Mystery Book Spot is pleased to announce a new contest. Suspicious Circumstances by Sandra Ruttan. Here is my review.
So Brian, what is Suspicious Circumstances about?
Reporter Lara Kelly is anxious to put her journalism career on the right path. When a man shows up in her office with a video that appears to show a woman falling to her death she’s intrigued, but suspicious. The man claims he went to the police and that they refused to investigate.
Unsure if the tape is a hoax, Lara proceeds cautiously. When she pulls together enough evidence to print a story about an apparent suicide, the local police captain is furious.
Detective Tymen Farraday, the newest cop in a precinct plagued by scandal and rumours of corruption, is ordered to investigate and discredit the reporter if necessary. When potential evidence is stolen and Lara is attacked, Farraday is forced to put his grudge against reporters aside and work with Lara to solve the murder while trying to protect her from the killer.
Just when they think they have the evidence to arrest a suspect, two more murders turn the investigation in an unexpected direction.
The guilty have already shown that they’ll stop at nothing to protect their secrets.
In a town where one person holds all the power, not even the police can be trusted.
And their prime suspect isn’t the only person Lara and Farraday need to worry about.
What are others saying about Suspicious Circumstances?
Clive Cussler wrote:
“”SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES has to be one of the most satisfying mysteries going that grips the reader from beginning to end. Ruttan has a spellbinding style.”"
Booklist wrote:
“..there is never a dull moment. It’s a hard book to put down.”
Ken Bruen wrote:
““Here is the new voice, and what a voice! Eloquent, sassy, compassionate and written with a style so assured it’s hard to believe it’s a debut… This is talent writ huge.””
Cornelia Read wrote:
““Sandra Ruttan’s SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES is crime fiction with booster jets–a white-hot blazing ride sure to slam you down some of the darkest, twistiest back alleys that ever corrupted a small city’s secret heart.””
Robert Fate wrote:
“Sandra Ruttan’s SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES soars. It is complex, exciting, and elegant. In musical terms, it’s listening to Bach. I’m in love with Lara Kelly, the smart, strong, vulnerable protagonist. Her detective lover better move fast or I’m in there. A gripping adventure, a large cast of marvelous characters, and twists that follow turns. Read it. You’ll love it too.”
Anne Frasier wrote:
“Secrets and lies, new murders and old, all unravel and unwind within the pages of SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES to create a complex and compelling crime-fiction debut. Sandra Ruttan has a keen eye for description, a wonderful ear for dialogue, and an acute instinct for the nuances of characterization.”
J B Thompson wrote:
“Sandra Ruttan has graced the world of psychological thrillers with this fast-paced, absorbing tale, fraught with corruption, murder, mistrust, a number of unconscionable villains and two exceptionally likable protagonists, all craftily entangled in a delightfully twisted plot. Sit back and be prepared to get lost in this riveting story, because you won’t want to put it down until you’ve turned the very last page.”
Bill Cameron wrote:
“SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES grabs you by the throat on a storm-swept cliff’s edge, and never lets go. Sandra Ruttan writes with a machine gun rhythm that pulls you through every unexpected twist and dark turn in her complex and richly drawn debut. Don’t have plans when you sit down to read this tasty, dazzling thriller. Every page of SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES leaves you gasping—and begging for more.”
J T Ellison wrote:
“SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES twists and turns and twists again, leaving the reader breathless and unsure which end is up. And that’s just the beginning. Ruttan’s deft touch intrigues and satisfies, making her a powerful new force in the mystery field.”
Julia Buckley wrote:
“In a town plagued by corruption and peopled with citizens afraid to talk, cop Tymen Farraday and reporter Lara Kelly form an uneasy alliance to investigate a mysterious videotape which hints at the death of a woman. In SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, Sandra Ruttan has created a gritty suspense novel driven by realistic dialogue and a knowledge of the unpredictable legal system. She also explores the potential for evil in the human heart, even as her protagonists, emotionally guarded but touchingly brave, try to delve into that very depravity. SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES is a plot with endless twists and turns, lots of unexpected heroes and villains, and enough unanswered questions to keep you reading to the very end!”
Russel McLean wrote:
“A well executed procedural with a spark between our protagonists, an excellent feel for political machinations on a small town scale and a plot that twists and turns like a bad tempered rattlesnake.”
Sharon Wildwind wrote:
“Sandra Ruttan weaves a delicious tale of cops and reporters. I learned things about both that I never expected. A real treasure.”
Tracy Sharp wrote:
“SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES is by turns riveting, haunting, funny and chilling. The plotting is masterful, the characters absolutely crackle with life. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been so drawn into a story. Fantastic debut!.”
Who Can Win?
Open to all FBS Members.
How do you Win?
Send me a PM with Suspicious Circumstances as the subject and you are entered.
What is the deadline?
Send your PM anytime before April 20th. The winner will be randomly selected and announced soon after.
