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Trust
How well do you know your partner?
You might think that Beth Sullivan has everything she’s ever wanted. She’s just married David Cheshon, Baltimore’s most eligible bachelor, and is settling into a beautiful new home and making plans for a child…until a murder tears apart her family and she becomes the primary suspect.
Abbie Barnes has just returned to Baltimore in time for Beth’s elopement, and she doesn’t trust David Cheshon or the sudden changes in her best friend’s life. Now, as Beth’s family is devolving into chaos, Abbie finds herself falling for an old crush, Adam Foy, who happens to be in line to prosecute the case and has a Cheshon connection of his own.
The last thing newly-promoted Sargeant Tara Williams wants is a high profile murder suspect dumped in her lap, but when Adam Foy asks for her help, she’s forced to use her newest hire and bend some rules.
As evidence mounts against Beth, it becomes clear everyone’s keeping secrets. And the killer isn’t finished.
You might think that Beth Sullivan has everything she’s ever wanted. She’s just married David Cheshon, Baltimore’s most eligible bachelor, and is settling into a beautiful new home and making plans for a child…until a murder tears apart her family and she becomes the primary suspect.
Abbie Barnes has just returned to Baltimore in time for Beth’s elopement, and she doesn’t trust David Cheshon or the sudden changes in her best friend’s life. Now, as Beth’s family is devolving into chaos, Abbie finds herself falling for an old crush, Adam Foy, who happens to be in line to prosecute the case and has a Cheshon connection of his own.
The last thing newly-promoted Sargeant Tara Williams wants is a high profile murder suspect dumped in her lap, but when Adam Foy asks for her help, she’s forced to use her newest hire and bend some rules.
As evidence mounts against Beth, it becomes clear everyone’s keeping secrets. And the killer isn’t finished.
362 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2022
2 people are currently reading
1436 people want to read
About the author
Lee Chappel
2 books26 followersLee Chappel enjoys writing suspense and psychological mysteries but still can't handle the surprises in Scooby Doo. Visit leechappel.com or email lee@leechappel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 16, 2022
Beth Sullivan lives a seemingly charmed life. She is married to Baltimore’s once most famous eligible bachelor, David Cheshon, they have purchased a lovely home and are settling in, and are planning to start a family. (The couple eloped, and neither mother is happy about their marriage). Beth’s sister, Missy, was expecting, and Beth was thrilled—the sisters had always dreamed of raising their children together. Beth was excited to go to Missy’s home for the weekend to help decorate for the baby shower. The next morning, Missy tiptoed past the guest room that contained a still-sleeping Beth, put on a pot of coffee, and went out to the mailbox to see if she received the parcel she was expecting. A single silenced shot, fired from the woods across the street, killed Missy immediately. Beth is the primary suspect, which destroys her already-fractured family. Abbie’s Barnes, Beth’s best friend, has come home to Baltimore. She distrusts David because of the different way Beth has been behaving since they married; however, she decides to stay silent and observe. She has a chance meeting at the coffee shop with her old crush Adam Foy, who asked her out. They are slowly falling in love. Adam is next in line to become DA when Missy’s murder case is assigned to him as prosecutor. He phones his best friend, Tara Williams, newly promoted Sergeant, for information on the case. Tara, still trying to get comfortable in her new position and deal with a press-worthy murder case, asks her new hire, Keeler, to help with the investigation. (Keeler won’t break the law, but he sure will bend it). It becomes abundantly clear through investigation that everyone involved has a secret to hide. Unfortunately, the murderer is not done yet.
This is an exciting and enjoyable read, very well-suited for those who love the mystery/thriller genre. It captures the reader from the first page and keeps him/her/they unwilling to stop until the last sentence. The story is told with a multiple narrative, which I love and find more realistic. The characters are flawed and believable, the plot is clear, and the climax and resolution are smooth and satisfying. I gave the book a solid 4.5, which would have been a 5 if I hadn’t figured out the murderer long before the reveal. Even knowing who the killer was didn’t dissuade me. I kept right on devouring the novel until the conclusion. Willingly suspend your disbelief and embark on the whodunit journey that is “Trust.” You will want to sail all the way through this book, so leave yourself some uninterrupted reading time!
I’d like to thank BookSirens, Lee Chappel, and Bleau Press for the ability to read and review this ARC.
This is an exciting and enjoyable read, very well-suited for those who love the mystery/thriller genre. It captures the reader from the first page and keeps him/her/they unwilling to stop until the last sentence. The story is told with a multiple narrative, which I love and find more realistic. The characters are flawed and believable, the plot is clear, and the climax and resolution are smooth and satisfying. I gave the book a solid 4.5, which would have been a 5 if I hadn’t figured out the murderer long before the reveal. Even knowing who the killer was didn’t dissuade me. I kept right on devouring the novel until the conclusion. Willingly suspend your disbelief and embark on the whodunit journey that is “Trust.” You will want to sail all the way through this book, so leave yourself some uninterrupted reading time!
I’d like to thank BookSirens, Lee Chappel, and Bleau Press for the ability to read and review this ARC.
November 20, 2022
You might have guessed that the title of Lee Chappel’s second thriller, Trust, is ironic. But only the most clever readers will guess who the killer is before Chappel’s detective, Ben Keeler, figures it out.
Trust tells the story of Beth Sullivan, who engages in what can only be described as a 21st century romance. She meets Dave152 online, and eventually takes a chance by meeting him in person. It goes well – they even have Dutch ancestry in common – but she doesn’t even learn his real name until their third in-person date.
Soon, they’re engaged to be married. Their pre-wedding bliss doesn’t last long, in part due to uncomfortable inquires about David’s financial situation and a murder that leaves Beth as the prime suspect.
As she did in her debut novel Crickets, Chappel tells the story from multiple characters’ points of view (POV). For most writers, emulating Chappel’s narrative structure would be a spectacular failure that would make reading a messy chore. But somehow – perhaps the combination of her poetic descriptions, the way the various POVs fit together like precisely cut puzzle pieces, and the obvious implication that one of these many characters is lying – the formula works like magic.
Ben Keeler is another nice surprise. Hardly a detective in the traditional sense, his disciplined methodology is a perfect compliment to the disheveled lives of those he investigates. He doesn’t speak often, but when he does, we found ourselves leaning forward in our easy chair.
Readers are in for a superb whodunnit that is as beautifully written as it is well-crafted. If any book was ever made for a Book Club discussion, this is it. Expect plenty of discussions where readers sound like they know Tara, Abigail, Beth and the others like old friends.
Trust tells the story of Beth Sullivan, who engages in what can only be described as a 21st century romance. She meets Dave152 online, and eventually takes a chance by meeting him in person. It goes well – they even have Dutch ancestry in common – but she doesn’t even learn his real name until their third in-person date.
Soon, they’re engaged to be married. Their pre-wedding bliss doesn’t last long, in part due to uncomfortable inquires about David’s financial situation and a murder that leaves Beth as the prime suspect.
As she did in her debut novel Crickets, Chappel tells the story from multiple characters’ points of view (POV). For most writers, emulating Chappel’s narrative structure would be a spectacular failure that would make reading a messy chore. But somehow – perhaps the combination of her poetic descriptions, the way the various POVs fit together like precisely cut puzzle pieces, and the obvious implication that one of these many characters is lying – the formula works like magic.
Ben Keeler is another nice surprise. Hardly a detective in the traditional sense, his disciplined methodology is a perfect compliment to the disheveled lives of those he investigates. He doesn’t speak often, but when he does, we found ourselves leaning forward in our easy chair.
Readers are in for a superb whodunnit that is as beautifully written as it is well-crafted. If any book was ever made for a Book Club discussion, this is it. Expect plenty of discussions where readers sound like they know Tara, Abigail, Beth and the others like old friends.
January 2, 2023
Trust is the cornerstone of marriage. An elopement starts a series of events with suspense, secrets, lies, greed, and a murder. Twists and suspense and trying to find the actual killer before anyone else is murdered. I enjoyed the flow, the suspense, deceit and the multiple points of view. I kept reading to try to figure out which character the killer and why. Lots to hook you and make you think. *I was given a copy via BookSirens and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
November 19, 2022
Trust by Lee Chappel
Published: November 22, 2022
Bleau Press
Pages: 310
Genre: Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Lee Chappel enjoys writing suspense and psychological mysteries but still can't handle the surprises in scary children's cartoons.
“Everything’s going to be okay.”
When David and Beth get married quickly, everyone has assumptions about why. It can’t be love. David’s mother, Gail, and the family lawyer, Jason, assume Beth is after their money. Beth’s mother, Janet, is not thrilled with the marriage, but she isn’t a great judge of character. When Beth’s sister, Missy, is murdered, and Beth almost dies days later, the story gets twisted as everyone has a theory. But there is only one truth. Who can you trust?
Something I love about Lee Chappel’s books is that things fall apart and seem chaotic before they come together and leave you speechless.
There are so many characters in this book, and you don’t know who is trustworthy and who isn’t. Everyone seems to have something to hide, a reason to have secrets. And the character development is so well done that you will flip-flop between characters until the end.
This story was deliciously devious and so well orchestrated. Filled with danger, secrets, and deceit, this story is told from multiple points of view and from alternating points in time.
The way this story unfolds is so clever and so beautifully choreographed that you will not only have whiplash by the end but your jaw will be stuck on the floor.
Fast-paced and seriously twisted, this is an excellent book from start to finish. I love that certain characters will appear again in future books. There are a lot of fantastic stories waiting to be told.
Published: November 22, 2022
Bleau Press
Pages: 310
Genre: Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Lee Chappel enjoys writing suspense and psychological mysteries but still can't handle the surprises in scary children's cartoons.
“Everything’s going to be okay.”
When David and Beth get married quickly, everyone has assumptions about why. It can’t be love. David’s mother, Gail, and the family lawyer, Jason, assume Beth is after their money. Beth’s mother, Janet, is not thrilled with the marriage, but she isn’t a great judge of character. When Beth’s sister, Missy, is murdered, and Beth almost dies days later, the story gets twisted as everyone has a theory. But there is only one truth. Who can you trust?
Something I love about Lee Chappel’s books is that things fall apart and seem chaotic before they come together and leave you speechless.
There are so many characters in this book, and you don’t know who is trustworthy and who isn’t. Everyone seems to have something to hide, a reason to have secrets. And the character development is so well done that you will flip-flop between characters until the end.
This story was deliciously devious and so well orchestrated. Filled with danger, secrets, and deceit, this story is told from multiple points of view and from alternating points in time.
The way this story unfolds is so clever and so beautifully choreographed that you will not only have whiplash by the end but your jaw will be stuck on the floor.
Fast-paced and seriously twisted, this is an excellent book from start to finish. I love that certain characters will appear again in future books. There are a lot of fantastic stories waiting to be told.
December 2, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
November 15, 2022
Excellent read. A book that has a little of everything: murder, suspense, romance, greed, betrayal, lies. The more you read, the more intense this story becomes. Betrayal beyond belief spawned by greed by the people you should most trust. Highly recommend. Received an ARC and this is my voluntary honest review.
November 7, 2022
Trust is a thriller novel by Lee Chappel. I thought that this thriller had multiple layers. Beth and David eloped they are happy, but, neither of the mothers seem pleased. Beth's sister, Missy, was murdered. The "who did the murder" lead me on a wild ride. Did Beth kill her sister! Is David the next victim? So many questions and tons of surprises. This is an excellent murder thriller with a perfect ending. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
December 27, 2022
A domestic thriller that tells the story from multiple points of view. Each voice giving their take on the events that are occurring. Abbie a great character and the side characters keep the story entertaining. The story also adds some twists that keeps the story interesting. A thrilling and suspenseful story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 12, 2022
You think you trust someone,... This book kept me up with its compelling storyline and well-developed characters. I liked the way the author used multiple points of view to move the story along and clarify relationships. I suspected everyone from the difficult mother-in-law to the law professor! I'm looking forward to the author's next foray into the human psyche!
March 19, 2023
I love a good Murder mystery and this is a great one. It has so many twists and turns that I literally didn’t figure it out. Often times when a story has multiple plot twists, it is because of a lack of direction or cohesion however, in this instance, it was just that as each layer opened, and we saw a new piece of the puzzle, the suspect pool would pivot and change.
I’m really eager to read another one of Lee Chappell’s books and am grateful to the author, publisher and Goodreads for making this giveaway possible.
I’m really eager to read another one of Lee Chappell’s books and am grateful to the author, publisher and Goodreads for making this giveaway possible.
April 5, 2023
Thanks To GoodReads & The Author, Lee Chappel, For My Free Kindle Edition Of This Amazing Book!
This one was hard to put down!
I thoroughly enjoyed everything this book had to offer, right down to the very last page! If you’re looking for a good mystery-thriller, I definitely recommend TRUST… You won’t be disappointed!!
This one was hard to put down!
I thoroughly enjoyed everything this book had to offer, right down to the very last page! If you’re looking for a good mystery-thriller, I definitely recommend TRUST… You won’t be disappointed!!
April 28, 2023
Interesting Story
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get comfortable with it because the beginning was confusing. It was as if it started in the middle somewhere instead of paying out the book in an orderly fashion as most books do in the beginning. The plot was good, many twists and turns and no "I saw that coming" moments.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get comfortable with it because the beginning was confusing. It was as if it started in the middle somewhere instead of paying out the book in an orderly fashion as most books do in the beginning. The plot was good, many twists and turns and no "I saw that coming" moments.
January 10, 2025
This book was really good, kept you guessing right up until the end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews