Suspicious Circumstances [Hardcover]

Sandra Ruttan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2007

A suspicious death. A missing baby. A corrupt police department. When a man shows up in reporter Lara Kelly's office with a video that appears to show a woman falling to her death, Lara is intrigued but suspicious. The man claims he went to the police, but that they refused to investigate. Under pressure from her editor to use the video to build a story about the incompetence of the local police captain, Lara gathers enough evidence to print a story about a suspected suicide. Detective Tymen Farraday, the newest cop in a precinct plagued by scandal, is ordered to investigate and discredit the reporter if necessary. When potential evidence is stolen and Lara is attacked, Farraday is forced to put his grudge against reporters aside and work with the journalist to solve the murder while trying to protect her from the killer. Just when they think they have the evidence to arrest a suspect, two more murders turn the investigation in an unexpected direction. The guilty have already shown that they'll stop at nothing to protect their secrets. In a town where one person holds all the power, not even the police can be trusted. And the prime suspect isn't the only person Lara and Farraday need to worry about. (Advanced Praise for Suspicious Circumstances) "..there is never a dull moment. It's a hard book to put down."" Tony Hillerman, Edgar Award-Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author "Suspicious Circumstances has to be one of the most satisfying mysteries going that grips the reader from beginning to end." Clive Cussler, NY Times Bestselling Author, Acclaimed worldwide as the Grandmaster of Adventure "Here is the new voice, and what a voice! Eloquent, sassy, compassionate and written with a style so assured it's hard to believe it's a debut... This is talent writ huge." Ken Bruen, Shamus Award-Winning Author of The Guards "Sandra Ruttan's SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES is crime fiction with booster jets--a white-hot blazing ride sure to slam you down some of the darkest, twistiest back alleys that ever corrupted a small city's secret heart." Cornelia Read, Author of A Field of Darkness "Secrets and lies, new murders and old, all unravel and unwind within the pages of SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES to create a complex and compelling crime-fiction debut. Sandra Ruttan has a keen eye for description, a wonderful ear for dialogue, and an acute instinct for the nuances of characterization. " Anne Frasier, USA Today bestselling author of Hush "Sandra Ruttan's Suspicious Circumstances soars. It is complex, exciting, and elegant. In musical terms, it's listening to Bach. I'm in love with Lara Kelly, the smart, strong, vulnerable protagonist. Her detective lover better move fast or I'm in there. A gripping adventure, a large cast of marvelous characters, and twists that follow turns. Read it. You'll love it too." Robert Fate, Author of Baby Shark "A well executed procedural with a spark between our protagonists, an excellent feel for political machinations on a small town scale and a plot that twists and turns like a bad tempered rattlesnake." Russel D. McLean, Crime Scene Scotland (About the Author) Sandra Ruttan had her first newspaper column at the age of thirteen. She studied journalism and communication theory before focusing on special education. She spent several years working with children with learning disabilities while completing a creative writing diploma. Sandra is co-founder and submissions director for Spinetingler Magazine. Her short fiction has appeared in Crimespree Magazine, Spinetingler, Demolition, The Cynic and Flashing in the Gutters. She lives in western Canada with her husband, two dogs and too many cats.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: TICO Publishing (January 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977768899
• ISBN-13: 978-0977768899
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,270,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great deal for a great debut, April 3, 2011

By 

Brian Lindenmuth (MD.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Suspicious Circumstances (Kindle Edition)

When a man shows up in reporter Lara Kelly's office with a video that appears to show a woman falling to her death, Lara is intrigued but suspicious. The man claims he went to the police, but that they refused to investigate. Under pressure from her editor to use the video to build a story about the incompetence of the local police captain, Lara gathers enough evidence to print a story about a suspected suicide. Detective Tymen Farraday, the newest cop in a precinct plagued by scandal, is ordered to investigate and discredit the reporter if necessary. When potential evidence is stolen and Lara is attacked, Farraday is forced to put his grudge against reporters aside and work with the journalist to solve the murder while trying to protect her from the killer.

Suspicious Circumstances is a compelling read that has two big strengths going for it: its characters and the twists in the plot.

The two main characters Ty and Lara have an easy chemistry between them. At one point a minor character says that the two of them have sexual chemistry. I'm not too sure if that's the case though. Not yet anyway, if these characters are used again in future novels it could develop into that. They do have an ease and comfort around each other. Their dialog is filled with banter that rings true and brings out other facets of their personalities. Almost all of the characters are developed through dialog which is one of the most natural and realistic ways for an author to develop a character. They really are great together and I hope to see at least one more book with the paring. To Ruttan's credit also she lets their relationship unfold naturally and doesn't rush them into situations where they might kiss, hug, sleep together or have a touch that lingers just a second too long. Their personalities click in many ways before they even slightly suspect or begin to admit to themselves that there is chemistry there.

The simple premise of the plot and Lara and Ty's subsequent investigation is a first cut that strikes deep. It exposes a conspiracy of corruption that extends further then anyone thought was possible. Ruttan proves to be very adept at twisting the plot and yanking the rug out from under her characters with the continuous revealing of information. The reveals in this book are like a popcorn machine. They start off slow then very quickly speed up to maintain a relentless pace that rarely falters and never lets up.

I did have a couple of very small problems with one or two of the sub-plots and supporting characters in the book but they didn't have a drastic effect on my overall opinion of the book.

Bottom line is while I did have some minor problems with the book they were far outweighed by its strengths. This book had previously only been available as an expensive hardback. Now that it is available for the Kindle every reader of mystery and crime fiction should jump at the opportunity to read it.

[Note: A version of this review appeared at the books original release time at a different site. At that time I didn't know the author and now I do.]

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Did the woman really fall?, June 14, 2007

By 

Dawn Dowdle "Mystery Lovers Corner reviewer" (Lynchburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suspicious Circumstances (Hardcover)

Reporter Lara Kelly is suspicious when a man comes to her with a video tape showing a woman falling from a cliff. Especially when he says he first went to the police, and they weren't interested.

She begins to investigate, but proceeds cautiously. Soon she has a story compiled that the woman committed suicide.

Detective Tymen Farraday is new on the local force. The force has been plagued with scandal and rumors. He is assigned to investigate this story and discredit Lara if he has to. After Lara is attacked and some evidence stolen, Tymen finds himself protecting Lara and having to put aside his feelings about and grudge against reporters.

Just when they think they have everything figured out, more murders happen that make them rethink everything.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are fun and the story pace kept my interest. The plot is well-written and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I highly recommend this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suspicious Circumstances, June 29, 2007

By 

Amra Pajalic "http://amrapajalic.com/" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suspicious Circumstances (Hardcover)

A really good read with constant accelerating of tension and plots that keep coming. What I loved most about it was the breaking of stereotypes. An ethical reporter, a cop who took duty seriously and wasn't jaded. I also liked the romantic angle not becoming typical with an emphasis on respect between Ty and Lara as well as timing. That is there a time and a place.