Tag: Sasscer Hill

Murder at the Willcotts Hotel (The Janet Simpson Cozy Mysteries) by Sasscer Hill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A recently widowed woman finds herself finding the things in life that finally make her happy, including a new romantic interest, until he is later found dead, and she becomes the main suspect in his demise in author Sasscer Hill’s “Murder at the Willcotts Hotel”, the third entry in the Janet Simpson Cozy Mysteries series. 

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The Synopsis

Sheltered from life by a domineering father and an overprotective husband, middle-aged Janet Simpson suddenly becomes a very rich widow. She always wanted to own a racehorse, but her husband never allowed it. Her newfound freedom and wealth provide her with a race filly and the kind of trouble from which only her wits can save her.

Wintering at a five-star South Carolina hotel, with her young racehorse at a nearby training track, Janet finds a new love interest. Until he’s a no-show for dinner. She is horrified to find his battered corpse and, the local police consider her a suspect.

Her anxiety doubles when she realizes the niece who has come to stay with her has been trailed by a stalker. Two killers are on the loose at her elegant, southern hotel. Can she sniff them out before death strikes again?

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The Review

This was a fast-paced yet gripping read. The author does a remarkable job of capturing the suddenness and gripping nature of the mystery of this story while also delving into the heart of horse racing and life as a racehorse owner. The balance of these two worlds really speaks to a specific audience, while also leaving room for the general audience to get lost in this world and become enraptured with the narrative.

The heart of this story was the author’s incredible character development. The evolution of Janet as a character, who came from a life of domineering men in her life to gaining strength and resilience as a character showcases the powerful female protagonist she has become over time. The classic storytelling device of the protagonist becoming the main suspect in the case and the fight she takes on to not only prove her innocence but also stop two killers loose on the grounds of this hotel made this a compelling read.

The Verdict

Memorable, fast-paced, and engaging, author Sasscer Hill’s “Murder at the Willcotts Hotel” is a must-read novella and cozy mystery, as well as a great entry in the Janet Simpson Cozy Mysteries series. The twists and turns the narrative takes on and the gripping character twists that keep the action and suspense propelling forward made this a memorable read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on October 1st, 2023 or preorder today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Sasscer Hill, a former Maryland racehorse breeder, trainer, and rider, uses the sport of kings as a backdrop for her mysteries. Her “vivid descriptive” prose about greed, evil, heart, and courage propelled her “Nikki Latrelle” novels to multiple award nominations, including an Agatha, a Macavity, and the Dr. Tony Ryan Best in Racing Literature Award.

Her 2020 novel, TRAVELS OF QUINN, is “A heart-stopping thriller of a murder mystery”– Charles Todd, Anthony, Edgar, and Barry Award-winning author.

Born an Irish American gypsy Traveller, can Quinn escape a dreaded marriage contract and the life of crime forced upon her?

https://www.sasscerhill.com/

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Murder in the Bluegrass: A Janet Simpson Cozy Mystery Novella by Sasscer Hill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A woman arrives at the mansion of a billionaire in Kentucky to feature her horses in the upcoming Spring Meet, only to become engrossed in a mystery that forces her to escape a nefarious killer in author Sasscer Hill’s “Murder in the Bluegrass”, the latest entry in the Janet Simpson Cozy Mystery Novella series.

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The Synopsis

Janet is invited to stay with the billionaire O’Sullivan family in Lexington, KY, for Keeneland’s spring racing meet. Shipping her horses to the track, she arrives at the O’Sullivan estate only to discover it resembles a castle in a horror movie, complete with a dark and eerie tower.

Jealousy, rage, and sadness reside in this mansion. Sudden death and unraveling secrets leave Janet fearing for her life. Can she save herself or will a killer destroy her?

Sasscer Hill’s horse racing mysteries and thrillers have won multiple awards, including the $10,00 Ryan Award for Best Book in Horseracing Literature.

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The Review

This was an engaging and fast-paced mystery. The tension that builds within this family unit that the protagonist comes across is felt early on, and the atmosphere the author builds made the story feel like a classic whodunnit, much in the style of recent films like Knives Out. The suspense the narrative builds as the mystery is unraveled layer by layer really keeps the reader engaged.

Yet it was the rich character development and the honest and thoughtful inclusion of the racehorse lifestyle that made this feel like such an authentic and gripping mystery read. The author’s ability to develop these characters and the long history many of them shared together in such a short amount of time was amazing, and the inclusion of the author’s personal experience with horses and the life of a racehorse breeder and trainer made the protagonist feel more alive on the page.

The Verdict

Mesmerizing, heartfelt, and chilling, author Sasscer Hill’s Murder in the Bluegrass” is a must-read mystery novel that you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative, including a surprise character arc and the reveal of the killer, will have readers eager for the next entry into this engaging series. If you haven’t’ yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Sasscer Hill: Author, Amateur Jockey, Horse Breeder and Mystery Lover

Sasscer Hill, a former Maryland racehorse breeder, trainer, and rider, uses the sport of kings as a backdrop for her mysteries. Her “vivid descriptive” prose about greed, evil, heart, and courage propelled her “Nikki Latrelle” novels to multiple award nominations, including an Agatha, a Macavity, and the Dr. Tony Ryan Best in Racing Literature Award.

Her 2020 novel, TRAVELS OF QUINN, is “A heart-stopping thriller of a murder mystery”– Charles Todd, Anthony, Edgar, and Barry Award-winning author.

Born an Irish American gypsy Traveller, can Quinn escape a dreaded marriage contract and the life of crime forced upon her?

https://www.sasscerhill.com/

Shooting Star: A Nikki Latrelle Mystery Book 5 (The Nikki Latrelle Mystery-Thriller Series) by Sasscer Hill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A job to protect the horses and people involved in a Hollywood shoot forces heroine Nikki Latrelle to face off against a mysterious sniper in author Sasscer Hill’s “Shoot Star”, the fifth book in the Nikki Latrelle Mystery-Thriller series!

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The Synopsis

When Nikki’s ex-lover Will hires her to protect the horses used to film a movie at Santa Anita Racetrack, she learns evil is alive and well in Hollywood.

Keeping Thoroughbreds safe from a director who doesn’t know a horse from a hamster is tricky. More difficult are the unresolved feelings between Nikki and Will, especially when sexy, young movie star, Jamie Jackson, sets his sights on Nikki.

But when a sniper’s bullet shatters the brain of a cameraman close enough that she can smell his blood, Nikki’s need to protect overrides everything. Her sleuthing unearths a trail of corruption and when she must lie to Will to protect his life, she’s on her own. Can she identify the evil behind the scenes before she and Will become the next victims?

Shooting Star is the fifth rocket-paced story in the award-winning Nikki Latrelle mystery series. If you like protagonists with heart and courage, unexpected twists, and a thrill ride to the finish, you’ll love Shooting Star.

Find out why this series has so many fans. Buy Shooting Star today! 

The Review

This book starts off quite literally with a bang. The shocking murder of a cameraman shocks readers with a quick introduction to the setting followed by the harrowing events that spark this mystery. Now although I am a newcomer to the Nikki Latrelle series, the author did an amazing job of crafting a narrative that felt self-contained enough to stand on its own while still touching upon scenes and experiences the character had in previous entries in the series. 

The balance the author found between the pacing of the mystery and the character arcs of not only the protagonist but of the supporting cast as well as brilliantly written. Each clue and twist in the narrative was delivered naturally and kept the reader invested, while the characters kept you on the edge of your seat as readers tried to solve the mystery themselves. Add some unique and original storytelling elements involving horse racing and the treatment of animals in Hollywood productions overall, and you have the recipe for a highly engaging thriller.

The Verdict

A high octane, adrenaline-fueled, thought-provoking mystery thriller, author Sasscer Hill’s “Shooting Star” is a must-read thriller of 2021. A brilliantly original and heartfelt look into the world of horse racing and the treatment of animals in general blended with a heart-pounding murder mystery and complex character development, readers will not be able to put down this amazing story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I’ve never wanted to write the “Great American novel.” I believe my job is to entertain with stories about chasing a dream, fighting the odds, and helping the helpless. I want to create a world that’s a bit scary, sometimes funny, always informative, and a reliable destination for escape.

Sasscer Hill’s books have won the $10,000 Dr. Tony Ryan Award for Best Book in Racing Literature (FLAMINGO ROAD.) They have also garnered a Carrie McCray Award and been nominated for Agatha, Macavity, and Claymore awards. Her second book in her two-book “Fia McKee” series, THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, received a Booklist Starred Review and was an Editor’s Pick in the Toronto Star.

Her newest title, TRAVEL’S OF QUINN” (out March 2010) is a mystery-thriller based on the con artists known as the Irish American Travellers. A novel of deceit, murder, greed and hope,

Currently, Sasscer is writing SHOOTING STAR, her fifth novel in the “Nikki Latrelle” mystery series.

Sasscer was a breeder, owner, and rider of race horses for over 30 years. She lives in Aiken, SC, with her husband, a dog named Rosco and a cat named Lola.

https://www.sasscerhill.com/