Say Goodbye (Reluctant Sleuth) (Perfect Paperback)

~ E. J. Rand (Author), Debby Buchanan (Editor), Rebecca Kandel (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: Gary Kemmerman, Arman Pavlic, Consolidated Brokerage (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Buckle your seatbelts, SAY GOODBYE, the debut mystery from E. J. Rand, is a roller coaster of a ride. Action-packed, with an intriguing mystery and a charming mature romance, Rand has created a page turner that leaves the reader waiting anxiously for a Reluctant Sleuth sequel. --Evelyn David - MURDER OFF THE BOOKS

Mystery and thriller fans will shout a warm hello to E. J. Rand's Reluctant Sleuth, Gary Kemmerman, who uses his low key charm and off beat method of detection to solve a complicated crime. I finished SAY GOODBYE in one sitting! --Nora Charles - Kate Kennedy Senior Sleuth Series: HURRICANE HOMICIDE, and DEATH RIDES THE SURF.

SAY GOODBYE starts with a bang and carries you at a breakneck pace all the way to the very satisfying end. A retired widower finds the courage to investigate a friend's murder, battle corporate corruption, and even seize a second chance at love! I'm looking forward to more Reluctant Sleuth books! --E. F. Watkins - BLACK FLOWERS

Product Description

At a neighbor's request, Gary reluctantly investigates her husband's death. Enter Becca, the only witness to the fatal crash. Add in a killer humming a Disney tune, and an unexpected attraction between Gary and Becca. Having lost his wife to cancer the year before, will Gary risk loving and perhaps losing again? Will he be abele to Say Goodbye?

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Deadly Ink Press; 1st edition (February 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978744217
• ISBN-13: 978-0978744212
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,619,634 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Recreation For Those Liking Excitement, April 2, 2008

By	L. Weber - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am not a frequent reader of fiction. I spend most of my reading time on the financial markets or historical subjects that, frankly, some would consider arcane.

So when I do sit down with a novel, I want there to be something compelling about it. That is exactly what I found in the plot development and action of this book. Overall, a highly absorbing read, and carefully thought out. Kept me on the edge of my chair. Thank you, E.J. Rand!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Like a Murder to Get You Out of Mourning, March 20, 2008

By	Gloria Feit (Long Beach, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From a great opening sentence: "If Norman Lyons had known he was going to die that morning, he would have worn different clothes," the reader soon meets Gary Kemmerman, neighbor to the aforementioned Mr. Lyons. Gary and Norman had spoken for a few minutes that same morning, not long before the latter's car crashed in a fatal "accident," having been run off the road by another vehicle on a wintry morning in New Jersey. Gary has retired from his practice as a crisis consultant after the death of his beloved wife from cancer nearly a year ago--he left his practice in order to be with her during her final months, and is still mourning her deeply.

Gary is reluctantly pulled back into the world of the living when Norman's widow begs him to look into her husband's death, firmly convinced he has been murdered. He is assisted in this effort by another neighbor, a homicide lieutenant. What follows is another murder, an attempted murder, arson, and an attack on a witness, and that's only through the first half of the book. Other characters in the tale include a cold-blooded killer with a fondness for Disney songs, and a beautiful young woman who witnessed Norman's "accident" and causes Gary to deal with the question of whether he can finally put his demons--or his ghosts--to rest and fall in love again.

The narrative is tense and the book is very fast reading, and I liked the cast of characters. Despite the fact that at times I felt the writing was uneven and a bit melodramatic, it soon became much surer as the story continued and the suspense built up, to the point where I couldn't put the book down. This appears to be the first in an anticipated series featuring Gary Kemmerman, and I will look forward to the next entry.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful Debut, February 20, 2008

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Gary Kemmerman is still struggling to get over the death of his wife. In the year since she died, he's hardly even left their house.

All that changes when a neighbor dies in a car accident. Even though that's what the police have ruled it, the widow thinks it was murder and asks Gary to look into it. The idea seems plausible to Gary since the victim was obviously upset about something before he left for work that morning.

Gary has just barely started investigating when he meets Becca. She witnessed the accident, and her view makes it look suspicious as well. Gary also finds her attractive, but she has some baggage of her own. Can they overcome their issues and find something more? Was the accident murder? Can Gary prove it and survive? Or is he in over his head?

This is a suspenseful thriller that starts out strong and never lags. I was afraid at one point then ending wouldn't be believable, but it worked as well. I was gripped the entire way through waiting to see what would happen next.

The characters were interesting and likable. My only issue with them was Gary and Becca's romance. It just happened too fast for me to swallow, especially given their baggage.

The writing also bothered me. It seemed stiff and awkward. Usually, I am able to get into the flow of a book as it progresses, but I couldn't do that here.

This is the author's debut novel. Despite some weaknesses, it shows real promise. As those things get ironed out in future books, he should have a great career. So if you enjoy a good thriller, give this book a chance.