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The Duchess Report #1
Samaritan
sa·mar·i·tan: noun /səˈmærɪt(ə)n/
A compassionate person generous in helping those in distress
British investigative journalist Gabriella Reuben—Bree to everyone but her mother—has worked hard to build a new life in Düsseldorf and put the past behind her. That is until she opens her front door to find the corrupt woman who publicly outed Bree as transgender—the same woman now begging for Bree’s help.
Petra Keller is a despicable person, uncaring whose reputation she tramples on her way to the top of the corporate ladder. Or is she? Could she be telling the truth that she’s changed? The more Bree looks into Petra’s shocking claims, the more she uncovers facts leading her to a chilling connection between highly respected companies, their owners and an unthinkable crime.
Her investigation becomes even more muddied by cryptic emails, her overprotective brother convincing his enigmatic friend to keep an eye on her and a bombing that lands her in hospital. Instead of being intimidated, Bree’s resolve is strengthened. These powerful men can’t continue to get away with profiting from actions that already resulted in the loss of countless innocent lives—actions that would cost more lives unless Bree gets to the truth. And exposes it.
Samaritan is the first book in The Duchess Report trilogy, continuing with Sentinel and concluding with Maecenas.
A compassionate person generous in helping those in distress
British investigative journalist Gabriella Reuben—Bree to everyone but her mother—has worked hard to build a new life in Düsseldorf and put the past behind her. That is until she opens her front door to find the corrupt woman who publicly outed Bree as transgender—the same woman now begging for Bree’s help.
Petra Keller is a despicable person, uncaring whose reputation she tramples on her way to the top of the corporate ladder. Or is she? Could she be telling the truth that she’s changed? The more Bree looks into Petra’s shocking claims, the more she uncovers facts leading her to a chilling connection between highly respected companies, their owners and an unthinkable crime.
Her investigation becomes even more muddied by cryptic emails, her overprotective brother convincing his enigmatic friend to keep an eye on her and a bombing that lands her in hospital. Instead of being intimidated, Bree’s resolve is strengthened. These powerful men can’t continue to get away with profiting from actions that already resulted in the loss of countless innocent lives—actions that would cost more lives unless Bree gets to the truth. And exposes it.
Samaritan is the first book in The Duchess Report trilogy, continuing with Sentinel and concluding with Maecenas.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2022
119 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Estelle Ryan
33 books628 followersEstelle Ryan was born in South Africa and spent her childhood being surrounded by African beauty, nature and diversity of cultures. Her first trip to Europe at the tender age of 16 transformed her world into a much larger place, endless in its possibilities and places to explore. For most of her adulthood she’s travelled all over the world, lived on a few continents, explored numerous cultures and still is insatiable in the quest to still the hunger for more life experiences.
She’s written for numerous international magazines, was the editor of a European lifestyle magazine and has seven romance novels published under a pseudonym. With her interest in international politics, arts, crime, behavioural psychology, criminal psychology and music, she decided to combine all these elements in her writing. And so Genevieve and the team came into being.
She is an unabashed coffeeshopaholic. Good coffee, ambience and music in the perfect combination is all that is required to turn a mundane coffee shop into her 'office'. The appropriate coffee shop is chosen depending on the mood, the weather, the type and amount of work that needs to be done, and of course the craving of the day. All of her books have been written in numerous coffee shops all over the world.
She’s written for numerous international magazines, was the editor of a European lifestyle magazine and has seven romance novels published under a pseudonym. With her interest in international politics, arts, crime, behavioural psychology, criminal psychology and music, she decided to combine all these elements in her writing. And so Genevieve and the team came into being.
She is an unabashed coffeeshopaholic. Good coffee, ambience and music in the perfect combination is all that is required to turn a mundane coffee shop into her 'office'. The appropriate coffee shop is chosen depending on the mood, the weather, the type and amount of work that needs to be done, and of course the craving of the day. All of her books have been written in numerous coffee shops all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 25, 2022
I tried this because I love the author’s Genevieve Lenard books. Bree appears as a minor character in these books, although occasionally she has a more prominent role.
Overall this was a reasonable mystery/thriller, but I found it a bit irritating at times. The plot seemed to rely on people not telling each other what they know and the ending was definitely annoying.
There are many similar books to this, so it is important that there is something that makes the book stand out. Genevieve is different enough to do this by herself, but even though she is transgender, Bree isn’t.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars, I have given the book the benefit of the doubt and raised this to three.
Overall this was a reasonable mystery/thriller, but I found it a bit irritating at times. The plot seemed to rely on people not telling each other what they know and the ending was definitely annoying.
There are many similar books to this, so it is important that there is something that makes the book stand out. Genevieve is different enough to do this by herself, but even though she is transgender, Bree isn’t.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars, I have given the book the benefit of the doubt and raised this to three.
January 31, 2022
Breathtaking Action
Bree, an investigative journalist, is contacted by a woman who had tried to destroy her reputation years ago. This woman is asking for Bree's help in uncovering some criminal activity. At first resistant, Bree is drawn into the investigation when she discovers another journalist was critically injured while involved in the case.
I got this book because I've read and loved all the books in Estelle Ryan's Genevieve Lenard series. I certainly wasn't disappointed. I read the book through without stopping because of the constant, intense action. This is the first of a three part series and I eagerly anticipate the next book.
Bree, an investigative journalist, is contacted by a woman who had tried to destroy her reputation years ago. This woman is asking for Bree's help in uncovering some criminal activity. At first resistant, Bree is drawn into the investigation when she discovers another journalist was critically injured while involved in the case.
I got this book because I've read and loved all the books in Estelle Ryan's Genevieve Lenard series. I certainly wasn't disappointed. I read the book through without stopping because of the constant, intense action. This is the first of a three part series and I eagerly anticipate the next book.
March 1, 2022
A perfect glimpse into one of the characters we've come to love through Ryan's Connection series.
With all the elements of intrigue and danger, Ryan draws a portrait of Bree that quickly endears her to the reader. I looked forward to reading this from the moment we knew it was forthcoming, and it was no disappointment.
Bree is threatened - but by whom? Her friends are put in danger - but why? There's something she isn't supposed to be investigating - but what is it?
Such is Ryan's mastery, that we can feel Bree's confusion and fear, but also her determination. She will see this through to the end . . . but will it be the end of her?
Find out, grab Book One in The Duchess Report series - Samaritan. And then, make sure you pick up the rest of the trilogy too. You won't regret it.
With all the elements of intrigue and danger, Ryan draws a portrait of Bree that quickly endears her to the reader. I looked forward to reading this from the moment we knew it was forthcoming, and it was no disappointment.
Bree is threatened - but by whom? Her friends are put in danger - but why? There's something she isn't supposed to be investigating - but what is it?
Such is Ryan's mastery, that we can feel Bree's confusion and fear, but also her determination. She will see this through to the end . . . but will it be the end of her?
Find out, grab Book One in The Duchess Report series - Samaritan. And then, make sure you pick up the rest of the trilogy too. You won't regret it.
February 23, 2022
Prefer the Genevieve Lenard series
While Bree is a character readers of the Genevieve Lenard series have met before she seems somewhat less fully formed and rather a lot of the beginning is going on about her transgender situation and her transgender friends and really it was a bit repetitive and unnecessary.
Not sure why Bree is not written in the first person when the Lenard series is. It's slightly awkward. The fedora makes Bree far too obvious in a crowd it's not believable that she wouldn't be noticed when hats are rare.. so we have a transwoman in a brightly coloured fedora undercover spying on people, researching and visiting the businesses she's trying to figure out and no one spots her in a crowd? Personally the fedora is a step too far!!
The David Svensson character is also a bit of a stretch.. and the dweebs thing.. no.. the novel seems to end nowhere.. I can't say too much because I don't want to give the end away but they just vanish despite the cavalry turning up.. how? Just leaving it for the next book is a little unfair.. when we've soldiered on through the unnecessary and the rather odd you could at least tempt us with more than this.
Say 3.5 stars..
While Bree is a character readers of the Genevieve Lenard series have met before she seems somewhat less fully formed and rather a lot of the beginning is going on about her transgender situation and her transgender friends and really it was a bit repetitive and unnecessary.
Not sure why Bree is not written in the first person when the Lenard series is. It's slightly awkward. The fedora makes Bree far too obvious in a crowd it's not believable that she wouldn't be noticed when hats are rare.. so we have a transwoman in a brightly coloured fedora undercover spying on people, researching and visiting the businesses she's trying to figure out and no one spots her in a crowd? Personally the fedora is a step too far!!
The David Svensson character is also a bit of a stretch.. and the dweebs thing.. no.. the novel seems to end nowhere.. I can't say too much because I don't want to give the end away but they just vanish despite the cavalry turning up.. how? Just leaving it for the next book is a little unfair.. when we've soldiered on through the unnecessary and the rather odd you could at least tempt us with more than this.
Say 3.5 stars..
June 15, 2022
Purchased this on the strength of the author's Genevieve Renard series and it did not disappoint. It actually features a minor character from that series -- Bree Reuben, an investigative journalist who lives in Dusseldorf. She's been known to break BIG stories but was outed as transgender by one of her subjects and her life got turned upside down. Suddenly everyone knows her medical history. But she's got a small group of trusted associates, friends, sources and she's doing just fine.
UNTIL, the woman who outed her contacts her claiming to have important information about the death of a private eye. Meanwhile, a journalist friend of hers is sending cryptic -- even nonsensical -- emails and she's suddenly thrust into the middle of a major investigation of charitable corporations and specialized transport companies.
The immediate story comes to a sort of conclusion ... but there's still a lot more to find out. Which I kind of expected as there are scheduled to be 3 books in the series at this time. I wouldn't characterize the ending as a cliffhanger, but there is more to be discovered about who's running the show and how it all works together. I look forward to book #2.
UNTIL, the woman who outed her contacts her claiming to have important information about the death of a private eye. Meanwhile, a journalist friend of hers is sending cryptic -- even nonsensical -- emails and she's suddenly thrust into the middle of a major investigation of charitable corporations and specialized transport companies.
The immediate story comes to a sort of conclusion ... but there's still a lot more to find out. Which I kind of expected as there are scheduled to be 3 books in the series at this time. I wouldn't characterize the ending as a cliffhanger, but there is more to be discovered about who's running the show and how it all works together. I look forward to book #2.
December 16, 2023
Bree uncovers a huge crime and is injured a lot
Bree is a journalist whose life was ruined when she was outed as a trans woman. She moved and started again, now running a business and employing many reporters.
Petra, the woman who outed her, comes to her, afraid, because something terrible is going on at her new job.
As Bree uncovers connections between Petra’s boss, Harold Dietrich, and a transport company owner and private security company owner, things heat up.
Through her brother she meets David, a negotiator, and the discover an arms smuggling operation.
Bree is kidnapped, a source of hers is injured, and a final showdown with Dietrich happens. He escapes, and this cliffhanger is where it ends.
I love Estelle Ryan’s work, and this new series is off to a great start. I like Bree and her fiends, and David is intriguing.
Looking forward to the next books, for this series and the Genevieve Lenard one, a favourite of mine.
Bree is a journalist whose life was ruined when she was outed as a trans woman. She moved and started again, now running a business and employing many reporters.
Petra, the woman who outed her, comes to her, afraid, because something terrible is going on at her new job.
As Bree uncovers connections between Petra’s boss, Harold Dietrich, and a transport company owner and private security company owner, things heat up.
Through her brother she meets David, a negotiator, and the discover an arms smuggling operation.
Bree is kidnapped, a source of hers is injured, and a final showdown with Dietrich happens. He escapes, and this cliffhanger is where it ends.
I love Estelle Ryan’s work, and this new series is off to a great start. I like Bree and her fiends, and David is intriguing.
Looking forward to the next books, for this series and the Genevieve Lenard one, a favourite of mine.
June 10, 2022
another all nighter!
Estelle Ryan, I am frustrated . I devour your book and can’t get enough! Please pump out thes books faster. Your second book to this series is NOT on Amazon! You create such compelling characters and then the plots take unexpected twists and turns! I read your Genevieve Lenard books all during Christmas vacation and while looking for your next Lenard book I stumbled onto Samaritan! Hurry up and write more PLEASE!
Estelle Ryan, I am frustrated . I devour your book and can’t get enough! Please pump out thes books faster. Your second book to this series is NOT on Amazon! You create such compelling characters and then the plots take unexpected twists and turns! I read your Genevieve Lenard books all during Christmas vacation and while looking for your next Lenard book I stumbled onto Samaritan! Hurry up and write more PLEASE!
February 2, 2022
A great start to a new series!
Gabrielle (Brie) is a journalist who assisted Genevieve previously. Outed and ostracised for being transgender, she relocated to Düsseldorf and created a new life and business for herself, she is drawn into a web of intrigue and violence by her former nemesis.
Fast paced with wonderful characters, this is a great start to a new series!
Gabrielle (Brie) is a journalist who assisted Genevieve previously. Outed and ostracised for being transgender, she relocated to Düsseldorf and created a new life and business for herself, she is drawn into a web of intrigue and violence by her former nemesis.
Fast paced with wonderful characters, this is a great start to a new series!
February 20, 2022
Another great one from Estelle Ryan!
Estelle Ryan is one of my FAVORITE authors! While I love and miss Genevieve and friends, I loved Bree's story and am ready to see the next chapter! I love the diverse characters and I always learn something! Thanks for another great story Estelle! Keep them coming!
Estelle Ryan is one of my FAVORITE authors! While I love and miss Genevieve and friends, I loved Bree's story and am ready to see the next chapter! I love the diverse characters and I always learn something! Thanks for another great story Estelle! Keep them coming!
April 28, 2022
Having read many of the Genevieve Lenard by Estelle Ryan, I was looking forward to reading this new series/trilogy. Very disappointed. Nothing wrong with some of the main characters being transgender, but do we have to be reminded about every paragraph that they're wonderful people and it's really hard being transgender, but how great they're 'out'...
Stopped reading after the first chapter.
Stopped reading after the first chapter.
August 27, 2022
Estelle Ryan is an author whose books I have enjoyed reading This Samaritan is different than her Genevieve Lenard’s serie, but it the same model, if I may say so. Bree is surrounded by people that look after her. Her people can read faces etc. While I enjoyed the drama, I’m not sure I want to know more about Bree. I might, of course, change my mind. The suspense is always very good.
October 4, 2024
Great read!
A good and promising series. The characters are well fleshed out and the storyline kept me invested as it developed. Sometimes sloggy, but necessary character and plot deveopment as a first book of an intended trilogy. I’m looking forward to the development of this storyline.
A good and promising series. The characters are well fleshed out and the storyline kept me invested as it developed. Sometimes sloggy, but necessary character and plot deveopment as a first book of an intended trilogy. I’m looking forward to the development of this storyline.
February 1, 2022
don’t know
I do not know that I am simpatico with Bree. She is way too stubborn for someone who is supposed to be so smart. Ryan is one of the best contemporary writers today. I was a tad disappointed.
I do not know that I am simpatico with Bree. She is way too stubborn for someone who is supposed to be so smart. Ryan is one of the best contemporary writers today. I was a tad disappointed.
February 1, 2022
samaritan
I loved this new series. I can't wait for the next one to appear. Here is a great protagonist and Transgender to boot. Estelle Ryan has another blockbuster thriller. I read it in a day. I couldn't put it down. 5 stars!
I loved this new series. I can't wait for the next one to appear. Here is a great protagonist and Transgender to boot. Estelle Ryan has another blockbuster thriller. I read it in a day. I couldn't put it down. 5 stars!
February 18, 2022
She's done it again! Estelle Ryan has created a whole new book world for me. The characters are clever, fun, funny, talented and diverse. Never a dull moment. My only problem, her books always end far too soon. This new book is no exception. Thanks, Estelle, for enhancing my life once again. 😊
February 21, 2022
Loved it!
I cannot wait for the second book. The first is just that good. Estelle Ryan has out done herself with this new series; I just wish it was going to be longer than a trilogy.
I cannot wait for the second book. The first is just that good. Estelle Ryan has out done herself with this new series; I just wish it was going to be longer than a trilogy.
March 16, 2022
The characters are interesting, but nothing that makes me want to go back for more. I feel the story is being dragged out and left me wanting a better conclusion, I do realize there are two more, but feel it could all be done is one book
May 13, 2022
There were some very good elements to this story and I rated it quite high. I loved the characters and their interactions. I thought the mystery was well done. I thought there were some annoying character aspects but those also exist in real life.
May 21, 2022
Fabulous offshoot of the original series.
If you like main characters outside the mainstream and who pass the Bechdel test, you'll like this new series.
Can't wait to see how it develops.
If you like main characters outside the mainstream and who pass the Bechdel test, you'll like this new series.
Can't wait to see how it develops.
February 6, 2022
Another good one from Ryan
We first met Brew in one of Ryan's Genevieve stories. She is a very good young journalist. Very good book. Looking forward to the next.
We first met Brew in one of Ryan's Genevieve stories. She is a very good young journalist. Very good book. Looking forward to the next.
February 17, 2022
Outstanding
Ms. Ryan delivers again. The thoughtful and honest character development is once again helping to build empathy. I wait with delight for the next part of Bree's story.
Ms. Ryan delivers again. The thoughtful and honest character development is once again helping to build empathy. I wait with delight for the next part of Bree's story.
June 19, 2022
An excellent start to this new series! Wonderful characters and an exciting premise. I can't wait until the second book!
August 3, 2024
New Estelle Ryan series
I love the way Estelle works in her character development. Will for sure continue this series. Thank you again. Enjoyed this
I love the way Estelle works in her character development. Will for sure continue this series. Thank you again. Enjoyed this
December 20, 2025
Interesting characters, but not a whole story. I should not have to buy three books to get one story.
February 10, 2022
OK
It was pretty good. A little too much time on friends and family. So much so I didn’t really get the “I am a really great investigator reporter and can take care of myself” it seemed like others were doing the lifting and she was just covering the bases.
It was pretty good. A little too much time on friends and family. So much so I didn’t really get the “I am a really great investigator reporter and can take care of myself” it seemed like others were doing the lifting and she was just covering the bases.
August 30, 2024
Loved this book!
I don't often read trilogies, but I have loved every entry in Estelle Ryan's Genevieve Lenard art crime thriller series. In that series, each book is standalone.
The Duchess Report series is a spin-off from that series, featuring Gabrielle Reuben, Bree, a British investigative reporter who has relocated to Germany. Bree, who happens to be a trans woman, gets involved in investigating very dangerous, powerful people. She has a network of fascinating friends and contacts who support her and aid in her investigations - including some members of Genevieve Lenard's team. Bree has a very protective brother, Gareth, who is in law enforcement back in England.
I highly recommend any of Estelle Ryan's books, including the Duchess Report series: Samaritan, Sentinel, and Maecenas.
I don't often read trilogies, but I have loved every entry in Estelle Ryan's Genevieve Lenard art crime thriller series. In that series, each book is standalone.
The Duchess Report series is a spin-off from that series, featuring Gabrielle Reuben, Bree, a British investigative reporter who has relocated to Germany. Bree, who happens to be a trans woman, gets involved in investigating very dangerous, powerful people. She has a network of fascinating friends and contacts who support her and aid in her investigations - including some members of Genevieve Lenard's team. Bree has a very protective brother, Gareth, who is in law enforcement back in England.
I highly recommend any of Estelle Ryan's books, including the Duchess Report series: Samaritan, Sentinel, and Maecenas.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews