The Buck Stops Here

The Million Dollar Mysteries #5

by Mindy Starns Clark

When Callie learns that the man she loves is somehow connected to the man who killed her late husband, she confronts Tom. But he informs her that his hands are tied by the National Security Agency and he can tell her nothing. Despite the secrecy surrounding Tom and the NSA, Callie decides to find out for herself exactly what is going on and how Tom may have been involved in her husband’s death. Using her investigative skills, Callie throws herself into the most important mystery she has ever attempted to solve. Will their affection be able to stand the strain? And what was God’s plan in bringing Tom and Callie together—marriage or merely answers for her questions about Bryan’s death?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Christian Romance

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has received numerous literary honors, including two Christy Awards and RT Book Review Magazine’s 2012 Career Achievement Award. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous end to a great series! While these are cozy, clean mysteries with Christian main characters, they are never fluffy. I loved that in each book I learned a lot about a new location, another type of charity, and an additional aspect of PI work. The mysteries in each are clever and intriguing and the over-arching mystery of the series came to a satisfying end with this final book. Callie’s journey is an inspiring one and I am so glad I read this series.

[Cheryl-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite of the five books but you have to read the first four (which I loved also!) to really understand this one! It's a real roller coaster of emotions!

Just reread this and I really do love it. Such a great series. This one and Quarter for a Kiss are my favorites but they are best read in order. I recommend these to EVERYONE!

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, it's offical...I putting this series on my shelf along with the O'Malley series. I loved everything about these books! This last one was good. I liked how Clark wrapped up the series (and I like that it was in my part of the country :-)

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books 4 & 5 in this series were the best in the series, in my opinion. This book was full of intrigue, and was a satisfying conclusion to the series. Callie didn't always make wise decisions, and she ended up lying quite a bit in the course of her investigation, but she also had a guilty conscience and repented. The theology was a bit weak, and some parts were a bit unbelievable, but overall a good finish to the series. I'm glad I read the whole series, but not a series I desire to have as a part of my own collection.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally great! I wish that this wasn't the end of the series. I would really like to know what happens next. Keep on writing them Mindy!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad this series has ended!

[Daynagirl17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series! 4th & 5th were my favorites!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to say that book 5 redeemed the series. Finally, after stringing us along, the book concludes the only way it could after so many near missed opportunities and hints. I began reading this book still feeling agitated at how annoying I found book 4. Did not like the abrupt ending. It took me a few chapters to make peace with the storyline and simply go with it. Several surprising truths were at last uncovered, confessions made and hearts mended. I’m one of the few that enjoyed the visit by the US President. Perfectly written scene in my eyes. Some wish the series went on. My opinion differs. It was too long. I think that the series could have been condensed with book 4 and 5 made into one book. Giving this series an overall solid 4 stars. I do appreciate the cleanliness in language and modesty in behavior and dress that kept this book enjoyable. Giving Mindy 5 stars for the gift of clean writing. And a solid 4 stars for the series.

[Anis Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great reading. This is my first book from Mindy (and my first Christian fiction/romance). I never read the other four books before (which I really want to read rn after this book). I like the dynamic between Callie and Tom. Even in this book they just mentioned about small kiss and touch, but I can feel the warmth of their love. i fall in love with them.

The storyline is full of suspense and the pace is just now from one clue to another. You will not feeling bored. It makes you want to finish this book in one sitting because you want to know the answer. Hope to see more about Callie and Tom but this book did have a good closure for both.

Great job Mindy for this book!

p/s: If anyone got other book suggestions like this one, I would really like to know. Feel happy to drop your favs

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ball was in Callie's court, how hard did she want to solve it. The man who killed her husband is somehow connected to Tom, the man she now loves. The office, the foundation, is it all a ruse, the money comes for the grants. A different way of looking into a mystery. To solve, then maybe her and Tom could be together. or would the truth and his connection to what happened with her husband, destroy it. Great series, and this was a good plot. Full of enough twists and with the hope of a happy ending.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to this series, this is in my opinion, the best book. Followed by 2, 1 3 ,and 4. While 4 veers off away from charity and who done it mystery. This book is right back to what makes the first 3 so good. The nest part is the romantic tension is back as Callie is investigating Tom and his connection to her husband's death.
I remembered a good chunk of the reason and that final scene with the president. But forgot the culprit and many of the clues so it was wonderful to reread. Had me right up to the reveal.
Also finished this a lot quicker than the last one. Solid 5 stars from me

[LadySnowAngel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars only because it's the end of The Million Dollar Mysteries, otherwise it would be 2 stars. I wasn't impressed with this entry in the series, it was not pleasurable to read about Callie in The Buck Stops Here and it felt like the last couple chapters were cramming in the expected ending.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read by Ruth Ann Phimister, This was a great finish book to the Million Dollar Mystery Series. I thought it would be boring as it was evident it was going to finish up the series but it is a stand-alone book and Mindy Clark did a good job. Is is a page-turner mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A nice mix of mystery and romance (not too gooey).

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up
An excellent conclusion to the series and a satisfying place to stop. My only gripe is that the ending is abrupt and there isn’t enough of a glimpse of them as a future happy couple enjoying the things they worked so hard for. I did figure who the culprits were, which was satisfying, though there was another good suspect lurking also.

[Joyce Ziebell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. This is the best of the Million Mysteries series. Filled with exciting segments and mystery that slowly reveals the events and people involved in Bryan's death. Truly was captured by the escape in the swamp. And Wow a really nice ending.

[michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book and all the series

[Dawn Hosmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying ending to the series. It answers all of the lingering questions from the first four books. Going to miss Callie.

[Treva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this series could have continued at least one more book.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read.

[Sherry H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how this book wrapped everything up. An excellent series.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a must read, if you like suspenseful and lots of twists this series is for you

[Angela Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good series. It was clean and the mystery wasn't too easy to solve.

[Brooke796 ☼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable satisfactory ending.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad the series is over but it was nice to have the story wrapped up.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent and satisfying end to the series.

[Mary Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the whole series!

[Bm · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

[Kimberly Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Lyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best book if the series. But I am disappointed that I read someone's review on here prior to reading and it wasn't marked as a spoiler alert, and they did spoil it. I felt that this book did deserve more than a four star, but not enough for a five.
So here is my spoiler alert-
I agree that the meeting of the president was over the top. But I was happy that Callie and Toms relationship ended up on a great note with them getting married. I was surprised that the Cajon guy was James partner. I liked him and was hoping he wasn't the bad guy that he turned out to be.