What Lies Within

Sam Casey Mystery #5

by S.D. Tooley

For seventy years Sin Strip was the place to be in Chasen Heights, Illinois. It offered liquor, gambling, topless dancing, anything the heart desired. It was an age of self-indulgence that began a decline in 1995. But two weeks before the wrecking ball was to destroy one of the remaining landmark hotels, the police make a grisly discovery. Not all of Chasen Heights' secrets were destroyed when Sin Strip was closed down. The fifth book in the award-winning Sam Casey series, which combines mystery with an element of paranormal. "Sam Casey has an advantage over other cops. The dead speak to her, tell her secrets about their life and death. But sometimes what she learns can get her killed.

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal

250 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2010

About the author

AKA -- LEE DRIVER -- Whenever my husband is asked to describe me in one word, he usually says "strange." I used to subscribe to Dr. J. Allen Hyneks's UFO reporter. And although I was a fan of Nancy Drew in my teens, I quickly segued to Stephen King and Dean Koontz. My interests are all over the place so it's no wonder I have been a car salesman, sales assistant, administrative assistant, seminar coordinator, and a casino dealer.
I write the Sam Casey series (think "Medium" with a Native American twist) which combines mystery with paranormal; the Chase Dagger series (under the pseudonym of Lee Driver) combines mystery with fantasy, horror, and sometimes sci-fi; and the Remy and Roadkill series (The Skull is for ages 11+), a traditional mystery. As a fan of all the CSI programs, I instilled each of the teens with a talent in forensics.
My books are available in the US, UK, and EU, as well as in audiobook, large print, and eBook formats. And for the month of July, Smashwords is running a special on eBooks for your summer beach reads. You can find my Sam Casey eBooks at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Tooley and my Chase Dagger eBooks at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/leedr...

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this although you could tell Sam & Jake certainly missed Dillion being with Abby they knew he would be safe. I am always surprised by the ending of these books. It is never what I expected and this is no different. What will happen to Chief Murphy now? We will see - beginning #6 soon!

[Marcy Plumley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my fave. Hard to get into story

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homicide detectives Jake and Frank are being punished and have been banished to animal control for a month after an unfortunate accident with a previous murder suspect met his demise. Chasing a feral cat into the old Sin Strip Ember Hotel they make a grisly discovery of a mummified body. Before calling the police department Jake brings in Sam to evaluate the crime scene. Sam is now working as a PI after leaving Chasen Heights PD.

Police Chief Murphy is running for mayor but as the investigation advances all the evidence points to the Chief as the main suspect. Is it a political set-up or did the Chief have hidden secrets from the Sin Strip era? Forced to defend himself he turns to Sam to try and save his political career as well as prove his innocence. But will she?

The 5th book in Tooley's Sam Casey series lives up to previous outings. Fast pacing, witty dialogue and an intriguing mix of paranormal with mystery. My one quibble was not enough time spent with Abby and Alex, and rightly so the story didn't support their character interaction. As always Tooley's writing is an appealing mix of eccentric characters and subplots.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thriller set the hook immediately and kept me guessing right up until the end. As Sam overcomes internal conflicts to solve the murder case she's up against, the mystery unfolds one tiny layer at a time.

Interestingly, this novel subtly turned out in large part to be about forgiveness. Sam must forget about the past and focus on the present in order to be effective in her work. It doesn't hurt that she can communicate with the dead that want to help her, but her own struggles teach a great lesson as she works to solve multiple murders.

This was my first S.D. Tooley novel, and I can't wait to read more!

[Linda Bentzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dead speak to Sam Casey, tell her secrets about the deads' life and death, and sometimes put her in danger. An old hotel is to be demolished when two homicide cops, who have been demoted to animal control, chase a cat into the hotel and up some stairs, where they find a dead body. The search is on for the killer. Some early facts about the hotel combine with current facts to help solve the murder. It starts a little slowly but picks up and becomes a good read that most mystery readers will enjoy.

[S.D.]

Book Description:

For seventy years Sin Strip was the place to be in Chasen Heights, IL. It offered any decadence the heart desired. It was an age of self-indulgence that began a decline in 1995. But two weeks before the wrecking ball was to destroy one of the remaining landmark hotels, the police make a grisly discovery. Not all of Chasen Heights' secrets were destroyed when Sin Strip was closed down.

Sam has an advantage over other cops. The dead speak to her, tell her secrets about their life and death. But sometimes what she learns can get her killed. Book 5 in the series.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Casey is driven to prove the police chief is innocent of the charges against him, as he runs for mayor. As Jake and Frank try to solve past and present murders. Every secret is dug up as the number of deaths increased and Chief Murphy needs Sam's help. Twists and turns as the story is slowly told and the Chief's past is plastered all over the news medias. Will it change Chief Murphy's attitude toward Sam?? Will he be the mayor??? All depends on Frank, Jake and the Captain to expose the killer and the truth.

[Shelly Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first S. D. Tooley book and I loved it! Ms. Tooley kept me on the edge of my seat and my brain churning. I definitely want to read more from this author. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know! 5 Stars!

[Stacie Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one. Good story, but Ms Tooley gave a little too much away, and l wasn't left with even one surprise.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery with lots of twists and turns and red herrings throughout.