Customer Reviews

Genesis Beach: A Logan Hunter Mystery

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book opened up leaving me scratching my head a bit. We see Logan, an intern from the State Bureau of Investigation, interning with a small town police department. When they get called to the scene of a possible murder scene of a wealthy business man I found it strange that the chief of police would say since they are a small town and never dealt with a murder before they would be relying heavily on her. She's just an intern so why would she have any more experience? He later contradicts himself by getting upset that she was trying to step into his jurisdiction when she asks to speak to a possible suspect. What happened to relying heavily on her? The other thing that was pretty unbelievable was the other police officer starting to pick up evidence on the crime scene without gloves. Even if you never dealt with a murder case shouldn't that be second nature for a police officer even in non-murder cases? The book is relatively short and there were a few twists at the end. I'm afraid most of this was to unbelievable for me but for those who want a quick moving mystery book this might be one to check out.

Serving her internship in the small costal town of Genesis Beach, NC, SBI Agent, Logan Hunter has the responsibility of solving the town's first murder fall on her shoulders. Rick Teater, the town's wealthy benefactor is found dead in his luxury beach front home and suspicion falls on his chef, Pepper Ellis; a local prostitute, Chyna; and a Caddy from Teater's golf club.

Ms. Whitefield did a superb job of pulling the reader step by step in the well plotted mystery. All the clues are there, but only become clear with the exciting and surprising ending. I look forward to reading more about this young SBI Agent and recommend that readers who like a well written and and spine tingling mystery add the Logan Hunter series to their reading list.

Logan Hunter is a wonderfully believable character who muddles her way to finding a murderer. She is sometimes unprofessional, plagued by nightmares, and always funny. She is a little like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. If you are a Janet Evanovich fan, give this book a try.

After reading and enjoying author Susan Whitfield's Sin Creek, her fourth Logan Hunter mystery, I decided to go back and read Genesis Beach, the novel that kicked off her series. It was a fun read on many levels, but I especially liked the opportunity to meet Logan as a wet-behind-the-ears intern with North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation.

Immersed in her first murder investigation, Logan makes her fair share of mistakes--some of them humdingers--but they merely serve to convince the reader that the stubborn yet earnest trainee is human and will emerge from this crucible a stronger more capable investigator. Logan's developing friendship with Pepper, a one-time murder suspect, helps the reader build a bond with Logan as the friends discover each other's strengths and vulnerabilities, humor and passions.

Genesis Beach is a satisfying who-done-it with ample suspense. However, I think the freshness of Logan's somewhat naive character and her potential for personal and career development over the arc of the series are what set this book apart. A strong foundation. At the end of Genesis Beach, we're cheering Logan on and hoping she'll have a long (and murder-filled) career so we can tag along.

Genesis Beach - Review by Martha A. Cheves

The main character Logan Hunter is with the NC SBI serving her internship in her home town of Genesis Beach. In this small town crime usually consists of misdemeanors and a major crime is unheard of. So the murder of the wealthy Rick Teater shakes up the whole town. Logan's coworkers consist of the Sheriff and his deputy who have never handled a murder, so it's turned over to Logan to solve. Logan narrows it down to the caddy Lincoln Tumu and Pepper Ellis, Teater's chef. She follows the book to the letter for recovering evidence but when the weather changes and a hurricane hits Genesis Beach evidence as well as Logan's home are destroyed.

While reading Genesis Beach I found myself not wanting to put it down. Each page had a piece of evidence that would help me solve the mystery before Logan. I really thought I had pin-pointed the murderer. Boy was I in for a shock. The murderer and the reason were both something that I never figured into my theory. So if you like a book that holds your interest to the very end, Genesis Beach is the perfect book for you.

Logan Hunter is an engaging heroine - the reader can easily identify with her as being very believable, very human. As a neophyte SBI agent, she makes mistakes and has thoughts and fears that are easy to identify with. Whitfield has done an excellent job with her first mystery - her language is brisk yet descriptive. Hopefully more Logan Hunter stories are on the way.

I enjoy reading mystery novels. Genesis Beach was an easy and quick read, but nonetheless, an engaging and entertaining book. I found it easy to associate and like the main character, Logan Hunter. I feel that anyone who enjoys mysteries will genuinely like Genesis Beach. It is definitely worth the time.