Mystery writer, Austin Martell, returns home to care for his ailing mother and finds himself at the center of a real-life murder mystery. In order to solve the crime, he must confront his painful past.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It has every element that makes you not only want to keep turning the pages, but read more by this author.
The characters were warm and believable. As an author, naturally I’m always interested in books that feature authors particularly when it’s a cozy mystery author! I know Whidby Island well, and the description of it and Seattle is spot on.
The plot is wonderful. At some point we all have to go back home and face our demons. Austin does it well and the circumstances leading to his return set the stage for the wonderful story that has a number of twists and turns.
Obviously, I loved this book. It doesn’t disappoint in any area. Enjoy! I certainly did.
Author
sandylip12
3 years ago
Well written, believable storyline. The story builds up into a tornado. Some swearing.
Author
ingelisegoss
3 years ago
An Entertaining, Gripping Read
“Deception Bay” by Chris Patchell offers engaging, romantic suspense filled with unexpected twists and turns. An acclaimed cozy mystery author, Austin Martell, returns to his hometown on Whidbey Island when his mother has an accident. It’s a place he’s avoided for fifteen years, ever since his beloved brother, Scott, perished when his sail-boat sank. Beyond the Island’s bitter memories, Austin was never close to his mother, who always had made it clear that her favorite son was Scott. Traveling from Seattle to the Island on a ferry, Austin has an anxiety attack and a woman comes to his rescue. He wants to know more about her, but she departs too quickly.
When Austin arrives at the hospital to see his mother, he’s told that her injury wasn’t an accident. She had been struck on the head and was in a coma. To find out about the status of the crime, he goes to the police station to meet with the police chief. To his surprise, he comes face to face with Ellie Sharpe, the woman from the ferry.
After the guy Austin knew as the high school bully dies under suspicious circumstances and Scott’s bedroom is ransacked, long hidden secrets surrounding Scott’s tragic death begin to emerge. While investigating the crimes, Ellie and Austin are drawn closer together and the chemistry between them sizzles. Can they uncover the killer before more untimely deaths occur? Or will Austin be the next victim?
The author has expertly woven together romance, mystery, suspense, and intrigue in this entertaining read. The characters are well-developed, and the dialogue is smart and witty. I especially liked the cleverly written discourse between Austin and Ellie. “Deception Bay” is highly recommended!
Author
sherry
3 years ago
I love a prologue, especially one like Deception Bay’s that immediately hooked me and never let me go.
Austin is heading home to Whidbury Island to see about his mom, who has been in an accident.
He has a panic attack and meets Ellie.
The cat…named CAT after Inspector Clouseau’s valet because he’s sneaky and attacks when you least expect it. Makes for some hilarious scenes and I do like the extra fun with the critter.
If Austin wasn’t a writer, I might mistake him for Jim Rockford, from the Rockford Files. He’s constantly getting beat on. Love the character.
I figured out some of the mystery from the prologue, but I’m still working on the who. Why would anyone want to hurt his mother? Sure, she had issues, but who wouldn’t when their Golden Boy was taken from them before his time.
Austin is forced to face his past and the inner demons that he can’t seem to get rid of. He grows, changes, forgives and solves a couple of mysteries along the way.
Three deaths, past and present.
A wonderful tale of secrets, murder and mystery, with laughs along the way. I do love some chuckles with my murder
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Deception Bay by Chris Patchell.
I love stand-alones, I really do, but this needs to be the first in a series. It doesn’t have to be a 10 book series, 3 books would be enough. I hated to reach the end because I know there could be more. Austin has to finish everything that he started. This was an extremely good mystery that fed you clues all along the way but never hit you in the face with the murderer or the reasons why the murders were committed. Don’t ever expect a recap of the book from me. That’s your job. I’ll only tell you how much I enjoyed a book and some of the reasons why.
Author
lynnb
3 years ago
Had to read it to the end without a break – a mystery within a mystery twisted up with suspense and romance. Love the main character mystery author, Austin who is trouble by his brother’s death many years ago. He goes home to take care of his injured mother and ends up in the middle of trying to figure who and why someone attach\ked his mother and now seems to be targeting him. The chacters are all well written and enrich the twists and turns story. The setting in the pacific Northwest adds to intrigue. I definitely want to read more books by this author,
Author
jody
3 years ago
A murder mystery full of suspense with intriguing twists and turns and interesting characters engaging in some gripping interactions. A plot that centers around the death of a brother and how lies, secrets, and emotions played in several people’s lives. Love the snarky humor in some of the dialogue. I found this story to be totally captivating and one I would recommend to all my mystery reading friends.
Author
sniper318
3 years ago
this book will have you on the edge of your seat reading it! he never wanted to go back but his mother had a accident. something just doesnt add up and strange things are happening. read to find out what is going on.
Author
jafsherman65
3 years ago
This is a wonderful mystery and I give it a 4.5. It’s a little predictable but the characters are true to form and the writing is smooth.
Author
bookhound
3 years ago
As I’m reading this story, I could swear I’ve read it before but can’t find it in my purchased list. After driving myself a bit crazy, I read a few reviews and found out it was featured in the collection Love Under Fire a few months ago. One mystery solved. You will have to read the book to solve Austin’s mystery of who attacked his Mother and the mystery of his brother’s death that drove his from Whidbey Island years ago. Great characters, suspenseful, believable story. Definitely recommend this book (and the Love Under Fire collection).
Author
srmallery
3 years ago
Ms. Patchell has a style and prose I really admire. But reading this book, I was also taken by her page turning plot and edge of your seat story. Definitely recommend!
By markacooper
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It has every element that makes you not only want to keep turning the pages, but read more by this author.
The characters were warm and believable. As an author, naturally I’m always interested in books that feature authors particularly when it’s a cozy mystery author! I know Whidby Island well, and the description of it and Seattle is spot on.
The plot is wonderful. At some point we all have to go back home and face our demons. Austin does it well and the circumstances leading to his return set the stage for the wonderful story that has a number of twists and turns.
Obviously, I loved this book. It doesn’t disappoint in any area. Enjoy! I certainly did.
Well written, believable storyline. The story builds up into a tornado. Some swearing.
An Entertaining, Gripping Read
“Deception Bay” by Chris Patchell offers engaging, romantic suspense filled with unexpected twists and turns. An acclaimed cozy mystery author, Austin Martell, returns to his hometown on Whidbey Island when his mother has an accident. It’s a place he’s avoided for fifteen years, ever since his beloved brother, Scott, perished when his sail-boat sank. Beyond the Island’s bitter memories, Austin was never close to his mother, who always had made it clear that her favorite son was Scott. Traveling from Seattle to the Island on a ferry, Austin has an anxiety attack and a woman comes to his rescue. He wants to know more about her, but she departs too quickly.
When Austin arrives at the hospital to see his mother, he’s told that her injury wasn’t an accident. She had been struck on the head and was in a coma. To find out about the status of the crime, he goes to the police station to meet with the police chief. To his surprise, he comes face to face with Ellie Sharpe, the woman from the ferry.
After the guy Austin knew as the high school bully dies under suspicious circumstances and Scott’s bedroom is ransacked, long hidden secrets surrounding Scott’s tragic death begin to emerge. While investigating the crimes, Ellie and Austin are drawn closer together and the chemistry between them sizzles. Can they uncover the killer before more untimely deaths occur? Or will Austin be the next victim?
The author has expertly woven together romance, mystery, suspense, and intrigue in this entertaining read. The characters are well-developed, and the dialogue is smart and witty. I especially liked the cleverly written discourse between Austin and Ellie. “Deception Bay” is highly recommended!
I love a prologue, especially one like Deception Bay’s that immediately hooked me and never let me go.
Austin is heading home to Whidbury Island to see about his mom, who has been in an accident.
He has a panic attack and meets Ellie.
The cat…named CAT after Inspector Clouseau’s valet because he’s sneaky and attacks when you least expect it. Makes for some hilarious scenes and I do like the extra fun with the critter.
If Austin wasn’t a writer, I might mistake him for Jim Rockford, from the Rockford Files. He’s constantly getting beat on. Love the character.
I figured out some of the mystery from the prologue, but I’m still working on the who. Why would anyone want to hurt his mother? Sure, she had issues, but who wouldn’t when their Golden Boy was taken from them before his time.
Austin is forced to face his past and the inner demons that he can’t seem to get rid of. He grows, changes, forgives and solves a couple of mysteries along the way.
Three deaths, past and present.
A wonderful tale of secrets, murder and mystery, with laughs along the way. I do love some chuckles with my murder
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Deception Bay by Chris Patchell.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
I love stand-alones, I really do, but this needs to be the first in a series. It doesn’t have to be a 10 book series, 3 books would be enough. I hated to reach the end because I know there could be more. Austin has to finish everything that he started. This was an extremely good mystery that fed you clues all along the way but never hit you in the face with the murderer or the reasons why the murders were committed. Don’t ever expect a recap of the book from me. That’s your job. I’ll only tell you how much I enjoyed a book and some of the reasons why.
Had to read it to the end without a break – a mystery within a mystery twisted up with suspense and romance. Love the main character mystery author, Austin who is trouble by his brother’s death many years ago. He goes home to take care of his injured mother and ends up in the middle of trying to figure who and why someone attach\ked his mother and now seems to be targeting him. The chacters are all well written and enrich the twists and turns story. The setting in the pacific Northwest adds to intrigue. I definitely want to read more books by this author,
A murder mystery full of suspense with intriguing twists and turns and interesting characters engaging in some gripping interactions. A plot that centers around the death of a brother and how lies, secrets, and emotions played in several people’s lives. Love the snarky humor in some of the dialogue. I found this story to be totally captivating and one I would recommend to all my mystery reading friends.
this book will have you on the edge of your seat reading it! he never wanted to go back but his mother had a accident. something just doesnt add up and strange things are happening. read to find out what is going on.
This is a wonderful mystery and I give it a 4.5. It’s a little predictable but the characters are true to form and the writing is smooth.
As I’m reading this story, I could swear I’ve read it before but can’t find it in my purchased list. After driving myself a bit crazy, I read a few reviews and found out it was featured in the collection Love Under Fire a few months ago. One mystery solved. You will have to read the book to solve Austin’s mystery of who attacked his Mother and the mystery of his brother’s death that drove his from Whidbey Island years ago. Great characters, suspenseful, believable story. Definitely recommend this book (and the Love Under Fire collection).
Ms. Patchell has a style and prose I really admire. But reading this book, I was also taken by her page turning plot and edge of your seat story. Definitely recommend!