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Sydney Valentine #5
The Game
Detective Sydney Valentine pursues the truth behind who or what killed two high school teachers.
While attending her former high school’s football game, Detective Sydney Valentine is dispatched to the scene of the suspicious death of Barry Riley, the team’s coach.During her investigation, Valentine discovers Riley was known for his love of the ladies—any lady, married or single. Did a jealous boyfriend or husband find out about the infidelity and decide to get rid of the competition—permanently?
Several days after Riley’s death, Ms. Price, a beloved math teacher, is discovered dead in her flower garden. She enjoyed playing blackjack at casinos and was also deeply in debt. Did she owe money to the wrong people and paid with her life?
As Valentine puts together the clues, she realizes the cases are connected.
As usual, the truth is unexpected—and quite disturbing.
While attending her former high school’s football game, Detective Sydney Valentine is dispatched to the scene of the suspicious death of Barry Riley, the team’s coach.During her investigation, Valentine discovers Riley was known for his love of the ladies—any lady, married or single. Did a jealous boyfriend or husband find out about the infidelity and decide to get rid of the competition—permanently?
Several days after Riley’s death, Ms. Price, a beloved math teacher, is discovered dead in her flower garden. She enjoyed playing blackjack at casinos and was also deeply in debt. Did she owe money to the wrong people and paid with her life?
As Valentine puts together the clues, she realizes the cases are connected.
As usual, the truth is unexpected—and quite disturbing.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2020
19 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Lenee Davis
8 books12 followersWhen you're not writing, how do you spend your time? Eating chocolate. Okay, seriously? I'm usually working at my day job, reading, or helping my daughter with her homework. People who know me know that I'm not kidding about the chocolate. :-)
How do you discover the ebooks you read? I search online or friends tell me if they've read something they enjoyed. Otherwise, I wait until a book title comes to me in a dream. Really.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? Yes! I wrote it many years ago. It wasn't even a story. It was a scene and I thought it was great. It wasn't.
What is your writing process? When I come up with an idea, I do some research to flesh it out. If I decide it will make an interesting book, I start jotting down plot points. Once I get that, I note what I think should happen in each chapter. It's just a couple of sentences. Then, I elaborate on that and include a sentence or two about the scenes in the chapter. Okay, we're going back to the dream again, here. But, I'm serious this time. :-) Sometimes, when I'm driving to or from work, I sort of daydream. I think most of us do that. From time to time, when I daydream, thoughts of my book come to me and the characters start talking in my head. When that happens while I'm driving I grab my mini digital recorder and speak into it. I get the same thoughts when I'm in bed trying to fall asleep. I usually turn on the light and start writing. And there you have it.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? Uh, no. No, I don't. Now that the question has been asked, I'm feeling a bit sad that I don't remember. Okay, life goes on. I'm over it. Next question.
How do you approach cover design? For my first cover, I printed out online book covers of the authors I enjoy reading. I looked at the covers of the books I own. I studied the opinions of book designers on what made a good cover. Since I'm sure nobody would take a second look at a book cover I drew, I browsed stock images. A LOT of stock images. I wanted an image that created an emotional reaction in me. I think if it does that for me, it may also do it for a reader browsing for books. I used a font that was recommended for the type of book I wrote. For the cover of my second book, I had an idea in mind and went back to the stock images. Hopefully, that book (Criminal Negligence) will be ready by the end of 2014. If it's not, well, then it's not. Shoot me.
What do you read for pleasure? Mysteries/Suspense. I like my heart to race. Well, except if it involves running. I don't want that. In a book, I like trying to figure out what's going on before the author tells me. If I can't figure out who did the dirty deed and the story is compelling, I'll read that author again. In fact, I'll seek out their next book and probably buy all of the series. I prefer to read series.
What is your e-reading device of choice? Currently, it's the Kindle 6" E Ink. The screen isn't very big, but you can only read one word at a time anyway, right?
Describe your desk. Huh? My desk? Really? Well, the surface is too small. I have an HP Notebook with a wireless keyboard and mouse. There's a lot of paper on the desk. Too much. There's also a smoke detector sitting on it that needs to be attached to the ceiling. I'm procrastinating. I may regret that. Note to self: Put up the smoke detector!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing? I'm an Army brat and grew up all over, I guess you could say. I think the travelling enabled me to be around different types of people. That's a good thing. I'm observant of people and that helps with writing.
What motivated you to become an indie author? I never sent out query letters. Nor did I try to seek an agent. It's about control. I wanted to do the cover MY way. I wanted to make my own deadlines.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you? Telling stories. Solitude. Eating chocolate while I write. :-
How do you discover the ebooks you read? I search online or friends tell me if they've read something they enjoyed. Otherwise, I wait until a book title comes to me in a dream. Really.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? Yes! I wrote it many years ago. It wasn't even a story. It was a scene and I thought it was great. It wasn't.
What is your writing process? When I come up with an idea, I do some research to flesh it out. If I decide it will make an interesting book, I start jotting down plot points. Once I get that, I note what I think should happen in each chapter. It's just a couple of sentences. Then, I elaborate on that and include a sentence or two about the scenes in the chapter. Okay, we're going back to the dream again, here. But, I'm serious this time. :-) Sometimes, when I'm driving to or from work, I sort of daydream. I think most of us do that. From time to time, when I daydream, thoughts of my book come to me and the characters start talking in my head. When that happens while I'm driving I grab my mini digital recorder and speak into it. I get the same thoughts when I'm in bed trying to fall asleep. I usually turn on the light and start writing. And there you have it.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? Uh, no. No, I don't. Now that the question has been asked, I'm feeling a bit sad that I don't remember. Okay, life goes on. I'm over it. Next question.
How do you approach cover design? For my first cover, I printed out online book covers of the authors I enjoy reading. I looked at the covers of the books I own. I studied the opinions of book designers on what made a good cover. Since I'm sure nobody would take a second look at a book cover I drew, I browsed stock images. A LOT of stock images. I wanted an image that created an emotional reaction in me. I think if it does that for me, it may also do it for a reader browsing for books. I used a font that was recommended for the type of book I wrote. For the cover of my second book, I had an idea in mind and went back to the stock images. Hopefully, that book (Criminal Negligence) will be ready by the end of 2014. If it's not, well, then it's not. Shoot me.
What do you read for pleasure? Mysteries/Suspense. I like my heart to race. Well, except if it involves running. I don't want that. In a book, I like trying to figure out what's going on before the author tells me. If I can't figure out who did the dirty deed and the story is compelling, I'll read that author again. In fact, I'll seek out their next book and probably buy all of the series. I prefer to read series.
What is your e-reading device of choice? Currently, it's the Kindle 6" E Ink. The screen isn't very big, but you can only read one word at a time anyway, right?
Describe your desk. Huh? My desk? Really? Well, the surface is too small. I have an HP Notebook with a wireless keyboard and mouse. There's a lot of paper on the desk. Too much. There's also a smoke detector sitting on it that needs to be attached to the ceiling. I'm procrastinating. I may regret that. Note to self: Put up the smoke detector!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing? I'm an Army brat and grew up all over, I guess you could say. I think the travelling enabled me to be around different types of people. That's a good thing. I'm observant of people and that helps with writing.
What motivated you to become an indie author? I never sent out query letters. Nor did I try to seek an agent. It's about control. I wanted to do the cover MY way. I wanted to make my own deadlines.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you? Telling stories. Solitude. Eating chocolate while I write. :-
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 22, 2020
It was worth waiting for this Sydney Valentine story...The Game is wonderful, chock full of suspicious characters and loads of drama. The football coach from San Sansolita high school is murdered, apparently due to a drug overdose. Shortly before he's found dead, arguments between the coach and two parents are watched by the crowd, among them Sydney Valentine and her sister, MacKenzie. Then just days after his death, a math teacher dies from similar circumstances.
As Sydney delves into this whodunnit we're along for the journey. And what a journey it is! Sydney is still trying to find out why her current partner, Megan, is no longer Pete Ramsey's partner. Something's definitely weird about Megan and Sydney is trying to find out what's going on. Megan's rude, abrupt, constantly late and frequently disappears without explanation. In the midst of the case for the coach and teacher, Sydney's still trying to find out who is responsible for the molotov cocktail that almost destroyed her home and who's the stalker that keeps leaving roses on her doorstep. Her one-time partner, Bernie, andTheresa, his new partner, are doing their best to find answers.
Her married sister has been flirting with Tony, her high school crush, which infuriates Sydney. At their high school reunion when Mac points out Tony talking to some of his buddies, Sydney comes to the realization that someone she went to school with may be involved with the two murders. She goes outside to follow him and there's a confrontation that results in Teresa's being shot. Was it the suspect or the stalker? Read this book and find out. I have no doubt you'll find it entertaining and enjoyable.
As Sydney delves into this whodunnit we're along for the journey. And what a journey it is! Sydney is still trying to find out why her current partner, Megan, is no longer Pete Ramsey's partner. Something's definitely weird about Megan and Sydney is trying to find out what's going on. Megan's rude, abrupt, constantly late and frequently disappears without explanation. In the midst of the case for the coach and teacher, Sydney's still trying to find out who is responsible for the molotov cocktail that almost destroyed her home and who's the stalker that keeps leaving roses on her doorstep. Her one-time partner, Bernie, andTheresa, his new partner, are doing their best to find answers.
Her married sister has been flirting with Tony, her high school crush, which infuriates Sydney. At their high school reunion when Mac points out Tony talking to some of his buddies, Sydney comes to the realization that someone she went to school with may be involved with the two murders. She goes outside to follow him and there's a confrontation that results in Teresa's being shot. Was it the suspect or the stalker? Read this book and find out. I have no doubt you'll find it entertaining and enjoyable.
June 22, 2020
You always know when you get this kind of thriller written by this author and with Detective Sydney Valentine that it’s going to be a cracker. And this one doesn’t disappoint. You never want to put it down, have to read it to the end as soon as possible. Highly recommended
July 4, 2020
High school teachers are dying and Sydney is on the case.
Once again she keeps you guessing about the real killer until the end.
I received an arc copy of this book
Once again she keeps you guessing about the real killer until the end.
I received an arc copy of this book
July 31, 2020
I haven’t read the first four books in this series so I didn’t feel the connection as well as I might have. To me this book was ok but seemed to leave too many unanswered questions.
June 28, 2020
The Game, a much anticipated book five in the Sydney Valentine series, is here at last and well worth the wait. Two deaths, seemingly unconnected, take place in a short space of time. A football coach dies suddenly, shortly after altercations with two people at a
football match. A short while later, a popular maths teacher is found dead in the garden of her home. One victim disliked by many, the other seemingly very popular. Sydney and her team investigate each case separately but soon discover there appears to be a tenuos connection between the two cases. To say more would spoil this cleverly constructed crime thriller that keeps the reader engrossed right to the very surprising conclusion. Highly recommended. A definite must read.
football match. A short while later, a popular maths teacher is found dead in the garden of her home. One victim disliked by many, the other seemingly very popular. Sydney and her team investigate each case separately but soon discover there appears to be a tenuos connection between the two cases. To say more would spoil this cleverly constructed crime thriller that keeps the reader engrossed right to the very surprising conclusion. Highly recommended. A definite must read.
March 7, 2021
Book Five - The Game, a much anticipated book five in the Sydney Valentine series, is here at last and well worth the wait. Two deaths, seemingly unconnected, take place in a short space of time. A football coach dies suddenly, shortly after altercations with two people at a football match. A short while later, a popular maths teacher is found dead in the garden of her home. One victim disliked by many, the other seemingly very popular. Sydney and her team investigate each case separately but soon discover there appears to be a tenuos connection between the two cases. To say more would spoil this cleverly constructed crime thriller that keeps the reader engrossed right to the very surprising conclusion. Highly recommended.


Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews