Customer Reviews

Suspicious Circumstances

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.]

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.

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.

A pulse-pounding page turner with myriad twists and turns...an excellent investment of your time.

Can't wait to read another of Ruttan's novels.

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.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES grabs you by the throat on a storm-swept cliff's edge, and never lets go. Sandra Ruttan writes with a machine gun rhythm that pulls you through every unexpected twist and dark turn in her complex and richly drawn debut. Don't have plans when you sit down to read this tasty, dazzling thriller. Every page of SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES leave you gasping--and begging for more.

Loved the book. Characters, story, all of it flowed together to make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. I can't wait for Sandra's next book!

This is a very good book to read. Enjoyable, exciting and suspenseful to the end. Vert well written. Great author.

There is a good story here, but it was so difficult to follow. I also found myself having to go back and re-read a few pages to figure out who was talking to who. It is a very complex, long story that begs for a good editor. The main story and the secondary stories did come together in the end, but there were so many secondary stories it was tough to remember which one was which. The characters were likeable and believable. SPOILER TO FOLLOW---I was disapointed with the abrupt ending, they got all of the henchmen,and made no mention of bringing down the Kingpin. In the end he was just "facing charges". Maybe it was on purpose, leaving open the possibility of a sequel.

Suspicious Circumstances is a mystery that weaves a complex tapestry of crime and corruption. I found the book gripping, with protagonists I could appreciate, a case that would not quit growing, and an outcome that seemed realistic. The ending was satisfying in spite of incomplete closure.

This is a long story, written with detail and depth. It's a long and tortuous path from beginning to end, so pay attention right away. There are developments you won't understand at first, but that become important pieces in the overall scheme.

There are two interesting ingredients that make this story different from many crime novels. At first, the idea of a reporter who is suspicious of cops working with a detective who has been burned by a reporter seems like a big stretch. However, Ms. Ruttan is pretty successful at having the relationship develop as a plausible outcome of circumstances and personalities. As the book progressed, I became persuaded that a reporter and a policeman working together offers some definite advantages (as well as some obvious drawbacks).

* * * * possible (mild) spoiler * * * *

The second deviation from the typical mystery is that there are numerous persons involved in the crimes in various roles, and the resolution is a result of a varied but interlocking cast of very independent individuals.

* * * * end spoiler, if it was * * * *

I appreciated the low level of profanity and the absence of the ubiquitous but extraneous sex scene. For once, a man and a woman don't instantly fall in "love" and into bed.

I recommend this book to mystery fans. I'll certainly look into another of Ms. Ruttan's books.