Five days after a tragic fall kills her 10-year-old son, Blair Bradshaw, an actress with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is found dead. Her husband, Franklin Bradshaw, an esteemed criminal defense attorney, discovers her body. It is carefully displayed under her son’s tree house, among the flowers and other memorabilia left at the site of his death.Franklin insists her death is a suicide brought … suicide brought on by the loss of their son. But Detective Radhauser finds evidence at the scene—bloody shoe prints on one of the rocks in the nearby creek, the careful way the body is arranged, and the fact that no weapon is found near her body—that leads him to believe otherwise.
Was it grief that killed her? Or was it murder?
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Two little boys are playing as they do every day after school when tragedy strikes. One is killed while the other loses his best friend. One day after school is about to change one little boy’s life forever.
A woman is found dead in the same place where her son died. Everyone believes it to be suicide that a mother is so distraught over losing her son that she cannot live without him.
A baby went missing ten years ago and every year the baby’s parents go see Detective Radhauser for an update on their baby. Will this be the year that he can give them some good news for a change? Has their baby been found?
I love these Winston Radhauser Mystery stories. Each and every one of them is told in a way that they touch you deeply and they make you feel so much. Each story pulls at your heart and leaves you in tears. I love each and every one of these stories and the people whose lives are turned upside down.
Susan knows how to tell a story or tell the stories of our characters and Detective Radhauser knows how to speak for the dead. He gathers up all the information and learns their stories so he can tell them and make the bad people pay for the wrongs they have done.
I love how the parents of one little boy deals with the situation they find their selves in. I love how they asked the little boy what he would like to do because it is his life they are trying to decide and he is the one who has to live it. I love how the parents are so mature to make one little boy happy. It just goes to show how much love these people have in their hearts and how they put others before themselves. Extended families are awesome or so I think well not think as I know a few myself and I am happily a part of one myself.
Bloody Creek Murder is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time to come as with all of Susan Clayton-Goldner’s novels seem to do. So now I am anxiously waiting the next Winston Radhauser Mystery and recommend all of Susan’s books to all mystery fans.
Detective Radhauser is a career officer who has seen his share of grief, loss and sometimes justice. He has not lost his compassion or commitment to his job over the years.
He still is haunted by the disappearance of a baby taken and never found. The parents Sean and Holly Patterson still drop in yearly to remind him of their son.
Blair Bradshaw, married to Franklin, a hot shot lawyer, has been found dead and the hubby says it’s suicide. It seems her son had died after a fall and she was found near his treehouse. But this detective never assumes, he pays attention and sees it as murder.
This author then introduces Carl and Holden as father and son and takes us into their lives.
They are both keeping secrets and the detective wants answers. You care immediately for this family of two. Radhauser also looks into Blair’s past and carefully unlocks her secrets with respect. The past had come back for Blair and the present is now hitting Sean and Holly as new evidence suggests their baby boy is alive. The good news will devastate another family.
This detective has a big heart as he tries to do what is bedt fir everyone as this murder impacts so many others. He discovers that even people who kill, sometimes have a story wirth listening to. The ending is extremely profound and wonderful. 5 big stars. More a family drama than a straight mystery.. .loved it
Blair Bradshaw’s 10 year old son fell from his tree house to his death. Several days later she is found dead near the tree house. It appears to be suicide, but evidence proves it is murder. This is another great story from this author. Detective Radhauser is in charge of investigating the murder. The next door neighbor finds out a secret about his dead wife and his son. There are parts of the story that bring tears to your eyes. I was hooked on the novel from the beginning.
Warning; might want a tissue for first chapter.
No one should have to go through what happens in chapter one . But a child…… I can not imagine how that follows you and the damage that is done ( and to his poor ‘soul’) no matter what anyone tells you. My heart goes out to him. To add insult to injury: lose your substitute mother? Poor child. I want to say more but then I would spoil the book. Read and tell me.
I am still heart sick even writing this.
Blair’s reaction to her childhood is a very common event and reaction. I personally have a person in my life that had similar things happen. Can you imagine, what message that is to give to someone. Confused? Read the book and it will make sense.
This story looks at relationships. Secrets. Childhood Trauma. Adulthood.
I love Wind. If only real cops were like him. Compassion galore. Need more of that in real life. he keeps his humanity while still being a cop. A true rarity.
I have read four out six in this series. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
You can read them as standalone, though there are references to previous events, but not anything that you cannot follow.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
This is a great series!
The accidental falling death of a 10-year-old boy is tragic enough, but when the body of his mother, a well-known actress, is found dead amid his memorial it rocks their small community. At first glance, it looks like a suicide but closer inspection of the scene by Detective Radhauser points to other causes and his list of suspects begins to expand.
The characters are believable and the author did a great job of building suspense and creating a realistic crime mystery. I like Detective Winston Radhauser’s character. He has human emotions and empathy while still being very professional.
The story is well-written and I recommend it for crime novel enthusiasts. I received a complimentary copy but my opinions are honest and voluntary.
Detective Radhauser is a amazing man. You can see how he will go out of his way to solve a case no matter how old the cases are. Holden is a amazing little boy who’s life was turned upside down. The author will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next in this story. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could.
Bloody Creek Murder by Susan Clayton Goldner
A Winston Radhauser Mystery #6
Winston Radhauser loves his family and his job. He is sharp as a tack and manages to solve murder cases one after another. It is interesting that as he finds out who the murderer is there are usually side stories that pop up that are as intriguing as the main murder mystery that the story revolves around. Unwilling to take the easy way out Radhauser follows each link in the chain that will eventually take him to the murderer. Along the way he learns more about the person murdered, the people in the murdered person’s life, what motivated the murderer and in this book he uncovers what happened to a boy who went missing years before.
Every time I pick up a book by this author I know it will be well written, draw me in, invoke feelings and that I will walk away remembering the story for a long time. I enjoy Radhauser’s empathy, determination and love for his family. In this story I loved the way two families worked together to provide the best life for a young boy. I could even empathize, a bit, with the murderer. All in all I loved this story and highly recommend it. I am eager to read whatever this author writes next.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Susan Clayton-Goldner’s latest book, Bloody Creek Murder, is perhaps her best in the Winston Radhauser series. She writes with clarity and depth. Her written words describing scenery in and around Medford, Oregon, puts you there among the falling leaves, the crisp Siskiyou Mountains and the fast running creeks.
Once she’s brought you into “her” scene, there is a murder(s) and Detective Radhouser is assigned to the solve the case. Radhauser leaves no stone un-turned until his gut says he’s got his man.
Goldner is graphic in her descriptions of the murder scenes as well as the depth of feeling those involved are experiencing. Loss, grief, and terror surrounding a loved one is difficult to write; Goldner nails it!
I’m rarely moved when reading, yet Bloody Creek Murder was poignant for me at every turn. This mystery involves 2 10 year-old boys who are best friends. The story begins with tragedy that forever changes them and those around them. Perhaps that’s why I was so drawn into the story, our hearts always go out to children.
The tale itself is well-woven by Goldner. She keeps the reader guessing (and thinking, “no it can’t be!”) and she expertly drops tasty clues along the way that keep the reader guessing (and turning pages). Once Radhauser has his man in cuffs; Goldner neatly ties it all together with a surprising end.
I’ve read all the Radhauser books and this is Goldner’s most well-written. Her writing and tale-telling has always been impeccable from the start, yet I can see improvement with each mystery. Another interesting element of Goldner’s writing is that she shows compassion and understanding for the underdog, even if he or she is the murderer. Commendable.
Cynthia B./Author