A small town, retired security investigator offers his pro-bono services to help local police and the FBI solve a 17 year old missing persons, cold case.
Read the 5 star reviews please.
Ex security and criminal investigator Jake Vincent and his wife Barbara built their dream retirement hoe in the mountains. The small, quiet, resort-recreational community was the perfect place after Jake's hectic business career traveling the world under contract to government facilities, nuclear plants, military and large industrial clients. Jake was soon bored with the quiet life, and responded to their weekly newspaper's story about a seventeen year old missing person's cold case. Offering his assistance to the police as a pro-bono investigator brought some unexpected and dangerous threats from a person or persons unknown. The FBI is brought in as the crime of possible past multiple murders comes to light. Jake might have bit off more than he can chew as his life is threatened. Police inspector Hannity and FBI special agent Sam Jenkins play a major role in the case with too many suspects.
Excerpt
All of a sudden, I heard a loud bang! The picture window shattered with sharp shards of glass showering me and my desk. “Holy shit!” I yelled as I swiveled my chair and hit the floor next to the desk. Wham! My forehead banged against the edge of the desk and I saw stars for a split second. I reached up and felt blood. I crawled around the side of the desk for cover. A nasty bump was growing on my throbbing forehead. I looked up at the shattered window and then the opposite wall. High up near the ceiling I saw what my brain was telling me. There was a neat bullet hole in the wall about six inches from the ceiling of my office.
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Reviews for "Mystery at Deadfall Lake"
Reviewed by Joyce Stewart
10/15/2018
This is the first book of this authors that I have read. It was pretty good.Started off very slow but then it just kinda sucks you in with action and from there it is a steadily paced story with twists, turns . Im glad i stuck with it. The setting is in a small town which i love.The main character Jake is a senior citizen who is retired. He was funny at times but very likeable. If you love mystery solving and smart characters, read this book. Thanks for the chance to read this book. Looking foward to see what e)se this author has in store for us.
Reviewed by Laura H.
8/14/2018
The easy-to-read font and the size of the book (to hold or put in a tote), picturesque cover, and in paperback were great marketing on the part of the author and/or publishing team.
I would recommend this book to that reader who wants to read a mystery without all the blood and gore.
Focus of the book enabled this reader to better follow the story and become familiar with the characters. Watching the investigation unfold, from the first contact, added to the solemn nature of the event and also to the continuing criminal actions in this small community.
The snooping around years later highlights the desperation of the criminal element to never be found out. We are also given a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes' conversations of law enforcement trying to stop a prisoner's parole.
I reached an opinion early on that Wendy and Roy were no longer alive and was sitting on pins and needles to find out if the bodies would be found and if anyone would be held accountable. Fascinating for the puzzle pieces to come together--and in time.
As this story unfolds, the reader observes how one retired person's life spirals out of control over what are assumed innocent inquiries. Boy---from wanting to simply volunteer time and experienced services on an age-old event to life and death situations---is quite the tale and has all the making of a television series or movie.
While labeled fiction, the parallels throughout the story to real life is chilling. The ability of a young Wendy to know this guy was creepy and dissuade any relationship shows maturity well beyond her years.
this story is a reminder that there are unknown angels in our communities giving their time and experienced services when and where needed. Examining the relationship between the police, FBI, and this volunteer and his wife exhibits--it can be done with amazing results.
Reviewed by Brittany Dalton
6/20/2018
Recently retired Jake git bored. That situation changes quickly when he becomes involved in the investigation of a seventeen year old cold case. But little did Jake know what would be revealed. Mystery At Deadfall Lake is a well crafted story about perseverance , dedication , and cooperation.the characters blend together perfectly.the story is fast paced. I highly recommend reading this an axing story. I am so glad I git the chance to read it.
Reviewed by E Harris
5/25/2018
Recently retired, Jake is a bit bored. That situation changes rapidly when he becomes involved in the investigation a seventeen year old cold case. Little did he know what would be revealed.
Mystery At Deadfall Lake is the well crafted story about perseverance, dedication and cooperation. The well defined and realistic characters blend together perfectly. The story is detailed, fast moving and engrossing. I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Solid Amateur Detective (Cozy) Mystery with Great Series Lead Character!
By Glenda on March 2, 2018
As a senior citizen who retired, moved into a log cabin, and never stopped "working" (yes, writing reviews is work, even though it's fun for me), I was immediately drawn to the main character, Jake Vincent, who, after building a cabin in the woods of the Klamath Mountains of Northern California and settled in, it wasn't long before the couple began to wonder...just what do you do when retired?
Jake had just got done reading the local newspaper--the second time--cover to cover, but when Barb put down her book, she saw a short story that Jake had missed...in the "blast from the past" section...They read about a cold case from 17 years ago when a young couple went on a hike and was never heard from again. The key part of the article was that the reporter asked if anyone had any current information that might justify re-opening the case. It was Barb that suggested that he dig into the mystery from so long ago. Before it was over, they both might have regretted that day they chose to get involved...
Revitalized almost immediately, Jake first went to the town police station. Inspector Hannity Inspector, knowing he was retired, immediate asked why he would be asking about the cold case; but after Jake presented his work credentials--and admitted he was bored--the officer agreed to share the case!
Basically, there wasn't anything in the file other than that the couple seemed normal--hadn't been in trouble in any way and their grades were above average... Wendy's mother still lived in town so Jack had his first step determined after he talked further with the Inspector. Once he got as much information from him, and got approval to proceed, Jack immediately proceeded... He had already been hooked from the time he had read the article!
But after just a few contacts, Jake noticed there might be somebody following him!
Fortunately, there were three of Wendy's classmates still in town and were happy to help if they could... and learned of at least one possible villain--Al Jerkovick! Quite a name for a villain, right? LOL
And they had seen the old gray pickup truck around town but did not know who drove it...
And it was after the meeting with them that Jake's vehicle was damaged--the front windows had been broken out and now covered the seats!
After discovering that Jerkovick was in prison and soon up for parole, Hannity and Jake were soon working with the local police there to bring them up to date of his possible connection to the cold case... The investigation continued on with normal police procedural interviews, but as more and more was discovered, the FBI was soon involved...
Jake was how thinking it was a good thing since he'd been growing more and more concerned and overwhelmed...
This is the first amateur detective (cozy mystery) in which the amateur looked realistically into what was being found and knew that it was now a police case... I appreciated that since some of the books in the genre have the detective walking into some really dangerous situations. I also appreciated how the civilian investigator was molded gracefully into the ongoing case followup. I am sure he was permitted to continue to a great extent because of his former government activities, but the relationship with the police was respectful and considerate, while ensuring that Jake's personal attacks which had continued were stopped and he was safe...
And, then, Jake would have an idea, go off on his own...well, he wasn't totally willing to give up on "his" case...
The book is steady, intriguing, as people became involved and clues were identified. It's a solid cold case murder mystery that keeps readers interested through to the end...But Jake and Barb? They were both ready for that vacation away from it all! If you enjoy cozy/amateur detective mysteries, I think you'll happily follow Jake through this cold case and look forward to the next in series. Highly recommended...
Book eight in my Belinda Lawrence Classic Mysteries. Mysteries confront amateur sleuths, Belinda Lawrence and Hazel Whitby in the Somerset village of Milford.
Among the eccentrics is the shadowy Madam Malefic.
