The Violence Beat [Paperback]

Eve K. Sandstrom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997

Small town police reporter Nell Matthews finds herself in the line of fire during a tense hostage negotiation, and ultimately saves the day. But when the hostage taken is found dead under suspicious circumstances, she begins a dangerous investigation that could take down the entire police force, as well as the man she loves! .

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451190335
• ISBN-13: 978-0451190338
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,748,598 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced ,fun,and intricate, May 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Violence Beat (Paperback)

Nell Matthews is an experienced reporter for a mid-size town's only daily newspaper in the flatlands of Oklahoma. She gets involved in a hostage situation with an out of work,drugged mechanic holding is own son over a rail.A strange,unusual chain of circumstances pushes Nell into the hostage role. After she and the baby are rescued,the mechanic whispers something that doesn't make sense to her. She goes back to the newspaper to write her story,wind down from the excitement and eventually goes out with the policemen who rescued her.Eventually she becomes involved with sexy,rugged,red-haired deputy,Mike Svenson. They continue to investigate the death of the mechanic in the hospital,andthen some other crimes occur which bring Nell into some danger. Nell lives in a house with a gay male landlord and two other women. During the course of escaping from an attacker,Nell and a cryptic female witness run into the gay bar owned by her landlord.He is helpful and provides some humor throughout the story. Another humorous moment for Kate and Mike is the sudden appearance of Mike's mother in his house after a special night. The humor is mixed with the danger,crooked cops,old crimes involving Mike's father, and a really dunb reporter. All of this combines for a fascinating,fun, and sexy adventure.The ending brings a surprise and a hope for more fun in the future for Nell and Mike.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one fantasic read- highly recommended, September 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Violence Beat (Paperback)

Nell Matthews is the dayside reporter covering THE VIOLENCE BEAT (the police, sheriff, and fire departments) for the only local newspaper in Grantham. She loves her job, which she performs extremely well. However, even Nell is not prepared to become part of a hostage situation. Yet, that is exactly what happens when a local mechanic holding a hostage (his own son) demands Nell's presence or he will kill the boy. Events conspire to turn Nell into a hostage until she is rescued by police officer Mike Svenson, a former big city detective who has returned to his roots. The child also survives the ordeal due mostly to Mike's professional handling of the dangerous situation. While the suspect is taken a way for psychiatric testing, Nell and Mike make time to get up close and personal. When the suspect dies the next day, foul play is suspected. Nell repeats his final words to her ("They killed Eric") for Mike.

She is shocked when Mike deals poorly with the message. Nell is unaware that Mike's father, the deceased chief of police who died in an accident, used that code name. Nell begins to investigate the possibility that Mike's father was on the take and soon receives an anonymous call from a friend of Eric, claiming the former police chief was murdered by his peers. Nell is afraid that she is falling in love with Mike while searching for the truth behind the legend of his illustrious dad, a situation that could prove heartbreaking if not downright dangerous

THE VIOLENCE BEAT is crime writing at its very best. The author weaves a mesmerizing police procedural tale that places the two protagonists in a realistic relationship, yet that same relationship is blended within (as opposed to overwhelming) the story line. Readers become caught up with the twists and turns that this one sitting read provides as it showcases the talent of Eve K. Sandstrom, an author whose novel seems to be heading for the best seller lists.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Gave up on it, March 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Violence Beat (Paperback)

I try to finish most books I start, but I just couldn't go on with this book. The plot and character development weren't very good, and it was all so predictable. I kept trying because I thought the writer has real potential, but it got to the point that boredom overwhelmed my desire to give Ms. Sandstrom a fair chance.