"Deadly Fun" By Terry Odell: Review/Giveaway

by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook or print copy of this book (winner’s choice), and a link to purchase it.

“Oh, to be in charge!”
Gordon Hepler is the police chief for the small community of Mapleton, Colorado, and although he accepted the position as a promise to his late mentor Chief Dixon, he’s afraid the mundane nature of the job (Chief Stuff: paperwork, budgets, politics) may be effecting his skills or instincts as a cop. However, after discussing the pros and cons of the job with his recently-made-official wife Angie, he renegotiated his contract, secured extra funding, and signed on again as Chief. Hepler’s team consists of Laurie, his administrative assistant without whom he’d have a lot more to do then he does, and his most experienced officer Ed Solomon, who himself acted as Chief when Hepler was on a suspension vacation. He deals with a mayor who pinches every penny and his doctor’s orders to reduce his caffeine intake, but it is his wife Angie, owner of the local Daily Bread café and creator of the popular and addicting cinnamon buns, that provides him his greatest support...especially when crime invades their quiet town.

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Deadly Fun earns 5+/5 Cryptic Red Folders...Compelling Page-Turner Drama!
Nathan “Nate” Romash, seventy years old, Vietnam vet, retired to Mapleton a decade ago with his wife and became a valued volunteer for both the fire department and the civilian patrol. He was also a good friend of Chief Gordon Hepler. That’s what makes notifying his wife Linda of Nate’s tragic death in a car accident difficult. It’s made more difficult now that the forensics report indicates it wasn’t an accident. Working with the county, they seek the real crime scene, compile a time line of Nate’s movements, and review what evidence is available. His phone is missing, and the mystery of a package he may or may not have picked up is a puzzle Hepler and Solomon are challenged to solve.

Due to an ordering error, the department had an abundance of red folders. Dix, the previous chief, had established, and Hepler continued, the procedure they be used for “non-emergency personal communication.” Hepler finds a red folder on his desk with an envelope addressed to him personally; inside is a cryptic message “Hey, Gordon. Long time no see. Can’t wait to get together. It’ll be fun.” from “V.” Who’s “V”? Curious prank? It’s even more curious when a second red folder appears with another cryptic “Hey Gordon” message. He knew he’d locked his office, and no one is taking credit for having put it on his desk. Curious threat?

Connections. The victim had also received anonymous messages and similar murders across the country for the past several years are uncovered. Hepler and his team have their work cut out for them...a killer is on the loose!

“Deadly” Entertaining! Terry Odell has once again grabbed my attention and never let go with a compelling police procedural that has more than one mystery intersecting into one search for a serial killer. I get a pleasant Walt Longmire vibe when reading, but don’t misunderstand, it’s not a copy cat series; Gordon Hepler is his own man, quiet, reserved, and meticulous. The drama has a cozy feel, more character driven, but with a realistic edge. The crime is cleverly depicted and revealed with intriguing issues and some personal peril; the characters are strong and skilled, and the station’s dynamics is less soap opera and more family. Terry’s writing style uses a third-person narrative putting readers in an outsider role, but it provides a well-rounded view of the investigation and all the characters. I really like the manner in which Odell organizes the drama with detailed interactions and descriptions in easily consumed chapters well-paced, detailed, not choppy...a realistic drama which also includes everyday life. I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book, Deadly Fun, but you can’t overlook the entire series... “Deadly” Entertaining!

Check out this “Deadly” Triple! My KRL review of Terry Odell’s The Mapleton Mystery Novellas Books 5-7 in the February 1, 2020 issue earns 5/5 Police Badges…Excellent!

Be a Big Terry Odell fan!

“Romance, with a twist of mystery” Terry Odell is the author of four series offering something for every fan of good writing. This eight-book Mapleton Mystery series with the three novellas grouped in an ninth book is a favorite. She also writes three romantic suspense series: nine-book Blackthorne Inc., seven-book Pine Hills Police, and three-book Triple D Ranch.

Facebook-Author Terry Odell
Website-Terry Odell
Blog-Terry’s Place

To enter to win an ebook or print copy of Deadly By Terry Odell, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "fun,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 2, 2020 . U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email and want a print copy be sure to include your mailing address. BE SURE TO STATE IF YOU WANT EBOOK OR PRINT. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week!

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:



Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Comments

  1. Sounds great! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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