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Samantha Church Mystery #5
On the Border
When an anonymous, handwritten letter arrives at the newspaper with a whistleblower’s claim that his construction company is involved in murder, money laundering and harboring undocumented workers, reporter Samantha Church senses that another major news story is about to unfold.
Sam recruits cub reporter Hunter John Hollingsworth—an energetic, bilingual journalist eager to work on his first big story—to help her with the investigation.
With the informer’s cousin missing and feared dead and a starting point of a seemingly inconspicuous cell phone store, Sam and Hunter are deeply drawn into the impending story.
But standing in the reporter’s way are villains with a sinister leader. They want nothing more than to protect the operation they’ve spent years building—and they’ll resort to any means necessary to keep their scheme alive.
Determined to expose the truth, Sam and Hunter follow a winding path of evil and hatred that threatens dire consequences for everyone involved.
On the Border, is the fifth and newest fast-paced novel in the award-winning mystery series featuring Sam and the rest of the great ensemble cast of characters who will keep you coming back for more.
Sam recruits cub reporter Hunter John Hollingsworth—an energetic, bilingual journalist eager to work on his first big story—to help her with the investigation.
With the informer’s cousin missing and feared dead and a starting point of a seemingly inconspicuous cell phone store, Sam and Hunter are deeply drawn into the impending story.
But standing in the reporter’s way are villains with a sinister leader. They want nothing more than to protect the operation they’ve spent years building—and they’ll resort to any means necessary to keep their scheme alive.
Determined to expose the truth, Sam and Hunter follow a winding path of evil and hatred that threatens dire consequences for everyone involved.
On the Border, is the fifth and newest fast-paced novel in the award-winning mystery series featuring Sam and the rest of the great ensemble cast of characters who will keep you coming back for more.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2020
About the author
Betta Ferrendelli
13 books125 followersI have been an award-winning journalist since 1989, having worked at newspapers and magazines in Denver, Seattle and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I am the author of the award-winning and Amazon best-selling Samantha Church Mystery Series, featuring The Friday Edition (named one of the best books of 2013 by Kirkus and a Readers' Favorite gold medal winner), Revenge is Sweet, Dead Wrong, Cold Case No. 99-5219 (a Readers' Favorite gold medal winner), On the Border, The Long Way Home and Point of Origin. Dusk, the eighth book in the mystery series, will publish in late 2026.
I have also written two award-winning books in contemporary women's fiction: Last Things and An Invincible Summer.
Be sure to follow me on BookBub for the latest on all my books and to download a free copy of The Friday Edition: https://bit.ly/3JztNtx
I am the author of the award-winning and Amazon best-selling Samantha Church Mystery Series, featuring The Friday Edition (named one of the best books of 2013 by Kirkus and a Readers' Favorite gold medal winner), Revenge is Sweet, Dead Wrong, Cold Case No. 99-5219 (a Readers' Favorite gold medal winner), On the Border, The Long Way Home and Point of Origin. Dusk, the eighth book in the mystery series, will publish in late 2026.
I have also written two award-winning books in contemporary women's fiction: Last Things and An Invincible Summer.
Be sure to follow me on BookBub for the latest on all my books and to download a free copy of The Friday Edition: https://bit.ly/3JztNtx
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 24, 2024
loved this story!
Such warm and believable characters. Both Hunter and Sam were dealing with deep life issues yet were able to work to help others. A sad yet uplifting story. I will read this author’s work again.
Such warm and believable characters. Both Hunter and Sam were dealing with deep life issues yet were able to work to help others. A sad yet uplifting story. I will read this author’s work again.
September 21, 2020
Interesting Read.
Why only four stars? Because only Shakespeare gets five.
Finished in a day. Kept me reading till the end. Suspenseful.
Why only four stars? Because only Shakespeare gets five.
Finished in a day. Kept me reading till the end. Suspenseful.
August 22, 2020
This was a wonderful story. I highly recommend it.
August 17, 2020
Great read
This is so up to date on what's happening now to so many undocumented workers who have no say in their lives. It kept me reading and enjoyed the characters...
This is so up to date on what's happening now to so many undocumented workers who have no say in their lives. It kept me reading and enjoyed the characters...
June 30, 2020
Samantha Church comes to work one morning to find a letter to her, written in Spanish. Sam, Wilson, nor Nick speak Spanish! It just happens that Wilson and Nick had hired a new cub reporter, Hunter John Hollingsworth, who Sam had been training. AND he is bilingual. The letter is written by a whistleblower concerning some questionable things happening on the man's construction site and the disappearance of his cousin, Javier Lujan. Sam and Hunter start an investigation! As Sam and Hunter spend more and more time on stakeouts, they form a deep friendship. There is danger at every twist and turn of this story. I have read every one of the Samantha Church Series and I really think this is the best one yet.
June 23, 2020
Remarkable! Page turner! Good from book1 to 5
Not sure I would like when first started to read. But after few chapters..I was hooked. I read book 1-5 . Loved it.Thank you.
Not sure I would like when first started to read. But after few chapters..I was hooked. I read book 1-5 . Loved it.Thank you.
July 24, 2020
Get this book!
One of the best Samantha Church books! Didn't want to put it down! I was a little disappointed at the end but not surprised.
One of the best Samantha Church books! Didn't want to put it down! I was a little disappointed at the end but not surprised.
August 3, 2020
A timely and exciting story
This is the story of 2 investigative reporters and their search for the truth in a suspected money -laundering scheme involving undocumented workers.
This is the story of 2 investigative reporters and their search for the truth in a suspected money -laundering scheme involving undocumented workers.
May 31, 2021
Tear jerker
This was a good book that kept me interested the whole read. Although it brought some tears at the end, I felt the overall tone was uplifting. I liked the background info on the characters and their chosen professions. Lastly I liked the human aspects of the story including Sam's struggle with alcohol and the loss and bereavement one faces when losing someone they love and care about. Thank you for your words!
This was a good book that kept me interested the whole read. Although it brought some tears at the end, I felt the overall tone was uplifting. I liked the background info on the characters and their chosen professions. Lastly I liked the human aspects of the story including Sam's struggle with alcohol and the loss and bereavement one faces when losing someone they love and care about. Thank you for your words!
November 14, 2022
Samantha Church Mystery Book 5 ON THE BORDER by Betta Ferrendelli - A handwritten letter is dropped off at the newspaper—not mailed—telling about a man who disappeared from a construction site. It is in a mix of English and Spanish. A new reporter is fluent in Spanish, his mother was Mexican. He and Sam pursue the story and find a money laundering scheme. It is an interesting plot with a surprise ending. The author is an excellent writer.
May 6, 2023
A Slow Burn - Casually Building to a Nail Biting Ending
It's difficult review this book without accidentally including a spoiler. Rather than run that risk I will simply urge you to read it. Sam Church celebrates her first full year of sobriety working on a dangerous complex investigation. Prepare for a tense ride.
It's difficult review this book without accidentally including a spoiler. Rather than run that risk I will simply urge you to read it. Sam Church celebrates her first full year of sobriety working on a dangerous complex investigation. Prepare for a tense ride.
November 8, 2020
I got so engrossed in the story it was hard to put it down. Another winner in the Samantha Church series. So glad Sam is stonger and healthier, hooray for progress. Such a great series. Enjoyed it tremendously! Can’t hardly wait for the next book. Great read. Beautifully written!
December 31, 2020
this was a good story and I liked the characters. There were some plot areas that I thought unlikely but overall this was a good story and the characters were real. Why it's a 3 and not 4: I found it developed a bit slowly, with a little too much repetition and description of people's clothes.
January 13, 2021
The life and times
Of a newly minted reporter through the eyes of a broken and mended fellow reporter. Although the reading is slow at the beginning, the threadswoven Rotherham in the final tapestry make this a book well worth reading.
Of a newly minted reporter through the eyes of a broken and mended fellow reporter. Although the reading is slow at the beginning, the threadswoven Rotherham in the final tapestry make this a book well worth reading.
May 22, 2021
great read
Highly recommend this book. Good mystery, great character development, and really keeps your interest. Sad sad ending but believable. Also the book was a great length giving me many nights of great reading I didn't want to put down. Thanks for a great story.
Highly recommend this book. Good mystery, great character development, and really keeps your interest. Sad sad ending but believable. Also the book was a great length giving me many nights of great reading I didn't want to put down. Thanks for a great story.
June 27, 2021
Book 5
Another very good story line.pulls you in from sart.it actually had me crying at end of it.it's a must read story of illegal money laundering and illegal immigrants.a young reporter just starting out.a really heartening story five stars all the way.
Another very good story line.pulls you in from sart.it actually had me crying at end of it.it's a must read story of illegal money laundering and illegal immigrants.a young reporter just starting out.a really heartening story five stars all the way.
February 20, 2022
Great suspense novel
This is the first book I have read by this author and it will not be the last. It is so nice to read a novel that is not depending on smutt and sex to sell it or cover up a poorly written one.
The characters are well defined and the story line realistic.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it will not be the last. It is so nice to read a novel that is not depending on smutt and sex to sell it or cover up a poorly written one.
The characters are well defined and the story line realistic.
June 18, 2022
A definite page turner.
I accidentally found this book and I'm so glad that I did. I will definitely have to read the rest of the series. Ms. Ferendelli keeps up the suspense and her characters are totally believeable.
I accidentally found this book and I'm so glad that I did. I will definitely have to read the rest of the series. Ms. Ferendelli keeps up the suspense and her characters are totally believeable.
September 30, 2022
Give away
Was enjoying this book until Hunter asked her to take charge of his affairs. Right away I knew what was going to happen. Stopped reading except to check end to see if I was right. Was this book written merely as a prologue to the next book
Was enjoying this book until Hunter asked her to take charge of his affairs. Right away I knew what was going to happen. Stopped reading except to check end to see if I was right. Was this book written merely as a prologue to the next book
March 1, 2023
Good read
I enjoyed On the Boarder but it seemed at times a bit drawn out. Other than that I would recommend this one to anyone that likes to see the "bad guys" get what's coming to them!
I enjoyed On the Boarder but it seemed at times a bit drawn out. Other than that I would recommend this one to anyone that likes to see the "bad guys" get what's coming to them!
June 14, 2026
recommend
Good story filled with “real” people. No doubt many times these circumstances have been played out in many places: disadvantaged being taken in due to the need to survive.
Good story filled with “real” people. No doubt many times these circumstances have been played out in many places: disadvantaged being taken in due to the need to survive.
January 17, 2021
A good read.
January 17, 2021
Excellent read.
Well written and keeps your interest. Wonderful story line and great dialog. Everyday characters without extraordinary powers or abilities. Believable!
Well written and keeps your interest. Wonderful story line and great dialog. Everyday characters without extraordinary powers or abilities. Believable!
January 21, 2021
I'm so glad someone is taking the time to write about these issues which are very much present in our world now. It keeps you going page by page just to see how it unfolds.
January 29, 2021
I really enjoyed the read. OK, I am from Colorado and liked the setting. The author brought up a lot of thoughts. The characters were believable and real in my mind.
Worth the read!
Worth the read!
June 12, 2021
WonderfuL series
Audience in the books is good and so is the heartfelt emotion of human nature. I have enjoyed the series and hated when each book ended. Wonderful reads.
Audience in the books is good and so is the heartfelt emotion of human nature. I have enjoyed the series and hated when each book ended. Wonderful reads.
June 15, 2021
On the border
This book was so good I couldn't put it down. But I'll have to admit I cried like a baby at the end. I want to read more by Ferrendelli.
This book was so good I couldn't put it down. But I'll have to admit I cried like a baby at the end. I want to read more by Ferrendelli.
October 7, 2021
Engrossing and hard to put down. Very good character and plot development.
January 6, 2022
Very slow reading
I’m not interested in mysteries that don’t move at a faster pace. The story was not interesting. Stories about other countries are boring.
I’m not interested in mysteries that don’t move at a faster pace. The story was not interesting. Stories about other countries are boring.
March 24, 2022
A great read
On the Border is a really captivating read. The author captures the fragility and humanity of her characters as they fight for the underdog.
On the Border is a really captivating read. The author captures the fragility and humanity of her characters as they fight for the underdog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews