Paramedic and deputy coroner Zoe Chambers responds to a shooting and discovers her longtime friend, Horace Pavelka, has gunned down a man who’d bullied him mercilessly for decades. Ruled self-defense, no charges are filed. When another of his tormentors turns up dead in Horace’s kitchen, Police Chief Pete Adams questions the man’s innocence in both cases?especially after Horace and his girlfriend … girlfriend go into hiding. While fighting to clear her friend, Zoe is handed the opportunity to finally learn what really happened to her long-lost sibling. What starts out as a quick road trip on a quest for answers leads her to an unfamiliar city in the middle of a November blizzard, where she finds way more trouble than she bargained for. Pete’s own search for his missing fiancée and a missing murderer ultimately traps him in a web of deception. Face-to-face with one of the most cunning and deadly killers of his law enforcement career, Pete realizes too late that this confrontation may well be his last.
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I am so glad that I found this series! Under the Radar is the 9th book in the Zoe Chambers Mystery series, but it’s the first I’ve read. It can easily be read as a stand alone book. I think there are only a couple of “spoilers” from the prior books. The first would be the fact that Zoe and Pete are engaged, but you can see that in the synopsis. The other would just take away a bit of surprise from a prior book. Regardless, I’ll be going back to read the prior books because I enjoyed this one so much.
Under the Radar is set in SW Pennsylvania which is about 3 hours from where I am Ohio. So? So, I know how to pronounce Monongahela. I’m pretty proud of that random tidbit.
The characters in this book are very well fleshed out. I really appreciated that even though I haven’t read the prior books, I could get a good feel for even the minor characters. And since the author is from the area she writes about and worked the job the main character does, the book feels very real. It’s got a lot of action and excitement. The plot is well-paced and keeps you reading. It was not easy for me to figure out whodunit until very close to the end which made it all the more exciting. Believe me, you won’t want to put this down!
Under the Radar is definitely a book you’ll want to add to your TBR piles now!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I have enjoyed this series from the start and each book is better than the last and they are all great.
This time there is a lot happening in Zoe’s life.
Zoe and Pete are now engaged and Zoe’s mother is determined to take over all the wedding plans. She is also not pleased that the farmhouse she gave to her daughter is not further along in its renovations.
The highly contested Coroner’s race is just a few days away. If the current coroner is not reelected Zoe will lose her part-time job.
An old friend has come to town with news about a brother Zoe recently found out she has.
And on top of all that a high school friend, Horace Pavelka, fatally shot a man that had been bullying him for years. That was ruled self-defense but when another bully is found dead in Pavelka’s kitchen authorities including Pete believe they may have ruled on the first death too quickly and Horace is getting revenge taking down both men. The fact that both Horace and his girlfriend are missing sure doesn’t help his case.
So with all that on her plate, some that take her away from Pete, things get interesting. And before the story wraps up both Pete and Zoe find themselves in danger. Could this be the end for both of them?
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Twists, twists, and more twists! One that almost gave me whiplash!
These characters continue to evolve and get stronger in every book. Ms. Dashofy has created such wonderful characters and gives them all purpose and believable, realistic events and tasks to handle within each story. In Under the Radar, she really turns things inside out and tests the characters we have come to love. It is an emotional roller coaster ride for Zoe but another character has a surprising awakening.
The pace of this story is incredibly quick with plenty of action and suspense that takes the characters traveling around Pennsylvania to get answers. Dashofy is an expert at running right up to the line between cozy mystery and thriller. She gives readers an exciting story while keeping the small-town feel and the amateur sleuth Zoe trying to save her friend while keeping the local law in the loop, at least most of the time. Readers are truly kept on their toes from the start to the finish and then wishing the next book in the series was already out so we could stick with the characters we are not ready to leave.
Under the Radar is an excellent addition to this series. Well-written and skillfully plotted. Once I started reading it was impossible to put down.
The author gives new readers plenty of background to read this book on its own, but to experience that vast character development and drama over the series you really need to start from the beginning.
Yes, yes, yes! Under the Radar is such an awesome book! Annette Dashofy has once again created a tale that held me in thrall. From concern over the tightly contested election for county coroner to the need to work on wedding plans, Zoe’s life is busy enough before an old friend gets in hot water and you know Zoe is going to be right in the middle of things. The return of a new friend brings some unexpected news that leads Zoe on a treasure hunt of sorts. Even if she finds that special treasure, it may be of great value to her, or it may turn to dross. An unwanted visit from Zoe’s mother brings the usual frustrations but it also produced some unexpected moments. From the death of a long-time bully, to a kidnapping, to a shoot-out, unpredictable was the word of the day for Zoe Chambers throughout Under the Radar including the answer to the question of who the murderer could be.
I received an ARC of Under the Radar from Henery Press via Edelweiss. This book is too good NOT to shout about!
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This book drew me in from the beginning with the first death and the reasons behind it. This book involves bullying and the long term consequences on the people involved. I love Zoe and how she always believes in her friends and I also love Pete and his open mind where Zoe is concerned. There are several mysteries going on in this book and a lot of action, especially when Zoe’s mom shows up unexpectedly. The relationships are evolving in a good way and I like the direction that this series is going in. These are great books that can be read as stand alones, but I recommend reading the whole series.
UNDER THE RADAR is an absolute must-read. Dashofy nails suspense, darkness – and romance – in a kick-ass story!
Under The Radar
Zoe Chambers Mysteries, Book #9
Annette Dashofy
5+ Stars
Synopsis:
Paramedic and deputy coroner Zoe Chambers responds to a shooting and discovers her longtime friend, Horace Pavelka, has gunned down a man who’d bullied him mercilessly for decades. Ruled self-defense, no charges are filed. When another of his tormentors turns up dead in Horace’s kitchen, Police Chief Pete Adams questions the man’s innocence in both cases…especially after Horace and his girlfriend go into hiding.
While fighting to clear her friend, Zoe is handed the opportunity to finally learn what really happened to her long-lost sibling. What starts out as a quick road trip on a quest for answers leads her to an unfamiliar city in the middle of a November blizzard, where she finds way more trouble than she bargained for.
Pete’s own search for his missing fiancée and a missing murderer ultimately traps him in a web of deception. Face-to-face with one of the most cunning and deadly killers of his law enforcement career, Pete realizes too late that this confrontation may well be his last.
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UNDER THE RADAR by Annette Dashofy | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all. (Goodreads)
Review:
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I felt like I was in the middle of a blizzard, watching the snow swirling all around me. The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words.
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Zoe and Pete make such a great couple and I look forward to spending time with them. They will do anything for each other and you can tell their love is genuine. The supporting cast of characters add a lot to the story. We got to spend more time with Zoe’s mom, and although most of the time she was a pain in the butt, a few times she felt more likeable and human. I will say that I missed getting to spend time with Pete’s dad, Harry, he is one of my favorite characters.
The mystery in this book is well paced and well plotted. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through, and there were enough red herrings thrown to make the mystery challenging. And we got to learn a little more about Zoe’s brother, which added to the story.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. With fantastic characters, engaging settings and an intriguing mystery, this is a must read series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Henery Press, and Edelweiss, which I greatly appreciate.
Annette Dashofy’s Zoe Chambers series is one of my favorites. In this newest release, Under the Radar, the writing is exquisite, characters well drawn, and the mystery spellbinding. Character development is one of the highlights of this series, as we get to know the regulars well and care about them. They are realistically drawn and relatable, people you could expect to meet in your own community.
While the story has elements of cozy mystery genre – small-town setting, murder takes place off screen, amateur involved in the investigation – Under the Radar has more of a traditional mystery or police procedural feel. The action is fast paced with good, solid investigation techniques employed by Zoe, Pete, and his staff. This book is hard to put down, and while I was eager to reach the conclusion, I wanted to savor every word.
Multiple storylines add richness to the story. Pete and Zoe’s wedding is in the planning stages with possible complications from Zoe’s mother. A highly contested race for county coroner could threaten Zoe’s job. Horace, a friend of Zoe’s who has experienced a lifetime of bullying, is a murder suspect. And then there’s word of the existence of Zoe’s half-brother, resulting in a road-trip search and further suspense. I can honestly say that there is nothing predictable about Under the Radar.
I greatly enjoyed Under the Radar and am eager for much more from these characters. Highly recommended.
Note: Readers will find some mild profanity, but the story is otherwise clean.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This is the first book in the series I read and I really enjoyed it. The author does a great job of bringing you into Zoe’s world. I didn’t feel left behind starting the series in the middle. The characters are full of life and the mystery kept me hooked from beginning to end.
https://cozyexperience.com/under-the-radar-book-review/
Under the Rader is a fantastic book. It is action-packed and suspenseful. The mystery is complex and has so many twists and red herrings that you are kept guessing right until the end. I love the characters and always enjoy this series. The book is well written with well developed characters. This book was impossible to put down. It is exciting and fun to read. I highly recommend it.
Annette Riggle Dashofy’s UNDER THE RADAR kept me reading until 4 a.m. — yes, THAT good! It’s twisty and full of conflicts and uncertainties, none of which will I spoil. There are burglary, bullying, a blizzard, and bridal planning woes. (Is there a word like “bridezilla” for the mother of?) Oh, and there is news of a new half-brother, as well as serious questions about whom to trust, and a too-close-for-comfort election for coroner. Is it any wonder my attempts to sleep failed? Add to that a smoothly flowing writing style, which looks effortless, but we English teachers know is the result of careful revision and editing. This book is a pleasure, the continuation of an excellent series, and there will be another soon.
(Purchased and read during Corona isolation closing of libraries — thank goodness for the invention of e-books!)
Under the Radar is a fast-paced mystery laced with a bit of romance. There is also an underlying theme about the effects of bullying.
Author Annette Dashofy does a beautiful job interweaving the different levels of this well written story. I was immersed in trying to figure out the “who done it” part of this book as well as in following the personal relationships between family, friends, and lovers.
This was, for me, a hard book to put down. I read more cozy mysteries, so it was fun to find a story where the mystery was more of a priority than the romance.
Although this is the first book I have read by this author, and I understand that it is part of a series, I did not have the feeling that I was missing anything by not reading the others first. However, I am now interested in going back and reading earlier books in this series.
Loved this book!! Zoe’s quiet friend, Horace, has killed a man in self defense after being bullied by the man and his friends. Horace is released from jail and the man’s friends are not happy. The bullies are suddenly being killed and Horace and his girlfriend, Belinda, are on the run. Zoe is confident that Horace is innocent, but Pete and Detective Baronick have to investigate. In the meantime, Zoe, along with her reporter friend, Lauren; her mother; and her cousin, Patsy, set out to find Zoe’s half-brother. Lots of twists and turns and intrigue that made this story wonderful. I definitely did not see a lot of the twists coming. I highly recommend this series!! I hope there will be more books and I look forward to seeing what’s next for Zoe and Pete!!
Another absolutely amazing book by a fantastic author. Great characters, great stories, suspense, danger and Pete and Zoe. I LOVE this series.
RIVETING
UNDER THE RADAR (Zoe Chambers Mystery #9) is RIVETING! This book may be read as a stand alone; however, for maximum understanding & enjoyment, the books in this series need to be read in sequential order.
One of Annette Dashofy’s greatest gifts as an author is her ability to stay true to her established characters while placing them in real life situations that allow them to be relatable. I always look forward to seeing what new things have developed in the relationship between EMT Ambulance Driver/Deputy Coroner Zoe Chambers & her fiancé Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams. To say they have a complicated relationship would be quite an understatement. They both are doing their best to overcome their pasts and make their relationship stable and strong.
Dashofy has plotted a great mystery for readers in UNDER THE RADAR. She boldly tackle the issue of bullying and shows the effects of what long term bullying can cause. She is masterful at weaving several mysteries into one whodunit. In this particular book, Dashofy incorporates the major distractions of Zoe planning her own Wedding, a surprise visit from her mother (surprising in so many ways!) and possible new information on Zoe’s half-brother all while leading the reader through the main story of multiple murders, missing persons. and a kidnapping. The kidnapper in this book may be one of the darkest people Dashofy has written about to date! By the time you finish this book, you will be worn out from this nerve racking journey! I highly recommend this book!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Henery Press & Edelweiss. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Zoe, a paramedic and deputy coroner, responds to a shooting to find a dead body and her friend, Horace, confessing to the crime. Horace claims he was defending himself – the victim attacked him with a baseball bat when Horace drove into his own driveway, hitting the car repeatedly until Horace shot him through a hole the man had made in the windshield. The dead man had not come alone, but the other men did not help Horace and ran when Horace took the shot. The victim had bullied Horace for decades and the abuse had recently escalated. When the shooting is ruled self-defense, the man’s friends show up at Horace’s home again, and yet another person ends up dead in his kitchen. Horace disappears, making the police question his culpability in both deaths, but the other suspects are also in the wind.
Zoe is certain Horace is innocent and she wants to clear his name. But she’s also just been given new information that could lead her to learn what really happened to her long-lost sibling. A road trip to follow this lead turns up family secrets she may regret.
Under the Radar is fast paced and well-written with interesting characters. You do not need to have read the earlier books in the series to enjoy this one, but there are spoilers for a prior book.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
Great cozy series with incredible characters set in a suspenseful storyline. Can be read as a standalone, but you’ll want to read all once you’ve read this. 5 Star Must Read!