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Fenway Stevenson Mysteries #8
The Offside Coroner
A fancy dinner date with her boyfriend turns into County Coroner Fenway Stevenson's worst nightmare. Sucked into investigating a wife accused of adultery, Fenway finds herself caught in a conflict of interest when the head coach for a professional soccer team ends up with his skull bashed in. As a sex scandal engulfs the team, Fenway tries to downplay her impropriety while protecting the prime suspect—but soon the body count rises. Can Fenway uncover the killer—and keep her job?
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2022
35 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Paul Austin Ardoin
32 books126 followersPaul Austin Ardoin is the author of the Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. A California native with a degree in creative writing from UC Santa Barbara, Ardoin has also published short fiction and humorous essays in Bottomfish and Sweet Fancy Moses. His non-fiction articles about computer security have appeared in California Computer News and European Communications. He lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, two teenagers, and a menagerie of animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 20, 2022
THE OFFSIDE CORONER is a GREAT mystery with lots of moving parts. Excellent characters with problems that are so human it’s easy for a reader to get down into the trenches with them! Loved the book, hated the ending. Oh, well, still can’t wait for the next one!
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
September 13, 2022
A Highly “Suspect” Crime…
There are too many suspects and too little proof to narrow the field. Coroner Fenway Stevenson has her work cut out for her while her private detective boyfriend, Craig McVie, is working a case that has ties to her murder victim. She side-steps any conflict of interest but cannot avoid the uncertainty of their long-term relationship. Where will all this lead? The case eventually gets resolved but will her romantic interests be threatened? We will have to see in the continuing series.
The investigation into the death of a woman’s socker team coach keeps the reader engaged. Despite my suspicions, at no time, up until the end could I be certain of the guilty party since the author keeps stirring the pot with more possibilities. This was a good read, well-written and sadly truer to life than just fiction. It deals with circumstances that have been prominent in the news as of lately with players being sexually taken advantage of. Thus, it raises questions as to who, besides the perpetrator, is responsible for allowing this to happen and why?
A good mystery with interesting characters and relationships and some quality thought provocation makes for a worthwhile read…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
There are too many suspects and too little proof to narrow the field. Coroner Fenway Stevenson has her work cut out for her while her private detective boyfriend, Craig McVie, is working a case that has ties to her murder victim. She side-steps any conflict of interest but cannot avoid the uncertainty of their long-term relationship. Where will all this lead? The case eventually gets resolved but will her romantic interests be threatened? We will have to see in the continuing series.
The investigation into the death of a woman’s socker team coach keeps the reader engaged. Despite my suspicions, at no time, up until the end could I be certain of the guilty party since the author keeps stirring the pot with more possibilities. This was a good read, well-written and sadly truer to life than just fiction. It deals with circumstances that have been prominent in the news as of lately with players being sexually taken advantage of. Thus, it raises questions as to who, besides the perpetrator, is responsible for allowing this to happen and why?
A good mystery with interesting characters and relationships and some quality thought provocation makes for a worthwhile read…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
September 15, 2022
Glued to the pages…
This latest installment in the Fenway Stevenson series is, in my opinion, the best yet because I was drawn into the story immediately and held in a state of wonderment and suspense right up to the end of the book. There is so much happening all around and to Fenway that I couldn’t tell the real clues from the red herrings. I love a suspenseful book filled with unexpected twists and turns and I love books with multiple interesting characters for the main character to interact with – this book checks all the boxes. I got cramps in my hands from holding my e-reader so tightly and woe be to anyone who had the audacity to walk in the room and interrupt my reading. Of course, Fenway solves her case (no hints about that from me) but what will happen to her next? Will she and her private eye boyfriend bid farewell to each other? With excellent storylines, wonderful characters, and flawless writing there are numerous reasons to anxiously anticipate the next story in this much-loved series. I plan to be right up front in that line. 😊
This latest installment in the Fenway Stevenson series is, in my opinion, the best yet because I was drawn into the story immediately and held in a state of wonderment and suspense right up to the end of the book. There is so much happening all around and to Fenway that I couldn’t tell the real clues from the red herrings. I love a suspenseful book filled with unexpected twists and turns and I love books with multiple interesting characters for the main character to interact with – this book checks all the boxes. I got cramps in my hands from holding my e-reader so tightly and woe be to anyone who had the audacity to walk in the room and interrupt my reading. Of course, Fenway solves her case (no hints about that from me) but what will happen to her next? Will she and her private eye boyfriend bid farewell to each other? With excellent storylines, wonderful characters, and flawless writing there are numerous reasons to anxiously anticipate the next story in this much-loved series. I plan to be right up front in that line. 😊
September 21, 2022
I was happy to see another Fenway Stevenson book as I have truly enjoyed reading them. I was also happy to see McVie and the other characters from the Coroner’s office. Fenway, of course, is up to her elbows in determining who killed a coach and a young goal keeper on a championship soccer team. Fenway soon learns the case involves sexual assault between the coach and young players on the team. This case preys on Fenway as she had been sexually assaulted by one of her college professors. Her personal assault makes Fenway question the answers she’s been given by coaches and players. Fenway has a difficult time keeping the suspects straight and actually discovers the real murderer while waiting to interview another suspect. While Fenway enjoys her job as Coroner, she also has a tendency to not follow protocol and take off on her own. She’s trying to become a team player and I hope the author will facilitate that in the next book. I really hope she and McVie stay together, but I doubt it. Thank you, Mr Ardoin, for another great book.
September 30, 2022
Clues pile up while the circle of suspects gets larger relating to a women's soccer team - 5 stars
Fenway Stevenson skirts a fine line when trying to observe the rule of law, Fenway (recently elected for a full term as coroner) has her father, boyfriend (Craig), and her co-workers each of whom is pulling in different directions.
There seems to be a conflict of interest when Craig - a PI - is snooping on an aging professional woman's soccer star while Fenway is playing a supportive role as his date. Soon afterward, the tables turn for a helter-skelter scramble to determine who just murdered the head soccer coach. The recently deceased head coach has been a sexual predator for years.
Just when you are sure that you know who did it, the playing field gets muddy and another suspect seems more likely. There is no break to the suspense as each of the witnesses seems to have something to hide. For good measure, there are automobile chase scenes, misleading emails, and a seemingly fruitless search for bloody towels.
Fenway Stevenson skirts a fine line when trying to observe the rule of law, Fenway (recently elected for a full term as coroner) has her father, boyfriend (Craig), and her co-workers each of whom is pulling in different directions.
There seems to be a conflict of interest when Craig - a PI - is snooping on an aging professional woman's soccer star while Fenway is playing a supportive role as his date. Soon afterward, the tables turn for a helter-skelter scramble to determine who just murdered the head soccer coach. The recently deceased head coach has been a sexual predator for years.
Just when you are sure that you know who did it, the playing field gets muddy and another suspect seems more likely. There is no break to the suspense as each of the witnesses seems to have something to hide. For good measure, there are automobile chase scenes, misleading emails, and a seemingly fruitless search for bloody towels.
September 9, 2022
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Fenway and McVie at a restaurant where McVie was shadowing a client's wife. As the evening went, the client's wife and her dinner partner got into an argument, as a result Fenway shared an Uber to the partner's hotel. The next day Fenway is called to a scene at the same hotel. It seems the head coach of a soccer team was murdered.
Follow all of the steps that Fenway and her team performed with a large number of suspects. Learn what else happened with regards to the team. The story will leave you guessing who responsible right to the end was. This is another great story in this series and you won't be disappointed.
This story begins with Fenway and McVie at a restaurant where McVie was shadowing a client's wife. As the evening went, the client's wife and her dinner partner got into an argument, as a result Fenway shared an Uber to the partner's hotel. The next day Fenway is called to a scene at the same hotel. It seems the head coach of a soccer team was murdered.
Follow all of the steps that Fenway and her team performed with a large number of suspects. Learn what else happened with regards to the team. The story will leave you guessing who responsible right to the end was. This is another great story in this series and you won't be disappointed.
September 14, 2022
Wow, what a good read!! Loved this book and didn't want to stop reading, a page turner! Full of action and suspense. Who committed the murders, a full list of suspects to choose from. Will the evidence come to light so the puzzle pieces fit? This case brings back an episode in Fenway's life she had hoped to bury but brings it to the forefront once again. This book deals with sexual abuse in a sports environment. Although this book is part of a series, can easily be read as a standalone. Is well written, as all of Paul's books are. The ending was a bit devastating for me. What does the future hold for Fenway? Can't wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommend! Received an ARC and this is my voluntary, honest review.
September 16, 2022
Fenway's new case begins with a dinner out with her boyfriend and ends with murder. Straight up pure story telling. Once the action starts, the story unfolds with no let up. Nice easy reading, nothing to distract. A few red herrings here and there (of course) placed very strategically as they should be in a murder mystery. Excellent flow to the story. Fenway is fast becoming one of my favorite slueths and in this authors hands, the sky is the limit. The secondary characters are nicely written as well, with a few standouts that are quite endearing. I thoroughly , thoroughly , enjoyed this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
September 20, 2022
I have been a fan of this author from the beginning. Throughout the series you can see that his writing has improved and the plots get more intricate. This book is well thought out and like the other books you don't know until the end who's actually guilty of the crime. We see Fenway becoming more and more comfortable with her job as coroner as she has been in this job almost a year. She's developing contacts and resources that she can start to rely on to solve this crime. My only criticism of this story is I felt The Supporting Cast such as her father and her boyfriend could have been covered a little more in this book. I hope you two become a fan and join Fenway on our journey as the story continues to progress.
September 20, 2022
I love the book, Fenway is always in a mix of love and mess. This time, a dinner date with her lover turns into something else.
I love Fenway and the rest of the characters where just enough to fulfill the blurb.
The only but is that sometimes the author just got too involved in description, trying to give the reader a good view. But, too much description can hurt the story, let something for the readers to discover, see just that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love Fenway and the rest of the characters where just enough to fulfill the blurb.
The only but is that sometimes the author just got too involved in description, trying to give the reader a good view. But, too much description can hurt the story, let something for the readers to discover, see just that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2022
Another excellent mystery
Fenway is looking for a motive for murder of two key people. Was it someone on the team? Someone who'd been taken advantage of in the past? I love how there are so many twists and turns and enjoy how Fenway's mind processes scenes and puts the pieces together. Of course she has her boyfriend, Craig McVey, the past sheriff and current PI whose Resources she also uses when the police can't get it for her fast enough.
You can even read these books independently. There's a character list at the back of each book.
Looking forward to book 9!
Fenway is looking for a motive for murder of two key people. Was it someone on the team? Someone who'd been taken advantage of in the past? I love how there are so many twists and turns and enjoy how Fenway's mind processes scenes and puts the pieces together. Of course she has her boyfriend, Craig McVey, the past sheriff and current PI whose Resources she also uses when the police can't get it for her fast enough.
You can even read these books independently. There's a character list at the back of each book.
Looking forward to book 9!
September 21, 2022
Fenway! Yet another amazing story. Keeps you guessing till the very end. So many turns and twists, so many suspects all with a motive to commit the crime. You think you've reach the correct suspect and BAM additonal information sheds light on someone else. Sprinkle in Craig, Dez, Sarah and all the crew and you have another page turner. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. Absolutely a page turner.
April 8, 2023
THIS IS (I guess) THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES I ENJOYED ALL OF THEM. I COULDN'T DECIDE IF I WAS GOING TO GIVE THIS A 4* or 5* stars. I DIDN'T LIKE THIS AS MUCH AS THE OTHER ONES IN THE SERIES. I HATED THE ENDING; HOW COULD IT END THIS WAY IT WAS NOT FAIR TO US READERS. WHAT A BUMMER. HAD IT ENDED RIGHT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN IT 5*stars. THAT ENDING WAS OFF, THATS JUST NOT FAIR. IS THERE GOING TO BE A BOOK #9? ARE YOU JUST GOING TO LEAVE US HANGIN'? S#IT! ;D
September 13, 2022
Hurray for Fenway or more accurately hurray for Paul Austin Ardoin, her creator. Once again, the Fenway Stevenson series is a hit with me. I love how these mysteries contain enough characters and enough clues to keep me guessing. That is so entertaining. Reading this book was like a mini vacation. I read it in one day because I wanted more clues. I highly recommend the series.
September 13, 2022
Main character Fenway Stevenson is a small coastal town coroner with multiple challenges. These challenges include murder mystery solving, juggling work life balance and an entire soccer team of potential murderers. Not dull to be sure! Red herrings or clues galore which are sometimes confusing and conflicted. Check it out.
September 20, 2022
Paul Austin Ardoin has another winner. The Fenway Stevenson series is one of my favorites because of its character development, plotting, and racial undertones. Fenway Stevenson is, like all of us, a work in progress. To fully enjoy and appreciate the series, start with book one and keep reading.
September 21, 2022
Another great installment in the Fenway Stephenson mystery series! Her case winds up being intertwined with her boyfriend McVie's case and the more you think you know "who done it," the more you realize there are more suspects. I couldn't put it down and read it almost straight through. I highly recommend this book.
September 20, 2022
Fenway has a new romance and a murder to solve. A coach is the victim but why? Guess you'll have to read to find out. I received an ARC from the author. This is a good series. Fenway very likable character.
March 16, 2023
A page turner:
I rated the 8th book of the series a five star. Each book gets more exciting. The twists and turns who and why were there murders going on, and what, and who was behind them. It was definitely a page turner for sure.
I rated the 8th book of the series a five star. Each book gets more exciting. The twists and turns who and why were there murders going on, and what, and who was behind them. It was definitely a page turner for sure.
April 8, 2023
What next?
Everything is coming up roses. The bad guy got caught. Love is blooming. Careers are successful. What more could you ask for until a monkey wrench was thrown in. What happens next? Can’t wait to find out.
Everything is coming up roses. The bad guy got caught. Love is blooming. Careers are successful. What more could you ask for until a monkey wrench was thrown in. What happens next? Can’t wait to find out.
December 6, 2024
a little disappointed
Books 7 and 8 aren’t of the same caliber of the first 6 books, which kept you hooked and unable to put them down. 6 and 7 have the feel that an outside influence altered his fantastic writing style
Books 7 and 8 aren’t of the same caliber of the first 6 books, which kept you hooked and unable to put them down. 6 and 7 have the feel that an outside influence altered his fantastic writing style
September 10, 2022
I loved this book. It was full of action, adventure, twists and turns. This is the perfect addition to the series.
September 12, 2022
An extremely well written book, full of action from start to finish, with a mixed cast of characters. An edge of the seat page turner.
September 21, 2022
A gripping story, a shocking conclusion, a must read if you want suspense, murder, and vivid characters in your books. This has it all. Highly Recommended.
September 21, 2022
I love this series and this is another great book in the Fenway series!
November 14, 2022
Another good read by Paul Ardoin. I have really enjoyed this series!
January 3, 2023
My least favorite of the series
February 3, 2024
As always, a great mystery with a great main character. Also good to see women's sports be an important part of the story.
February 12, 2025
Very good, as are all his books.
August 27, 2025
enjoyed the book...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews