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Detective Sarah Spillman #3
Deadly Guild
Who would dump a woman’s body behind a sleazy motel?
She was a prostitute, young and alone, a discard of society. No one cared she was dead except Denver Homicide detective Sarah Spillman. As she searches for a killer, Sarah finds that those who knew the woman didn’t care, either.
Sarah uncovers few motives and even fewer clues. At the same time, her commander asks her to assist on another investigation, the drowning death of a homeless man, another forgotten member of society. However, he happened to be the son of the lieutenant governor. Sarah questions if the two murders are connected, and if someone is targeting society’s most vulnerable.
As Sarah pieces together disparate clues, she discovers something alarming …
The most privileged of society may also be the most depraved.
She was a prostitute, young and alone, a discard of society. No one cared she was dead except Denver Homicide detective Sarah Spillman. As she searches for a killer, Sarah finds that those who knew the woman didn’t care, either.
Sarah uncovers few motives and even fewer clues. At the same time, her commander asks her to assist on another investigation, the drowning death of a homeless man, another forgotten member of society. However, he happened to be the son of the lieutenant governor. Sarah questions if the two murders are connected, and if someone is targeting society’s most vulnerable.
As Sarah pieces together disparate clues, she discovers something alarming …
The most privileged of society may also be the most depraved.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2021
1573 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Renee Pawlish
113 books346 followersFrom the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 24, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Sarah Spillman is a homicide detective with the Denver Police Dept. She has been on desk duty following an officer involved shooting (the prior book in the series, but this novel can stand alone). Her first case when she is cleared for duty is a murdered prostitute who has been shot and thrown behind a seedy motel. Few clues and nobody admits to seeing anything. . . Of course. Spillman is asked to help a fellow detective with another murder case and she begins to suspect the two are related. This character is a spin off from another of Pawlish's mystery series - Reed Ferguson (a funny and engaging private detective which I highly recommend). I think you'll be hooked quickly with the riveting storyline and the wonderfully fleshed out characters. The case will keep you guessing and if you read this book first you'll want to check out the first two in the series and the Reed Ferguson and Dewey Webb (a detective set after World War II) series as well.
Verified Purchase
Sarah Spillman is a homicide detective with the Denver Police Dept. She has been on desk duty following an officer involved shooting (the prior book in the series, but this novel can stand alone). Her first case when she is cleared for duty is a murdered prostitute who has been shot and thrown behind a seedy motel. Few clues and nobody admits to seeing anything. . . Of course. Spillman is asked to help a fellow detective with another murder case and she begins to suspect the two are related. This character is a spin off from another of Pawlish's mystery series - Reed Ferguson (a funny and engaging private detective which I highly recommend). I think you'll be hooked quickly with the riveting storyline and the wonderfully fleshed out characters. The case will keep you guessing and if you read this book first you'll want to check out the first two in the series and the Reed Ferguson and Dewey Webb (a detective set after World War II) series as well.
January 22, 2021
What I love most about this author is that Ms. Pawlish has the ability to make the reader care about her characters. In another perplexing case for Detective Sarah Spillman, the suspense builds as the details of the case unfolds. There is superb character development as the author continues to explore the relationships between individuals: Sarah and her partners, her sister, and her significant other, each of the victims, and also the adversaries. The narrative is believable even when the action takes an unexpected turn... and it does! I may have received an ARC for my honest review, but I absolutely love this series! Even though this book can be enjoyed on its own, I highly recommend starting at the beginning and following the evolution of Detective Sarah Spillman.
March 5, 2024
At the beginning of this novel we are introduced to the Guild, a small group of wealthy Denverites who gather anonymously in an online chat group to share the thrill they have experienced in committing a murder. They hope to avoid getting caught by planning their crimes carefully and killing people that they think no one will miss. Inevitably, though, they make mistakes. When Detective Spillman and her colleagues discover a connection between the murders of a homeless man and a prostitute, they realize that something unusual is going on and start digging deeper. This is an absorbing mystery with an interesting premise.
January 20, 2021
Deadly Guild is a Really Good Read
I have enjoyed many of Ms. Pawlish's books, but I have to say this has been one of the best. The main character, Detective Sarah Spillman has appeared in many of this writer's novels, but I feel this book displays her best.
The story centers around a murder investigation that slowly becomes much, much more. It makes you wonder if what this book reveals could really be happening somewhere, and if someone you know may be involved.
I would, and already have, recommend this book.
I have enjoyed many of Ms. Pawlish's books, but I have to say this has been one of the best. The main character, Detective Sarah Spillman has appeared in many of this writer's novels, but I feel this book displays her best.
The story centers around a murder investigation that slowly becomes much, much more. It makes you wonder if what this book reveals could really be happening somewhere, and if someone you know may be involved.
I would, and already have, recommend this book.
Read
January 21, 2021Deadly Guild (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 3), my forty-third read from author Renee Pawlish and the third in the Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series. I read it in just a few hours. Great characters, great storyline, a must-read! Yeah, it is that good! Move over Reed Ferguson, Sarah Spillman has hit the big time. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. I was given a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. I look forward to the next book in this series when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
January 30, 2021
This is the third in the series of the Sarah Spillman Mysteries. In the last book, Sarah's sister was nearly murdered and it resulted in Sarah having to shoot the suspect. this book picks up with Sarah nearing the end of her standard therapy and straight into a seemingly forward murder case but as usual it is not as it seems. Spillman, Ernie, and Spats investigate throwing up more to this case than meets the eye but the three of them are determined of whoever the victim is to have her killer brought to justice.
July 1, 2023
Intriguing Police Procedural
This book is the 3rd in a series. Each book is a complete mystery, but there is character development that leads me to suggest that reading them in sequence is always best. This is a fun mystery that deals with the homicide of the least missed and most vulnerable of society; sex workers and the homeless. Mix that with rich sociopaths and it makes a very interesting story. This series is very clean without any graphic violence, blood, gore, intimacy, or even bad language. I recommend this author and series.
This book is the 3rd in a series. Each book is a complete mystery, but there is character development that leads me to suggest that reading them in sequence is always best. This is a fun mystery that deals with the homicide of the least missed and most vulnerable of society; sex workers and the homeless. Mix that with rich sociopaths and it makes a very interesting story. This series is very clean without any graphic violence, blood, gore, intimacy, or even bad language. I recommend this author and series.
January 21, 2024
A fun, fast read. The characters were interesting and the book was well written.
There were a few things that seemed "off" to me. For instance, if someone is shot at close range (even with a .22), it seems very likely that one or both bullets would exit the skull and leave a lot of blood spatter from the exit wound (as well as some from the entry wound). Also, if the police believed that a murder occurred in a certain car, they'd examine it for forensic evidence.
Nonetheless, a very enjoyable novel.
There were a few things that seemed "off" to me. For instance, if someone is shot at close range (even with a .22), it seems very likely that one or both bullets would exit the skull and leave a lot of blood spatter from the exit wound (as well as some from the entry wound). Also, if the police believed that a murder occurred in a certain car, they'd examine it for forensic evidence.
Nonetheless, a very enjoyable novel.
February 24, 2021
The good read streak continues
A little far-fetched on some of the happenings, but still entertaining. Some loose ends at the end, but perhaps they'll be touched on in a future book. But even if not, it doesn't take away from the overall story.
Several weeks away from book 4, it allows me to check out some of Renee Pawlish's series. I hope they are written n the same style of no sex, etc.
A little far-fetched on some of the happenings, but still entertaining. Some loose ends at the end, but perhaps they'll be touched on in a future book. But even if not, it doesn't take away from the overall story.
Several weeks away from book 4, it allows me to check out some of Renee Pawlish's series. I hope they are written n the same style of no sex, etc.
September 3, 2024
As good as ever.
Renee has a talent for maintaining quality of writing & plot across her cast of characters.
Any one who has read 1 or 2 books of either of her other sets should enjoy any of the others.
The Sarah Spillman stories seem perhaps a little more serious (?) than the other 2 but still have a light touch that keeps them enjoyable rather than depressing despite the serious subject matter.
Renee has a talent for maintaining quality of writing & plot across her cast of characters.
Any one who has read 1 or 2 books of either of her other sets should enjoy any of the others.
The Sarah Spillman stories seem perhaps a little more serious (?) than the other 2 but still have a light touch that keeps them enjoyable rather than depressing despite the serious subject matter.
January 21, 2021
It seems like an open-and-shut case, but Spillman senses there is more, and so she follows her instincts and searches for clues to get to the bottom of this murder. A second assignment would appear to distract her search, and then the members and purpose of a deadly guild become evident and things fall in place. Pawlish has us right there with her from beginning to end.
February 25, 2021
Well written and thought provoking
Finished the third book in this series. Like I said thought provoking. The guild you will learn is a thrill killer club. The interesting part is how the detectives cracked the code and tracked the guild to reveal their names. Think about this if you could get away with murder would you do it, are you amoral enough to think it possible?
Finished the third book in this series. Like I said thought provoking. The guild you will learn is a thrill killer club. The interesting part is how the detectives cracked the code and tracked the guild to reveal their names. Think about this if you could get away with murder would you do it, are you amoral enough to think it possible?
January 15, 2024
Chilling Thriller
DEADLY GUILD is based on a plot many authors have used. I have read several of them and watched movies based on others.
In my opinion Pawlish does a great job of wrapping a unique story around an oft used plot.
The ending chills to the core because there are definitely those who believe our laws do not apply to them.
DEADLY GUILD is based on a plot many authors have used. I have read several of them and watched movies based on others.
In my opinion Pawlish does a great job of wrapping a unique story around an oft used plot.
The ending chills to the core because there are definitely those who believe our laws do not apply to them.
January 17, 2024
interesting, but not quite finished
It could have been finished better, but I suppose the authour is striving to reflect real police work.. not sure it works that well in a book. Tv series, yes, book, not so much. Overall this is an interesting premise, captivating, with good enough characters, clean writing, easy to read, no errors.
It could have been finished better, but I suppose the authour is striving to reflect real police work.. not sure it works that well in a book. Tv series, yes, book, not so much. Overall this is an interesting premise, captivating, with good enough characters, clean writing, easy to read, no errors.
June 16, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. Homicide Detective Sarah Spillman is always intelligent, which is something I like. She has issues, but she is brave and smart. Renee Pawlish does a good job plotting adventures for Sarah.
January 9, 2022
Arrogance against your fellow man will take you diwn
Fast paced story that makes you wonder what a life is worth. You may be rich, but a homeless person may have more worth in life than you.
Fast paced story that makes you wonder what a life is worth. You may be rich, but a homeless person may have more worth in life than you.
January 24, 2024
Well written
A very captivating read. As I came into the ending of the book I was surprised that I was given a few interesting facts that began to lead me in a different directions for an ending. Very nice to have another twist on the climax portion.
A very captivating read. As I came into the ending of the book I was surprised that I was given a few interesting facts that began to lead me in a different directions for an ending. Very nice to have another twist on the climax portion.
April 1, 2024
One of my favorite female detectives does it again
Sarah Spillman has become a favorite in 3 books. Good characters and storyline. Each book seems to be able to be a standalone, but I think you will get more feel for the characters is you start at the beginning.
Sarah Spillman has become a favorite in 3 books. Good characters and storyline. Each book seems to be able to be a standalone, but I think you will get more feel for the characters is you start at the beginning.
January 25, 2021
Sadly Predictable
Love Sarah as the protagonist but way weaker than the first two with her as lead. Concept good- execution, not so much .
Love Sarah as the protagonist but way weaker than the first two with her as lead. Concept good- execution, not so much .
February 6, 2021
Good storyline. Well written
February 8, 2021
Good book
I gave it 4stars because I enjoyed reading this book. I like murder mysteries and this was a good one. I like the way she writes and will keep reading her books.
I gave it 4stars because I enjoyed reading this book. I like murder mysteries and this was a good one. I like the way she writes and will keep reading her books.
October 8, 2021
Great book
These books are amazing love the story’s. Always a surprise at the end. Will keep you up at night for sure.
These books are amazing love the story’s. Always a surprise at the end. Will keep you up at night for sure.
November 11, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the fast pace and Sarah’s tenacity to not give up searching for the murderers. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
October 11, 2023
Great quick read if you like detective/mystery books.
January 14, 2024
Great mystery
The book moved along rather quickly and kept me interested until the end. I look forward to more of Sarah Spillman.’s mysteries.
The book moved along rather quickly and kept me interested until the end. I look forward to more of Sarah Spillman.’s mysteries.
January 15, 2024
A slow starter but picks up a lot of steam.
An interesting story but too many loose ends. It's like a cliff hanger but not really. It will come back to bite you.
An interesting story but too many loose ends. It's like a cliff hanger but not really. It will come back to bite you.
January 17, 2024
Another very good book and love the Detective Spillman series.
January 20, 2024
A fun quick read. I’ll be following the series.
January 21, 2024
Character worth following
January 25, 2024
An unusual crime and characters which kept me interested
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews