The White Rock New Hampshire Police Team of Sam Mason and Jody Harris don’t know who they can trust in a small town full of big secrets where serving justice doesn’t always happen within the limits of the law. Readers who like dogs and twisty mysteries will love this series. Chief Sam Mason and Sergeant Jody Harris don’t have the luxury of being off the clock. When a drowning disrupts the funeral … disrupts the funeral of a fellow detective, they have no choice but to leave early. After the body is pulled ashore, Sam and Jody suspect the camper’s death was no accident…
As they attempt to solve their co-worker’s own suspicious death, the detectives parse through the motives of the drowning victim’s friends. With a nosy cop on their trail, a mysterious dog who wants to help and a mayor desperate to restore quiet to their small town, Sam and Jo attempt to get beyond the cover-up. Just when they think they can rest after solving one murder, a shocking discovery proves that sometimes even your most trusted allies could be telling lies.
Telling Lies is the first book in the riveting Sam Mason murder mystery books. If you like police procedurals and complex characters, then you’ll love this twisty whodunnit.
Other Books in the Sam Mason Murder Mystery Series:
Keeping Secrets (Book 2)
Exposing Truths (Book 3)
Betraying Trust (Book 4)
Killing Dreams (Book 5)
more
I usually have 2 books going at the same time; one a historical novel, non-fiction or autobiography. So ONE of them has to be light, easy to read and hold my interest. And even though I’m an “older adult” and don’t have virgin ears, the language I hear every day at work I don’t want in my light reading. This book in a series by L.A. Dobbs fit that bill. So…on to the next…”Keeping Secrets”!
In a quiet small town in New Hampshire police chief Sam Mason and Sergeant Jody Harris are burying one of their detectives. A call comes in about a drowning and while on scene it is apparent it is a murder. A local stray dog–a German Shepherd mix leads the police to more and more evidence. They name the dog Lucy even though the mayor insists they must get rid of the dog. This is a great mystery with a dog starring in the plot.
Story starts with a young policeman funeral gunned down when he pulled them over. Then we have the murder of Lynn Palmer at a campground. It was staged to look like she went swimming, and the water did not take the body away from the rocks. A homeless dog to take to the shelter gives Sam the clue they needed and now his best friend. Not a lot to get to know the characters very well yet, maybe with book two . Interesting and kept you interested.
I was able to listen as an audiobook on Hoopla Digital linked with my library and was very pleased that I found this and it’s the first book written by Leighann Dobbs aka: L.A. Dobbs. I picked it because it has a dog on the cover and takes place in New Hampshire. I liked how the main character, Chief Sam Mason gets all the facts and has some surprises throughout the story.
Interesting characters, but too much like Lassie for my taste
My first book by this author, and I’m on the fence about this one. The characters were interesting and the pacing for the mystery was good. The writing was acceptable, though I did feel like we were told some things that would have been better shown, but that just may be personal preference.
My biggest issue was I expected to like the dog more than I did (being a major dog lover), but I had a lot of trouble accepting how convenient the dog was to solving the murder—and how often it happened. I guess I either wanted the dog to actually act like a dog (it didn’t), or for the author to go all in for that slightly humorous kind of story where you suspend disbelief and just accept the dog is as smart as the human characters. Instead, IMO, the author tried to walk a line in between the two, and ended up with something more like Lassie (if you’ve ever seen the old tv show). It would be fine for a kid’s story, but it just annoyed me in an adult book.
Add in a partial cliffhanger—the central murder gets solved, but several subplots carry over to the next book—and I was left slightly unsatisfied. Basically, it was fine for what it was, but I probably won’t bother picking up the next book. 2.5 stars
Can’t wait for book six. Please let me know when it’s ready. Thanks
Love this series!
Kept waiting for some resolution to one of the cases in books one and two
Writing isn’t that good to invest time in book three
This is the first book I have read by this Author. It was a real page turner for me and I am working on the second book in the series.
The characters were very interesting and the story line was really interesting. Many twists and turns! High recommend in you like a good mystery.
If your a fan of L.D. Dobbs. You’ll love this one also.
First book I’ve read of L.A.Dobbs and enjoyed her writing style. I’m ready to read the next book Keeping Secrets.
Simplistic. Maybe for young mystery readers.
Good plot and character development. Love the German Shepherd. The end left me wanting more. Not too heavy but not a cozy mystery. One I will continue to read more of the series. It’s nice to have characters that you like and are good people!
Enjoyed this book very much as I do all of her books. Keeps me interested and easy to read. One of my favorite authors
Great story. Really enjoyed it
I enjoyed the plot line and all the under currents among the main characters. The mystery was plausable & I didn’t get it until the end. Everyone was lying.
Although somewhat predictable, the character building of Sam and Jo, as well as the small town dynamics, is interesting enough to keep you hooked. The story was short IMO and felt rushed towards the end but otherwise is an entertaining quick read and not difficult to follow.
Characters are down to earth. Like someone I might be acquainted with in a small town.
I really liked Lucy the wonder dog
Wonderful writing..keeps you on the edge of your seat