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pause_theframe's review
4.0
I truly enjoyed this read. I have been in a bit of a mystery slump recently and needed something intriguing to pull me out. This book gave me everything I hoped for and more.
I found the characters had depth, especially Rory, making it much easier to be drawn in to the mystery and murder taking place. I liked that their personalities were complete and that time was taken to ensure details made sense and were very real and believable.
Overall, this is an excellent book and one I highly recommend. I cannot wait to read more by this author and in this series.
I found the characters had depth, especially Rory, making it much easier to be drawn in to the mystery and murder taking place. I liked that their personalities were complete and that time was taken to ensure details made sense and were very real and believable.
Overall, this is an excellent book and one I highly recommend. I cannot wait to read more by this author and in this series.
sparklingreader's review
4.0
Although you think this might be a cozy mystery, it’s not. It’s a detective mystery and Rory Naysmith, the detective, is no amateur. He’s 50-ish, balding, with a bit of a paunch, recovering from a heart attack that took him out of his big city and dumped him the small town of Winterset, Nebraska, in the summer. He has a sort-of girlfriend in Ester Mullins, a rookie cop/friend in Thatcher, and other characters you’ll enjoy. They are very believable for a small town. Oh, and Rory has a cat called Commando who is a character unto himself. I absolutely loved the description of Cousin Henry as “a cross between Col. Sanders and Snidely Whiplash.” I could picture the character perfectly!
Rory literally stumbles on the body of a woman who was brutally murdered (while getting his leg wedged in rocks and breaking an ankle). The murder is hauntingly reminiscent of a previous one he solved, but that perp is in jail. So who did it? And who attacked Rory? And what is going on in Winterset? Poor Rory is doing all his detecting while in a heavy cast and enlists the help of friends to help him find the killer. They discover patterns in several unsolved murders moving from Texas northward, and now in Winterset.
Fischer does a great job of sprinkling clues throughout to keep you turning the pages. The characters and settings are believable and the conclusion satisfying.
Recommendation: Yes, pick this one up for a hard-core mystery with a little romance, and great characters.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Rory literally stumbles on the body of a woman who was brutally murdered (while getting his leg wedged in rocks and breaking an ankle). The murder is hauntingly reminiscent of a previous one he solved, but that perp is in jail. So who did it? And who attacked Rory? And what is going on in Winterset? Poor Rory is doing all his detecting while in a heavy cast and enlists the help of friends to help him find the killer. They discover patterns in several unsolved murders moving from Texas northward, and now in Winterset.
Fischer does a great job of sprinkling clues throughout to keep you turning the pages. The characters and settings are believable and the conclusion satisfying.
Recommendation: Yes, pick this one up for a hard-core mystery with a little romance, and great characters.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
mommasaystoread's review
4.0
Gone Before is the second Rory Naysmith mystery, something I wasn't aware of until I started reading. One of these days, I'll check those details before I actually crack open what turns out to be part of a series. So, what I'll say about that is yes, I feel like I was behind the game a bit with getting to know the characters of small-town Winterset, but it didn't take long before I had them figured out. And those characters are part of what makes this detective mystery work so well, what makes it stand out from the crowd. Terry Korth Fischer has a great sense of humor as well as a good sense for the timing of that humor. There are many chuckle-worthy moments throughout the story, but it doesn't take away from the tension of the mystery. A small-town setting like this one with quirky characters can often fall into cozy mystery territory, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just not one of my favorite mystery sub-genres. What I do like is a good detective series with likable characters that I can follow from one case to the next. Rory Naysmith is a likable character. He's not perfect, and he's not the picture of health with a rock-hard body. Nope, he's a regular guy who happens to be good at his job, which makes him feel more realistic than he might have. The story has good pacing, and it held my interest all the way through, so I'll have to keep an eye out for whatever comes next.
rbharath's review
4.0
This is a decent crime suspense story with some nice characters.
Rory Naysmith is the police detective in the small town of Winterset, and has a cat Commander for company. He has had a heart attack and needs to be careful about his health. His partner is young rookie Thacker, who is enthusiastic to make his mark. On what appears to be routine look-in, Rory and Thacker discover a body of a young woman. It is clear there has been foul play, and the way the victim was restrained makes Rory recall an earlier case. The victim of that case over 10 years back was Emily Weir, and Tobias Snearl was found guilty and is serving his sentence. How can the modus operandi be similar then is the first question which torments Rory, or is he reading too much into what could be a coincidence? The situation grows to be tense as Rory is attacked and it appears many close to him or working on the case may be in danger as well – his partner Thacker, girlfriend Esther and the coroner Petey.
The story avoids very gory details and hence will be an easy read for anyone. The narration is honest and there are no contrived plots or twists. I liked all the characters in the story – Rory, Thacker, Esther, Peter and a few others. The plot depth could have been better though.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free electronic review copy.
Rory Naysmith is the police detective in the small town of Winterset, and has a cat Commander for company. He has had a heart attack and needs to be careful about his health. His partner is young rookie Thacker, who is enthusiastic to make his mark. On what appears to be routine look-in, Rory and Thacker discover a body of a young woman. It is clear there has been foul play, and the way the victim was restrained makes Rory recall an earlier case. The victim of that case over 10 years back was Emily Weir, and Tobias Snearl was found guilty and is serving his sentence. How can the modus operandi be similar then is the first question which torments Rory, or is he reading too much into what could be a coincidence? The situation grows to be tense as Rory is attacked and it appears many close to him or working on the case may be in danger as well – his partner Thacker, girlfriend Esther and the coroner Petey.
The story avoids very gory details and hence will be an easy read for anyone. The narration is honest and there are no contrived plots or twists. I liked all the characters in the story – Rory, Thacker, Esther, Peter and a few others. The plot depth could have been better though.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free electronic review copy.
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