Seeds of Vengeance

Kendall O'Dell #4

by Sylvia Nobel

When the grisly remains of a prominent judge are discovered at a secluded Arizona guest ranch, Castle Valley reporter Kendall O’Dell jumps on the story. But as the details of the crime begin to emerge, Kendall’s fiancé, Tally Talverson insists that, for her own safety, she withdraw from the investigation. She reluctantly agrees only to be drawn back in after Tally’s disapproving mother reveals a shocking secret. The unexpected conclusion will leave you gasping with surprise!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Ebooks, Amazon

396 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Sylvia Nobel, a resident of Arizona since 1961, is the author of the best-selling Kendall O'Dell mystery series. She is also one of the producers of the new feature film Deadly Sanctuary, based on the first book in the series. The 5th book, Forbidden Entry has now been released. Her breathtaking descriptions of the Arizona desert illustrate her love affair with the state's unique beauty. Her main protagonist, feisty, flame-haired reporter Kendall O'Dell has been described by readers as a modern day grown up "Nancy Drew" or a younger Jessica Fletcher from "Murder She Wrote". Her books are available from Nite Owl Books as well as major booksellers worldwide. Readers can participate in an adventure that provides the true ambiance of the modern west with each based on actual cases gleaned from news articles. The attention to detail and the eloquence of the masterfully written stories, will give the reader a vivid picture as well as present great insight into these well researched contemporary tales. Best yet, her judicious use of language makes readers comfortable sharing these books with teens and seniors alike. She follows the same pattern with the film, Deadly Sanctuary, which has received a PG-13 rating making it suitable for just about everyone!

Reviews

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and know that I enjoyed it very much but I can’t remember anything about it now!! There is an ex-finance that pisses Kendall off, i remember that much and that was fun!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the storyline, one filled with murder, deception and family secrets but felt parts of it rambled on with details that didn't add much. Fast read, but admittedly there were paragraphs that I skipped over because it just had flowery descriptions of the landscape. An "okay" first novel of a trilogy but not sure I will seek out the remaining two episodes.

[Sidna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more like an old-fashioned murder mystery than Nobel's other books. In this one, intrepid girl reporter Kendall O'Dell is looking for a serial killer. I enjoyed the book and didn't figure out who the killer was until about the same time as Kendall.

Kendall's relationship with her fiancé, Tally, is interesting since he never seems to be around. Either Kendall leaves him in pursuit of a hot story or he is off buying or selling horses. I've read a lot of murder mystery or courtroom drama books with a male main character who has a different love interest in every book. At the end of some of them it seems as though they have found "the one," but by the beginning of the next book, the romance has fizzled. It is refreshing to read about a main character who has the same love interest from book to book, but I'm surprised they don't spend much time together, especially since they both work for the same newspaper. One interesting aspect of this book is that Kendall's former fiancé who dumped her before she moved to Arizona, shows up and wants her back. A fun read.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read, good entertainment story. I have enjoyed this series but do have problems with the characters. Why would a strong resourceful woman pick a man who doesn't support her in her chosen career? I don't understand that part of the story.

I enjoy the mysteries and how they get solved though couldn't figure out what one character's having fibromyalgia had to do with the story. I have fibro so it was interesting to see a character in a book with it but there was no reason in the story to even mention it. Apparently this was the reason to suspect her (she was taking Vicodin). Oh well......

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable Kendall O'Dell mystery. Well plotted and written. The descriptions of the scenery were excellent. I could close my eyes and see every vista in my minds eye. Even though I figured out whodunnit several chapters before it was revealed, I was only mildly disappointed with what I considered a bit of a letdown in the last chapters. I guess I was hoping for more action that just didn't materialize. All that said I highly recommend the book and sincerely hope there are more Kendall O'Dell mysteries to come. SOON!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely better than the previous installation in this series, but I'm still disturbed by some characterizations, like the Hispanic housekeeper saying "Meester Talverson" - I see no reason ever to do that. Ever. If you can't convey your characters other than in gross caricature, you might consider a different line of work . . . . . . .

[BRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable light mystery, although I figured out whodunit long before the protagonist. On the rare occasions when this happens, I get so annoyed that the "detective" can't see what's right in front of their faces.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Kendall O'Dell series and it was very good but I will go back to my stand that series books are best read in order. I am waiting to get Dark Moon Crossing, the third book in the series, through interlibrary loan. In the meantime, my library had Seeds of Vengeance so I went ahead and got it and read it. Although it technically can be read as a stand-alone it refers back to things that happened in Dark Moon Crossing quite a bit. So now I already know some of the things that are going to happen in Dark Moon Crossing which is a bummer (for me).

I sort of guessed "who dun-it" before the reveal but wasn't sure. (Obviously I'm not going to tell you who--read the book, it's a good one).

I hope that Sylvia Nobel hurries up and gets book 5 out SOON!

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all 4 in the Kendall O'Dell series and have loved all of them. Sylvia Nobel throws so many different scenarios and suspicious characters at you that it is next to impossible to try to guess who done it. Great reads! After the remains of a prominent judge are discovered at a secluded Arizona ranch you discover a connection to her fiance and his mother. From reading all of the other 3 Kendall O'Dell books you really feel for her when she is forced to keep a secret from her fiance Tally when they had promised no more secrets! It is the best in the series so far! They keep getting better. Or maybe I have become more invested in the characters and care what is happening to them more. Now I can't wait for the next book! Write Sylvia write! I also joined the https://www.facebook.com/kendallodell... and enjoy her posts.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Kendall O'Dell mystery, by Sylvia Nobel. Kendall is an investigative reporter who has relocated to Arizona for health reasons following her broken engagement. She is now engaged to a local rancher whose uncle, a judge, is found missing during a hunting trip. His body is found, in a pool on his own property, having been shot, decapitated, and miles from where he went missing. The story builds nicely and has several suspects which could be responsible for the foul deed. If you follow the story line carefully you might be able to correctly identify the murder.

I would read other books by this author and give this one a solid 4 stars.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another book for my Mystery book club...the first I have enjoyed from that club for quite some time. It is not a GREAT book, but it is ultimately readable, reasonably well written, and intriguing. I am not sure that I found the primary sleuth, Kendall O'Dell, believable, but was enticed to read this in a day. I enjoyed the literary quotations and the Arizona locations. It speaks quietly, but clearly, of the beauty of the southwest. Would have rated this a 3.5, almost 4, but not quite.

[Claudine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting who-done-it, which is pretty well written, but I guessed the two main plot twists and culprit, so I don't think that makes me brilliant, but rather that most of the clues were laid out in an obvious way, with tons of red herrings. A quick read and pretty well written, but, in my opinion, NOT an outstanding not to miss book.

[Alec Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written whodunit. The story moves along with plenty of fast paced action. I think you should read the series in order but the book can technically be a stand alone read. While you won't have to sit on the edge of your seat I highly recommend this series of books.

[bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star read

I reviewed this when I finished reading it, but Kindle app ate my review again. Pacing felt a bit slower in later parts. But I liked the MC. Would read more. This one was stronger than first in series I'd read day or two earlier.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery set in Arizona! I recommend this series.

[Diane Noonan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read. Enjoyed the mystery.
Take to the pool, day at the beach or your vacation, you won't be sorry.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good...not quite as good and her others but still a good read.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! Good series! Best one yet. Lots of action, lots of twists and turns.

[Elizabeth Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read

[Nancy Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending . I look forward to reading more of Sylvia books.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freeload Friday Nook

[Rick Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written whodunit. Nice twists and turns. My first "Kendall O`Dell" character book, but I will be looking for her again. Was worth my time to read this. Good job Sylvia

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

investigative reporter checks into a bizarre local murder that turns out to have deep personal connection to her fiance.

[Dixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story..easy read.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun read. Nice murder mystery set in modern times. Well worth the read.

[Charlene Bridgeford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellentto

The book left me anxious to get back to it, Sylvia Nobel is a most delightful author, to leave it was to hard for me to do, I really enjoy her novels.

[barbara evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read

This story is exceptional with the plot, the characters and the quotes. I was really surprised at the outcome but enjoyed it to the end.

[Mary Ann Bahler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good page turner -- it kept me guessing along the way.

[Brandi Mclean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense with twists and turns! Best Kendall O'Dell Mystery yet!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kendall moved to a different place after she broke up with her boyfriend. Found another fellow Tally there and they decide to get married but didnt want to tell his Mother due to her health issues. Someone really close to her recently passed away and died a horrible death . A Judge who was shot in the head then also they removed his head before getting rid of his body. Tallys mom was arguable and mean alot and didnt seem to like Kendall at all. But one day they had a talk and she ask her to help find who committed the murder. But not to tell Tally she was working on investigating that. So Tally decided to wait awhile till his Mom was better to tell them about getting married. Toward the end Kendall gets close to finding out who committed the murder ( she wrote for a news company) Her old boyfriend shows up - lot more going on. Did Tally mom tell Kendall the big secret she has been keeping , and should Kendall tell Tally about it. Do they end up getting married after all ?