Ten years ago, Veterinarian Julie Wheeler embarked on a dream when she moved to Hearthstone, WV, purchased an animal hospital, and married Richard—the town’s most eligible bachelor and chief prosecuting attorney. But when Richard's assistant mysteriously drops off her poisoned German Shepherd at her vet clinic and disappears, the questions start. Where is Richard? Is he with Nicole? Why has Richard been coming home late all the time? Julie desperately searches for her husband and the truth, but that search proves deadly. This first book in the Poisoned Series delivers an intensely packed thirty-six hours of suspense, drama, crime, family troubles, twists, and turns that keep readers turning pages to find the source of the poison that threatens Julie’s very life.See what they're saying... Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ May 6, 2022This is a fantastic book! I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book and had a hard time putting it down. The suspense storyline kept me turning those pages fast and furious. You don't know what is going to happen to the main character and who is a good guy and who is bad! It's too hard to write more without giving away spoilers but just know, this is a great mystery/suspense. I hope to read this author again because I'm hooked! Meg Taylor, WV animal lover and DVM at Highlands Vet Clinic Imagine James Herriot fighting crime between treating patients. Now meet Doc Wheeler and get engrossed in her adventure as she cares for pets and livestock all while unraveling the life-threatening mystery that plagues her West Virginia town. The colorful characters and patients enrich the suspense and keep you guessing. I couldn’t put it down. Hopefully, we’ll be invited back to Hearthstone by Patricia Hartman for future adventures. James W. Geiger - Former FBI agent and prosecuting attorneyPoisoned is a suspense story’s perfect blend of human struggle, crime, corruption, and political intrigue. It even has a touch of romance. With its fast-paced dialogue, this page-turner constantly surprises the reader with unusual twists and turns . . . Looks like Hartman has a winner.Anne V. Alper, Attorney, former Assistant State Attorney, Broward County, FloridaPOIS0NED Is Intoxicating!This suspenseful mystery is a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh thriller that captivates yourimagination and keeps you guessing! Poisoned, a compelling mystery, excites and surprises asthe story unveils a hidden darkness threatening the lovable characters in this peaceful town.Trust is challenged by a toxic force seeping through town while Dr. Julie Wheeler, a veterinarianalways on call, takes the reins. This story stimulates your mind and delights your heart, but becareful . . . you will not be able to put this book down!Patricia Hartman, please give us more of these stories!
AS A FORENSIC CPA, PATRICIA HARTMAN experiences suspense, drama and intrigue in her everyday professional life. She has been uncovering lies, deceptions and criminal activity as part of her regular practice for over 25 years. Patricia weaves her life experiences into captivating plots that expose the evil that trap otherwise innocent people in very dark places.
Patricia's first novel, "Poisoned," won third place in the Selah awards. She has extensively traveled to and researched Wild West Virginia, interviewing law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, veterinarians and common folk to gain insight into making this an amazing fiction series.
Patricia lives in Florida with her husband, one happily married son and daughter-in-law, and one perfect grandson.
I picked this book up at a local bookstore a while back and was in a reading slump so I grabbed it. I'm so glad I did. Patricia did a great job giving us characters that are smart, funny, and likable. And who doesn't love a sweet and badass dog? The story was very interesting and not one that I think I've ever encountered. The female main character is just going about her own life in a small town, doing what she enjoys, and BAM everything gets turned upside down. She lets her emotions drive some chaos but has "grounding" people in her life to help get out of her head. I can't wait to read the next one.
A fun and entertaining read, with characters who felt real to me, including a wonderful dog who is part of the main plot. (Dog lovers will not be disappointed.) The main character is Julie, a professional woman who works hard to juggle the two things she loves most: her business and her marriage. I like that this book is a modern story I can relate to, and not “historical fiction”. There were some exciting challenges, revelations and twists along the way. What happened to Julie could happen to any woman. I couldn’t put it down for the last 100 pages.
Although there are a lot of characters, you will be able to keep them all straight! I promise! This is a fantastic book! I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book and had a hard time putting it down. The suspense story line kept me turning those pages fast and furious. You don't know what is going to happen to the main character and who is a good guy and who is bad! It's too hard to write more without giving away spoilers but just know, this is a great mystery/suspense. I hope to read this author again because I'm hooked!
This was an unexpected pleasure. I say "unexpected" because the author isn't prolific, nor were there many reviews. This Christian suspense novel was one of the best I've read. After a slightly slow start, it was un-put-down-able. There were well-rounded characters, and a steady stream of suspense throughout. I wish there were more like this for me to enjoy.
Great book. I found myself not wanting to put it down. When I would take a break I would find myself thinking about the characters and their plot. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for the next one!