From the bestselling author of Good Sam—now a Netflix feature film—comes another Kate Bradley story about the nature of generosity and finding unexpected connections with strangers.
TV reporter Kate Bradley arrives in Manhattan ready to take on a challenging new position as a national news correspondent. When a massive power outage plunges New York City into darkness, the disaster she expected … disaster she expected to cover takes an unexpected turn. Someone is leaving thousands of mysterious gifts throughout the city, and the only clue to the giver’s identity is the occasional note from “A Stranger.”
Together with handsome TV series host Scott Jameson, Kate must make sense of these random generous acts, which quickly escalate in scale and capture the attention of viewers across the country. In early-morning stakeouts and late-night surveillance, they crisscross the city hunting down leads, but the elusive Stranger is always one step ahead.
Menacing letters and videos addressed to Kate threaten to derail the investigation, but she’s determined to uncover the identity of the benefactor. The closer Kate gets to the truth, the more clearly she sees that even the smallest act of generosity can bring about powerful change. And it just may take her own selfless act of kindness to solve the feel-good mystery of the year.
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The Good Stranger by Dete Meserve was just what I needed. After reading several heavier books, I was happy to sit down with a book that concentrates on the good that can be brought into all our lives with a simple kindness.
At the time I read this book the whole nation was in the middle of a quarantine due to Covid-19. There is a lot of sorrow right now with the deaths we have experienced. There are the deaths of friends and relatives, our jobs, time with our families, activities outside of our homes and basically life as we knew it. We now have a new normal and that is pretty hard to swallow.
As in The Good Stranger we see a lot of kindnesses happening all around us. One woman posted she needed her yard mowed and found someone to do it in a few days but, woke from a nap to find someone came, mowed and left. What a blessing for her. Police are doing drive by happy birthdays, graduating seniors are having drive through graduation parties and the list goes on. Kindness in times of sorrow.
This book definitely struck a cord with me during our time of self-isolation. I am thankful that we live a a country that is filled with people helping people. That is what this book was about. It warmed my soul. It will warm yours too.
I received this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This fabulous book shows you that an act of generosity truly can change a life. After reading this book go and do a generous deed. Enjoy!
SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING!
TV Correspondent Kate Bradley is finally getting her Big Break and moving to a National News Correspondent position in New York. She is overwhelmed by her unfamiliarity with the people and the city. Too make matters worse, there is a massive blackout. What does a reporter do? Run headlong into the darkness and look for a story of course! Bradley went looking for disaster but was astounded to find the city was being turned upside down – but in a good way. There were purple and white balloons everywhere! People were finding gift cards on their windshields. Small things at first but over the next few weeks, the gifts and giving continued in astounding ways. Someone’s medical bills were paid. Rent was paid, Groceries bought. Homeless people had clothes delivered from Amazon in their size! Help was provided in all manner of unimaginable ways! No one knew where all this good will was coming from. Occasionally there would be a note from “A Stranger.” Bradley teams up with TV series host Scott Jameson to attempt to find the source of these good deeds. As they run around the city known for everything but the kindness and generosity they are witnessing, they are compelled to find the person or group of people who started all this good will. A series of threats only make Kate more determined to find the people behind the gifts. As she and Scott continue their search, they begin to realize that even the smallest selfless act of generosity can bring about monumental change. Will Kate be able to take the leap and provide her own act of selfless generosity?
I am so thankful for author Dete Meserve and for her ability to write a series of books that challenge readers to think and act outside of the norm. As we prepare to begin slowly returning to our lives outside of “sheltering in place” I wish this book would be required for everyone of all ages before re-entering our WORLD. If we acted on the principles Meserve put forth in this book, the world would be a much kinder and more pleasant place. Think how much everyone’s attitudes would change!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
A Book For Our Time. “The next pandemic is a matter of if, not when.” Yes, that line is in this book. Yes, Meserve finished writing this book by Halloween 2019. No, this book doesn’t actually have anything to do with that line in particular, it is simply a throwaway bit of a random interview that wasn’t even Kate Bradley’s interview. 😀 But what this book *does* focus on is the very same things Meserve herself has begun to focus on over the last few years, both with these Kate Bradley stories and with her own outreach: finding the everyday, unsung acts of kindness all around us. Reporting on that. Promoting that. Though with this book, for the very first time in a Bradley book – and contrary to what Ayn Rand may think -, we find someone truly altruistic. Someone genuinely not interested in any form of personal gain beyond the personal satisfaction that they know they did a good thing for someone who needed it. So let’s take a page from Bradley and Meserve. Let’s highlight some of these stories ourselves. Very much recommended.
What a perfect time for this book. It was almost a little creepy how spot on we need this story read. I love this author’s work. She develops her characters so detailed that you can place yourself in the story and feel part of the conversation. I really enjoy Kate’s character. The story floods your soul with goodness that is taking place all over Manhattan and NYC by a few anonymous people that Kate and her co-worker Scott try to uncover as reporters. By the time they do discover who they are it’s not so important the names of these people but the impact they’ve made on the city, Kate, Scott, and me included. I highly recommend this author and this series. It’ll do your heart some good.
Kudos to Dete Meserve, author of “The Good Stranger” for writing such an intriguing, memorable, entertaining, suspenseful, and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are fiction, women’s fiction, mystery, and suspense. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her dramatic and colorful cast of characters as mostly kind, friendly, and likable. Some of the characters are complex and complicated.
Kate Bradley is now in New York City and is a national news correspondent. There are stories of strangers leaving mysterious gifts to others. Kate and her co-anchor Scott Jameson, try to investigate what is going on. Kate starts getting threats when she starts investigating. Things seem to get more dangerous.
During our trying and difficult crisis, Dete Meserve has written a wonderful book that is a reminder that all acts of Kindness are special. Kindness is contagious. I appreciate that the author vividly describes how strangers and people can make a difference in our world. I highly recommend this thought-provoking story and eagerly await the next book in the series.
A perfect book, for our current situation.Reading it, took my mind away from all the sadness and tragedies we are seeing in our daily lives. A real “feel good”
story.
Dete Meserve really nailed it in this one! Kate Bradley leaves her comfortable life and great news journalist job in LA, and heads to Manhattan, an unfamiliar city, where she sublets a friend’s apartment and starts a job at a new network. But, disappointed when she’s expected to focus on political news, due to her connection with her Senator father, she’s not sure this is going to work out.
Then amazing things start happening in the city, with balloons, flowers and good deeds, and she is in her element, taking on a partner that has a popular following, with his adventure series.
This story has everything, mystery, adventure, human interest, romance and the connections people make by caring and helping others. It’s just needed, when we see what’s happening in today’s NYC. This gave me the hope that we can return to our lives and maybe see more the good that we have been missing. I loved it!
My thanks to #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing and to #DeteMeserve for the ARC All opinions are my own.
I love Dete Meserve’s books. Her writing is wonderful and are always uplifting, heartfelt and truly always keep me wanting more. The Characters are well thought out and true to life and the plot,as well as the writing, flows wonderfully.
A very quick read and a book you won’t want to put down! This is the 3rd book of a series. 5 stars
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
A required book to read now!
Reporter, Kate Bradley is in NYC working as a national news correspondent.
When a power outage occurs one evening, Kate learns that someone is leaving surprises for random people.
It’s balloons,gift cards, or payoffs of loans.
Kate is determined to solve this mystery and it becomes her mission.
Yet, she is also receiving some scary notes that concerns Kate. Who is this person or persons and why are they doing these amazing good things for people? Should she continue to search for answers or is she in danger?
This is just a perfect story for anytime and especially these current times.
The whole world needs hope and encouragement. As one note in the novel said: “We are all connected.”
I love Dete Meserve’s books. They are uplifting, heartfelt and truly always keep me wanting more!
This book was meant to be written and meant to be released at this time. With the Coronavirus, we are hearing so many negative things. People are afraid and people are focusing on the fear and forgetting to think about there are positive things going on. This book is a reminder that an individual, or a few or many can make a difference in someone’s life.
Kate was a journalist who moved from California to Manhattan, New York. When she arrived the people weren’t friendly, she got knocked to the ground and she wasn’t liking it much. Then purple balloons, gift cards, purple flowers started appearing. It was random acts of kindness. People started to soften, they got to know their neighbors, and Kate wanted to cover the story. She did and as time went on she was being threatened because the 4 people who started this, didn’t want to be found. When you read the book you will find out why.
Kate still continues to cover the story and find out who the 4 are. When she finds them and hears their stories, she makes the decision to tell the story but not to reveal who they are. They could be someone you meet on the street, a cab driver, a coworker, it could be anyone. What was important was for people to take a leap. Not a leap of faith but leap into doing something knowing it could go either way. Do it anyway and they did, As the people of not only Manhatten but all over started seeing the kindness to strangers, making connections to a stranger, they wanted to do something nice for someone. Not for recognition but because they could see what was happening, how it made strangers feel when they connected, how it made someone feel by sometimes a simple act of kindness. It let people know someone cared, someone thought they were special and it created a spark that led to more sparks.
Just before reading this book, I was one of those that it seemed hard to find something positive. People were hoarding toilet paper, emptying store shelves and not thinking of anyone but themselves. I read the book yesterday and started looking around, and what could I then see. Some of the people who had bought an excessive amount of stuff was now offering it to someone who needed it free. This is a book that I hope sells out over and over because with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram we are losing our connections to others. The media seems to want to barrage us with the worst of what is going on. Like Kate’s bosses said when they offered her, her own show, they wanted her to take the worst of what the media was saying and spotlight the positive things that are coming from it. I would love to live in a world like that and I think this book will be a reminder of what life can be like and we carry on the leap. Take a chance and it could go either way, some will see the negative and some will see the positive. But this book is a great start to changing not only our life but maybe have a positive impact on others.
I received an ARC from Dete Meserve and NetGalley. This was a book that came into my life when I needed it most. It is my honest opinion that I really do hope that this book sells out over and over and people put into practice what they are reading. To help that, when the book is released I am going to buy copies and leave them in different places so someone who might need this book will find it just like I did when I needed it most.
Kindness—-
“It’s also selfish because it makes you feel good when you help others. I’ve been helped by acts of kindness from strangers. That’s why we’re here, after all, to help others.”
Carol Burnett
I love that quote. It fits so well with this book.
Dete Meserve’s books make me feel good. They are about kindness and doing good things. They are about how there are more “good” people in the world than “bad”. The Good Stranger is a book that takes all these elements and are written into a story that just made me smile reading it. This is the third book in the Kate Bradley Mystery series but it’s easily picked up to be read as a stand-alone.
Kate Bradley has landed the job of her dreams. She’s moving up from being a local news correspondent to a national news correspondent. Along with that, tho, she has to say goodbye to friends and all the things she’s comfortable with. She has to move from L.A. to Manhattan where everyone seems wrapped into themselves and oblivious to anyone around them. No one seems to notice or care about anyone around them. The change is difficult but Kate is up for the challenge. Then an unexpected event happens when there’s a city wide power outage. Mysteriously after the power is restored, a stranger is leaving gifts for random people around the city. This intrigues Kate and with her investigative skills, she’s determined to find out who the person/people behind the unconditional giving and the reason why. This “stranger” is changing the lives of a whole city with random acts of kindness. How and why? What if those random kindnesses are passed on from one person to the next? “This isn’t just about giving. They’re connecting strangers.”
I love the character of Kate Bradley. She’s so likable and easy to want to search for clues and answers as to who the mysterious “good stranger” is with her. I turned the pages seeking those answers, too. She also has a personal life that I connected with and felt the things she was going through. She’s compassionate, determined, and not afraid to go after what she wants and believes in. She finds out things about herself as she discovers more and more about the goodness and kindness behind this stranger. The supporting cast of characters are all touched by the events and that causes changes of hearts. “Could it be that the biggest problems could be solved by the smallest gestures, person to person?”
Reading this book brought these thoughts into my mind….smiles are contagious. Even a smile can change someone’s day.
Kindness is the gift that keeps on giving. Like the ripples from a pebble in a body of water, kindness can ripple out from one little act of being kind and touch many more people than we know if we just be nice and pass it on.
I want to thank Dete Meserve for the ARC copy and great honor of reading The Good Stranger. I have read her previous books and each one of them have made my heart happy. I joyfully and gratefully thank her. I recommend this book for an uplifting read that gives us hope in all good things. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.
THE GOOD STRANGER by Dete Meserve is the third book in the Good Sam series. Having read the first two books, GOOD SAM and PERFECTLY GOOD CRIME, I was happy to dive into another Kate Bradley mystery. Reporter Kate Bradley has moved from California to New York and has just started working as a national news correspondent. When a massive power outage leaves New York City in complete darkness, Kate heads out to cover the chaos and loss that have ensued. As the lights return, Kate discovers that someone has left mysterious and anonymous gifts all across the city. More and more seemingly random acts of kindness are uncovered and Kate and her TV network colleague Scott Jameson set out to discover the identity and motives of the generous person or people responsible. With plenty of suspense, intrigue and even a little romance, this heartwarming and engaging story shows how even small acts of kindness and generosity can make a powerful change for the better in the world. THE GOOD STRANGER presents an important message for today’s times where the news seems to focus most on the bad things that happen and the things that divide people. I enjoyed this uplifting book and highly recommend it along with the other books in the series. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.
Just finished an ARC of Dete Meserve’s upcoming new release, The Good Stranger. Once again, Dete hits it out of the park with a story of kindness that inspires all of us to do better. Reporter Kate Bradley is on the job again as she unravels the complex mysteries that may lead to tracking down the person or people responsible for turning NYC upside down. As balloons, flowers and gift cards begin to show up all through the city, the negative reactions of people fighting over the gift cards are picked up by the news media and threaten to spoil the intended goodness. Kate is undaunted in her pursuit of the truth. Intrigue, surprising twists and more than one sweet love story make this a compelling read! It’s a story the world needs now.
What the world needs now is more Kate Bradley! While part of a series, The Good Stranger reads as a standalone. The story of Kate, recently transplanted from LA to NYC, begins with her finding her footing after a breakup and starting a new job in NYC news.
There she’s called into action when four mysterious strangers begin sharing good deeds across the city. It’s Kate’s job to expose the mysterious donors all while dealing with her father’s new girlfriend and a budding relationship with one of her co-workers.
I loved this line: Connecting with others is not transactional. It starts with understanding that everybody is struggling….and we all have the power to help.
Meserve touches upon the ways in which we can benefit from kindness by first taking note of those around us, and then giving, not because we have to, but because we want to.
Such a feel good story!
The Good Stranger deftly delivers everything we’ve come to love and expect in a Kate Bradley mystery: a well-crafted story, a heady romance, and an oh so satisfying ending. I especially loved wondering who the good stranger of the title might be: the person carrying out a series of anonymous acts of kindness? Or could it be Kate herself? A wonderful read sure to be a book club favorite!
This book is a slam dunk! Feel good fiction at its best! Don’t miss The Good Stranger.
This is the second book I have read by Dete Meserve which I truly devoured. I loved the characterization of Kate Bradley who is trying to figure out the mysterious gifts she is getting and who is behind them. The story is full of twists and turns and kept me engrossed throughout. The author has done a great job in sending an uplifting message through the story which is very heart warming. Thank you Dete Meserve for your giveaway which I much needed to read in times like today…..a message of HOPE!!
I have now read all of Dete Meserve’s books, and have to say she is able to grab the attention of the reader right from the beginning few paragraphs. This is the third is the Kate Bradley series – and I hope it’s not the last! TV Reporter, Kate has moved from Los Angeles, to Manhatten to be a news correspondent on a national TV station. Immediately she plunges into mysterious incidents occuring all around Manhatten – all kind and generous, feel-good kind of things. Not only are their balloons and flowers left around the city, but also gift cards are found on car windshields, bills are mysteriously paid and the list goes on. Scott Jameson, who hosts a TV series at the station offers to help her in the investigation of where all the good will is coming from. Although the story of the many good deeds have sparked a great deal of interest in the community, the management of the station has given some push-back on their investigation. This is one of those books that is nearly impossible to put down. I absolutely couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I highly recommend this delightful, intriguing and heartwarming book, as well as all of Dete Meserve’s books! She’s got another home-run here!
This is a book I didn’t know I needed until I read it. Reporter, Kate Bradley, is covering the story:
Random acts of kindness by strangers in a bustling city like Manhattan bring people together in unimaginable ways. The ripple effect of one person’s generosity in the lives of three others will inspire you. In a world full of politics, hate, and self-centeredness this feel good story will remind you that there can still be good in the world, but it’s up to us.
In the crazy times, we need some good vibes and definitely a good stranger!
What a remarkable way to turn someone’s life upside down, in a good way, and pay their medical bills?
What about leaving a random gift card for a stranger on their windshield? Or paying for their groceries? This one would be a god send, what if you logged online and your rent was already paid for?
These were just some of the amazing gestures from a stranger this town in NY was receiving?
Wouldn’t that be a god send right now? Just to know that someone cares enough to make a complete strangers day better!
Bradley, a reporter, decides to team up with a TV series host to find this Good Samaritan. Kate a TV correspondent will stop at nothing to find this person.
I personally don’t know if I would want to find them. I mean, if they choose to be hidden and do good deeds, why not let them?
This was a great read and I feel everyone needs that kindness and hope right now.