This 9th book in Terry Odell’s Mapleton Mystery series pits Gordon against a cat-and-mouse killer.Someone is playing a game with Mapleton’s Chief of Police … and it’s deadly.For Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler, life has become predictably boring—despite being a newlywed. Being a husband is great. Dealing with nothing but parking violations, speeders, and the occasional disorderly complaint is … disorderly complaint is monotonous. Gordon wonders if he’s been so busy dealing with “Chief Stuff” that he’s lost his edge as a street cop. Especially when his biggest challenges are handling the penny-pinching mayor and deciding what goes into the station’s vending machines. A few anonymous prank letters are about the only ‘non-normal’ things to hit his desk, but they’re a puzzle, not a threat.
When a tragic car accident kills a friend, Gordon soon learns it was no accident. Determined this is the case meant to pull him out of his workplace rut, Gordon delves into the investigation. He and his colleagues uncover a string of similar murders all across the country over the last 20-odd years. Then, going through a victim’s personal effects, Gordon discovers the same type of anonymous letters that he’s been receiving. Now it’s a race against the clock to find the killer before another victim is chosen.
Or is Gordon the next casualty on the killer’s list?
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A fine procedural series gets another great addition. I come to these stories for the page-turner plotting, but stay for the characters, who feel as real as my next-door neighbors (and as potentially dangerous as any stranger on the street). Can be read in any order, but I’ve appreciated the character development as the series has progressed.
Deadly Fun earns 5+/5 Cryptic Red Folders…Compelling Page-Turner Drama!
Nathan “Nate” Romash retired to Mapleton a decade ago and became a valued volunteer for both the fire department and the civilian patrol. He was also a good friend of Chief Gordon Hepler which makes notifying his wife of his tragic death difficult. It’s more difficult now the forensics report indicates it wasn’t an accident. Jurisdiction makes it necessary to work closely with county officials to seek the real crime scene, compile Nate’s movements, and review available evidence. His phone is missing, and the mystery of a package he may or may not have picked up is a puzzle challenging everyone. Additionally, Hepler finds a red folder on his desk with an envelope addressed to him personally and inside a cryptic message “Hey, Gordon…” Curious prank? It’s even more curious when a second cryptic message arrives, and no one is taking credit for having put it on his desk. Curious threat? The victim also received anonymous messages and the team uncovers similar murders across the country for the past several years. Hepler and his team have their work cut out for them…a killer is on the loose!
“Deadly” Entertaining! Terry Odell has again grabbed my attention 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, but you can’t overlook the entire series…
Police Chief Gordon Hepler is saddened by the death of his friend, a civilian colleague beloved by everyone. But when it turns out the guy’s car accident was not the cause of his demise, Gordon goes on the hunt for a devious killer. At first he doesn’t associate the strange letters he’s been getting with the case, but it soon becomes evident that he might be another intended victim. Can he find the killer first before he’s the next target? If you like finely-tuned police procedurals, you’ll follow the trail along with Gordon to the exciting conclusion. Gordon is a well-rounded character whose appeal will hold your interest as he follows a logical path to solve the crime. Disclaimer – I received an advance reading copy from the author. This review is freely given and is my honest opinion.
Deadly Fun is my new favorite story in author Terry Odell’s police procedural series. Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler and his officers find themselves on the trail of a vicious killer. It’s a race against time to see if Gordon can catch the killer before there’s another victim.
Twists and turns that will keep you guessing!
Muddy Rose Reviews
Deadly Fun by Terry Odell
***I received an ARC copy of ‘Deadly Fun’, and I review when, where, and how I choose to***
I am already familiar and a fan of with Ms. Odell’s work, having read most of her Blackthorne, Inc. series. As a result, I found myself looking forward to getting into ‘Deadly Fun’, the latest installment of her Mapleton Mystery series.
And what a delight it was.
From the first paragraph, Ms. Odell weaves a vivid landscape of the town and its inhabitants, particularly the Police Chief, Gordon Hepler, his wife Angie, and his fellow officers. It’s important here for me to note that this was my very first encounter with the Mapleton Mystery series, but this book brought forward just enough backstory that I was very comfortable with my understanding of the characters and their dynamics as I was reading. (And as a side note, I will now be diving into the preceding books in this series, as well.)
The story had perfect pacing, not too fast and not too slow, with interesting supplemental characters that enhanced the reader’s journey as Chief Hepler works to identify and catch a serial killer. The narration lent itself well to building a mind’s eye picture of a small-town atmosphere. Main characters were three-dimensional and well fleshed out, with traits and habits and quirks that brought each one to life in a very authentic way.
A few twists and turns along the way also kept me riveted and quickly turning pages to see what came next.
A thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted story!
Police Chief Gordon Hepler has settled in to married life with his dear wife Angie. For the police in Mapleton, speeding tickets and minor violations are the norm until one of his civilian patrol members is killed. Although it appeared to be an accident, they soon learn that it was a homicide. With assistance from the sheriff’s office, they search for clues as to who would have wanted the man dead. In the meantime, Gordon has received a letter from an unknown source, then a second letter and a package. When it is revealed that a previous victim received similar letters, Gordon realizes that someone might be after him and with no idea why. An entertaining small-town Mapleton mystery. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)