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Detective Sarah Spillman #10
Deadly Price
When a suburban high-school grad is drowned along downtown Denver’s Platte River, homicide detective Sarah Spillman is called to the scene. Who is the teen, why was she down in this sketchy part of the city late at night, and why would anyone want her dead?
Starting with no obvious clues, Sarah and her team begin their investigation, delving into the lives and minds of teenagers, their parents, and even a teacher with questionable ethics, none of whom is eager to talk. Poking and prodding, interviewing and re-interviewing kids and adults alike, Sarah and her partners gradually uncover secrets in the victim’s life and identify several suspects, each with a motive to want the young woman dead.
As Sarah digs deeper for answers, she realizes that sometimes even a choice that seems insignificant can demand a deadly price.
Starting with no obvious clues, Sarah and her team begin their investigation, delving into the lives and minds of teenagers, their parents, and even a teacher with questionable ethics, none of whom is eager to talk. Poking and prodding, interviewing and re-interviewing kids and adults alike, Sarah and her partners gradually uncover secrets in the victim’s life and identify several suspects, each with a motive to want the young woman dead.
As Sarah digs deeper for answers, she realizes that sometimes even a choice that seems insignificant can demand a deadly price.
- GenresMystery
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2023
185 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Renee Pawlish
116 books347 followersFrom the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 11, 2023
This is the twelfth book in the Sarah Spillman series, and continues with characters developed and expanded throughout this series. It is not necessary to have read any of the previous books as this is a stand alone case, but as a huge fan of all of the Renee Pawlish books, I can say it adds depth and enjoyment through "knowing" the main characters who seem like actual friends. My favorite form of reading is through series, and the second aspect of this particular book is easier, though not necessary, to understand if you have read previous books.
This case involves the drowning death of a teenage girl. It is thought to be a possible homicide, though no definite proof of that is readily apparent. There are a number of suspects as well as motives. Sarah and her team proceed as if it is a murder, and that possibility becomes established. Molly's boyfriend, his best friend, and her parents are the focus of the investigation. The investigation is conducted with the usual skill and intrigue of all of the Pawlish books, keeping the reader engaged throughout.
There is a second element involving Sarah's brother and his girlfriend who is now living with him. Sarah has been suspicious of possible domestic violence for some time, and the signs are so obvious now that she is highly disturbed by the situation. As a family member, viewing the events from the outside, Sarah is perplexed over how bet to help her brother. Pawlish handles the subject with skill, relating a situation which is becoming more frequent with the man in a relationship being the victim of physical abuse rather than the woman.
Pawlish weaves the facts of the investigation with the intuition of a skilled detective team to find the unexpected murderer. She also shows how patience, persistence and love bring an abuse victim to a point of recognizing the reality of their life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Each of her four series are excellent, well written with great character development. I especially enjoy the realism and details of the Denver area and history brought out in every book.
This case involves the drowning death of a teenage girl. It is thought to be a possible homicide, though no definite proof of that is readily apparent. There are a number of suspects as well as motives. Sarah and her team proceed as if it is a murder, and that possibility becomes established. Molly's boyfriend, his best friend, and her parents are the focus of the investigation. The investigation is conducted with the usual skill and intrigue of all of the Pawlish books, keeping the reader engaged throughout.
There is a second element involving Sarah's brother and his girlfriend who is now living with him. Sarah has been suspicious of possible domestic violence for some time, and the signs are so obvious now that she is highly disturbed by the situation. As a family member, viewing the events from the outside, Sarah is perplexed over how bet to help her brother. Pawlish handles the subject with skill, relating a situation which is becoming more frequent with the man in a relationship being the victim of physical abuse rather than the woman.
Pawlish weaves the facts of the investigation with the intuition of a skilled detective team to find the unexpected murderer. She also shows how patience, persistence and love bring an abuse victim to a point of recognizing the reality of their life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Each of her four series are excellent, well written with great character development. I especially enjoy the realism and details of the Denver area and history brought out in every book.
June 22, 2023
Deadly Price by Renee Pawlish 6/7/2023 Kindle
I bought two books by this author together. Even after not being enthralled with the first, I went ahead and read this one. While I enjoyed it somewhat more than the first, I have no desire to stick with the series.
Once again, Detective Sarah Spillman is called out to a Denver crime. A popular teen was drowned in the Platte River. Sarah’s investigation deals mostly with interviews of teens, parents, and teachers as she searches for a motive. As this is going on, Sarah is concerned with her brother’s love life, sometimes to an intrusive extent.
I understand this book is one of a long series, only one of which I’ve read. Perhaps if I were more familiar with the characters I’d have stronger feelings for them. While I find nothing seriously wrong with book, the fact that it doesn’t hold my interest and I find the story unexciting, prohibits me from recommending it to others.
I bought two books by this author together. Even after not being enthralled with the first, I went ahead and read this one. While I enjoyed it somewhat more than the first, I have no desire to stick with the series.
Once again, Detective Sarah Spillman is called out to a Denver crime. A popular teen was drowned in the Platte River. Sarah’s investigation deals mostly with interviews of teens, parents, and teachers as she searches for a motive. As this is going on, Sarah is concerned with her brother’s love life, sometimes to an intrusive extent.
I understand this book is one of a long series, only one of which I’ve read. Perhaps if I were more familiar with the characters I’d have stronger feelings for them. While I find nothing seriously wrong with book, the fact that it doesn’t hold my interest and I find the story unexciting, prohibits me from recommending it to others.
May 7, 2023
Deadly Price, the 10th in the Detective Sarah Spillman series, is filled with twists and turns that keep you in suspense.
Molly, a recent high school graduate, attends a teenage party but is later found dead next to a small river. Is it an accidental death or has someone taken her life? Trying to find the answers is challenging with the teens in Molly's life all seeming to have something to hide and lie about.
Are they trying to hide risky teen behavior from their parents or do they have more to hide? Adding to the challenges Sarah has on this case is her concern about her brother and his girlfriend inflicted injuries that he makes excuses over.
Follow Sarah, with her sidekicks Spats and Ernie, as they connect all the dots to figure out what happened to Molly. An entertaining read.
Molly, a recent high school graduate, attends a teenage party but is later found dead next to a small river. Is it an accidental death or has someone taken her life? Trying to find the answers is challenging with the teens in Molly's life all seeming to have something to hide and lie about.
Are they trying to hide risky teen behavior from their parents or do they have more to hide? Adding to the challenges Sarah has on this case is her concern about her brother and his girlfriend inflicted injuries that he makes excuses over.
Follow Sarah, with her sidekicks Spats and Ernie, as they connect all the dots to figure out what happened to Molly. An entertaining read.
May 10, 2023
Sarah Spillman is back. She finds herself in volved in the suspicious death of a teenage girl. There is only one victim, but there are many suspects. Sarah and her team do a lot of investigating to narrow the list down. This case is based more on interviews, interrogation and deduction than evidence, but Sarah gets the job done again. I was really kept in the dark until the end on who the killer could be, and it took me by surprise.
Ms. Pawlish impresses again with her writing and story telling. I think this is one of her better works. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good story.
Although the book is a great stand-alone novel, the backstory of characters continues and long time readers of the Sarah Spillman series will find themselves looking forward to the next story. I know I am.
Ms. Pawlish impresses again with her writing and story telling. I think this is one of her better works. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good story.
Although the book is a great stand-alone novel, the backstory of characters continues and long time readers of the Sarah Spillman series will find themselves looking forward to the next story. I know I am.
April 29, 2023
Although I have enjoyed all of Pawlish's books, I think the Sarah Stillman books are my favorite. She is a great character, and her partners, Ernie and Spats, are fun, even though they work with a lot of death.
In this one, a teenage girl is found dead, and the boyfriend is a possible suspect, along with a whole slew of others who may have had opportunity. Sarah and her partners, along with quite a few others in the homicide department, are racing to find the culprit.
Sarah's brother, Hunter, still has blinders on regarding his girlfriend and the way she treats him. A slightly sensitive subject, abuse, is touched on in a tasteful way. I am rooting for him to come to his senses!
It was a super good story.
In this one, a teenage girl is found dead, and the boyfriend is a possible suspect, along with a whole slew of others who may have had opportunity. Sarah and her partners, along with quite a few others in the homicide department, are racing to find the culprit.
Sarah's brother, Hunter, still has blinders on regarding his girlfriend and the way she treats him. A slightly sensitive subject, abuse, is touched on in a tasteful way. I am rooting for him to come to his senses!
It was a super good story.
May 10, 2023
This is the 10th installment of the Sarah Spillman series and they just keep getting better! The story starts with the murder of an 18 year old girl and the list of suspects keeps growing. There are chapters that are from the killer's point of view which give some insight into the motive but does not give away the identity. Renee Pawlish gives fully drawn characters and realistic police procedures. Sarah and her team - Ernie and Spats - work well together, and some of their off duty lives are brought into the story. Pawlish has several series, and I recommend them all. Each book can stand alone, but the reader can see the relationships evolve during the series. I am so pleased to be a beta reader for this author and look forward to the next episode!
May 11, 2023
Deadly Price (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 10) , my sixtieth read from author Renee Pawlish. I read it in one sitting, in just a few hours. Great characters, great storyline, a must-read! Yeah, it is that good! As Pawlish expands her writings over 3 primary characters it has improved all three but Sarah Spillman has become her best read! This is her best book yet. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to the next book in this series when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 9, 2023
Deadly Price is the latest installment of the Sarah Spillman Mysteries by Renee Pawlish. The story begins with a teenage girl being found drowned in a Denver river. Is it murder or an accident? That is up to Sarah and her team to determine. Lots of interesting characters with many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Sarah is also grappling with her brother and his abusive girlfriend. Can she help him see the light before he is attacked again? Get ready for a good beach read.
May 12, 2023
Detective Sarah Spillman is back with her team to solve another puzzling murder. Sorting through lies and uncovering secrets is just a day in the life of our favorite detective. Add to the mix a personal dilemma involving Sarah's brother, Hunter, and you have a well rounded mystery with plot twists and an unexpected ending. I thoroughly enjoy this series and look forward to each new installment. If you prefer your literary entertainment without explicit language or violence, then this series is for you!
July 8, 2023
A Murdered Teenager and Too Many Lies
This book is the 10th in a police procedural series. The series should be read in order to give the reader the full background story. Each book is a complete mystery. This episode is about a murdered teenage girl. This is a tough subject. It is also hard on homicide detectives when everyone involved either lies or demands an attorney. There are plenty of suspects, but the end will surprise you.
This book is the 10th in a police procedural series. The series should be read in order to give the reader the full background story. Each book is a complete mystery. This episode is about a murdered teenage girl. This is a tough subject. It is also hard on homicide detectives when everyone involved either lies or demands an attorney. There are plenty of suspects, but the end will surprise you.
October 17, 2025
What a plot twist! I am an avid mystery reader and read a number of different authors. In the last 3 years alone I have read over 150 books. Never have I read a book where they know who-dun-it and didn't charge the criminal because they didn't have enough evidence.
This plot twist was so REAL LIFE that I truly appreciate the reality. This series can be read as a one off, but you will enjoy it even more if you read the series in order.
This plot twist was so REAL LIFE that I truly appreciate the reality. This series can be read as a one off, but you will enjoy it even more if you read the series in order.
June 5, 2023
a refreshing read
My reading is way down this year after the death of my lovely bride but when became aware of a new Detective Spillman mystery, I went for it. Of the few books I attempted to read this year Renee Pawlish’s writing bought back the memories of endless reading with my bride by my side.
My reading is way down this year after the death of my lovely bride but when became aware of a new Detective Spillman mystery, I went for it. Of the few books I attempted to read this year Renee Pawlish’s writing bought back the memories of endless reading with my bride by my side.
May 9, 2023
This book had me from the start. The storyline was pulling me in from the start and had ahold of me through the end. I love the characters in this series and how they interact to create such a great story. The book had twists and turns and kept me guessing! Another great book by a great author!
January 25, 2024
WOW!
Deadly Price is a wild and scary ride. It would make a good movie but the genre would have to be horror/thriller.
Sarah and her detectives never had as many possible suspects as in this book. The plot is great and the killer is as hot as fire and as cold as ice.
Deadly Price is a wild and scary ride. It would make a good movie but the genre would have to be horror/thriller.
Sarah and her detectives never had as many possible suspects as in this book. The plot is great and the killer is as hot as fire and as cold as ice.
May 28, 2023
Who killed Molly Lang and why??? He cheated on her??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
July 26, 2023
Sociopaths come in all ages...is it nature or nurture?
August 16, 2023
The ending was so rapid it left me questioning wether the author got tired or had no more thoughts on Sarah.
Very disappointing
Very disappointing
September 9, 2023
Excititig
Great as always I always look forwarc to my Sarah Spellman books Cant wait for the next one as this one leaves us hanging needing answers
Great as always I always look forwarc to my Sarah Spellman books Cant wait for the next one as this one leaves us hanging needing answers
May 21, 2024
Awesome series
Love the characters and the stories. Can't wait to get to the next one. Characters are very believable as are the relationships.
Love the characters and the stories. Can't wait to get to the next one. Characters are very believable as are the relationships.
July 1, 2024
Good storyline
April 26, 2025
This is a twisty tale of cold-blooded murder. The police work goes on and on a bit, but ultimately the crime is solved. I really do love these characters.
December 23, 2025
Enjoyed the book!
May 16, 2023
Was it murder, suicide, or just a deadly accident? Sarah and her team spend a lot of time trying to figure out what happened to a teenaged girl who was found in the Platte River. As always a great story by Renee.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews