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Rory Naysmith Mysteries #1
Gone Astray
A heart attack sends detective Rory Naysmith reeling. Too young to retire, he accepts a position in small-town Winterset, Nebraska. Handed an unsolved truck hijacking case, with the assistance of a rookie, Rory sets out to prove he is still able to go toe-to-toe with younger men. When the body of a Vietnam veteran turns up, he dons his fedora and spit-shines his shoes. But before he can solve the murder, an older woman disappears, followed closely by a second hijacking. He doggedly works the cases, following a thread that ties the two crimes together. But can Rory find the mental and physical strength to up his game and bring the criminals to justice before disaster strikes and he loses his job?
300 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2021
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1575 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 13, 2021
I have never read a detective story like this one. This is probably the first coming of age book for a character who is fifty. Learning life after a heart attack is truly a coming-of-age experience. The author regales the reader with intricate detail throughout the book.
More than simply a detective mystery, this is the story of a small town. The plot keeps the reader on edge. You battle your wits trying to figure out what is going on. There are enough twists and turns to keep every reader engaged.
A mystery that will appeal on many levels. You have the classic detective, but you have an eager rookie. You have the layers of small-town life, but you have a big city-type conspiracy. One can't overlook the simple value of a nice old cat. Recommended to readers of cozy crime stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
More than simply a detective mystery, this is the story of a small town. The plot keeps the reader on edge. You battle your wits trying to figure out what is going on. There are enough twists and turns to keep every reader engaged.
A mystery that will appeal on many levels. You have the classic detective, but you have an eager rookie. You have the layers of small-town life, but you have a big city-type conspiracy. One can't overlook the simple value of a nice old cat. Recommended to readers of cozy crime stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
March 27, 2021
Detective Rory Naysmith has relocated to a small town in Nebraska. He's 50 years old, has had a heart attack, and with the assistance of a rookie, sets out to prove he still has what it takes to do the job. He's the only detective, so he doesn't expect to see a whole lot of action.
His superior wants him to work on an unsolved case of a truck hijacking. He doesn't get too far with that, when a Vietnam veteran is found dead behind some dumpsters. Before he can solve the case, an elderly woman goes missing, followed be another hijacking.
His biggest problems .... he's brand new to the town and doesn't have the contacts that police usually have. He is the only detective ... and his assistant is still a rookie. His gut feeling is that all these cases are connected .. but how? And he's lost some of his confidence that he can still be the detective he once was.
Well written, there's lots of action to follow. Characters are solidly drawn, and I really enjoy how Rory and the rookie relate to each other. In a small town, there's always one or two quirky residents, and they are all fun to get to know. Suspense starts on the first page and maintains its level until the very final explosive conclusion. Hoping to see more of these characters somewhere down the road.
Many thanks to the author/Wild Rose Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this mystery/suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
His superior wants him to work on an unsolved case of a truck hijacking. He doesn't get too far with that, when a Vietnam veteran is found dead behind some dumpsters. Before he can solve the case, an elderly woman goes missing, followed be another hijacking.
His biggest problems .... he's brand new to the town and doesn't have the contacts that police usually have. He is the only detective ... and his assistant is still a rookie. His gut feeling is that all these cases are connected .. but how? And he's lost some of his confidence that he can still be the detective he once was.
Well written, there's lots of action to follow. Characters are solidly drawn, and I really enjoy how Rory and the rookie relate to each other. In a small town, there's always one or two quirky residents, and they are all fun to get to know. Suspense starts on the first page and maintains its level until the very final explosive conclusion. Hoping to see more of these characters somewhere down the road.
Many thanks to the author/Wild Rose Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this mystery/suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 20, 2021
If you like murder mysteries that won’t give you nightmares from all the violence but will give you people you like and people you like to hate, then this is the book for you! Detective Rory Naysmith is middle aged, has heart problems (physical as well as emotional), and moves from the big city to a small mid-west town to lead the life of a small-town cop. His first assignment is a cold case to be worked with an eager rookie who wants to please (think puppy), and a middle-aged woman who wants to be friends. From there he tumbles into intrigue, murder, and mayhem.
The characters are believable, and the good guys are lovable. A great read, a one-sit read (be forewarned), and a most satisfactory mystery.
The characters are believable, and the good guys are lovable. A great read, a one-sit read (be forewarned), and a most satisfactory mystery.
March 13, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Leaving a job in the city following a heart attack, Rory Naysmith settles in Winterset, Nebraska, a small town in need of a detective. The chief expects big things like clearing a cold case involving a truck hijacking. Not familiar with people and places in his new home he requests a little help and the chief assigns a young rookie. The cold case gets pushed aside when a Vietnam Vet is murdered quickly followed by a missing person. Then there is another truck hijacked. A crime wave has hit the little midwest town and the chief expects his new detective to handle it all. While working hard he starts to believe at least two of the crimes could be connected, could the third be connected as well? In an effort to prove himself he needs answers.
Rory Naysmith is a very interesting character with a fascinating new hobby trying to reduce stress while still keeping his presence vital. A complicated character that I immediately found intriguing. I enjoyed his keen sense of humor and that he grew over the course of the story. The author surrounds him with an eclectic supporting cast including a rookie that is eager to please so much so it could get him in a lot of trouble, the daughters of the missing woman, the chief of police, and other residents of Winterset. All are cleverly written and feel true to small-town life.
Solving the cases was not easy and I really enjoyed Rory’s process. As the plot started to come together the suspense ratcheted up nicely. The detective’s decisions were a little iffy in places but felt true to his nature. What I loved what the surprising reveal. My heart took a hit too before the book drew to a close.
Gone Astray piqued my interest from the first page. Quality characters with an exciting whodunit held on tight to the very end. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Rory Naysmith and the fine people of Winterset.
Leaving a job in the city following a heart attack, Rory Naysmith settles in Winterset, Nebraska, a small town in need of a detective. The chief expects big things like clearing a cold case involving a truck hijacking. Not familiar with people and places in his new home he requests a little help and the chief assigns a young rookie. The cold case gets pushed aside when a Vietnam Vet is murdered quickly followed by a missing person. Then there is another truck hijacked. A crime wave has hit the little midwest town and the chief expects his new detective to handle it all. While working hard he starts to believe at least two of the crimes could be connected, could the third be connected as well? In an effort to prove himself he needs answers.
Rory Naysmith is a very interesting character with a fascinating new hobby trying to reduce stress while still keeping his presence vital. A complicated character that I immediately found intriguing. I enjoyed his keen sense of humor and that he grew over the course of the story. The author surrounds him with an eclectic supporting cast including a rookie that is eager to please so much so it could get him in a lot of trouble, the daughters of the missing woman, the chief of police, and other residents of Winterset. All are cleverly written and feel true to small-town life.
Solving the cases was not easy and I really enjoyed Rory’s process. As the plot started to come together the suspense ratcheted up nicely. The detective’s decisions were a little iffy in places but felt true to his nature. What I loved what the surprising reveal. My heart took a hit too before the book drew to a close.
Gone Astray piqued my interest from the first page. Quality characters with an exciting whodunit held on tight to the very end. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Rory Naysmith and the fine people of Winterset.
March 5, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed Gone Astray as it settled into a cold Nebraska winter with a seasoned detective taking a job in a small town. Rory Naysmith isn’t the man he used to be physically, but mentally he’s a top-notch detective who is finding the town of Winterset, Nebraska has its share of crime. I love the amount of detail Fischer uses in each and every scene making the reader feel like they’re hunching down with Rory noting that strange tarp at the construction company and making some flirting glances at a local bookkeeper whose mother is missing. The characters are well defined in such a way you want to know more about them. This story will keep you reading!
February 14, 2021
A heart attack sends detective Rory Naysmith reeling. Too young to retire, he accepts a position in small-town Winterset, Nebraska. Handed an unsolved truck hijacking, With the assistance of a rookie, Rory sets out to prove he is still able to go toe-to-toe with younger men. When the body of a Vietnam veteran turns up, he dons his fedora and spit-shines his shoes. But before he can solve the murder, an older woman disappears, followed closely by a second hijacking. He doggedly works the cases, following a thread that ties the two cases together. But can Rory find the mental and physical strength to up his game to bring the criminals to justice before disaster strikes and he loses his job?
Our Review: Rarely do we find a reluctant hero like Rory Naysmith who uses his brain before resorting to brawn. His dry humor and wry comebacks are an absolute hoot. Fischer has created a team to support Rory in his efforts to solve crime in rural Nebraska. Each is well-drawn, special in their own right and great fun to read.
On a scale of 1-5 Gone Astray deserves a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
Our Review: Rarely do we find a reluctant hero like Rory Naysmith who uses his brain before resorting to brawn. His dry humor and wry comebacks are an absolute hoot. Fischer has created a team to support Rory in his efforts to solve crime in rural Nebraska. Each is well-drawn, special in their own right and great fun to read.
On a scale of 1-5 Gone Astray deserves a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
February 25, 2021
Rory’s move from a big city police force to a small town after his heart attack was supposed to reduce his stress levels. That didn’t work. Not only did they have the first homicide anyone could remember, but the methods of a big city cop didn’t work without the surrounding network. And what good was that fancy computer anyway?
Fischer has produced a well-written mystery filled with humor and small-town characters that are so real they nearly walk off the page. I loved watching Rory overcome his own doubts while trying to convince the town he can do the job. I can’t wait for a sequel.
Fischer has produced a well-written mystery filled with humor and small-town characters that are so real they nearly walk off the page. I loved watching Rory overcome his own doubts while trying to convince the town he can do the job. I can’t wait for a sequel.
April 2, 2021
Great Small Town Who Dunit
This is a wonderful mystery. An older cop who thinks he still has it but doesn't know for sure takes a detective position in a small Nebraska town. He anticipates a slower lifestyle when a major crime wave lets loose for him to solve. This story looks at small-town life with an honest eye. It is realistic but not terribly gritty. The story has all the little pieces as it builds. Finally, they all come together in the big denouement – and I bet you will be surprised! I highly recommend this book. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
This is a wonderful mystery. An older cop who thinks he still has it but doesn't know for sure takes a detective position in a small Nebraska town. He anticipates a slower lifestyle when a major crime wave lets loose for him to solve. This story looks at small-town life with an honest eye. It is realistic but not terribly gritty. The story has all the little pieces as it builds. Finally, they all come together in the big denouement – and I bet you will be surprised! I highly recommend this book. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
September 20, 2021
Regardless of the job type or position, when we begin a new one the first thing we usually get to do is sit and wring our hands and wish for absolutely anything to do. This is the plight of Detective Naismith. New to the Winterset PD. He’s been a detective in tough places and proved himself plenty but now…he’s the only big fish in a small pond. The only big fish with exactly no cases. But sometimes, we get what we wish for, and Rory Naismith does.
I thought this started out a little slow but when I looked back on the whole story, I realized it was the nature of the story. By that I mean everything started out slow for poor Detective Naismith. He had to sit on the desk, answer phones, even deal with a bunch of little old ladies worried about their friend. Slow, right? Then, the storyline picked up. The reading began to flow and then the author had my full attention.
This is a somewhat long book. But the author seems to fill it with character description. We get to know the inner lives of our characters and their stories. This is a good mystery filled with some red herrings that kept me guessing. A mystery that I really enjoyed.
Terry Korth Fischer has several other stand-alone books published. All have good reviews. I sure did like Detective Naismith though. Hope we get to see him again.
I thought this started out a little slow but when I looked back on the whole story, I realized it was the nature of the story. By that I mean everything started out slow for poor Detective Naismith. He had to sit on the desk, answer phones, even deal with a bunch of little old ladies worried about their friend. Slow, right? Then, the storyline picked up. The reading began to flow and then the author had my full attention.
This is a somewhat long book. But the author seems to fill it with character description. We get to know the inner lives of our characters and their stories. This is a good mystery filled with some red herrings that kept me guessing. A mystery that I really enjoyed.
Terry Korth Fischer has several other stand-alone books published. All have good reviews. I sure did like Detective Naismith though. Hope we get to see him again.
April 18, 2021
I received this book from Netgalley and thanks to them & Wild Rose Press. This was my first book from this author I read lots of mystery/thrillers, police procedurals & suspense, I'm always delighted to find a new characters & settings. Enjoyed Rory as a relocated, post heart attack detective. Several varied crimes to solve & interesting family, small town dynamics going on. Story written as stand alone, but would certainly make the start of a new series which I would definitely read.
March 20, 2021
When Detective Rory Naysmith suffers a heart attack, he is no longer able to perform his duties as he has for over twenty years. A move to Winterset, Nebraska as the department’s only detective and the slower pace of life should suit him fine. The Chief expects him to solve the cold case of a hijacked truck, that is until there is a murder. As if Rory doesn’t have enough worries as he learns his way around the town, an elderly woman goes missing and another truck is hijacked. A small-town police procedural as Rory investigates with the help of a rookie cop. The summary sounded interesting and this was pleasant read. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
December 3, 2023
Rory Naysmith is an engaging character, an experienced police investigator whose health has driven him from the big city to a small town in Nebraska. His first days on the force there find Rory with his hands full--trying to solve a series of truck hijackings, find a 75-year-old woman missing after a snowstorm, and solve the murder of a down-on-his-luck veteran. Are the cases connected? And will Rory be able to fit in to a new precinct in a town with rules so different from those he is used to?
The novel wonderfully captures the nuances of small-town life and Naysmith's fish-out-of-water experiences draw the reader on as the clues pile up and the suspense builds to a truly memorable final confrontation. Great stuff.
The novel wonderfully captures the nuances of small-town life and Naysmith's fish-out-of-water experiences draw the reader on as the clues pile up and the suspense builds to a truly memorable final confrontation. Great stuff.
October 21, 2021
Everyone thinks Roy Naysmith is past his prime as a detective. His bum heart doesn't help matters. When he makes a switch from Omaha PD to tiny Winterset, Nebraska, his first major case involves the shooting death of Homer Coot, a Vietnam vet with a drinking problem. This investigation quickly takes a backseat, however, when a prominent citizen, Lydia Mullins, goes missing during a snow storm.
Read more: https://stevenjkolbe.com/2021/10/21/g...
Read more: https://stevenjkolbe.com/2021/10/21/g...
February 19, 2025
Great read
I enjoyed a good detective story. Got some good points on plot. You can expect some twist and turns in this mystery.
I enjoyed a good detective story. Got some good points on plot. You can expect some twist and turns in this mystery.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews