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Wintergreen Mysteries #2
The Overlook Murder
It’s a short walk to the overlook but a long way down.
The rich entrepreneur Damian Susskind has recently survived a heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery. Suddenly aware of his own mortality, Damian summons his family and friends to Wintergreen to share the latest plans for his will. Unfortunately for Damian, one of those in attendance bears him malicious intent, and by the end of the day, Damian is dead.
Retired police detective Bill O’Shea is asked to help the short-staffed Wintergreen police department investigate an accidental death. Forensic evidence soon convinces Bill that this was no accident. There is plenty of motive to go around and more than a few suspects–the difficulty is tying a single killer to the crime. Will Bill and his friends solve the case, or will a Wintergreen murderer go free?
The rich entrepreneur Damian Susskind has recently survived a heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery. Suddenly aware of his own mortality, Damian summons his family and friends to Wintergreen to share the latest plans for his will. Unfortunately for Damian, one of those in attendance bears him malicious intent, and by the end of the day, Damian is dead.
Retired police detective Bill O’Shea is asked to help the short-staffed Wintergreen police department investigate an accidental death. Forensic evidence soon convinces Bill that this was no accident. There is plenty of motive to go around and more than a few suspects–the difficulty is tying a single killer to the crime. Will Bill and his friends solve the case, or will a Wintergreen murderer go free?
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2022
39 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Kelly
18 books174 followersPatrick Kelly has deep roots in Virginia. His mother grew up in Crozet, and he fondly remembers feeding chickens and picking peaches on his grandparents’ farm. Later, he graduated from the University of Virginia. His extended family has held reunions in Staunton, Hampton, Natural Bridge, Gordonsville, Afton, Smith Mountain Lake, and Wintergreen.
Patrick and his wife spend their summers in Wintergreen, hiking mountain trails, sampling local wines, and marveling at nature’s beauty. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide the perfect setting for retired detective Bill O'Shea to match wits with scheming murderers.
If you have a fondness in your heart for the natural places on earth, pull up a chair and enjoy a classic, traditional mystery set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Patrick is winner of a Beverly Hills Book Award and a silver medalist for the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for adult fiction. He serves as president of the Heart of Texas Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE!
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pkellystories
VISIT MY WEBSITE! https://www.patrickkellystories.com/
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Patrick and his wife spend their summers in Wintergreen, hiking mountain trails, sampling local wines, and marveling at nature’s beauty. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide the perfect setting for retired detective Bill O'Shea to match wits with scheming murderers.
If you have a fondness in your heart for the natural places on earth, pull up a chair and enjoy a classic, traditional mystery set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Patrick is winner of a Beverly Hills Book Award and a silver medalist for the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for adult fiction. He serves as president of the Heart of Texas Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE!
https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-Kelly/...
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
pkellystories
VISIT MY WEBSITE! https://www.patrickkellystories.com/
VISIT MY FACEBOOK PAGE!
https://www.facebook.com/patrickkelly...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 14, 2022
The Overlook Murder
by Patrick Kelly is the second book in the Wintergreen Mystery series and the second one that I have read by this author. The author brings humor, death, greed, and mystery to a Virginia mountaintop resort community that is near the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail.
Bill O’Shea is a retired police officer from Columbia, South Carolina. He recently bought a condo and moved to Wintergreen. He’s looking forward to looking at the vistas, hiking, and learning about Virginia’s birds. However, Alex Sharp, acting chief of the local police department, asks for his help again when they are short-staffed.
Damian Susskind, Chief Executive Officer of a high-end chain of sporting goods stores, recently survived a severe heart attack and surgery. He decides to gather his close family and colleagues for their annual report cards early. At the same time, he plans to share his updated plans for his will. When Damian ends up dead, Bill works with the local police to investigate. He is convinced the death isn’t an accident, but can it be proved?
Bill is someone a reader can root for and had depth. He is intelligent, friendly, slow to anger, and has a sense of humor. There is a wide variety of characters in the community that play a role in the investigation or interact with some of the top tier characters. It was great to see some familiar characters show up again. Who would have thought such a community could have so many secrets?
The story is compulsively readable, with a multi-faceted plot, an incredible setting, and wonderful characters. The pace was steady and character-driven. There were plenty of suspects, but I did guess the ultimate culprit before the reveal.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read. Themes include murder, family dramas, secrets, romance, drugs, greed, and much more. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check it out.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel via Bookfunnel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. The publication date was June 4, 2022.
Bill O’Shea is a retired police officer from Columbia, South Carolina. He recently bought a condo and moved to Wintergreen. He’s looking forward to looking at the vistas, hiking, and learning about Virginia’s birds. However, Alex Sharp, acting chief of the local police department, asks for his help again when they are short-staffed.
Damian Susskind, Chief Executive Officer of a high-end chain of sporting goods stores, recently survived a severe heart attack and surgery. He decides to gather his close family and colleagues for their annual report cards early. At the same time, he plans to share his updated plans for his will. When Damian ends up dead, Bill works with the local police to investigate. He is convinced the death isn’t an accident, but can it be proved?
Bill is someone a reader can root for and had depth. He is intelligent, friendly, slow to anger, and has a sense of humor. There is a wide variety of characters in the community that play a role in the investigation or interact with some of the top tier characters. It was great to see some familiar characters show up again. Who would have thought such a community could have so many secrets?
The story is compulsively readable, with a multi-faceted plot, an incredible setting, and wonderful characters. The pace was steady and character-driven. There were plenty of suspects, but I did guess the ultimate culprit before the reveal.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read. Themes include murder, family dramas, secrets, romance, drugs, greed, and much more. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check it out.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel via Bookfunnel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. The publication date was June 4, 2022.
June 25, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Wintergreen, Virginia where retired police detective Bill O’Shea is called in to assist in another investigation. Did the owner of the Fair Game sporting goods Damian Susskind fall to his death at the overlook on the Old Appalachian Trail? Or was he pushed? Is there more to the story? The rich entrepreneur had ticked several people off when he gathered his family and friends for a day-long retreat to convey his plan for the company and a big change to his will.
Following the evidence, Bill believes the man’s death was no accident. Working with the team he will have to work hard to catch the killer, especially because everyone including the caterers could have means, motive, and opportunity. Oh, and Cindy, Bill’s girlfriend’s company is the caterer for the retreat and Bill was assisting her that day.
As in the first book of this series, The Mountain View Murder, Bill O’Shea is a strong protagonist. He has the skills needed to solve a murder case, but he is also such a nice man. He never has an agenda and genuinely wants to help by following the evidence to get to the truth. Alex Sharp, the interim chief of police really has to lean on Bill because he is a real estate guy with no police experience. The small force includes Wintergreen Police Officer Mitch Gentry who is new to the force and Krista Jackson, the communications officer is new as well. Bill is a great mentor for these young people. Bill also helps his girlfriend Cindy with her catering crew. Cindy’s son Justin also is helping out until he leaves to join the Coast Guard and Cindy has recently hired an assistant Maddie Katz. Maddie and Justin may be starting a relationship. Again, Bill gets along with everyone. All these characters feel true to life.
We are also introduced the Damian Susskind and his staff. Prior to suffering a heart attack and recovering from quintuple bypass surgery the man was very involved in his business and his staff’s business including their personal lives. He only had one living relative, his stepdaughter, Lacey. She attended the retreat but she works for the Charlotte Department of Social Services. So he felt she and his staff were his family. He butted into their lives whenever he wished and he lauded his money over them. Threatening to change his will at any time. These characters had a real edge. They are smart and out for themselves.
There was one character though that really turned me off this time. I know Cindy was dealing with some things in this story with her son leaving and her staff being questioned about their client’s death but she came off as a first-class witch and mean. She was extremely short with Bill several times and was degrading to him and the Coast Guard in one instance so much that I was absolutely shocked. She was then surprised that Bill walked out. I wanted him to run and never look back. She is not the right woman for him and never will be. I hope she is absent from any future books in this series.
The mystery put forth was handled very methodically but in an interesting way. Waiting for word from the medical examiner and several test results, Bill talked to everyone involved in the case, some tangentially. Some several times. He even sent up a reenactment to work through what the suspects had said. He let Mitch and Krista do their part with gentle guidance. Because of this, the story had a very even pace. The author plotted out this story so well. I was totally entertained by the pursuit of the truth and everything it took to get there. His descriptive writing style is excellent for this type of book. I enjoyed the way his words take us right out on the trails and inside the investigation.
As a side note, there is a cute little subplot involving Bill and Mr. Chips, the neighborhood groundhog that I absolutely loved. It also involved an encounter with another animal that was scary but so funny too!
The Overlook Murder was a fine addition to this series. I hope to travel to Wintergreen again in November and catch up with Bill O’Shea in Murder in White.
We are back in Wintergreen, Virginia where retired police detective Bill O’Shea is called in to assist in another investigation. Did the owner of the Fair Game sporting goods Damian Susskind fall to his death at the overlook on the Old Appalachian Trail? Or was he pushed? Is there more to the story? The rich entrepreneur had ticked several people off when he gathered his family and friends for a day-long retreat to convey his plan for the company and a big change to his will.
Following the evidence, Bill believes the man’s death was no accident. Working with the team he will have to work hard to catch the killer, especially because everyone including the caterers could have means, motive, and opportunity. Oh, and Cindy, Bill’s girlfriend’s company is the caterer for the retreat and Bill was assisting her that day.
As in the first book of this series, The Mountain View Murder, Bill O’Shea is a strong protagonist. He has the skills needed to solve a murder case, but he is also such a nice man. He never has an agenda and genuinely wants to help by following the evidence to get to the truth. Alex Sharp, the interim chief of police really has to lean on Bill because he is a real estate guy with no police experience. The small force includes Wintergreen Police Officer Mitch Gentry who is new to the force and Krista Jackson, the communications officer is new as well. Bill is a great mentor for these young people. Bill also helps his girlfriend Cindy with her catering crew. Cindy’s son Justin also is helping out until he leaves to join the Coast Guard and Cindy has recently hired an assistant Maddie Katz. Maddie and Justin may be starting a relationship. Again, Bill gets along with everyone. All these characters feel true to life.
We are also introduced the Damian Susskind and his staff. Prior to suffering a heart attack and recovering from quintuple bypass surgery the man was very involved in his business and his staff’s business including their personal lives. He only had one living relative, his stepdaughter, Lacey. She attended the retreat but she works for the Charlotte Department of Social Services. So he felt she and his staff were his family. He butted into their lives whenever he wished and he lauded his money over them. Threatening to change his will at any time. These characters had a real edge. They are smart and out for themselves.
There was one character though that really turned me off this time. I know Cindy was dealing with some things in this story with her son leaving and her staff being questioned about their client’s death but she came off as a first-class witch and mean. She was extremely short with Bill several times and was degrading to him and the Coast Guard in one instance so much that I was absolutely shocked. She was then surprised that Bill walked out. I wanted him to run and never look back. She is not the right woman for him and never will be. I hope she is absent from any future books in this series.
The mystery put forth was handled very methodically but in an interesting way. Waiting for word from the medical examiner and several test results, Bill talked to everyone involved in the case, some tangentially. Some several times. He even sent up a reenactment to work through what the suspects had said. He let Mitch and Krista do their part with gentle guidance. Because of this, the story had a very even pace. The author plotted out this story so well. I was totally entertained by the pursuit of the truth and everything it took to get there. His descriptive writing style is excellent for this type of book. I enjoyed the way his words take us right out on the trails and inside the investigation.
As a side note, there is a cute little subplot involving Bill and Mr. Chips, the neighborhood groundhog that I absolutely loved. It also involved an encounter with another animal that was scary but so funny too!
The Overlook Murder was a fine addition to this series. I hope to travel to Wintergreen again in November and catch up with Bill O’Shea in Murder in White.
July 3, 2022
Wealthy entrepreneur Damian Susskind has recently survived a serious health scare, and now he wants to share the contents of his will with his beneficiaries. Unfortunately, Damian is murdered on a hike. Which of his closest friends, associates or caterers had it out for him? Retired police detective Bill O’Shea helps the short-staffed Wintergreen police department investigate. Will Bill and his friends solve the case, or will a Wintergreen murderer go free?
I never connected emotionally with Bill, but I did like some of the other characters. And I enjoyed the chapters at the beginning and the end that share information about each character's personal life. Likewise, the chapters are short and flow well. It's also neat that Wintergreen is a real place. And I kept guessing until the end, another sign of a good book. Excited to read more books in this series!
I never connected emotionally with Bill, but I did like some of the other characters. And I enjoyed the chapters at the beginning and the end that share information about each character's personal life. Likewise, the chapters are short and flow well. It's also neat that Wintergreen is a real place. And I kept guessing until the end, another sign of a good book. Excited to read more books in this series!
June 15, 2022
The Overlook Murder is not a traditional cozy mystery, in the sense that it is not an amateur sleuth solving the crime, but it has many of the characteristics. Bill O'Shea is a retired police detective living in Wintergreen, Virginia. He is working with his neighbour, Cindy part time in her catering business. Cindy has a job catering meals at the summer home of wealthy Damian Susskind. Damian invites his lawyer and three beneficiaries of his will, as well as his secretary to a retreat at his home to discuss their lives, his business and his will. He has recently recovered from a heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery. Someone at the house doesn't want the will to be changed and by the end of the day, Damian is dead at the bottom of the overlook, from an apparent heart attack that caused him to fall. The Wintergreen police department is short staffed, so the interim chief asks Bill to help out and he is made a consultant. As more information is brought forward it is clear that Damian was murdered and it is up to Bill and two young detectives to solve the crime.
I enjoyed this story, with its mystery, police procedural, and personal storylines all rolled into one. I liked Bill's character. He was very smart and had great instincts. Not being a police officer, he was able to cross a few lines with his investigating and questioning, but never doing anything that would hurt the possible arrest and conviction. His personal life played out parallel to the investigation, with Cindy also being a suspect at one point. He was very realistic and their relationship had natural ups and downs. Mitch and Krista, the police officers working the case, are young and not very experienced but they are learning and didn't get upset that Bill was leading the investigation. I liked that Krista was smart, especially with technology and helped to break the case open. There were various suspects that all had motives, most of them being money, as well as a few red herrings. I kept changing my mind on who I thought was guilty and when the reveal finally came, I was happy with the choice of killer, but also somewhat surprised. This is not a fast pace story, or one with a lot of action, it is a clean, investigation that kept me interested from beginning to end. Overall, this was an enjoyable story with a good mystery, great characters and nice backstories. I did not read the first book in this series, but I will go back and pick it up to find out how Bill ended up in Wintergreen solving his first murder. I recommend it to those who like a good, clean mystery with interesting characters and plot.
I enjoyed this story, with its mystery, police procedural, and personal storylines all rolled into one. I liked Bill's character. He was very smart and had great instincts. Not being a police officer, he was able to cross a few lines with his investigating and questioning, but never doing anything that would hurt the possible arrest and conviction. His personal life played out parallel to the investigation, with Cindy also being a suspect at one point. He was very realistic and their relationship had natural ups and downs. Mitch and Krista, the police officers working the case, are young and not very experienced but they are learning and didn't get upset that Bill was leading the investigation. I liked that Krista was smart, especially with technology and helped to break the case open. There were various suspects that all had motives, most of them being money, as well as a few red herrings. I kept changing my mind on who I thought was guilty and when the reveal finally came, I was happy with the choice of killer, but also somewhat surprised. This is not a fast pace story, or one with a lot of action, it is a clean, investigation that kept me interested from beginning to end. Overall, this was an enjoyable story with a good mystery, great characters and nice backstories. I did not read the first book in this series, but I will go back and pick it up to find out how Bill ended up in Wintergreen solving his first murder. I recommend it to those who like a good, clean mystery with interesting characters and plot.
October 12, 2022
I was so wrong about who did it! There were so many people with a good reason and they all seemed to have equally little access to the weapon. There isn't a lot of secrets to uncover, but the suspects aren't telling us everything they know. So the mystery is very well done.
The characters and the town of Wintergreen are fun to visit again. I liked seeing a little more of what was going on with the side characters. Of course we get some great mountain views and trails as well.
The romance seems to be developing realistically. I like that it wasn't full of drama, but it wasn't totally easy sailing, which would be unrealistic.
So a great mystery and interesting characters.
The characters and the town of Wintergreen are fun to visit again. I liked seeing a little more of what was going on with the side characters. Of course we get some great mountain views and trails as well.
The romance seems to be developing realistically. I like that it wasn't full of drama, but it wasn't totally easy sailing, which would be unrealistic.
So a great mystery and interesting characters.
October 6, 2022
I was gifted an autographed copy and while it is a sequel it is so well written that it can be read as a standalone as well.
The beginning is very reminiscent of true crime as the author gets all the ducks in a row setting the stage and making certain the reader knows who all the moving pieces are all the while building this incredible world to cover all the backstories.
Then, the pace ramps up and the ride is full throttle after that. I was very impressed and look forward to reading more by this author. Well done!
The beginning is very reminiscent of true crime as the author gets all the ducks in a row setting the stage and making certain the reader knows who all the moving pieces are all the while building this incredible world to cover all the backstories.
Then, the pace ramps up and the ride is full throttle after that. I was very impressed and look forward to reading more by this author. Well done!
July 27, 2022
Wintergreen, Virginia is a mountaintop
Resort community. This beautiful resort
is where Bill O’Shea from Columbia,
South Carolina has retired from the
police force. He enjoys helping his
neighbor, Cindy in her catering business.
He is helping her cater meals at the
home of a wealthy, self made entrepreneur,
Damion Susskind.
Some of the attendees go for a hike.
Damion accompanies them.
All of a sudden, he plunges to his death
from a overlook on the hiking trail. Did
he fall or was he pushed?
A question for the authorities to uncover.
Although Bill can be considered a
suspect, he is asked for his input in
solving this mystery.
The author weaves together a descriptive
read that takes the reader on a fast paced
adventure. This book is an extremely well
penned story that will touch on the lives of
many characters.
I volunteered to read the Overlook Murder.
This is book # 2 in the Wintergreen Mystery
series.Thanks to the author for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Resort community. This beautiful resort
is where Bill O’Shea from Columbia,
South Carolina has retired from the
police force. He enjoys helping his
neighbor, Cindy in her catering business.
He is helping her cater meals at the
home of a wealthy, self made entrepreneur,
Damion Susskind.
Some of the attendees go for a hike.
Damion accompanies them.
All of a sudden, he plunges to his death
from a overlook on the hiking trail. Did
he fall or was he pushed?
A question for the authorities to uncover.
Although Bill can be considered a
suspect, he is asked for his input in
solving this mystery.
The author weaves together a descriptive
read that takes the reader on a fast paced
adventure. This book is an extremely well
penned story that will touch on the lives of
many characters.
I volunteered to read the Overlook Murder.
This is book # 2 in the Wintergreen Mystery
series.Thanks to the author for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
September 30, 2022
This book is outstanding - it is well written, attention-grabbing, entertaining, and intriguing, with a little humor thrown in. The characters and mountain setting are so well-described that one can easily visualize the story as it is happening, making it seem very much that you are in the story. The astute reader has an inkling of who the actual murderer is by the end of the book, but the reveal and ending of the book is a surprise in many ways.
The Overlook Murder, second in the Wintergreen Mystery series, pulls you in from the start, as the first chapter reveals the murder weapon. The next two chapters reveal two of the lead characters, Krista and Mitch, both of whom are in law enforcement. letting you into their lives and making them very real, normal human beings. By the fourth chapter you meet the main character, retired police detective Bill O'Shea, who is bound a determined to feed his resident groundhog a tomato by hand -- I laughed out loud and immediately knew this was going to be a good book.
Even though retired, Bill becomes involved in the investigation of the murder of entrepreneur Damian Susskind, who was hosting a weekend event for his friends and family at his retreat in Wintergreen. The event was being catered by Bill's friend Cindy, Cindy's son, and employee Maddie, all of whom become suspects in the crime. All of the guests are suspects as well, each having their own motive for wanting Damian out of the way. The local police zero in on one suspect, while Bill continues to investigate, eventually uncovering, through skilled detection, evidence that ultimately reveals the true culprit.
This was my first visit to Wintergreen and I was extremely sorry to see that visit end! After reading this book, I will definitely go back, read the first and very much look forward to reading book 3! Spend some time in Wintergreen - you will not be disappointed!
The Overlook Murder, second in the Wintergreen Mystery series, pulls you in from the start, as the first chapter reveals the murder weapon. The next two chapters reveal two of the lead characters, Krista and Mitch, both of whom are in law enforcement. letting you into their lives and making them very real, normal human beings. By the fourth chapter you meet the main character, retired police detective Bill O'Shea, who is bound a determined to feed his resident groundhog a tomato by hand -- I laughed out loud and immediately knew this was going to be a good book.
Even though retired, Bill becomes involved in the investigation of the murder of entrepreneur Damian Susskind, who was hosting a weekend event for his friends and family at his retreat in Wintergreen. The event was being catered by Bill's friend Cindy, Cindy's son, and employee Maddie, all of whom become suspects in the crime. All of the guests are suspects as well, each having their own motive for wanting Damian out of the way. The local police zero in on one suspect, while Bill continues to investigate, eventually uncovering, through skilled detection, evidence that ultimately reveals the true culprit.
This was my first visit to Wintergreen and I was extremely sorry to see that visit end! After reading this book, I will definitely go back, read the first and very much look forward to reading book 3! Spend some time in Wintergreen - you will not be disappointed!
October 27, 2022
In typical "me" fashion, I started reading this book before realizing it was the second book in a series, so this was my first introduction to Bill OShea and the Wintergreen mysteries. It worked beautifully as a standalone read, however, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first book (though now, of course, I totally want to).
This was a carefully crafted story, rich with detail without being overdone or going off topic. I live in Virginia about 3 hours away from Wintergreen and love the way our gorgeous mountains were presented-- it really is that amazing, y'all. I also enjoyed reading a mystery with a professional slant on the investigation-- I usually read cozies and those amateur sleuths have a whole different way of solving murders! Despite that, I found the characters all very personable and enjoyed getting to know them... especially Bill, and his attempts to befriend the neighborhood groundhog 😂
There was plenty of drama, plenty of twists and turns, and every chapter gave me more insight into the characters and into the case. I look forward to going back and reading the first book in this series, and also look forward to what comes next!
This was a carefully crafted story, rich with detail without being overdone or going off topic. I live in Virginia about 3 hours away from Wintergreen and love the way our gorgeous mountains were presented-- it really is that amazing, y'all. I also enjoyed reading a mystery with a professional slant on the investigation-- I usually read cozies and those amateur sleuths have a whole different way of solving murders! Despite that, I found the characters all very personable and enjoyed getting to know them... especially Bill, and his attempts to befriend the neighborhood groundhog 😂
There was plenty of drama, plenty of twists and turns, and every chapter gave me more insight into the characters and into the case. I look forward to going back and reading the first book in this series, and also look forward to what comes next!
October 17, 2022
I enjoyed this second installment of the Wintergreen series! The opening chapter did a great job grabbing the storyline and pulling me in. I recently started with a herbalism school and when I read “Digitalis purpurea,” I knew where we were headed. Bill O’Shae is a good guy and is a great protagonist to follow along with.
Like the first book, Bill is so methodical with how he investigates. Honestly, I am always a bit surprised when I enjoy these kind of “procedural” mysteries. There’s something to being led through the plot by someone who knows what they’re doing, as opposed to the “reluctant investigator” trope.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more from Wintergreen
Like the first book, Bill is so methodical with how he investigates. Honestly, I am always a bit surprised when I enjoy these kind of “procedural” mysteries. There’s something to being led through the plot by someone who knows what they’re doing, as opposed to the “reluctant investigator” trope.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more from Wintergreen
October 5, 2022
This is the first book by this author that I have read and I really liked it. I didn't read the first book in the series and I don't feel that I was missing anything, except maybe another good book that I want to read sometime. Bill is an interesting guy and uses his years of experience to help solve the murder. The other characters are nicely described. I liked the short chapters. They really made the story flow nicely. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
October 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It is the first one that I have read by this author and I will read others in this series! The mountain setting was beautifully described. The characters were diverse and each lent a vivid piece of the puzzle. There were several possibilities for the murderer so it kept you guessing!
October 19, 2022
Bill O’Shea was a big-city police detective. He has retired and is settling into his new home in the mountain resort of Wintergreen. His condominium is near the condo of Cindy, his new girlfriend. In The Overlook Murder by Patrick Kelly, Bill is helping Cindy with her catering business. She has been hired to provide meals and refreshments for a small group event for a wealthy businessman, Damian Susskind, at his mountain retreat.
All goes well until some of the guests go on a hike, starting a spiral of deadly events. Was the fall off a cliff an accident, the result of a medical event, or a murder? Everyone at the house that day is a suspect including Bill. Bill, nevertheless, is asked to assist in the investigation that becomes a combination of medical forensics, intense interviews, old-fashioned searches, and astute reasoning.
The book is written in short chapters, and the author excels in providing hooks that draw the reader into the next chapter. It is a page turner. The author is also skillful in descriptive writing that makes you feel you are in the scene.
As Bill and the local officers dive into the investigation with interviews and research, we learn more about the backgrounds and personalities of the guests and of the investigators. By the end of the book you know details about Bill and Cindy and their ex-spouses. Cindy’s son Justin has a major career decision as does his new girlfriend Maggie. All of the guests have complicated relationships with the host and motivations for murder. A little humor is added with Bill’s efforts to befriend Mr. Chips, a groundhog.
I have not read the first book in the series. It was referred to a number of times in The Overlook Murder as many of the characters had met in The Mountain View Murder. I did not feel I missed anything in the current book. I’m looking forward to reading about the adventures Bill encounters in the next police procedural Murder in White.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
All goes well until some of the guests go on a hike, starting a spiral of deadly events. Was the fall off a cliff an accident, the result of a medical event, or a murder? Everyone at the house that day is a suspect including Bill. Bill, nevertheless, is asked to assist in the investigation that becomes a combination of medical forensics, intense interviews, old-fashioned searches, and astute reasoning.
The book is written in short chapters, and the author excels in providing hooks that draw the reader into the next chapter. It is a page turner. The author is also skillful in descriptive writing that makes you feel you are in the scene.
As Bill and the local officers dive into the investigation with interviews and research, we learn more about the backgrounds and personalities of the guests and of the investigators. By the end of the book you know details about Bill and Cindy and their ex-spouses. Cindy’s son Justin has a major career decision as does his new girlfriend Maggie. All of the guests have complicated relationships with the host and motivations for murder. A little humor is added with Bill’s efforts to befriend Mr. Chips, a groundhog.
I have not read the first book in the series. It was referred to a number of times in The Overlook Murder as many of the characters had met in The Mountain View Murder. I did not feel I missed anything in the current book. I’m looking forward to reading about the adventures Bill encounters in the next police procedural Murder in White.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 28, 2022
I love this series! Key pleasures for me are that Book 2 doesn't miss a beat continuing character relationships established in Book 1, and each book can be enjoyed effectively as a stand-alone mystery. That said, I do recommend reading this series in order for comprehensive reading delight. I'm particularly thrilled that character introductions are not repetitive for paragraphs on end from the 1st book. This allows me to enjoy the current time as each character's life moves forward.
Wintergreen Police Department in Virginia has another puzzling case. Retiree Bill O’Shea’s experience as a Senior Detective with the police in Columbia, South Carolina is once again called into service. Is the sudden death of Damian Susskind, a self-made and wealthy entrepreneur an accident or murder?
As an armchair sleuth that tries to follow all the clues during an investigation to discern the responsible individual(s) it seemed I simply could not make up my mind from one chapter to another and sometimes even in the middle of a chapter. Was it one suspect or two? At the end I realized I made an elimination too early. So my reveal is to share I’m keen to keep reading this series!
One of the delights of Bill's leisure time is enjoying his surroundings of nature’s beauty and wildlife. I loved that he has continued interactions with the groundhog he named Mr. Chips. He's also had another up close and personal sighting of Ms. Betsy. After Bill’s first encounter with the bear a neighbor kindly shared the bear’s name. Mrs. Spooner didn't witness the most recent interaction but I laughed for both of us.
p.s. I'd encourage you to enjoy the photographs on the author's social media as it adds to the delight of the scenic area of the setting and wildlife in this series.
Wintergreen Police Department in Virginia has another puzzling case. Retiree Bill O’Shea’s experience as a Senior Detective with the police in Columbia, South Carolina is once again called into service. Is the sudden death of Damian Susskind, a self-made and wealthy entrepreneur an accident or murder?
As an armchair sleuth that tries to follow all the clues during an investigation to discern the responsible individual(s) it seemed I simply could not make up my mind from one chapter to another and sometimes even in the middle of a chapter. Was it one suspect or two? At the end I realized I made an elimination too early. So my reveal is to share I’m keen to keep reading this series!
One of the delights of Bill's leisure time is enjoying his surroundings of nature’s beauty and wildlife. I loved that he has continued interactions with the groundhog he named Mr. Chips. He's also had another up close and personal sighting of Ms. Betsy. After Bill’s first encounter with the bear a neighbor kindly shared the bear’s name. Mrs. Spooner didn't witness the most recent interaction but I laughed for both of us.
p.s. I'd encourage you to enjoy the photographs on the author's social media as it adds to the delight of the scenic area of the setting and wildlife in this series.
October 18, 2022
"The Overlook Murder" is the excellent second installment in the Wintergreen Mysteries series. It definitely lived up to the high expectations set by the first book. Retired police detective Bill is an instantly likeable main character, and I enjoyed learning more about him as the story progressed. I appreciated the way local law enforcement asked him to help with the murder investigation, acknowledging his past experience and admitting they needed his help.
Due to Bill's past experience, he is able to conduct his investigation in a methodical, efficient manner. I liked following his process and gradually learning more about the victim, the accident (or murder?), and the potential suspects and motives along with Bill. There was plenty for him to look into, and once everything was revealed in the end, it all made sense based on what we learned along the way. I found this book to be the perfect blend between a cozy mystery and a police procedural; while the crime is serious and the investigation fairly classic, there's no gore or other hard-core content.
This time around, we spend more time with Bill's girlfriend Cindy (a local caterer) and get to know her better. Other characters from the first book also make appearances, and I enjoyed the continuity this provided. Readers who are new to the series should be able to pick up everything they need to know fairly quickly, and should be able to follow the story without having read the first book.
As an added bonus, the book is set in the beautiful Wintergreen, Virginia area. Having lived in Virginia for most of my life, I can confirm that the author's descriptions are accurate and will truly allow the reader to envision the surroundings. Mentions of other local areas added even more to my enjoyment of the story.
As another added bonus, Bill spends some of his non-investigative time trying to befriend the groundhog that lives on his lawn. Just when I thought I couldn't love Bill any more....this fine gentleman is a friend to rodents!
All in all, five out of five chunks of my favorite Provolone! Plus a little extra for the groundhog!
Due to Bill's past experience, he is able to conduct his investigation in a methodical, efficient manner. I liked following his process and gradually learning more about the victim, the accident (or murder?), and the potential suspects and motives along with Bill. There was plenty for him to look into, and once everything was revealed in the end, it all made sense based on what we learned along the way. I found this book to be the perfect blend between a cozy mystery and a police procedural; while the crime is serious and the investigation fairly classic, there's no gore or other hard-core content.
This time around, we spend more time with Bill's girlfriend Cindy (a local caterer) and get to know her better. Other characters from the first book also make appearances, and I enjoyed the continuity this provided. Readers who are new to the series should be able to pick up everything they need to know fairly quickly, and should be able to follow the story without having read the first book.
As an added bonus, the book is set in the beautiful Wintergreen, Virginia area. Having lived in Virginia for most of my life, I can confirm that the author's descriptions are accurate and will truly allow the reader to envision the surroundings. Mentions of other local areas added even more to my enjoyment of the story.
As another added bonus, Bill spends some of his non-investigative time trying to befriend the groundhog that lives on his lawn. Just when I thought I couldn't love Bill any more....this fine gentleman is a friend to rodents!
All in all, five out of five chunks of my favorite Provolone! Plus a little extra for the groundhog!
February 5, 2026
I had this book on my TBR shelf and didn't remember why or where I got it. It may have been because of all the praise about the descriptions of the setting. I live near the Smokeys and enjoy hiking and nature. I was unaware it was the second in the series and I did feel like I was missing some background, as references to the first book were made often.
It was a fast read and I was interested in the ending but it read like the script of a TV show. I found several sentences I felt should have be edited better. There were times where the lines were choppy and didn't feel flowing. More of "just the facts, mam" feeling. I didn't figure out the murderer but knew several of the characters were doubtful. I didn't really dislike any of them, but I didn't like them either. I especially didn't like the girlfriend - she was unthinking and self centered in her relationships. Nice, then throwing out sharp criticism. Why did she think she needed to be kept in the loop just because she knew someone working on the case?? She showed her bias to people with less education and military. I don't think I'll be reading anymore of the series but wouldn't be surprised to see it as a TV series.
It was a fast read and I was interested in the ending but it read like the script of a TV show. I found several sentences I felt should have be edited better. There were times where the lines were choppy and didn't feel flowing. More of "just the facts, mam" feeling. I didn't figure out the murderer but knew several of the characters were doubtful. I didn't really dislike any of them, but I didn't like them either. I especially didn't like the girlfriend - she was unthinking and self centered in her relationships. Nice, then throwing out sharp criticism. Why did she think she needed to be kept in the loop just because she knew someone working on the case?? She showed her bias to people with less education and military. I don't think I'll be reading anymore of the series but wouldn't be surprised to see it as a TV series.
June 5, 2022
What could happen when a wealthy man, who has survived a health scare, decides to give away quite a bit of his money? He might end up dead and a fall from a ledge could cause that death. Retired detective Bill O’Shea has been helping his girlfriend with her catering jobs. While at the residence of a local millionaire, Damian Susskind, Bill is called to the scene of the man’s death. Was it an accident or did someone make sure that he fell? The Wintergreen Police Department is not only short on personnel, but the interim chief has no police experience. Bill methodically investigates the people surrounding the dead man and possible reasons on who might want him dead. Could it be the stepdaughter, his personal assistant, the COO of his company, his attorney or the man who left the company to begin his own business? Will the final attempt to trap the killer be a success? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
June 28, 2022
When a rich businessman falls to his death from the overlook, there are no shortage of suspects each with a reason to see him die sooner rather than later. For the second time, retired policeman Bill O'Shea is asked to help out and bring his experience to bear in solving the murder. An added twist is that he and girlfriend Cindy are possible suspects as the victim appears to have been fed a poisonous substance whilst a guest of Cindy's catering company. This novel has a cosy feel which reminded me a little of the Lilian Jackson Braun's 'The Cat Who...' series in the way the story is routed in the locality with members of the neighbourhood taking significant roles in the outcome. Although I had no read the first in the series, it was easy to follow the developing relationships between key characters which were woven into the plot. This is a very enjoyable novel and would make an excellent holiday read.
June 6, 2022
Did he fall or was he pushed? He was poisoned?!
Damien, the wealthy entrepreneur behaved oddly just before going on a hike with other guests at his home despite recently having had a major coronary and bypass surgery.
Bill is a retired homicide detective who has connections with the local law and was at the man's house working alongside (Bill's girlfriend) the caterer. That theoretically makes him a suspect when the autopsy comes in with a diagnosis of poison. Even so, Bill gets in on the due diligence as a consultant. Smart policework wins again!
Engaging characters, beautiful imagery of places in the mountains, surprising twists, and diverting red herrings. Great read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
Damien, the wealthy entrepreneur behaved oddly just before going on a hike with other guests at his home despite recently having had a major coronary and bypass surgery.
Bill is a retired homicide detective who has connections with the local law and was at the man's house working alongside (Bill's girlfriend) the caterer. That theoretically makes him a suspect when the autopsy comes in with a diagnosis of poison. Even so, Bill gets in on the due diligence as a consultant. Smart policework wins again!
Engaging characters, beautiful imagery of places in the mountains, surprising twists, and diverting red herrings. Great read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
October 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this murder mystery. Even though I did not read the previous book in the series, the author did a good job bringing the reader up to speed with the characters. I enjoyed how the plot was developed and it seemed like you had enough information to guess the killer, but it was still a guess (and I was wrong).
It was refreshing to read a well-written mystery where the main character (Bill O’Shea) seemed like a regular person you would meet in real life. Even his “love interest” side story wasn’t all flowers and rainbows but seemed more realistic.
I look forward to getting the previous book in the series to see how the characters were introduced and enjoying that mystery too.
It was refreshing to read a well-written mystery where the main character (Bill O’Shea) seemed like a regular person you would meet in real life. Even his “love interest” side story wasn’t all flowers and rainbows but seemed more realistic.
I look forward to getting the previous book in the series to see how the characters were introduced and enjoying that mystery too.
June 5, 2022
The second book in this mystery series does not disappoint. Damian Susskind decides to have a gathering of friends and family to discuss the latest changes to his will. Retired detective Bill O'Shea was helping his girlfriend Cindy cater the dinner and witnesses the tensions among the guests. When Damian dies after falling off a hiking trail, Bill doesn't think it was an accident. The Wintergreen police department are short staffed and ask Bill for his assistance. Everyone at the dinner are suspects. Including the catering staff. This was a good book that had me hooked from the first page. Thank you for the advance copy Netgalley!
June 13, 2022
The rich entrepreneur Damian Susskind has recently survived a heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery. Suddenly aware of his own mortality, Damian summons his family and friends to Wintergreen to share the latest plans for his will. Unfortunately for Damian, one of those in attendance bears him malicious intent, and by the end of the day, Damian is dead. This is the second in the Bill O’Shea mystery series but reads well as a stand alone. There are lots of characters and at times they are a bit hard to keep track of but this is a well plotted mystery that held me all the way to the end. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.
June 5, 2022
I very much enjoyed the cast of characters and the intrigue in this small town whodunit. The depth of character development really added to the story and highlighted the motives of all, turning small players into potential suspects. The discovery process ensured an enthralling progression of the storyline. The geographical descriptions were expansive enough to make you feel the layout of the town. I found the book very entertaining, and it is a great whodunit if you like mysteries with a surprise ending. I hope to read more about these characters that I have come know and like so much!
December 11, 2022
Bill O'Shea moved to the mountain town of Wintergreen to enjoy his retirement. He had been a police detective. Wintergreen is a small town and it didn't take long for them to ask for his help with a murder. Who would have expected another death so soon? When mega millionaire entrepreneur, Damian Susskind ends up dead at the bottom of the overlook, he could have had a heart attack and fallen, he could have slipped or been pushed, or it could have been something else. Welcome to Wintergreen, Bill.
January 8, 2023
This is book 2 in the Wintergreen series and can be read as a stand alone. Bill is a retired detective working for his friends catering company. While they are serving a wealthy client’s day long meeting, he dies during a hiking accident. The local police have used Bill as a consultant previously and are happy he’s nearby to help out again. With several potential murder’s attending the event it becomes apparent that Damian had made a few enemies in the past. A nice clean cozy mystery that I enjoyed.
June 18, 2022
This is kind of hard to rate. It took me awhile to get into the story, but then I wanted to keep reading. Bill is a retired detective with a new love who runs a catering business. While he is helping her cater a day of meals to a wealthy client, he suddenly drops dead.
There are a plethora of causes and a plethora of suspects. Even though I figured out who was responsible, I still enjoyed reading it. And kudos for a clean book without sex or profanity!
There are a plethora of causes and a plethora of suspects. Even though I figured out who was responsible, I still enjoyed reading it. And kudos for a clean book without sex or profanity!
June 22, 2022
The Overlook Murder, Wintergreen Mystery Book 2, is a crafty whodunit set in Wintergreen, Virginia. The fast-paced plot keeps the reader guessing until the last few chapters. It’s a quick, fun read, ideal for a day at the beach. I recommend this book and The Mountain View Murder, the first book in the series, as the books follow a core set of interesting characters.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 19, 2022
This was a great book to read. Clean language and just a plain, old whodunit. With loads of twists and turns.
Every time one thought you had it figured out, there was another twist ahead that left your theory in pieces.
Although this book appears to be the second one in the series, it doesn't need the first to be read for the second to be enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.
Every time one thought you had it figured out, there was another twist ahead that left your theory in pieces.
Although this book appears to be the second one in the series, it doesn't need the first to be read for the second to be enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.
July 27, 2022
This cozy wasn’t as exciting as I would have liked, and Cindy’s character was distasteful with her prejudiced attitude. Bill found himself involved in the murder investigation concerning one of her clients, which put them at a crossroads in their relationship. I like how Bill did not let that derail his investigations. This cozy wasn’t very exciting, but it was intriguing and entertaining.
February 14, 2024
Mr. Kelly writes interesting, intriguing and entertaining stories that are usually immersing. A good constant pace, interesting characters, good dialog, and more important, no silliness or hollywood-style idiotic drama. There is no rehashing of the previous books, thank you, Mr. Kelly. Source: The author, ARCs.
WINTERGREEN MYSTERIES:
THE OVERLOOK MURDER, #2 - Well done! Interesting. Good characters. Good story lines. Well written and well thought out, this story is meaty and the reader works as hard as the retired police officer Bill. Dislike calling this a Cozy because this has more substance and real world investigations and proper procedures. 5*
THE CURSE OF CRABTREE FALLS, prequel - The author's comment at the end of story that this is a Cozy? While not in the league of The Sheila Stories and The Entrepreneurs Series, there was enough interest for me to finish this short read quickly. 3.5 *
MOUNTAIN VIEW MURDER, #1 - No flippantry or silly head thoughts but a clear, quiet cut and dry process to solving the mystery. The author does bring a higher level of investigation, but I am spoilt by his previous work. This well written story moves at a steady pace with interesting story lines. 5*
MURDER IN WHITE, #3 - This is the best of the three books in this series. This is a top-tier mystery with good characters that can think and have intelligent conversations. I enjoyed the fact that there so many suspects, the victim was not a nice or likeable person. The murder weapon was easy to figure out but the killer took more figuring. 5*
MURDER AT DAWN, #4 - An interesting and intriguing story that kept me reading until the last word. Enjoyable and entertaining, and set at good pace, the pages flew quickly in this well written book with plenty of kinks in the investigation. 5*
THE ENTREPRENEURS SERIES:
THE ENTREPRENEURS, #1 – This is my first read by this author and I really enjoyed the book. The writing style is easy to read, along with his vivid descriptions, which makes it difficult to put the book down. The characters are mainly white collar, so there is a deeper level to them. The limited vulgar language and non-graphic sex scenes. Joe working with the police is believable and realistic. As the storylines unfold, there is enough intrigue to keep the reader immersed in the pages. I was steady working on who I thought the killer was and their motive. 5*
THE CARTEL BANKER, #2 (Hill Country Rage) - I enjoy reading anything by Patrick Kelly and this book was no exception. The new storylines blend well with the old making the foundations of the series stronger. There is plenty of intrigue and the suspense exists in good supply throughout the story. I love the fact this book is set in Austin and the surrounding area. The characters are well thought out and have realistic dialogues. None of them are perfect, especially Joe. The pace is fast and the action realistic. Joe is not a superhero and more than once he is an idiot. His action and stunts are realistic for a regular person, no hollywood-styling. He is a good guy doing what is right the best he can. Mr. Kelly is in the same league as Ludlum, Grisham, and Follette. Limited vulgar language. 5*
THE ISLAND THIEF, #4 – I disliked missing the third book but I was not disappointed with this story. There was not much depth about his job, which I would have liked more detailed. The storylines were interesting and all the characters came across as real people. There was good intrigue and had a good ending. There is a short story titled Fresh Faces and Crisp Uniforms included as a bonus. Set in 1939 Australia, it is a glimpse into the life of a woman when her man of two years drops a bombshell on her. 3* for the short, it was way too short but it is part of The Sheila Stories. The Island Thief rates 4*
THE GIRL IN THE TINY HOUSE, #5 - It is sad that the Joe Robbins Series ends with this book. This story is interesting and immersing. I finished it in one sitting since I found it hard to put down. There are twists, good characters, humor and a possible redo for Joe. If you are new to this series start with The Entrepreneurs and read all five novels. They are worth the investment. 5*
THE SHEILA STORIES - Wonderful. Heartwarming. Heartbreaking. This book tugs at my heartstrings. I enjoyed the storylines about everyone involved. The way two stories are told, the past and the present, is interesting and makes it difficult to put the book down. The characters are so intriguing, varied and Sheila is mesmerizing. The vivid descriptions place the reader in the midst of everything happening. This is one of the best stories about a person's life that I have read in years. 5*
CARTER'S LAST RACE - Mr. Kelly is proving himself quite a talented storyteller in several genres. Imagine having the chance of being a 19-year-old again while keeping your 63 years of life experiences. While this book is slow to start, this is an interesting story. The author weaves multiple story lines covering several decades while showing the depths and the thoughts of Carter and his effect on others. The writing style fits the reality of what the character is experiencing as an old man teenager. The energy spent on his detailed training for a marathon was not just about the race but his growth, too. 4*
WINTERGREEN MYSTERIES:
THE OVERLOOK MURDER, #2 - Well done! Interesting. Good characters. Good story lines. Well written and well thought out, this story is meaty and the reader works as hard as the retired police officer Bill. Dislike calling this a Cozy because this has more substance and real world investigations and proper procedures. 5*
THE CURSE OF CRABTREE FALLS, prequel - The author's comment at the end of story that this is a Cozy? While not in the league of The Sheila Stories and The Entrepreneurs Series, there was enough interest for me to finish this short read quickly. 3.5 *
MOUNTAIN VIEW MURDER, #1 - No flippantry or silly head thoughts but a clear, quiet cut and dry process to solving the mystery. The author does bring a higher level of investigation, but I am spoilt by his previous work. This well written story moves at a steady pace with interesting story lines. 5*
MURDER IN WHITE, #3 - This is the best of the three books in this series. This is a top-tier mystery with good characters that can think and have intelligent conversations. I enjoyed the fact that there so many suspects, the victim was not a nice or likeable person. The murder weapon was easy to figure out but the killer took more figuring. 5*
MURDER AT DAWN, #4 - An interesting and intriguing story that kept me reading until the last word. Enjoyable and entertaining, and set at good pace, the pages flew quickly in this well written book with plenty of kinks in the investigation. 5*
THE ENTREPRENEURS SERIES:
THE ENTREPRENEURS, #1 – This is my first read by this author and I really enjoyed the book. The writing style is easy to read, along with his vivid descriptions, which makes it difficult to put the book down. The characters are mainly white collar, so there is a deeper level to them. The limited vulgar language and non-graphic sex scenes. Joe working with the police is believable and realistic. As the storylines unfold, there is enough intrigue to keep the reader immersed in the pages. I was steady working on who I thought the killer was and their motive. 5*
THE CARTEL BANKER, #2 (Hill Country Rage) - I enjoy reading anything by Patrick Kelly and this book was no exception. The new storylines blend well with the old making the foundations of the series stronger. There is plenty of intrigue and the suspense exists in good supply throughout the story. I love the fact this book is set in Austin and the surrounding area. The characters are well thought out and have realistic dialogues. None of them are perfect, especially Joe. The pace is fast and the action realistic. Joe is not a superhero and more than once he is an idiot. His action and stunts are realistic for a regular person, no hollywood-styling. He is a good guy doing what is right the best he can. Mr. Kelly is in the same league as Ludlum, Grisham, and Follette. Limited vulgar language. 5*
THE ISLAND THIEF, #4 – I disliked missing the third book but I was not disappointed with this story. There was not much depth about his job, which I would have liked more detailed. The storylines were interesting and all the characters came across as real people. There was good intrigue and had a good ending. There is a short story titled Fresh Faces and Crisp Uniforms included as a bonus. Set in 1939 Australia, it is a glimpse into the life of a woman when her man of two years drops a bombshell on her. 3* for the short, it was way too short but it is part of The Sheila Stories. The Island Thief rates 4*
THE GIRL IN THE TINY HOUSE, #5 - It is sad that the Joe Robbins Series ends with this book. This story is interesting and immersing. I finished it in one sitting since I found it hard to put down. There are twists, good characters, humor and a possible redo for Joe. If you are new to this series start with The Entrepreneurs and read all five novels. They are worth the investment. 5*
THE SHEILA STORIES - Wonderful. Heartwarming. Heartbreaking. This book tugs at my heartstrings. I enjoyed the storylines about everyone involved. The way two stories are told, the past and the present, is interesting and makes it difficult to put the book down. The characters are so intriguing, varied and Sheila is mesmerizing. The vivid descriptions place the reader in the midst of everything happening. This is one of the best stories about a person's life that I have read in years. 5*
CARTER'S LAST RACE - Mr. Kelly is proving himself quite a talented storyteller in several genres. Imagine having the chance of being a 19-year-old again while keeping your 63 years of life experiences. While this book is slow to start, this is an interesting story. The author weaves multiple story lines covering several decades while showing the depths and the thoughts of Carter and his effect on others. The writing style fits the reality of what the character is experiencing as an old man teenager. The energy spent on his detailed training for a marathon was not just about the race but his growth, too. 4*
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