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Sabel Security #12
The Rembrandt Decision: A Pia Sabel Mystery
Dive into the world of Pia Sabel in this highly acclaimed and gripping novel, where family secrets, stolen masterpieces, and ancient Greeks come together to solve a murder.
Hours after a man discovers a secret destined to tear his family apart, Pia Sabel discovers his corpse.
In the serene town where police chief Scott Jacobsen thought the biggest challenge was parking tickets, he finds himself in the midst of an unexpected whirlwind. The discovery of his uncle's body thrusts Scott into an investigation that hits uncomfortably close to home. His foray into the mystery deepens with questions about his own adoption and his family's murky connections to the criminal underworld.
Amidst this turmoil, the town's fervent pursuit of the Sabel Research Center takes a startling turn when Pia Sabel, the enigmatic and formidable company owner, is personally invited to assist in solving the murder. Teaming up with Sabel proves to be a challenge fraught with tension and unexpected leads, including an eccentric witness quoting Sophocles, a missing masterpiece hinting at a motive, and the menacing shadow of a dangerous gangster.
As Scott and Sabel delve deeper, they unravel a tangled web of secrets and lies. Each discovery peels back layers of their own lives, revealing truths about family, identity, and belonging. Scott finds himself questioning not only Sabel's methods but also the very foundations of his life, leading to revelations that will irrevocably alter his perception of family and self.
This novel is a compelling journey through the complexities of family dynamics, exploring themes of adoption, identity, inclusion, and rejection. It's a tale that promises to engage, entertain, and enlighten, making it a must-read for fans of layered mysteries and character-driven dramas.
A sweeping mystery of identity, love, and betrayal, The Rembrandt Decision is one of the finest mysteries of our time. —Dr. Louis Kirby, bestselling author of Shadow of Eden
From the shocking opening murder through its delightful smalltown characters to its breathless final reveal, Rembrandt is irresistible. —Five-Star Amazon Review
★★★★★ Praise for Seeley James’ Sabel Security series
Who else could write a humorous tragedy with a happy ending? The intense psychological mystery, decades-old family secrets, and charming smalltown characters will keep you captivated all night. — Melissa K, Goodreads
Serious book clubs will embrace this atmospheric mystery’s themes of inclusion, rejection, and adoption mirrored against motherhood, family, and race. Reese Witherspoon should give this a nod. — Mickey R, Amazon Reader
Plenty of edge of the seat suspense, a splash of well-timed humor, and adventures that leave you wanting more — Susan Gainoutdinov
An excellent fast-moving action thriller — Eric Crown, Founder of F500 company, Insight Enterprises
Seeley James’ riveting masterwork twists its way into a shocking finale that takes both heartbreaking and inspirational turns — Highly Recommended Books
Hours after a man discovers a secret destined to tear his family apart, Pia Sabel discovers his corpse.
In the serene town where police chief Scott Jacobsen thought the biggest challenge was parking tickets, he finds himself in the midst of an unexpected whirlwind. The discovery of his uncle's body thrusts Scott into an investigation that hits uncomfortably close to home. His foray into the mystery deepens with questions about his own adoption and his family's murky connections to the criminal underworld.
Amidst this turmoil, the town's fervent pursuit of the Sabel Research Center takes a startling turn when Pia Sabel, the enigmatic and formidable company owner, is personally invited to assist in solving the murder. Teaming up with Sabel proves to be a challenge fraught with tension and unexpected leads, including an eccentric witness quoting Sophocles, a missing masterpiece hinting at a motive, and the menacing shadow of a dangerous gangster.
As Scott and Sabel delve deeper, they unravel a tangled web of secrets and lies. Each discovery peels back layers of their own lives, revealing truths about family, identity, and belonging. Scott finds himself questioning not only Sabel's methods but also the very foundations of his life, leading to revelations that will irrevocably alter his perception of family and self.
This novel is a compelling journey through the complexities of family dynamics, exploring themes of adoption, identity, inclusion, and rejection. It's a tale that promises to engage, entertain, and enlighten, making it a must-read for fans of layered mysteries and character-driven dramas.
A sweeping mystery of identity, love, and betrayal, The Rembrandt Decision is one of the finest mysteries of our time. —Dr. Louis Kirby, bestselling author of Shadow of Eden
From the shocking opening murder through its delightful smalltown characters to its breathless final reveal, Rembrandt is irresistible. —Five-Star Amazon Review
★★★★★ Praise for Seeley James’ Sabel Security series
Who else could write a humorous tragedy with a happy ending? The intense psychological mystery, decades-old family secrets, and charming smalltown characters will keep you captivated all night. — Melissa K, Goodreads
Serious book clubs will embrace this atmospheric mystery’s themes of inclusion, rejection, and adoption mirrored against motherhood, family, and race. Reese Witherspoon should give this a nod. — Mickey R, Amazon Reader
Plenty of edge of the seat suspense, a splash of well-timed humor, and adventures that leave you wanting more — Susan Gainoutdinov
An excellent fast-moving action thriller — Eric Crown, Founder of F500 company, Insight Enterprises
Seeley James’ riveting masterwork twists its way into a shocking finale that takes both heartbreaking and inspirational turns — Highly Recommended Books
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2022
19 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Seeley James
27 books311 followersOn a rainy day when I was ten, I was transported to eighteenth century England where I met Captain Billy Bones, heard the tapping of Blind Pew’s cane, and witnessed the treachery of Long John Silver. When I closed the cover of Treasure Island, I thought to myself: When I make stuff up, I get in trouble. I need to become a writer.
Which was the career I planned on pursuing. Planned on …
At 17, I was homeless, wandering from one minimum wage job to another. At 19, I found purpose in life when I adopted a 3-year-old girl and raised her (she’s 51 now and lives across town). Children need a lot of things that cost money, so I shelved the writing idea and pursued a career in technology, selling products and services to Fortune 500 company executives.
Along the way, I met and married the love of my life. We added two children (now grown and living in LA and NYC) and carved out a life. When I’d made all the gold I could eat, I returned my focus to the career I’d always wanted: writing adventures filled with thrills and mysteries.
My beloved wife passed unexpectedly in early 2024. Now, I spend my time talking to my imaginary friends and hiking a small mountain in my hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. I hope you enjoy the Sabel Security Series, and the characters of Jacob Stearne and Pia Sabel. As of this writing, there are sixteen novels completed and two more in my head. I plan to keep writing them until my mortal ink dries up.
To buy books from my writer-direct site, visit seeleyjames . com
Contact Seeley James:
Email: Seeley@seeleyjames.com
Facebook: SeeleyJamesAuth
Twitter: @SeeleyJamesAuth
Seeley is a proud member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Which was the career I planned on pursuing. Planned on …
At 17, I was homeless, wandering from one minimum wage job to another. At 19, I found purpose in life when I adopted a 3-year-old girl and raised her (she’s 51 now and lives across town). Children need a lot of things that cost money, so I shelved the writing idea and pursued a career in technology, selling products and services to Fortune 500 company executives.
Along the way, I met and married the love of my life. We added two children (now grown and living in LA and NYC) and carved out a life. When I’d made all the gold I could eat, I returned my focus to the career I’d always wanted: writing adventures filled with thrills and mysteries.
My beloved wife passed unexpectedly in early 2024. Now, I spend my time talking to my imaginary friends and hiking a small mountain in my hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. I hope you enjoy the Sabel Security Series, and the characters of Jacob Stearne and Pia Sabel. As of this writing, there are sixteen novels completed and two more in my head. I plan to keep writing them until my mortal ink dries up.
To buy books from my writer-direct site, visit seeleyjames . com
Contact Seeley James:
Email: Seeley@seeleyjames.com
Facebook: SeeleyJamesAuth
Twitter: @SeeleyJamesAuth
Seeley is a proud member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 19, 2022
I wrote it, so you'd hope I liked it. In all seriousness, I put my heart and soul into this one. It includes forty-six years of navigating the world as an adopted dad (for background on my adoption story, visit
adopted
). There are many nuances, trials, and tribulations involved that were different from the biological family I raised later in life. I wove those questions of identity, loyalty, what "family" means, inclusion and abandonment into a pretty good mystery.
But that's only the background. The mystery is a first class, Poirot-style mystery, including a drawing room reveal that's not in a drawing room, a Sophocles-spouting homeless woman, a power-behind-the-scenes baker, a police chief out of his depth, and a killer who might get away with it ... until Pia Sabel comes to town.
Let me know what you think, you can reach me through my website, and see the rest of the series as well at SeeleyJames.com
But that's only the background. The mystery is a first class, Poirot-style mystery, including a drawing room reveal that's not in a drawing room, a Sophocles-spouting homeless woman, a power-behind-the-scenes baker, a police chief out of his depth, and a killer who might get away with it ... until Pia Sabel comes to town.
Let me know what you think, you can reach me through my website, and see the rest of the series as well at SeeleyJames.com
January 18, 2022
A very well written story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great to see my name ‘in lights’ so to speak lol I had mixed emotions throughout this story, tissues needed a few times, looking forward to reading more of Isaiah.
January 19, 2022
Review of Rembrandt by Seeley James.
This story has more twists and turns than in any book I can remember reading.
It begins with a man dying on a park bench in a small town. He is alone. When a passerby finds him she can see no visible signs of the cause of death other than an empty booze bottle that smells a bit strange.
Since this is a Pia Sabel story, those readers familiar with Pia will be delighted to join her on yet another search for the truth. Those unfamiliar with her, will be thankful that you have met this magnificent woman and her advisors.
This is one of those stories that leads you to one suspect, only to turn to another and yet another. The dead man is the uncle to the chief of police and brother to the bakery owner and chef. There is a deranged woman who gives the police (and those who are helping them) clues by quoting passages in Greek. It gets stranger, so I strongly suggest that you travel this convoluted path to justice.
Seeley James is a talented writer who has the ability to put you at the scene, in the room and sometimes in the heads of the characters.
I highly recommend this book.
Fritzi Redgrave
This story has more twists and turns than in any book I can remember reading.
It begins with a man dying on a park bench in a small town. He is alone. When a passerby finds him she can see no visible signs of the cause of death other than an empty booze bottle that smells a bit strange.
Since this is a Pia Sabel story, those readers familiar with Pia will be delighted to join her on yet another search for the truth. Those unfamiliar with her, will be thankful that you have met this magnificent woman and her advisors.
This is one of those stories that leads you to one suspect, only to turn to another and yet another. The dead man is the uncle to the chief of police and brother to the bakery owner and chef. There is a deranged woman who gives the police (and those who are helping them) clues by quoting passages in Greek. It gets stranger, so I strongly suggest that you travel this convoluted path to justice.
Seeley James is a talented writer who has the ability to put you at the scene, in the room and sometimes in the heads of the characters.
I highly recommend this book.
Fritzi Redgrave
January 18, 2022
Who else could write a humorous tragedy with a happy ending? The intense psychological mystery, decades-old family secrets, and charming smalltown characters will keep you captivated all night. I've read all Seeley James' books, I've been a Pia Sabel fan from the beginning, but this one brings everything he has in his writing tool kit to bear. It's the best book I've read in ages.
You can't guess the killer. You have an idea, maybe, but you can't be sure. The clues pile up, but when Pia Sabel reveals why the killer murdered the victim, everything you've read comes into focus. It all makes sense and what a reveal! Wow! Sophocles, things people said, clues you knew were clues but didn't know why -- it all comes together. Then there's the heartbreaking, tragic last two chapters and the final uplifting closing chapter. It's awesome. You'll love it.
You know how people always say, "I couldn't put it down?" This time it was true. I read it in one long sitting.
You can't guess the killer. You have an idea, maybe, but you can't be sure. The clues pile up, but when Pia Sabel reveals why the killer murdered the victim, everything you've read comes into focus. It all makes sense and what a reveal! Wow! Sophocles, things people said, clues you knew were clues but didn't know why -- it all comes together. Then there's the heartbreaking, tragic last two chapters and the final uplifting closing chapter. It's awesome. You'll love it.
You know how people always say, "I couldn't put it down?" This time it was true. I read it in one long sitting.
May 4, 2022
Scott Jacobsen, the Police Chief of Deeping, Maine, knows there could be few reasons why his alcoholic uncle was murdered but when some of them involve delving into his families past and connections, he faces deeply uncomfortable truths. Will Pia Sabel be able to steer him in the right direction, and will Scott heed her advice?
I have not read any previous Pia Sabel mysteries but this did not hamper my understanding. Sabel’s backstory and relevance is effortlessly woven through the narrative to ensure the reader is given a comprehensive knowledge of her situation without actually realizing it.
The story is relayed in first-person by three separate characters, Christine Jacobsen, her son, Scott Jacobsen, and Sabel’s new advisor at Sabel Security, Isaiah Reddick. James adroitly uses the individual voices to give the reader not only a rounded view of characters and events, but to drop hints, red herrings, and suspicions. It’s skilfully done, ensuring maximum engagement, momentum, and curiosity for the reader.
All the cast are wonderfully authentic and have their own simmering secrets which may or may not impact the case. Christine, the town’s busybody, provokes irritation and sympathy whilst remaining slightly sinister. Isaiah grows as the novel develops and also functions to give the reader a nicely objective opinion of the other personalities.
‘Crazy Kitty’ Robinson was brilliantly depicted. She could have descended into a completely clichéd idiot savant but instead, is shrewdly utilized. Her usage of the Greek tragedies to communicate was a deft touch adding an intriguing, esoteric brushstroke to proceedings.
James’ prose is crisp, polished, and weighted with foreshadowing. There is also some lovely imagery which has been carefully chosen, in many places, for its contextual poignancy. Kitty’s eyes rolling drunkenly in her head like “lost marbles on a ship’s deck” was particularly effective.
Nonetheless, the star of the novel is Pia Sabel and interestingly the reader is never given her direct point of view. However, this works to retain the enigmatic quality she has and, contrastingly, allows the reader to build up a 360-degree picture of her from others. Notwithstanding, she presents with an air of slight unpredictability which keeps the pages turning.
She is sharply observed and acutely observant. I did wonder if the trappings of her near-limitless wealth would be a little far-fetched and counter-productive but, not only does it subtly aid certain areas of the plot, she remains convincingly grounded and self-effacing.
Sabel reveals facets of herself to different characters as she moves closer to the truth. She is not without her flaws and she is fully aware of those, and the emotional vulnerability that she tries hard to bury. I found her tremendously readable and although she can be prickly, immensely likeable also.
The plot twists and turns, cleverly throwing up reveals which sometimes the reader is aware of before those involved. There are a surprising number of angles to the main story and are all credible. I did wonder if the Mob element would overshadow the other issues but it remains complementary.
When the final disclosure comes it brings with it an unexpected revelation which, personally was shockingly unexpected. James slightly signposts who the perpetrator is, which does not spoil the enjoyment of the novel, and the reader is so distracted by discovering how the culprit will be uncovered, they are completely unprepared for this deeply unedifying consequence of unmasking the killer.
There are also two side-narratives, one involving institutionalized racism in the police force and the other concerned with the emotional difficulties adoptees often face. Both these tangents have bearing on the case and its handling, and both are sensitively and thought-provokingly explored.
The Rembrandt Decision is an excellent thriller; well-written, nicely structured, and thoroughly gripping. Highly recommended.
I have not read any previous Pia Sabel mysteries but this did not hamper my understanding. Sabel’s backstory and relevance is effortlessly woven through the narrative to ensure the reader is given a comprehensive knowledge of her situation without actually realizing it.
The story is relayed in first-person by three separate characters, Christine Jacobsen, her son, Scott Jacobsen, and Sabel’s new advisor at Sabel Security, Isaiah Reddick. James adroitly uses the individual voices to give the reader not only a rounded view of characters and events, but to drop hints, red herrings, and suspicions. It’s skilfully done, ensuring maximum engagement, momentum, and curiosity for the reader.
All the cast are wonderfully authentic and have their own simmering secrets which may or may not impact the case. Christine, the town’s busybody, provokes irritation and sympathy whilst remaining slightly sinister. Isaiah grows as the novel develops and also functions to give the reader a nicely objective opinion of the other personalities.
‘Crazy Kitty’ Robinson was brilliantly depicted. She could have descended into a completely clichéd idiot savant but instead, is shrewdly utilized. Her usage of the Greek tragedies to communicate was a deft touch adding an intriguing, esoteric brushstroke to proceedings.
James’ prose is crisp, polished, and weighted with foreshadowing. There is also some lovely imagery which has been carefully chosen, in many places, for its contextual poignancy. Kitty’s eyes rolling drunkenly in her head like “lost marbles on a ship’s deck” was particularly effective.
Nonetheless, the star of the novel is Pia Sabel and interestingly the reader is never given her direct point of view. However, this works to retain the enigmatic quality she has and, contrastingly, allows the reader to build up a 360-degree picture of her from others. Notwithstanding, she presents with an air of slight unpredictability which keeps the pages turning.
She is sharply observed and acutely observant. I did wonder if the trappings of her near-limitless wealth would be a little far-fetched and counter-productive but, not only does it subtly aid certain areas of the plot, she remains convincingly grounded and self-effacing.
Sabel reveals facets of herself to different characters as she moves closer to the truth. She is not without her flaws and she is fully aware of those, and the emotional vulnerability that she tries hard to bury. I found her tremendously readable and although she can be prickly, immensely likeable also.
The plot twists and turns, cleverly throwing up reveals which sometimes the reader is aware of before those involved. There are a surprising number of angles to the main story and are all credible. I did wonder if the Mob element would overshadow the other issues but it remains complementary.
When the final disclosure comes it brings with it an unexpected revelation which, personally was shockingly unexpected. James slightly signposts who the perpetrator is, which does not spoil the enjoyment of the novel, and the reader is so distracted by discovering how the culprit will be uncovered, they are completely unprepared for this deeply unedifying consequence of unmasking the killer.
There are also two side-narratives, one involving institutionalized racism in the police force and the other concerned with the emotional difficulties adoptees often face. Both these tangents have bearing on the case and its handling, and both are sensitively and thought-provokingly explored.
The Rembrandt Decision is an excellent thriller; well-written, nicely structured, and thoroughly gripping. Highly recommended.
February 10, 2022
In an interesting departure from his award-winning The Sabel Security Series, author James takes the reader to a small seaside Maine town with a deep and dark secret. There, Pia Sabel, a fascinating new character, Isaiah, and the regular crew (minus Jacob Sterne) become entangled in murder by tequila launching the first Sabel Mystery, Book 12.
The author pens a first-person narrative that draws the reader close to each character as the mystery unfolds. A real who-done-it, The Rembrant Decision kept me tightly engaged from start to surprising finish. And until the reveal, I honestly did not know who the murderer was.
Author James had me running to my volume of Greek Tragedies in attempts to unravel the mystery to no avail. I highly recommend this addition to the Sabel saga and for the uninitiated, one might want to read all 11 previous books in this series (no the author did not make me say that) to get a grip on the fascinating world of Olympic Athlete and Billionaire, Pia Sabel. She is far and away my favorite strong female lead character in a mystery/thriller series. Read, and you'll see why.
The author pens a first-person narrative that draws the reader close to each character as the mystery unfolds. A real who-done-it, The Rembrant Decision kept me tightly engaged from start to surprising finish. And until the reveal, I honestly did not know who the murderer was.
Author James had me running to my volume of Greek Tragedies in attempts to unravel the mystery to no avail. I highly recommend this addition to the Sabel saga and for the uninitiated, one might want to read all 11 previous books in this series (no the author did not make me say that) to get a grip on the fascinating world of Olympic Athlete and Billionaire, Pia Sabel. She is far and away my favorite strong female lead character in a mystery/thriller series. Read, and you'll see why.
January 20, 2022
Modern day mystery in the Pia Sabel world. Highly entertaining story with Pia and her team. The author has crossed genres with Pia for this one and takes familiar characters into murder mystery realm and found a successful formula.
February 4, 2022
Pie Pia she just so good
Very interesting story with a few twist and turn , can't wait to see where she is going next, truly love this book.
Very interesting story with a few twist and turn , can't wait to see where she is going next, truly love this book.
February 4, 2022
Best book of the year so far
Just another great book From Seeley James
Lots of great characters not just Pia Sabel
Can't wait for the next one
Just another great book From Seeley James
Lots of great characters not just Pia Sabel
Can't wait for the next one
April 19, 2022
The Rembrandt Decision - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
In The Rembrandt Decision by Seeley James, alcoholic vagrant Phil Jacobsen is murdered and his posed corpse is found, by chance, by Pia Sabel who's researching a new branch location for Sabel Industries in Deeping.
The victim's nephew, who's the town's Sheriff, works to hide secrets lurking in the family's background, as Pia's invited by the local Mayor to help him investigate his uncle's death.
Seeley James's 12th Sabel Security series novel, The Rembrandt Decision includes well-developed and very engaging characters, whose storyline is believable and engaging, while also piquing the readers' interest to read every single page.
Grab this opportunity to test your deductive powers as soon as possible - highly recommended!
In The Rembrandt Decision by Seeley James, alcoholic vagrant Phil Jacobsen is murdered and his posed corpse is found, by chance, by Pia Sabel who's researching a new branch location for Sabel Industries in Deeping.
The victim's nephew, who's the town's Sheriff, works to hide secrets lurking in the family's background, as Pia's invited by the local Mayor to help him investigate his uncle's death.
Seeley James's 12th Sabel Security series novel, The Rembrandt Decision includes well-developed and very engaging characters, whose storyline is believable and engaging, while also piquing the readers' interest to read every single page.
Grab this opportunity to test your deductive powers as soon as possible - highly recommended!
January 21, 2023
Every family has dirty washing that they would not display in public. There is plenty of dirty washing to be kept hidden in this story.
It is written in a slightly different style than the previous Pia Sable or Jacob Stearne stories in that the main characters narrate their own story.
Police chief Scott’s alcoholic uncle is murdered but leaves a relatively undecipherable clue behind.
The town in which Scott is police chief is under consideration as a location for one of Sable’s research centres so Pia and Miguel turn up along with a new chap, Isiah, turn up to give it the once over. However, as you would expect they get involved in investigating the murder against the local mobster, Al, wanting to move his nefarious “industry” into the town. Al is a cousin of Scott and is really hated by Scott’s mother, Christine, who is a force of nature and very strong character in the town.
In fact Scott and his sister, Amy, are both adopted so there is an element of connection with Pia and their background is mentioned significantly in discussions between Pia and Scott.
Meanwhile Isiah is not sure whether he will stay at Sable as his surgeon dad is trying to force him into the medical profession. Isiah constantly questions his value as he believes he is just like a bag man and kept in the dark with Pia not telling him any of her thoughts on the murder.
The person guilty of the murder looks like being someone who it would be very convenient if they were the guilty party, they might well be. But there are many hoops to jump through before we reach a conclusion including a confrontation with the gangster Al.
The story is full of pathos and meaning as well as a few lessons to be heeded.
One thing I don’t like about the author is his constant need to demonstrate his knowledge of Roman gods, although fortunately they don’t appear in this book as Jacob Stearne is elsewhere but there’s too much in depth Greek tragedy for my liking so I reduced the star rating by one star. However, the story is very reminiscent of a Greek tragedy but there are some tear jerking uplifting moments too. Otherwise it’s a great read.
It is written in a slightly different style than the previous Pia Sable or Jacob Stearne stories in that the main characters narrate their own story.
Police chief Scott’s alcoholic uncle is murdered but leaves a relatively undecipherable clue behind.
The town in which Scott is police chief is under consideration as a location for one of Sable’s research centres so Pia and Miguel turn up along with a new chap, Isiah, turn up to give it the once over. However, as you would expect they get involved in investigating the murder against the local mobster, Al, wanting to move his nefarious “industry” into the town. Al is a cousin of Scott and is really hated by Scott’s mother, Christine, who is a force of nature and very strong character in the town.
In fact Scott and his sister, Amy, are both adopted so there is an element of connection with Pia and their background is mentioned significantly in discussions between Pia and Scott.
Meanwhile Isiah is not sure whether he will stay at Sable as his surgeon dad is trying to force him into the medical profession. Isiah constantly questions his value as he believes he is just like a bag man and kept in the dark with Pia not telling him any of her thoughts on the murder.
The person guilty of the murder looks like being someone who it would be very convenient if they were the guilty party, they might well be. But there are many hoops to jump through before we reach a conclusion including a confrontation with the gangster Al.
The story is full of pathos and meaning as well as a few lessons to be heeded.
One thing I don’t like about the author is his constant need to demonstrate his knowledge of Roman gods, although fortunately they don’t appear in this book as Jacob Stearne is elsewhere but there’s too much in depth Greek tragedy for my liking so I reduced the star rating by one star. However, the story is very reminiscent of a Greek tragedy but there are some tear jerking uplifting moments too. Otherwise it’s a great read.
August 30, 2025
Book Review
📖 The Rembrandt Decision: A Pia Sabel Mystery (Sabel Security)
By Seeley James
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Seeley James delivers a deeply layered and thought-provoking mystery in The Rembrandt Decision, the twelfth installment of the acclaimed Sabel Security series. More than just a crime novel, this story interweaves murder, identity, and the fragile nature of family bonds into a compelling narrative that is both suspenseful and emotionally resonant.
👉The story opens with a shocking discovery: Pia Sabel, in town on business for Sabel Industries, comes across the posed corpse of Phil Jacobsen, a homeless man whose tragic end hides much deeper secrets. For Sheriff Scott Jacobsen—Phil’s nephew—the investigation quickly becomes personal. What begins as a straightforward murder case unravels into a web of hidden truths about his adoption, his family’s ties to organized crime, and the kind of legacy he never expected to face.
👉The book also shines in its cast of characters. Pia Sabel remains a brilliant and enigmatic presence—her unconventional methods often frustrate Jacobsen, yet every action she takes peels back another layer of the mystery. Their reluctant partnership is a highlight, filled with sharp dialogue and unexpected twists. Adding further intrigue are unique and memorable details: a homeless woman quoting Sophocles, a priceless stolen Rembrandt painting that may hold the key to motive, and the ever-present danger of a ruthless gangster. These elements elevate the story, blending intellectual puzzles with pulse-pounding suspense.
👉James’s writing is fast-paced yet richly detailed, ensuring readers are constantly engaged. Every revelation feels earned, every twist carefully crafted. The blend of action, mystery, and emotional stakes makes the novel unputdownable.The Rembrandt Decision is a standout entry in the Sabel Security series, showcasing Seeley James’s ability to combine thrilling crime fiction with meaningful explorations of what family and identity truly mean. It is gripping, emotional, and intelligent—exactly what readers of this series have come to expect and love.
Happy reading 😁 😁
#bookreview
📖 The Rembrandt Decision: A Pia Sabel Mystery (Sabel Security)
By Seeley James
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Seeley James delivers a deeply layered and thought-provoking mystery in The Rembrandt Decision, the twelfth installment of the acclaimed Sabel Security series. More than just a crime novel, this story interweaves murder, identity, and the fragile nature of family bonds into a compelling narrative that is both suspenseful and emotionally resonant.
👉The story opens with a shocking discovery: Pia Sabel, in town on business for Sabel Industries, comes across the posed corpse of Phil Jacobsen, a homeless man whose tragic end hides much deeper secrets. For Sheriff Scott Jacobsen—Phil’s nephew—the investigation quickly becomes personal. What begins as a straightforward murder case unravels into a web of hidden truths about his adoption, his family’s ties to organized crime, and the kind of legacy he never expected to face.
👉The book also shines in its cast of characters. Pia Sabel remains a brilliant and enigmatic presence—her unconventional methods often frustrate Jacobsen, yet every action she takes peels back another layer of the mystery. Their reluctant partnership is a highlight, filled with sharp dialogue and unexpected twists. Adding further intrigue are unique and memorable details: a homeless woman quoting Sophocles, a priceless stolen Rembrandt painting that may hold the key to motive, and the ever-present danger of a ruthless gangster. These elements elevate the story, blending intellectual puzzles with pulse-pounding suspense.
👉James’s writing is fast-paced yet richly detailed, ensuring readers are constantly engaged. Every revelation feels earned, every twist carefully crafted. The blend of action, mystery, and emotional stakes makes the novel unputdownable.The Rembrandt Decision is a standout entry in the Sabel Security series, showcasing Seeley James’s ability to combine thrilling crime fiction with meaningful explorations of what family and identity truly mean. It is gripping, emotional, and intelligent—exactly what readers of this series have come to expect and love.
Happy reading 😁 😁
#bookreview
September 5, 2022
“The Rembrandt Decision” features Pia Sabel, an adopted heiress/billionaire with a complex/tragic history and company. This is book #12 of the Sabel Security series, but I had not read any of the previous stories and felt it read fine as a standalone novel. The author does a fantastic job of introducing the characters, backstories, and references to previous tales in a way that felt organic and also left me wanting to read some of the previous stories.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It’s a mystery set in a small town with lots of memorable characters and personalities. The mystery is written in a way that the reader can figure out the culprit on their own while guessing along with the narrators. It is also written in a way that does not dumb it down for the readers, which I appreciated. As I mentioned above, it is a stand alone story with references to past books that is intriguing enough to want me to add more Pia Sabel stories on my ever-expanding TBR list. Find the full review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It’s a mystery set in a small town with lots of memorable characters and personalities. The mystery is written in a way that the reader can figure out the culprit on their own while guessing along with the narrators. It is also written in a way that does not dumb it down for the readers, which I appreciated. As I mentioned above, it is a stand alone story with references to past books that is intriguing enough to want me to add more Pia Sabel stories on my ever-expanding TBR list. Find the full review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.
June 25, 2024
I have to honestly give this story an okay rating. I finished it, which says a lot about the mystery and a compelling need to know how it ended. I did not love the structure: bouncing from one character to the next in first person … if I ever sat it down mid-chapter I really had to think about who was talking. I also did not love being slapped in the face with social priorities that seemingly had little to do with the story. It’s one thing to use social cues to understand a character’s motivation, it’s another to have the characters inner monologue cite a litany of current events to reinforce their viewpoint.
November 28, 2025
The residents in a small peaceful town in Maine are anticipating a visit from Pia Sabel who is considering locating the Sabel Research Center in their area which would be a big boost for the town. At the time of Pia and her teams arrival, a murder has taken place of the sheriff’s uncle and the brother of the most influential member of the community. Pia is the most qualified and has the resources to solve the murder.
There are many long ago secrets that are discovered with the twists in this story.
Thank you Seeley James and Book Funnel.
There are many long ago secrets that are discovered with the twists in this story.
Thank you Seeley James and Book Funnel.
March 28, 2022
Great Great Read
Could not get enough of this book. Finish this book in two days with other tasks in between. Mr. James did not disappoint me with this book, neither will it disappoint you.
Could not get enough of this book. Finish this book in two days with other tasks in between. Mr. James did not disappoint me with this book, neither will it disappoint you.
July 4, 2022
Wonderful! We get an indepth introduction to the ‘new guy,’ Isaiah, after Pia discovers a body in the small town of Deeping and an investigation into who-done-it ensues. Great story and an enjoyable read.
October 5, 2024
This is the first Pia Sabel mystery I have read.
Its a mystery with all kinds of plots and twists, including a surprise ending.
The characters are very different and each has their own role to play.
I enjoyed the conversations about adoption - well written.
Its a mystery with all kinds of plots and twists, including a surprise ending.
The characters are very different and each has their own role to play.
I enjoyed the conversations about adoption - well written.
April 10, 2024
Absolutely wonderful, I laughed, I wondered, and I cried. Now I’m going to have to read the previous books.
July 20, 2022
This is Seeley James' best work of writing so far! Another page turner, and this time without neither Jacob nor Mercury! And that's saying a lot as I'm a big fan of those 2 characters.
The first person narrative in the history reminded me of an Agatha Christie story! (if Poirot or Ms Marple were world famous athletes, head of a multi-billion dollar empire!!). We are taken through the story by 3 characters that, although integral to this story, are none of the main characters in the Sabel Universe. I kept thinking it would be impossible to write from Pia's POV and just as well. I think her thought process should remain a secret from us the reader. Good choice Mr James.
There is a richness of clues and details that eventually get tied together as the mystery is solved. It keeps you doubting and guessing as to what is going on until the end, as every good mystery book should!
Mr James allowed many of his fans (me included) to provide names for the characters. Now, it's fun to see my late father's name as the town doctor who shaves his face (you have to read the book to find out why!!), he would have chuckled at that!
The first person narrative in the history reminded me of an Agatha Christie story! (if Poirot or Ms Marple were world famous athletes, head of a multi-billion dollar empire!!). We are taken through the story by 3 characters that, although integral to this story, are none of the main characters in the Sabel Universe. I kept thinking it would be impossible to write from Pia's POV and just as well. I think her thought process should remain a secret from us the reader. Good choice Mr James.
There is a richness of clues and details that eventually get tied together as the mystery is solved. It keeps you doubting and guessing as to what is going on until the end, as every good mystery book should!
Mr James allowed many of his fans (me included) to provide names for the characters. Now, it's fun to see my late father's name as the town doctor who shaves his face (you have to read the book to find out why!!), he would have chuckled at that!
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