Blind Men Don't Dial Zero

Sleuths of Last Resort #1

by C.A. Larmer

INTRODUCING THE SLEUTHS OF LAST RESORT: Five crime buffs. One Impossible Mystery. There're millions at stake and just two weeks to prove the "killer" didn't do it…

Police say the case is open-and-shut. The heir to a massive fortune, Heath Burlington, slaughters his parents, confesses to the crimes, then turns the gun on himself. Heath's grandfather says, "Not so fast." With the case now closed, the wealthy mogul assembles his own crack team of 'detectives'—five amateur sleuths with a nose for mystery and a need to prove themselves—then pits them against each other to solve it.

THE IMPOSSIBLE MYSTERY: "Prove Heath's innocence and you get $1 million each. The sleuth who makes the biggest breakthrough scores a bonus million. The sleuth who does the least gets nothing." They have just two weeks.

THE AMATEUR SLEUTHS:
*Cluedo champ Merry (she can read a crime scene like no other);
*Reckless PI Kila (his rule-breaking is just what this case requires);
*Bestselling crime author Martin (he wrote the book on Locked Room Mysteries);
*Dinosaur ex-detective Earle (he's a stickler for rules but has the right contacts);
*Fearless crime reporter Frankie (she knows the case inside out. Or thought she did…)

AND SO THE ADVENTURE BEGINS… As the story twists from Sydney’s cliff-top mega-mansions to the shadowy Snowy Mountains and back, the strangers must learn to work together—and to their skill-set—to solve the mystery and face their own demons before their time runs out.

From the best-selling author comes an exciting new series for fans of fun, fast-paced whodunnits.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2021

About the author

Author Christina (C.A.) Larmer was born in remote Papua New Guinea where close encounters with witchdoctors and cannibal progeny (no, really), gave her a morbid taste for mystery that has culminated in more than a dozen crime novels, including four in the Amazon-bestselling Agatha Christie Book Club series, two Posthumous Mysteries, seven Ghostwriter Mysteries, a thriller/suspense, and a stand-alone novel called An Island Lost, which is set in deepest Papua—where else?

When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is rapidly becoming one of my favorites. Blind Men Don't Dial Zero is the first in a new series and I think it is going to be a good one.

Five apparently random people are tempted by the promise of huge sums of money to catch a murderer. The obvious culprit is revealed at the start of the book - in fact he has confessed, but did he really do it?

It is a good mystery with lots of red herrings, some very interesting characters and a lot of surprises. I did not guess "who dunnit." Well worth reading and I am looking forward to reading #2 Smart Girls Don't Trust Strangers. Recommended.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five diverse people are brought together by a family member to solve a murder mystery, after the police dismiss it as a murder suicide. The characters are well-drawn, and I love the setting in Sydney, the city where I grew up. This promises to be a great series.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorting Out the Truth . . .

This was such a clever premise! Police have decided a murder case is open-and-shut when the heir to a fortune, Heath Burlington, kills his parents, confesses, then turns the gun on himself. But with the case now closed, Heath's grandfather Sir George pulls a team of five amateur detectives together to prove themselves. With $1 million at stake and a chance for an additional $1 million, they are in competition to solve the case and he gives them only two weeks to do it.

The scramble that follows is entertaining as well as intriguing. Perhaps the better strategy is for them to join together and use each person’s unique skills to find the answer. The twists and turns will keep the reader eagerly following the story to see what truth comes out of their investigation. Great idea for a fun adventure!

[Shawn Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The author is Australian, I think, so there's some Ozzie slang here and there, but it's easy to figure out through context. I liked the premise, and it had me guessing up until the end, although I don't usually read this genre, so that could be a factor. A couple of other reviews said the characters were cardboard, but I didn't find that to be the case for me. I mean, you're introducing five protagonists (and other important characters), so there isn't a ton of time to deep dive into the characters. The one small thing I didn't care for was that there was some revelatory information for the characters in the denouement that seemed out of place. I would have preferred it early on. I've already started the second in the series.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good grief, I had such high hopes for this book, and it let me down. The main characters are pretty much walking, talking two dimensional stereotypes personified, and the plot twists were obvious, to say the very least. The action picked up from the start, but it became immediately clear that the plot had holes large enough to park a plane in, and I was going to have wait until the author was good to ready to see if they were addressed. The climax and final reveal were fresh disappointments, since I had guessed the antagonist about half way through and I was correct on motive as well. I don't feel the need to continue with this series.

[Suze · Rating 4 out of 5]

with a mismatched band of, well, not brothers, there is lots of mistrust about - and that is just within the group of sleuths!
Loved (!) that the journalist thought she was the most qualified, Merry was way out of her depth but liked that she grew in confidence. Martin remained a bit of a mystery, like his novels. Kila and Earle come from different sides of the same work, but Earle now more on Kila's side.
A lot of twists, turns, secrets and red herrings in what is a cosy mystery with only a handful of possible suspects
Enjoyed

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tangled web we weave

I would like to recommend this book! I really enjoyed it especially all the red herrings! Honestly it was outstanding. We got to meet 5 people who had never met and they all brought their talent together working as a team. They solved the crime and even explained all their reasoning. I can almost always know who did it...but not this time! They used all the right questions to solve everything.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Paper back books are hard for me to handle. Hands getting old and painful but I plowed through it and enjoy it. Five people who some knew about but none are friends are bribed by an offer of $4,000,000.000 to proof the grandson did not kill his parents. The killer is not reviled until the last few pages. It kept me guessing. My choice was not guilty. This wealthy family has a lot of secrets, more than you would think any one family would have.

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great "whodunit" novel that twists in unexpected directions and down numerous deadends. No sin in this wealthy and influential family is hidden from this team of sleuths. And not all sins lead to the real murderer, unless Heath was the real killer before he committed suicide. A must read to find out.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blind Men Don't Dial Zero is an intriguing mystery read. This story is unique and well-written, with interesting characters and twists and turns. I really enjoyed following along with the five amateur detectives as they worked to solve this mystery.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[T.I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very good read. I was entertained and enjoyed it a lot. If you like a good mystery, then I pretty sure you will like this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un put down able!!

This book really holds your attention and just when you think you have it all worked out you find out that you don’t! So many surprises in this book, if you love a great mystery don’t pass this up!!

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and developed story full of action. Many complex characters that have to cooperate. Good plot full of twists and turns. Enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supersleuths

Can a motley crew of would-be sleuths learn to work together to solve a locked-room murder to which the alleged murderer confessed? This engaging and most enjoyable mystery is the first in what I hope will be a lengthy series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery

Wonderful character development and wonderful writing by the author. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the mystery itself as well. Looking forward to reading next book in the series.

[Loretta Steiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and has a good surprise ending worth a read.

Very enjoyable story you are never sure who did it and evening at the almost end of book you are still amazed,aero who did it.

[Patricia Mccammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting story with sleuths that are really normal people. However, to win a million dollars each, they have to solve a murder that the police call a closed case. Lots of great characters

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a fantastic read! lots of twists and turns and a real page turner! Quirky, interesting and complex characters fill this interesting adventure! I loved the book! A must must read!

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish it

[Szilvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern AC :)

[Cheryl Blakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Enjoyed the book, was slow getting into but then took off and was an interesting, fun story. Did not guess the ending and I usually do.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was fast paced and kept you wondering what would happen next.

[Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

It only took a few pages for the profanity to start and for me to put this book away.
I don't mind the profanity if there's a reason for it.
That wasn't the case here.

[Karen Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Unique story with lots of twists and tangles.
Assortment of characters with much to offer with their various perspectives.
I look forward to the next group undertaking.

[Alex]

I liked the murder mystery book club series better! I'll keep reading that series but this one didn't pique my interest.