lead to a bit of confusion. However, Vincent Panettiere does a good job blending the different characters’ lives into one story. Despite the plot and grammatical errors, this book is crime packed and takes you for a ride through the tropics on a hunt for a killer.
September 4, 2024
Veteran cop Mike Hegan is going through a rough patch when he decides to take on a curious murder-suicide case involving a racehorse and his trainer Ariel. Suspecting foul play, he joins forces with the victim's sister, Portia, to get to the bottom of the case.
Characters with very attractive and complex personalities, of those who do not leave indifferent. A slow but sure pace, perfect for the story, which is gaining traction as we approach the solution of the case with some unexpected twists.
A mystery novel with an air of noir that will undoubtedly entertain lovers of the genre.
Characters with very attractive and complex personalities, of those who do not leave indifferent. A slow but sure pace, perfect for the story, which is gaining traction as we approach the solution of the case with some unexpected twists.
A mystery novel with an air of noir that will undoubtedly entertain lovers of the genre.
June 2, 2025
Police detective Mike Hegan investigates a murder-suicide involving a racehorse and its trainer. As he deals with personal struggles, he uncovers a dangerous web of deception and revenge. The book is well-written, with detailed characters and intricate plot twists. Themes of domestic violence and police procedures are explored, keeping readers engaged until the satisfying conclusion. This complex mystery is a must-read for fans of intricate and suspenseful crime stories.
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