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Smiley and McBlythe #0.7
The Ice House Murder
A murder is committed…
A Russian National sits in jail.
Someone with deep pockets wants him out.
Proclaiming his client’s innocence, a Houston lawyer wants Smiley and McBlythe to find out who committed the murder in the ice house.
Although suspicious of the lawyer’s intentions, and the two hundred grand he’s willing to pay, Steve and Heather agree to take the case on one condition: that truth will prevail—even if that means the Russian cooling his heels in jail is guilty.
Smiley and McBlythe have ten days to name the killer before the lawyer does things his way. The clock is ticking.
The stakes skyrocket when there’s an abduction. Now Steve and Heather only have three days. Can they untangle the lies and deceptions before another murder happens? The race is on to discover who really killed the man in the ice house.
You’ll love this mystery because justice is served…ice cold.
A Russian National sits in jail.
Someone with deep pockets wants him out.
Proclaiming his client’s innocence, a Houston lawyer wants Smiley and McBlythe to find out who committed the murder in the ice house.
Although suspicious of the lawyer’s intentions, and the two hundred grand he’s willing to pay, Steve and Heather agree to take the case on one condition: that truth will prevail—even if that means the Russian cooling his heels in jail is guilty.
Smiley and McBlythe have ten days to name the killer before the lawyer does things his way. The clock is ticking.
The stakes skyrocket when there’s an abduction. Now Steve and Heather only have three days. Can they untangle the lies and deceptions before another murder happens? The race is on to discover who really killed the man in the ice house.
You’ll love this mystery because justice is served…ice cold.
- GenresMystery
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2019
About the author
Bruce Hammack
40 books392 followersDrawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries.
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 31, 2019
These Smiley and McBlythe mysteries strike me as a cross between a cozy mystery and a police procedural. Hammack is a master of description--and both the characters and the settings literally jump off the page. With rich, vibrant characters that pull you along these novellas can be easily read over a weekend. Highly recommend!
Note: Hammack's books are a clean read, with no foul language or undo violence.
Note: Hammack's books are a clean read, with no foul language or undo violence.
August 9, 2019
Exciting and Different
This was my first exposure to Smiley and McBlythe, and I hope it won't be my last. The book is well-written and kept me engrossed from beginning to end. The characters were very interesting, even if a little stereotypical. It took some doing to suss out the murderer and the motive. I found some satisfaction in the sub plots that added warmth and humor to the story. The characters and story were very imaginative.
This was my first exposure to Smiley and McBlythe, and I hope it won't be my last. The book is well-written and kept me engrossed from beginning to end. The characters were very interesting, even if a little stereotypical. It took some doing to suss out the murderer and the motive. I found some satisfaction in the sub plots that added warmth and humor to the story. The characters and story were very imaginative.
August 6, 2019
This is an ARC, advanced readers copy. Quick, intelligent read. Liked the characters of Steve and Heather and Max. Refreshing that Steve has a disability but it isn’t driven by alcoholism and it isn’t eating him alive. The book is very fast paced and doesn’t get bogged down in excessive verbiage.
March 1, 2020
There was this ice house in the parking lot by the water that sold ice and water to the people visiting the lake. The murder investigation involved some rich families, a Russian man, & the former owner of the ice house. A blind man and a lady investigator were doing the investigation. Though blind his senses were more keen and perfected.
August 26, 2019
I really loved this clever mystery. I loved the character's and how they interacted with each other. I loved the plot. I want to read more from this author and this series. It was easy to read and I read it in one sitting. I will be following this author for more of course!
August 27, 2020
This is novella book three in the Smiley and McBlythe Mystery series and sees Steve Smiley and Heather McBlythe called in by a lawyer to help prove his client is innocent of the murder of an ice house owner. The lawyer normally works with much higher ranking clients within the Russian mob, so can’t be seen to be involved in the case of a lowly employee of the adjoining donut shop being the main suspect. The lawyer Judson Witherspoon, gives them ten days to prove his client Reuben Moscovitch innocent, or he will take matters into his own hands. The victim was Peter Grayson and he used the advantage of his wife Sissy’s family money and business to take advantage, skimming money from the ice businesses and going fishing every day, to enjoy his passion. His father-in-law, William Keyton and his wife’s sister Dagmar, didn’t like what he did.
When Heather’s cat Max is taken and held against the duo to get their actions speeded up and giving them an ultimatum to solve the case in three days now, or they will never see the cat again. Someone it seems, doesn’t like their slow progress in proving Reuben innocent, even after another person was put forward by someone else as the prime suspect. Steve has to try one final trick to oust the actual killer, but if he doesn’t then Heather will lose her beloved cat and he could lose Heather!
It will take a convoluted investigation to clarify the real reasons behind Peter Grayson’s murder and the real person or persons responsible for carrying it out, but they are not responsible. Someone paid for the murder to occur and Steve and Heather must work out who that was, if they are to reach a conclusion before matters are taken out of their hands. A great mix of mystery, red herrings amongst the clues and a multitude of suspects amongst a varied cast of characters. An ace pair of investigators that lead you around a case in a unique manner, never quite letting you glimpse the conclusion until they are ready. I look forward to reading more of these investigations. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
When Heather’s cat Max is taken and held against the duo to get their actions speeded up and giving them an ultimatum to solve the case in three days now, or they will never see the cat again. Someone it seems, doesn’t like their slow progress in proving Reuben innocent, even after another person was put forward by someone else as the prime suspect. Steve has to try one final trick to oust the actual killer, but if he doesn’t then Heather will lose her beloved cat and he could lose Heather!
It will take a convoluted investigation to clarify the real reasons behind Peter Grayson’s murder and the real person or persons responsible for carrying it out, but they are not responsible. Someone paid for the murder to occur and Steve and Heather must work out who that was, if they are to reach a conclusion before matters are taken out of their hands. A great mix of mystery, red herrings amongst the clues and a multitude of suspects amongst a varied cast of characters. An ace pair of investigators that lead you around a case in a unique manner, never quite letting you glimpse the conclusion until they are ready. I look forward to reading more of these investigations. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
September 15, 2020
This is my first time reading anything by this author and I enjoyed reading this short mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the story interesting and the reader guessing. The characters have depth and are very likable. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 6, 2022
An enjoyable read
I like this series. It features two private detectives, one who lost his sight and the other is an attorney as well. They work alongside the police to solve crimes. I appreciate that the stories are clean, no foul language or bedroom scenes. Stories like this are hard to find these days but this author is becoming a new favorite of mine.
I like this series. It features two private detectives, one who lost his sight and the other is an attorney as well. They work alongside the police to solve crimes. I appreciate that the stories are clean, no foul language or bedroom scenes. Stories like this are hard to find these days but this author is becoming a new favorite of mine.
November 17, 2021
Another winner for me--I enjoy the books in this series. They are well-written and Smiley and Heather are such well-written characters that I can imagine them as I read the books. I recommend reading them.
September 13, 2022
Another winner
Another winner for Steve & Heather and the villains are once again brought to justice. It’s satisfying to watch Steve piece the clues together and come out on top. Mr Hammack has done it again!
Another winner for Steve & Heather and the villains are once again brought to justice. It’s satisfying to watch Steve piece the clues together and come out on top. Mr Hammack has done it again!
December 7, 2022
As usual Bruce wrote a mind blowing book. There were many characters and theories but in the end Smiley and Heather pieced the puzzle together and came to a well done conclusion. I love these two as they investigate murders.
May 12, 2022
This is a twisted story that was fun to read and discover all the ends and outs, background, and who done it!!
May 17, 2022
I loved this book. It was full of action and twists and turns. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
September 6, 2021
Two former cops one is now blind, working together. She is his eyes giving him the details of the person, and places., He has the unique sense of smell, and sees the color. Cases are solved by this interesting pair of PI. Clean enjoyable how they figure out the murder and why.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews