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Patrick Flint #7
Sitting Duck
Joe Pickett meets THE SHINING in this spine-tingling 1970s Wyoming mystery from USA Today bestselling author Pamela Fagan Hutchins.
A killer blizzard has hit tiny Buffalo, Wyoming, where Dr. Patrick Flint is trapped inside the hospital with his family, trying to save the life of a prominent local citizen. An injured drifter shows up at the door, and Patrick takes him in. When the power and communications go out that night, people start dying, and the drifter is nowhere to be found. Patrick is caught between his duty to his patient, his loyalty to his family, and his fear for all of their lives. With the storm still raging, will there be any survivors left in the hospital when help finally arrives?
A killer blizzard has hit tiny Buffalo, Wyoming, where Dr. Patrick Flint is trapped inside the hospital with his family, trying to save the life of a prominent local citizen. An injured drifter shows up at the door, and Patrick takes him in. When the power and communications go out that night, people start dying, and the drifter is nowhere to be found. Patrick is caught between his duty to his patient, his loyalty to his family, and his fear for all of their lives. With the storm still raging, will there be any survivors left in the hospital when help finally arrives?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2022
About the author
Pamela Fagan Hutchins
131 books887 followersI'm a USA Today bestselling mystery/suspense/thriller author and a big horse and sled dog enthusiast.
My hunky husband and I ride our beloved draft cross horses way up in the frozen north of Snowheresville, WY, where we run a rustic, off-the-grid lodge on the face of the Bighorn Mountains. When I'm not writing or riding, I'm passionate about wilderness sports, always with a couple of rescue dogs, bear spray, a mountain lion knife, and my Judge. NO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS LIFE ADVENTURE (but don't sneak up on me).
I've made some lists and won some awards, yada yada. Amazon Charts Top 25 bestseller. USA Today Bestseller. The Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery WINNER (Fighting for Anna), the WINNERS for USA Best Books Fiction: Cross Genre (Hell to Pay, Heaven to Betsy), and others. With books "in print" of over 3,000,000, readers seem to enjoy the books—I think they have exceptionally good taste. {insert goofy grin here} Lots of them follow my show Wine Women & Writing, too, where I fangirl my favorite authors and interview them for your listening and viewing pleasure. Subscribe free at http://bit.ly/PamelaWWWR <--case sensitive.
You can read my series in any order or as standalones, but they're a lot of fun if you do them like this:
* Detective Delaney Pace (coming soon!): Her Silent Bones, Her HIdden Grave, Her Last Cry, Her Forgotten Shadow, Her Burning Lies, and Her Cold Heart.
* Patrick Flint Wyoming-based series (PG):
Switchback, Snake Oil, Sawbones, Scapegoat, Snaggle Tooth, Stag Party, Sitting Duck, and Skin & Bones. #9 coming in 2026.
* The Jenn Herrington Wyoming Mysteries (PG-13):
BIG HORN, WALKER PRAIRIE, and RED GRADE coming in 2026.
* What Doesn't Kill You Super Series:
1.Caribben-based Katie Connell (PG-13): Saving Grace, Leaving Annalise, Finding Harmony, and Seeking Felicity
2. Texas-based Emily Bernal (PG-13): Heaven to Betsy Earth to Emily, Hell to Pay
3. Texas-based Michele Lopez Hanson (PG-13): Going for Kona, Fighting for Anna, Searching for Dime Box
4. Wyoming-based Maggie Killian (R, language): Live Wire, Sick Puppy, Dead Pile (plus shorts Buckle Bunny and Shock Jock)
5. Caribbean-based Ava Butler (R, sexual situations): Bombshell, Stunner, Knockout
I also have a children's book series featuring Poppy, the world's best grandfather, and Petey, his blind Boston terrier.
Free starter library https://pamelafaganhutchins.com/maili...
If after all that you still want to learn more about my books, my podcast, or me, then God Bless Ya.
There are many ways: My website and its blog. The aforementioned newsletter. Email me: Pamela at PamelaFaganHutchins dot come. And you can follow me around the web:
Website: https://pamelafaganhutchins.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamel...
Pamela's Posse for Readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pamel...
Facebook http://facebook.com/pamela.fagan.hutc...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/pamelafa...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamela_faga...
Twitter http://twitter.com/PamelotH
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/pamelafaganh...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pamelafaganhu...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@pamela_fagan...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pamelafaganhu...
And, finally, to learn more about my fellow SkipJack Publishing authors, visit: http://skipjackpublishing.com/.
My hunky husband and I ride our beloved draft cross horses way up in the frozen north of Snowheresville, WY, where we run a rustic, off-the-grid lodge on the face of the Bighorn Mountains. When I'm not writing or riding, I'm passionate about wilderness sports, always with a couple of rescue dogs, bear spray, a mountain lion knife, and my Judge. NO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS LIFE ADVENTURE (but don't sneak up on me).
I've made some lists and won some awards, yada yada. Amazon Charts Top 25 bestseller. USA Today Bestseller. The Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery WINNER (Fighting for Anna), the WINNERS for USA Best Books Fiction: Cross Genre (Hell to Pay, Heaven to Betsy), and others. With books "in print" of over 3,000,000, readers seem to enjoy the books—I think they have exceptionally good taste. {insert goofy grin here} Lots of them follow my show Wine Women & Writing, too, where I fangirl my favorite authors and interview them for your listening and viewing pleasure. Subscribe free at http://bit.ly/PamelaWWWR <--case sensitive.
You can read my series in any order or as standalones, but they're a lot of fun if you do them like this:
* Detective Delaney Pace (coming soon!): Her Silent Bones, Her HIdden Grave, Her Last Cry, Her Forgotten Shadow, Her Burning Lies, and Her Cold Heart.
* Patrick Flint Wyoming-based series (PG):
Switchback, Snake Oil, Sawbones, Scapegoat, Snaggle Tooth, Stag Party, Sitting Duck, and Skin & Bones. #9 coming in 2026.
* The Jenn Herrington Wyoming Mysteries (PG-13):
BIG HORN, WALKER PRAIRIE, and RED GRADE coming in 2026.
* What Doesn't Kill You Super Series:
1.Caribben-based Katie Connell (PG-13): Saving Grace, Leaving Annalise, Finding Harmony, and Seeking Felicity
2. Texas-based Emily Bernal (PG-13): Heaven to Betsy Earth to Emily, Hell to Pay
3. Texas-based Michele Lopez Hanson (PG-13): Going for Kona, Fighting for Anna, Searching for Dime Box
4. Wyoming-based Maggie Killian (R, language): Live Wire, Sick Puppy, Dead Pile (plus shorts Buckle Bunny and Shock Jock)
5. Caribbean-based Ava Butler (R, sexual situations): Bombshell, Stunner, Knockout
I also have a children's book series featuring Poppy, the world's best grandfather, and Petey, his blind Boston terrier.
Free starter library https://pamelafaganhutchins.com/maili...
If after all that you still want to learn more about my books, my podcast, or me, then God Bless Ya.
There are many ways: My website and its blog. The aforementioned newsletter. Email me: Pamela at PamelaFaganHutchins dot come. And you can follow me around the web:
Website: https://pamelafaganhutchins.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamel...
Pamela's Posse for Readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pamel...
Facebook http://facebook.com/pamela.fagan.hutc...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/pamelafa...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamela_faga...
Twitter http://twitter.com/PamelotH
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/pamelafaganh...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pamelafaganhu...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@pamela_fagan...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pamelafaganhu...
And, finally, to learn more about my fellow SkipJack Publishing authors, visit: http://skipjackpublishing.com/.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 24, 2022
And, seriously, can't these people get a break and have a nice time together without corpses piling up around them?
I loved this book, it has everything I enjoy. By now, the characters are my friends and I really care about them; the pacing is perfect and the plot soooo good!
If you haven't begun to read this series, I recommend you to do so, you won't regret it.
I loved this book, it has everything I enjoy. By now, the characters are my friends and I really care about them; the pacing is perfect and the plot soooo good!
If you haven't begun to read this series, I recommend you to do so, you won't regret it.
August 12, 2022
Sitting Duck: A Patrick Flint Novel by Pamela Fagan Hutchins is a fantastically amazing story to read. This is book number seven in this fantastically amazing series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this story to everyone.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
June 24, 2022
The Flint family are in the cross hairs again. Take the normal teenage angst that most families experience and add in all the extraordinary adventures and trouble that seems to find them and you have a great plot and wonderful characters, some of which I never want to encounter.
June 12, 2022
Sitting Duck - a review by Rosemary Kenny
A retro adventure set in 1978, for Patrick Flint and family in Pamela Fagan Hutchins' Sitting Duck, which begins with patriarch Patrick and faithful hound Ferdinand, trekking through the snow, in training for an event, local Deputy Ronnie Harcourt drives up to talk to him, after which they get a shock?
What's Ferdinand discovered?
Events spin rapidly out of control, at home and at the hospital, as Susanne, Perry, Trish et al, have to face uncomfortable facts about their relationships, as they get into dangerous situations of one kind or another, amid the wintry conditions. Where's Sam hiding out? Whom does he save on returning home?
Get your hands on a copy of Pamela Fagan Hutchins' brilliantly clever Sitting Duck, that's well worth every penny as you'll be gripped by the imagination every chilly, (and chilling) step of the way to the riveting conclusion.
A retro adventure set in 1978, for Patrick Flint and family in Pamela Fagan Hutchins' Sitting Duck, which begins with patriarch Patrick and faithful hound Ferdinand, trekking through the snow, in training for an event, local Deputy Ronnie Harcourt drives up to talk to him, after which they get a shock?
What's Ferdinand discovered?
Events spin rapidly out of control, at home and at the hospital, as Susanne, Perry, Trish et al, have to face uncomfortable facts about their relationships, as they get into dangerous situations of one kind or another, amid the wintry conditions. Where's Sam hiding out? Whom does he save on returning home?
Get your hands on a copy of Pamela Fagan Hutchins' brilliantly clever Sitting Duck, that's well worth every penny as you'll be gripped by the imagination every chilly, (and chilling) step of the way to the riveting conclusion.
December 23, 2023
This is the seventh book in the Patrick Flint series set in the mid to late seventies. This book takes place in 1978. The author has a way of amping up the tension by taking a doctor’s family of four, a tense situation and tons of teenage angst and wonder. Personally, I skip over most of Trish’s angst – who wants to relive being a teenage girl during the seventies or really ever?
From recently watching Dark Skies based on CJ Box’s series and Some of Yellowstone, this book only adds to the poor reputation Montana has as a less than stellar safe state. In this story the police are trying the best even though there aren’t too many of them.
I have to keep remembering that simple solutions such as using your cell phone wasn’t available back then. I found the story overall a downer. It ends with story lines unanswered. A positive note is Suzanne’s and Patrick’s relationship can be repaired.
I found it an okay read.
From recently watching Dark Skies based on CJ Box’s series and Some of Yellowstone, this book only adds to the poor reputation Montana has as a less than stellar safe state. In this story the police are trying the best even though there aren’t too many of them.
I have to keep remembering that simple solutions such as using your cell phone wasn’t available back then. I found the story overall a downer. It ends with story lines unanswered. A positive note is Suzanne’s and Patrick’s relationship can be repaired.
I found it an okay read.
August 10, 2022
Great first course but dessert unsettling...lol
Definitely looking forward to more of the drama that surrounds the Flints....especially to give a conclusion to the sadness Trish and Ben unknowingly share. I'm going to try the new series again that promises appearances of my Wyoming friends but couldn't finish it the first time. This story had so much suspense I turned pages with trepidation, wondering what might happen next! I'm not crazy about being left on a cliff about Ben since it may be awhile before the next one in this series is published. I like that the perspective of the characters is developed and weaves together the story. Henry's chapter was fun but made me glad that even my granddaughter has grown to big girl seven and isn't toddlling around finding trouble anymore!
Definitely looking forward to more of the drama that surrounds the Flints....especially to give a conclusion to the sadness Trish and Ben unknowingly share. I'm going to try the new series again that promises appearances of my Wyoming friends but couldn't finish it the first time. This story had so much suspense I turned pages with trepidation, wondering what might happen next! I'm not crazy about being left on a cliff about Ben since it may be awhile before the next one in this series is published. I like that the perspective of the characters is developed and weaves together the story. Henry's chapter was fun but made me glad that even my granddaughter has grown to big girl seven and isn't toddlling around finding trouble anymore!
July 17, 2024
Dr. Patrick Flint #7
On an early morning hike and climb with his faithful dog by his side, Patrick has a run-in with an angry rancher and shortly finds the dead body of the rancher's girlfriend. It goes from bad to worse when a major snow storm hits the area and Patrick is stranded in the Emergency Room with a group of murderous characters. Full of twists and turns, Patrick and the staff try to care for the injured and stay alive at the same time. This is a nail biter and will keep you up trying to figure out the mystery. Full of beautiful scenery and terrifying snowmobile action and strong family bonds, you're in for a great read. I highly recommend this book if you love suspense.
On an early morning hike and climb with his faithful dog by his side, Patrick has a run-in with an angry rancher and shortly finds the dead body of the rancher's girlfriend. It goes from bad to worse when a major snow storm hits the area and Patrick is stranded in the Emergency Room with a group of murderous characters. Full of twists and turns, Patrick and the staff try to care for the injured and stay alive at the same time. This is a nail biter and will keep you up trying to figure out the mystery. Full of beautiful scenery and terrifying snowmobile action and strong family bonds, you're in for a great read. I highly recommend this book if you love suspense.
August 1, 2022
Good book but hated the ending.
Ben comes home, still not knowing that he has been found innocent of the drug charges made against him on his first and only day at university. When he sees Trish through the window with Wyatt, he jumps to conclusions and runs. Fortunately he runs to the Sibley's house just in time to rescue them from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Patrick and his family take shelter at the hospital when their furnace dies and someone is playing dangerous tricks. Trouble follows them to the hospital where they once again end up without heat or light..... and a killer.
Young Perry has his heart broken for the first time when his new girlfriend takes up with Wyatt.
Ben comes home, still not knowing that he has been found innocent of the drug charges made against him on his first and only day at university. When he sees Trish through the window with Wyatt, he jumps to conclusions and runs. Fortunately he runs to the Sibley's house just in time to rescue them from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Patrick and his family take shelter at the hospital when their furnace dies and someone is playing dangerous tricks. Trouble follows them to the hospital where they once again end up without heat or light..... and a killer.
Young Perry has his heart broken for the first time when his new girlfriend takes up with Wyatt.
July 23, 2022
Sitting Duck is an aptly foreshadowing title with a surreptitious slayer on the loose!
This little pocket of Wyoming has more than its fair share of weather, mishaps, and danger, especially for the Flint family. Homes and hospitals are supposed to be safe havens, however, not so this go-around with an unseen killer during a frigid blizzard that turns increasing bitter with murder. Told through several points of view, we come to understand our main characters better as the unexpected story unfolds. Another winner from Pamela Fagan Hutchins!
This little pocket of Wyoming has more than its fair share of weather, mishaps, and danger, especially for the Flint family. Homes and hospitals are supposed to be safe havens, however, not so this go-around with an unseen killer during a frigid blizzard that turns increasing bitter with murder. Told through several points of view, we come to understand our main characters better as the unexpected story unfolds. Another winner from Pamela Fagan Hutchins!
May 28, 2025
No hospitals for me
As always, I found it hard to put this story down. Pamela Fagan Hutchins has written one of the best series I have read so far.
The Flints are not only in a blizzard, they have a stranger causing trouble at home.
Poor Ben has traveled all the way from Alaska and has gotten the wrong idea after seeing someone with Trish.
The Flints leave on snowmobiles and go to the hospital to be "safe". Not everyone was though.
I am about to start the next book in the series in eager anticipation.
As always, I found it hard to put this story down. Pamela Fagan Hutchins has written one of the best series I have read so far.
The Flints are not only in a blizzard, they have a stranger causing trouble at home.
Poor Ben has traveled all the way from Alaska and has gotten the wrong idea after seeing someone with Trish.
The Flints leave on snowmobiles and go to the hospital to be "safe". Not everyone was though.
I am about to start the next book in the series in eager anticipation.
August 6, 2022
I've read most of Pamela Fagan Hutchins' books and declare her an excellent author. This book surpasses them all on suspense. I began reading and then briefly put it down. When I picked it up, I didn't put it down until I'd finished it. The story of being caught in a hospital with people in the ER being murdered and the lights out, the generator out, I just couldn't even pause for lunch. I recommend this book.
February 24, 2025
Great Read
Everything isn’t rosy between the Flints. Patrick is just not pulling his weight and there is friction. Life takes a turn when Patrick and dog, Ferdi, find the body of a woman. What was bad gets worse as a major snow storm hits the area.
I really enjoyed reading this book. There are so many “puzzle” pieces: the storm, the stranger, teenage relationships, parent friction, and murder. I’m amazed at how everything fits together. I’m ready for book 8.
Everything isn’t rosy between the Flints. Patrick is just not pulling his weight and there is friction. Life takes a turn when Patrick and dog, Ferdi, find the body of a woman. What was bad gets worse as a major snow storm hits the area.
I really enjoyed reading this book. There are so many “puzzle” pieces: the storm, the stranger, teenage relationships, parent friction, and murder. I’m amazed at how everything fits together. I’m ready for book 8.
August 4, 2022
“Ends with a bang”
Blizzard, furnace goes out, escape to hospital, and a murderer in said hospital are just some of the things Patrick is faced with in this terrific book.
Hated to see this series end but am looking forward to Ms. Hutchins next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Blizzard, furnace goes out, escape to hospital, and a murderer in said hospital are just some of the things Patrick is faced with in this terrific book.
Hated to see this series end but am looking forward to Ms. Hutchins next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
September 26, 2023
Love the Patrick Flint series and the Flint family! I especially love the setting which is in the 70's, and boy have times changed!
Looks like I somehow missed Patrick Flint #6, so I'll read that next. The nice thing about the series is that you can read out of order, but it is more fun to read in order.
Looks like I somehow missed Patrick Flint #6, so I'll read that next. The nice thing about the series is that you can read out of order, but it is more fun to read in order.
January 27, 2024
This is my first book to read by this author. And it won’t be the last. Next in the TBR list is the first six books of this series. The Flints will have you rooting for them, scared for their lives, and a little mad at them. Most of the book takes place with 12 hours. It’s fast-paced, filled with suspense and the ending may have you in tears of frustration.
February 1, 2026
The ending was a downer!
The story, characters, settings were great. However, to end the story the way it did made me drop 2 stars off what I was going to rate the book at just a page before I read the ending. Way to spoil what I found to be an interesting read. Oh well guess that's how to get readers to buy the next in the series.
The story, characters, settings were great. However, to end the story the way it did made me drop 2 stars off what I was going to rate the book at just a page before I read the ending. Way to spoil what I found to be an interesting read. Oh well guess that's how to get readers to buy the next in the series.
August 27, 2022
Once again people are being killed all over Buffalo, Wyoming, and once again Patrick Flint and his family are right in the middle of all of it. Great characters. Lots of suspense. I really like this series.
I received an arc copy of the book.
I received an arc copy of the book.
December 21, 2022
Love this series and author
This author' s writing is Superb! The twists and turns make every novel interesting and you just HAVE to keep reading. I will be watching for the next Dr. Patrick Flint novel.
This author' s writing is Superb! The twists and turns make every novel interesting and you just HAVE to keep reading. I will be watching for the next Dr. Patrick Flint novel.
January 30, 2023
I truly liked this book. It was really suspenseful and left me on the edge of my seat. I read it in just a few days. I could not put it down to sleep at night. That hadnt been a problem since Stephen King's The Shining in my impressionable teenaged years. I love that it is set back in the 70s before all the technology and really how it used to be for me back then. I am hoping it is not going to be the ending of the series. The family has come a long way since the 1st book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2024
Another action-packed enjoyable read! At my age it's hard to remember how devastating teenage angst and lack of confidence can be on our young minds. Looking forward to starting the next episode in the Patrick Flint series.
March 26, 2025
Love it all
I have followed this family through all the books with one more to go and I love them and their stories. Even though I'm an East Coast girl I want to live in Buffalo because of the Flints and their many friends. ❤️
I have followed this family through all the books with one more to go and I love them and their stories. Even though I'm an East Coast girl I want to live in Buffalo because of the Flints and their many friends. ❤️
July 8, 2022
The focus is on individual members of the Flint family and as a family as a whole. Well written and extremely intense mystery with fine character development.
June 29, 2023
Can't stop reading
This book was fantastic, and love the series. Hope there will be more for the Patrick Flint and his family.
This book was fantastic, and love the series. Hope there will be more for the Patrick Flint and his family.
July 7, 2023
Intrigue at its best.
This was hard to put down. Great characters, good plot, had me guessing who the murderer was all the way to the end.
This was hard to put down. Great characters, good plot, had me guessing who the murderer was all the way to the end.
March 12, 2024
my favorite one so far!
This is my favorite book in the Flint series.
Roller coaster of emotions and lots of twisty plot turns.
Impatiently waiting for book #8!
This is my favorite book in the Flint series.
Roller coaster of emotions and lots of twisty plot turns.
Impatiently waiting for book #8!
November 30, 2024
I’m at the point where I’m so invested in the series that I’m going to finish it but there’s so much shit from cover to cover that happens to this family that it’s almost getting a little ridiculous😂
October 14, 2025
Suspense
The mystery is suspenseful and the culprit is hard to gurss.I enjoy the character growth ,and the descriptions of life in Wyoming.
The mystery is suspenseful and the culprit is hard to gurss.I enjoy the character growth ,and the descriptions of life in Wyoming.
November 19, 2025
Another good book to the series!
December 5, 2025
Good read
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
February 25, 2026
I did not find this particularly well written or engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews