San Francisco Secrets

Wise Bear Media Reviews "San Francisco Secrets" by Greg Messel -- 5 Paws! San Francisco Secrets is the third book in The Sam Slater Mystery Series which, for all intents and purposes, is a highly stylized crime drama in the spirit of a classic Hollywood film noir-esque movie.  Yes, it's a novel, but Messel's writing will transport you back in time to the late 50s for another adventure with Sam Slater and his sometimes partner, but also new finance, Amelia Ryan. This novel picks up right where Deadly Plunge left off.  Sam and Amelia are secretly engaged so that Amelia can keep her job as a TWA stewardess.  She is about to embark on a new international route and is clearly torn between her desire to marry Sam against a life-long dream to travel abroad. The quasi-chaste chemistry between the couple continues to smolder to the point that the interplay has surpassed frustration for loyal readers.  Luckily, the wait is over as the two protagonists finally wed in a rather amusing attempt at elopement.  I don't think I'm giving anything away by this revelation, as it was clearly time and not really essential information to the main mysteries and plot line. There are three main stories Sam and Amelia must solve in San Francisco Secrets.  First, he is hired to finish a job for another private investigator who has been found dead.  It seems as though this original P.I. was getting too close to solving his case and now Sam is squarely in the cross hairs—just prior to his pending nuptials, no less. Readers are also treated to a blast from Sam's past when his ex-wife, Susan, walks into Sam's office looking for protection. Some no-nonsense criminals have started making good on some threats against Susan’s now husband, Frank—the man she Dear Johned Sam for during the war. Finally, Amelia must face the realities of international travel with a predatory flight captain who is determined to have his way with her. And although Sam is ready to come to her rescue and defend Amelia’s honor, she is determined to handle the situation on her own, thereby keeping her prestigious job intact.  Messel does a good job of weaving personal details about his characters into his crime-driven story lines. Sam and Amelia Slater are characters ahead of their time. It would be easier to pigeonhole them into conventional characters we’d expect from the 50s and 60s, but the contemporary spin Messel infuses into his joint protagonists is the key to the series’ success. With each book, Sam and Amelia become richer and more fully developed. Their actions are completely believable in the context of each crime they solve together. In this day and age of endless young adult, fantasy fiction books, San Francisco Secrets is a balanced, well-written, contemporary mystery adventure and a much needed breath of fresh air.

Greg Messel pens "San Francisco Secrets", the third book in the 'Same Slater Mysteries Series' and the first one that I have read from this author, in a plot filled with mystery. Combining real historical facts with fictional characters that were strong, the author made the story line believable. This book was good enough to stand alone from the series, as I didn't feel I was missing all that much from the first two books....although I wished I had read the series from the beginning. A must read for all mystery fans. This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.

How far would you go to protect your secrets? In San Francisco Secrets, the third book in the Sam Slater Mystery series, former baseball player turned private investigator Sam Slater is back with a new case to investigate. Sam and his fiancee, TWA stewardess Amelia Ryan are hired by prominent San Francisco Dr. John O'Dell, who is being blackmailed by someone who has discovered a dark secret from his past. Dr. O'Dell had initially hired another private investigator to solve the case, but he is murdered when he gets too close to the truth, and Sam is hired to pick up the pieces of the case. But secrets abound everywhere in San Francisco ... even Sam and Amelia have secrets that they protect ... and exposed secrets can be dangerous and deadly. Author Greg Messel once again weaves another tale of romance, mystery and suspense set in 1958 San Francisco. Written in the third person narrative, the reader follows Sam and Amelia on their latest investigative case. In this riveting fast paced story, secrets protected and exposed are the key to solving the case of who is blackmailing Dr. O'Dell and the murder of the private investigator. But there is someone who will do anything to protect their own secrets, and Sam's discovery could have deadly results. Sam and Amelia's latest mystery adventure takes the reader on a thrilling ride with enough twists and turns that will keep them guessing. And if that isn't enough to whet your appetite, Sam and Amelia's relationship will be tested as they have their own secrets to deal with; in addition to the appearance of a mysterious woman from Sam's past; complications arise for Amelia when her new job as an international stewardess is put in jeopardy when a womanizing older pilot has set his sights on her! Of the three books in the series, this book is my favorite as the focus on Sam and Amelia's relationship and past is more prominently explored. I loved the balance of mystery and romance that the author interweaves throughout the story. I was thoroughly fascinated with Ameila's portion of the story, and the late 1950s stewardess requirements and lifestyle. San Francisco Secrets is rich in detail and vivid description of the authentic 1958 San Francisco time period. The author provides the reader with some really wonderful historical facts, statistics and pictures from that time period, you can't help but become captivated with the amount of interesting information that the author provides the reader throughout the story. With a cast of characters who are interesting and draw the reader into their lives with their witty dialogue and dramatic interactions; and a riveting storyline that has enough intrigue, suspense, twist and turns, and a steamy romance that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages, San Francisco Secrets is one heck of entertaining romantic mystery novel. San Francisco Secrets will captivate your imagination, and the mystery and amount of secrets will keep you guessing as you follow Sam and Amelia on their latest investigative adventure. San Francisco Secrets is the third book in the Sam Slater Mystery Series, but can be read as a stand alone story. The author does reference characters and storyline plots from the other two books in the series, but he interweaves them so smoothly that the reader won't get lost or feel like they have missed anything. However, I would recommend that you follow the sequence of the books in the series, because once you have been drawn into Sam Slater's latest investigative adventures, you will be hooked and want to follow him onto his next adventure!

Greg Messel in his new book, “San Francisco Secrets” Book Three in the Sam Slater Mysteries series published by the author gives us another adventure with Sam Slater and Amelia Ryan. From the back cover: Noted novelist and newspaper editor Edgar Watson Howe once said. “A man who can keep a secret may be wise but he is not half as wise as a man with no secrets to keep.” As the spring of 1958 arrives in San Francisco, it seems that baseball player turned private eye, Sam Slater and his fiancée, TWA stewardess Amelia Ryan, are surrounded by people who have secrets. A prominent doctor, John O’Dell is being blackmailed by someone who has discovered a dark secret from his past. When the private investigator trying to catch the blackmailer is murdered, Dr. O’Dell hires Sam Slater to try to pick up the pieces. Someone is playing for keeps and will do anything to protect their own secrets. Meanwhile, Amelia begins her new job as an international stewardess which takes her on adventures to New York City, London, Paris and Rome. In hot pursuit is a womanizing older pilot who has his sights set on Amelia. Their lives get even more complicated when a mysterious woman from Sam’s past returns. Sam and Amelia’s relationship will be tested as they work together to solve the mystery on the foggy streets of San Francisco. Sam Slater is back and his third case is a lot tougher than the previous two and those cases almost got him killed. What is the one thing in our lives that we hold onto because, when found out, can cause us all kinds of trouble? The answer: secrets. And this case is loaded with secrets. Everyone is carrying secrets, including Sam and Amelia However they are not willing to kill to keep their secret while there is someone who is and really does not want his secret exposed. “San Francisco Secrets” is a wild ride filled with vivid detail. Mr. Messel has given us a very exciting thriller set against the backdrop of 1958 San Francisco. This is an evenly paced page turning mystery adventure as we try to figure out who did it before Sam does. Not a chance. On top of everything the romance continues between Sam and Amelia. Thank you Greg Messel for giving us a mystery done old school. I am glad I found this talented author and am so excited that there will be a next book in this series. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Pump Up Your Book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”