I’m truly honored to be included in the fabulous Jean Rabe’s new release and Blog Tour! I’ve read all of Jean’s books in her Piper Blackwell Mystery Series, and haven’t been disappointed, ONCE! Book Six, The Dead of Sled Run, is no exception. (My review is below)
Blurb:
A raging fire sweeps through the decorated landscape of Sled Run, destroying the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg and killing two.
An accident? Or did something toxic fuel the flames?
Sheriff Piper Blackwell and Detective Basil Meredith believe Oren was targeted and are tasked with finding motive and means before more than the holiday burns bright.
With many clues reduced to ashes, can Piper and Basil catch the culprits before they strike again? Or is this blaze just the start of the most murder-filled time of the year?
About the Author:
USA Today best-seller, Jean Rabe’s impressive writing career spans decades, starting as a newspaper reporter and bureau chief.
From there she went on to become the director of RPGA, a co-editor with Martin H. Greenberg for DAW books, and, most notably, Rabe is an award-winning author of more than forty science fiction/fantasy and murder mystery thrillers.
She writes mysteries and fantasies, because life is too short to be limited to one genre–and she does it with dogs tangled at her feet, because life is too short not to be covered in fur.
Find out more about her at www.jeanrabe.com
My Review: The Dead of Sled Run
The Dead of Sled Run is the 6th book in the Piper Blackwell Series by author, Jean Rabe. I’ve read all six, and believe me, this installment is as fantastic as the rest.
If you like reading books that leave you breathless from the very first word, this book is for you. The story starts with a roaring blaze, in the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg, with such vivid descriptions your eyes will water, and your nose will burn from smelling the thick gray smoke.
When Piper Blackwell, Spencer County (Indiana) sheriff, arrives at the burning house, Oren has already been taken by helicopter to a burn center in Indianapolis, so she knows the outlook isn’t good. The young Army veteran won the election for sheriff when her dad had to step down due to illness. Ironically, she had beaten Rosenberg for the job a year earlier.
Determined to find the cause of the fire, that also spread to a neighbor’s home, she’s stunned to learn arson is suspected. Not only is Oren severely injured, two bodies are discovered next door leading to speculation of a hate crime since both homeowners were of Jewish descent and neither house was decorated for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
The twenty-two year-old sheriff, Piper, feels the weight of the community on her shoulders. Self-doubt haunts her when whispers, along with downright accusations begin to surface that her dad, former sheriff Paul Blackwell, would’ve already solved the case. Was she really up to the task? Especially when she finds out her dad, along with injured deputy, Oren, are being sued by a recently released inmate for false arrest for the murder of the former prisoner’s brother.
Jean Rabe weaves a story with enough twists and turns to rival any country road in Southern Indiana. The characters capture the reader’s interest, immediately. From Oren’s daughter, Millie who works for the department, to Basil, who moves his wife and family from the diversity of Chicago to “lily-white” Spencer County, Indiana, to Piper’s new husband, Nang, who hopes to become the county’s next big culinary entrepreneur. Not to mention the string of arson suspects!
If you haven’t read the full series of Piper Blackwell books, don’t let that stop you from reading The Dead of Sled Run. It’s a downright gem of a whodunit.
However, do yourself a favor and read all six books from beginning to end!
Publisher: Boone Street Press (November 13, 2023)
Publication date: November 13, 2023
Language: English
Print length: 316 pages
Buy link: http://mybook.to/DeadSledRun
The Dead of Sled Run is book six of the Piper Blackwell Series. Want to read the series in order? Check it out on Amazon.
Prefer audio? The Piper Blackwell series is in audio, read by Catherine Wenglowski. Start with book one of the series, The Dead of Winter
Love the Piper Blackwell Series and want to keep up with Jean’s latest works? Sign-up for her newsletter here and follow her on Amazon or Bookbub.
Mary Cunningham, Author 