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Dr. Pepper Hunt #3
Unknown Assailant
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope team up again to investigate a tragic murder/suicide in a prominent ranch family in the small town of Farson, Wyoming. As they explore events leading up to the night of the disturbing crime they are drawn into the dark heart of a troubled family touched by a legacy of trauma.
304 pages, Paperback
Published November 23, 2021
1 person is currently reading
1664 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Doucette
3 books95 followersThe stark and haunting landscape of Wyoming’s high desert is the inspiration for JL Doucette’s mystery novels, which focus on human experience at the intersection of psychology and law.
She is a member of the Wyoming Writers Organization and the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Doucette is currently working on Book 2 in the Dr. Pepper Hunt Series, On a Quiet Street.
She is a member of the Wyoming Writers Organization and the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Doucette is currently working on Book 2 in the Dr. Pepper Hunt Series, On a Quiet Street.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 5, 2021
Thank you to Book Sparks for sending me a copy of Unknown Assailant!
This was my first Dr. Pepper Hunt mystery, but it was easy to follow along and understand her backstory.
In this book, Hunt is living in Wyoming when a case comes across her radar; a couple is dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide. Working the case next to Antelope, a local detective, they must follow the trail and figure out who killed Dan and Heather. As they interview witnesses and potential suspects, more bodies from the same family begin to pile up. Hunt and Antelope must work quickly to find and stop the killer before he or she wipes out the entire Sanderson legacy.
I enjoyed the pace of this book. The chapters were mainly short, and oftentimes told from Hunt and Antelope POVs, but occasionally other characters as well. I did assume the killer a bit early on in the book, but overall it was a good read! 3.5 stars for me.
Unknown Assailant is the third book in the Dr. Pepper Hunt series and is available now wherever books are sold!
This was my first Dr. Pepper Hunt mystery, but it was easy to follow along and understand her backstory.
In this book, Hunt is living in Wyoming when a case comes across her radar; a couple is dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide. Working the case next to Antelope, a local detective, they must follow the trail and figure out who killed Dan and Heather. As they interview witnesses and potential suspects, more bodies from the same family begin to pile up. Hunt and Antelope must work quickly to find and stop the killer before he or she wipes out the entire Sanderson legacy.
I enjoyed the pace of this book. The chapters were mainly short, and oftentimes told from Hunt and Antelope POVs, but occasionally other characters as well. I did assume the killer a bit early on in the book, but overall it was a good read! 3.5 stars for me.
Unknown Assailant is the third book in the Dr. Pepper Hunt series and is available now wherever books are sold!
November 28, 2021
If you are looking for a dark family mystery, that quickly draws you in and does not let go, this is the book for you. This is the third book in the Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery Series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Which is always key for me to know since I love to read books out of order. Do not ask, I cannot figure it out either. J.L. Doucette is fantastic at writing relatable characters, which are flawed and unapologetic about it. I also loved how the atmospheric weather set the entire mood for the book. Wyoming during the winter is harsh, rugged, and unforgiving. Like the drama that is unfolding before your eyes. You can feel the bitter cold wind biting your face, the blinding snow race across the open desert, as you flip the pages from the warmth of your couch.
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Antelope are together again to solve a horrific murder suicide. The family is steeped in drama and secrets. So many secrets! There are twists and turns, and you think you know who did it but think again. Doucette drops another layer of mystery upon you. There are many characters that you must keep straight. Even toward the end, I had to stop and think about who certain characters were. That is the only negative feedback I have for this book. It is a dark, thrilling, mysterious read.
I finished this book and immediately added the first two books to my cart. I need to learn more about Pepper and Antelope's past. Thank you to J.L. Doucette, BookSparks, and She Writes Press for this mystery that kept me flying through the pages.
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Antelope are together again to solve a horrific murder suicide. The family is steeped in drama and secrets. So many secrets! There are twists and turns, and you think you know who did it but think again. Doucette drops another layer of mystery upon you. There are many characters that you must keep straight. Even toward the end, I had to stop and think about who certain characters were. That is the only negative feedback I have for this book. It is a dark, thrilling, mysterious read.
I finished this book and immediately added the first two books to my cart. I need to learn more about Pepper and Antelope's past. Thank you to J.L. Doucette, BookSparks, and She Writes Press for this mystery that kept me flying through the pages.
November 23, 2021
Unknown Assailant is a plot-driven, complex tale of familial dysfunction and murder.
This story gives us a lot of characters at once, many of them with POV parts. Initially I struggled to keep track of their relationships to one another, but admittedly name recall is not one of my strengths.
Once I had all the extended family members and romantic partners straight in my head, I was able to settle in and enjoy the story. The mystery builds and branches out as we learn everyone’s secrets. The entangled relationships add a heavy dose of drama to the mystery, making it difficult to figure out the whodunit because so many people had motives. Definitely one to keep you guessing.
This is the third Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery. I haven’t read the first two, and while this one works fine as a stand-alone, I might’ve struggled less at the beginning if I’d read the first two.
*I received an ARC from Booksparks.*
This story gives us a lot of characters at once, many of them with POV parts. Initially I struggled to keep track of their relationships to one another, but admittedly name recall is not one of my strengths.
Once I had all the extended family members and romantic partners straight in my head, I was able to settle in and enjoy the story. The mystery builds and branches out as we learn everyone’s secrets. The entangled relationships add a heavy dose of drama to the mystery, making it difficult to figure out the whodunit because so many people had motives. Definitely one to keep you guessing.
This is the third Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery. I haven’t read the first two, and while this one works fine as a stand-alone, I might’ve struggled less at the beginning if I’d read the first two.
*I received an ARC from Booksparks.*
November 24, 2021
I have not read the prior two books in this series but it is not a requirement that you have read them first. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. While, this book did not grab me as strongly, I did like the dynamics of Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope and would go back and read the first two books to get to know and see them in action better.
Sadly, the reason I found myself struggling with this book is the cast of characters. Other than the two main characters, I did not really find anything intriguing about the rest of them. Thus I was not as interested in the "how, what, where, and why" of the story. Which are all major aspects of this storyline. So, I found myself finishing this book a lot slower.
Sadly, the reason I found myself struggling with this book is the cast of characters. Other than the two main characters, I did not really find anything intriguing about the rest of them. Thus I was not as interested in the "how, what, where, and why" of the story. Which are all major aspects of this storyline. So, I found myself finishing this book a lot slower.
November 22, 2021
Even though I haven’t read the other two books in the series, I really enjoyed this and grabbed the other two! 🛒 The author does a wonderful job of tying everything together so that you haven’t missed anything which was appreciated. The characters were all sympathetic and I just loved Pepper! She was so real and well developed! 😍 Sometimes detectives/MDs in novels aren’t the most believable but that isn’t the case here. Also the chapters are really short which you all know if my absolute favorite. Makes it so easy to get a stopping point although, I read most of this in one sitting. I had to know what was going to happen 😱 Such a great mystery and well done! You have a new fan JL!
October 26, 2021
The third entry in the Dr. Pepper Hunt series is a thrilling ride. Christmas is a bad time of the year for Dr. Pepper Hunt, forensic psychologist for Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Having lost her husband and his mistress/her best friend to homicide during the Christmas season, Pepper is hoping to have an uneventful holiday. Instead, she is called out to a murder-suicide at a local ranch. Pepper is shocked dismayed to find the victims are Dan and Heather Petrangelo, friends of her late husband's that she knew casually back in Massachusetts. A former cop, Dan does not seem like the type to murder his wife and then kill himself. But, as Pepper quickly learns all families have secrets and the Petrangelo family has more than most. She must delve into the history of this wealthy ranch family in order to find out who wanted the members of this family dead and stop them before they kill again.
This was the first Dr. Pepper Hunt mystery that I read. I liked it so much that I went back and got the rest of the series. Pepper and her law enforcement partner, Deputy Sheriff Beau Antelope are great. Doucette had managed to make Pepper a strong, independent woman without being shrewish or completely unlikeable. Pepper knows her faults and has no problem admitting to them. Still dealing with the fallout of her broken marriage, Pepper is scared of being emotionally vulnerable to another romantic partner. Beau Antelope is a good match for her. Trying to break free of a toxic relationship that cycles on and off, he and Pepper are slowly making their way to one another. This isn't a "will they-won't they" scenario that will last for ten books. Instead, this is a realistic portrayal of two people slowly healing from the wounds of past relationships in order to have a better future. All of this is complicated of course by an old flame of Pepper's who shows up determined to find the murderer of his friend Dan and to also revive his relationship with Pepper. Thankfully, the old flame storyline stays a side story and does not take over the mystery. In fact, it actually struck me how much this side story adds to Pepper's character. It adds depth to the characters of both Pepper and Beau.
The setting of the series is Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Isolated but beautiful, the setting reinforces one of the challenges of modern life. How professionals in rural areas often have to double up jobs in order to serve the community. Conflicts of interest are a part of life when the population is only about 43,000. These conflicts of interest are handled in a professional, and completely believable, manner. As to the mystery itself, I really like this one. Trying to figure out who killed Dan and Heather kept me guessing for hours. Every time I had it figured out, another suspect would raise their head and make me change my mind. No spoilers, but the ending was fantastic! Internally, I cheered. If you want an engaging mystery series, then this is a great choice. Curl up on the couch and enjoy murder and mayhem in the west.
This was the first Dr. Pepper Hunt mystery that I read. I liked it so much that I went back and got the rest of the series. Pepper and her law enforcement partner, Deputy Sheriff Beau Antelope are great. Doucette had managed to make Pepper a strong, independent woman without being shrewish or completely unlikeable. Pepper knows her faults and has no problem admitting to them. Still dealing with the fallout of her broken marriage, Pepper is scared of being emotionally vulnerable to another romantic partner. Beau Antelope is a good match for her. Trying to break free of a toxic relationship that cycles on and off, he and Pepper are slowly making their way to one another. This isn't a "will they-won't they" scenario that will last for ten books. Instead, this is a realistic portrayal of two people slowly healing from the wounds of past relationships in order to have a better future. All of this is complicated of course by an old flame of Pepper's who shows up determined to find the murderer of his friend Dan and to also revive his relationship with Pepper. Thankfully, the old flame storyline stays a side story and does not take over the mystery. In fact, it actually struck me how much this side story adds to Pepper's character. It adds depth to the characters of both Pepper and Beau.
The setting of the series is Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Isolated but beautiful, the setting reinforces one of the challenges of modern life. How professionals in rural areas often have to double up jobs in order to serve the community. Conflicts of interest are a part of life when the population is only about 43,000. These conflicts of interest are handled in a professional, and completely believable, manner. As to the mystery itself, I really like this one. Trying to figure out who killed Dan and Heather kept me guessing for hours. Every time I had it figured out, another suspect would raise their head and make me change my mind. No spoilers, but the ending was fantastic! Internally, I cheered. If you want an engaging mystery series, then this is a great choice. Curl up on the couch and enjoy murder and mayhem in the west.
November 27, 2021
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope are called in to investigate a murder/suicide taking place on a family ranch in Farson, Wyoming. As they continue to uncover clues regarding the event, they find a legacy of trauma.
Unknown Assailant is the third book of the Dr. Pepper Hunt series, and I haven’t read the first two. She’s a forensic psychologist, and the prologue has her doing a forensic report on Bella Sanderson prior to her revising her will. Then the story opens with the murder at the Sanderson home. We had teases of trauma in the very short summary of Bella’s personal history, and it all goes downhill from there. There are difficulties between Bella’s children, and her grandchildren were no angels, either. Interviewing surviving members of the family and their associates reveals the foibles that lead to resentment and anger. This of course leads to multiple people that could have had motive if it was a double homicide and not a murder/suicide after all. Solving this puzzle and unraveling the entire family’s trauma history takes up the bulk of the book.
Pepper’s chapters are told in first person whereas Beau’s and others’ are told in third. I’m not sure why the difference, but it gives an emotional distance from Beau. Maybe it’s intentional; he certainly doesn’t like or want romantic or emotional entanglements, a stance that’s understandable given his line of work. I really have no sense of him as a person, and he’s simply the detective asking questions. I have more of a sense of Pepper in her POV chapters, whereas the rest of the novel has a punchy, immediate feel as if the dialogue is a transcript of an interview. I do feel sorry for the grandchildren in this family, as they’re left behind and have no idea about all the secrets from generations before, yet are being affected by them. The parental generation was too absorbed in their own problems to notice, which then set up the awful circumstances for the book. All of the threads are neatly tied together, and justice is finally done.
Unknown Assailant is the third book of the Dr. Pepper Hunt series, and I haven’t read the first two. She’s a forensic psychologist, and the prologue has her doing a forensic report on Bella Sanderson prior to her revising her will. Then the story opens with the murder at the Sanderson home. We had teases of trauma in the very short summary of Bella’s personal history, and it all goes downhill from there. There are difficulties between Bella’s children, and her grandchildren were no angels, either. Interviewing surviving members of the family and their associates reveals the foibles that lead to resentment and anger. This of course leads to multiple people that could have had motive if it was a double homicide and not a murder/suicide after all. Solving this puzzle and unraveling the entire family’s trauma history takes up the bulk of the book.
Pepper’s chapters are told in first person whereas Beau’s and others’ are told in third. I’m not sure why the difference, but it gives an emotional distance from Beau. Maybe it’s intentional; he certainly doesn’t like or want romantic or emotional entanglements, a stance that’s understandable given his line of work. I really have no sense of him as a person, and he’s simply the detective asking questions. I have more of a sense of Pepper in her POV chapters, whereas the rest of the novel has a punchy, immediate feel as if the dialogue is a transcript of an interview. I do feel sorry for the grandchildren in this family, as they’re left behind and have no idea about all the secrets from generations before, yet are being affected by them. The parental generation was too absorbed in their own problems to notice, which then set up the awful circumstances for the book. All of the threads are neatly tied together, and justice is finally done.
November 28, 2021
This book opens with a psychological evaluation, which I loved. Then it delves into the investigation of a murder-suicide. Because this is a mystery novel, we know that there must be more than meets the eye of the scene. That’s really all you need to know as far as setup. I love the short chapters, and I actually enjoyed the switching perspectives as well, even if it took me a little while to get a handle on the characters. It’s a very easy read – I’d say it’d be great for a plane ride, car ride, or as a beach read. This is technically the third in a series, and I haven’t read the first two books, but it read just fine as a standalone. I could see where there may have a been a couple callbacks to earlier books, but it didn’t impede my ability to enjoy the book. I also felt like you could play along in the investigation, which I think the alternating perspectives helps you see different sides of the story. This book obviously involves death and trauma, but it isn’t overtly done or overly graphic. Unfortunately, Dr. Pepper is one of my guilty pleasures, and every time I see the front of this book, it makes me want one – but that’s just a personal issue. Thank you so much to Booksparks for sending me another great pick! This one just published, so you can get your copy today!
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January 11, 2022
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope join forces again when a mysterious death in a prominent ranch family is discovered. As they interview more suspects, more bodies from the same family begin to pile up. Hunt and Antelope must work quickly in order to protect the family legacy.
I struggled a bit in the first half of the book. The POV changes every chapter but doesn’t tell you who is speaking, which took a minute to get used to but I was fine once I settled in. I didn’t feel fully engaged until I was halfway through the book and then the pace really started to pick up for me. I will say I wasn’t able to guess the killer! This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone. Thank you BookSparks for the gifted copy!
I struggled a bit in the first half of the book. The POV changes every chapter but doesn’t tell you who is speaking, which took a minute to get used to but I was fine once I settled in. I didn’t feel fully engaged until I was halfway through the book and then the pace really started to pick up for me. I will say I wasn’t able to guess the killer! This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone. Thank you BookSparks for the gifted copy!
November 23, 2021
Unknown assailant by J.L. Doucette.
Unknown Assailant: A Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery book 3.
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope team up again to investigate a tragic murder/suicide in a prominent ranch family in the small town of Farson, Wyoming. As they explore events leading up to the night of the disturbing crime they are drawn into the dark heart of a troubled family touched by a legacy of trauma.
I really really enjoyed this book. I loved the story and characters especially Pepper and Beau. They were great. I love a good mystery and this had me guessing. I will definitely be looking at the others in this series. 5*.
Unknown Assailant: A Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery book 3.
Dr. Pepper Hunt and Detective Beau Antelope team up again to investigate a tragic murder/suicide in a prominent ranch family in the small town of Farson, Wyoming. As they explore events leading up to the night of the disturbing crime they are drawn into the dark heart of a troubled family touched by a legacy of trauma.
I really really enjoyed this book. I loved the story and characters especially Pepper and Beau. They were great. I love a good mystery and this had me guessing. I will definitely be looking at the others in this series. 5*.
January 1, 2022
This books was so good. There were so many twists and turns. I had not read the other books in the series, but it was a really good standalone book. Now that I read this book, it made me want to read the rest of the books in the series. I would recommend it. It was a really intriguing storyline. As I am an avid murder mystery tv show watcher, movie watcher, and book reader, sometimes the storylines are very predictable, but this was not predictable. I was shocked as plot twists happened.
November 29, 2021
An entertaining, dark and gripping thriller. I liked the characters and the complex plot kept me turning pages.
It's a bit confusing at the beginning as we are introduce to a lot of characters.
It works well as a stand alone and I'm thinking of reading the rest of the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a bit confusing at the beginning as we are introduce to a lot of characters.
It works well as a stand alone and I'm thinking of reading the rest of the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 4, 2023
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!
+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity
❤️shaye.read
- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!
+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity
❤️shaye.read
November 23, 2021
I haven't read the other books in this series, but after reading this one, I think I definitely need to grab copies of them! I usually don't read series like this because I prefer them to be standalones, but this was so enjoyable! Despite not having read the other books, I had very few problems jumping into this world. I struggled to connect with Pepper, but I still really loved her character. I'm sure that my love for her will only get stronger once I read the rest of the series!
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2021
awesome Wyoming read
JL Doucette hit the right notes of intrigue and suspense while getting across the feeling of the vastness that is Wyoming.
JL Doucette hit the right notes of intrigue and suspense while getting across the feeling of the vastness that is Wyoming.
March 8, 2022
No surprises. Easy to figure out. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Pepper and Beau.
June 5, 2025
A gripping, emotionally layered mystery. Doucette’s characters feel hauntingly real, and the Wyoming setting adds a rich, atmospheric backdrop. I couldn’t put it down
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews