Remember when you read a book that was difficult to put down? Terry Odell is one of those authors.
It’s late for me to begin posting. It’s late for me to still be up! I was absorbed in posting reviews to Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/ for three of Terry’s titles. Finding Sarah, Hidden Fire, and Saving Scott.
Admittedly, I was also browsing the net looking for more titles of Terry Odell’s to purchase. Mission accomplished. She has me hooked. I finished the third book in the Pine Hills series and am going through withdrawal. My book shelves contain plenty of reads by other favored authors but I need more Odell!
The three titles are all set in a small(fictional) Oregon town of Pine Hills.The police department in Pine Hills is not very large…more than just Andy and Barney of Mayberry but not by much.
In Finding Sarah, Odell introduces three characters which appear in all the above mentioned titles. Randy, a police detective; Sarah a young shop owner and his romantic interest along with Maggie, Sarah’s neighbor.
I have to say, the plots are not as predictable as one would imagine. Or at least, not to me. As I read and thought I had things figured out – surprise! An unexpected twist.
Mystery/suspense with a twist of romance have been my preferred genre since I discovered Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys as a young reader. One of my favorite board games was Clue! as a kid. In my “what if” fantasies I visualize myself as either a detective or a forensic medical sleuth and of course a writer.
In an earlier post, I made mention of Terry, probably not by name. We worked together during the 1980’s at the Zoological Society of Florida. We were both working mothers. Her children a little older than mine and she freely gave advice on almost everything.
Until the shipment of more of Terry’s titles arrive, I will probably continue working my way through the alphabetical titles by Sue Grafton. No need to ask which letter I’m up to because I started out of order. I just try to keep a list of the letters I’ve read. Frank likes to hunt for previously read books; he found a good number of the letters I had not yet read and gave them to me.
And then there is the Janet Evanovich collection. Mom loved her work and some of my sisters started reading her as well. They speak of the characters in the stories to the point that I was curious enough to take a look. Plenty of those here too.
Now that I am posting frequently, my reading time is limited to the time I spend on the train to and from work. Sometimes I will read a few pages in bed until my eyes droop.
Many people are now reading on electronic devices. Interesting concept – virtual library and bookstores literally key strokes away. I have not yet converted to a Kindle. There is just something about holding a book and turning pages that I enjoy.
Reading and writing have always been among my favorite things. Not as cute as “whiskers on kittens…” but books are real and I am allergic to cats! For as long as I can remember books have been a constant presence in my life. Aha! That was just an Aha moment for me!
Aside from my sisters, books were always present throughout our childhood. Books provided adventures and a form of escape from the
sometimes frightening chaos we endured.
Books are friends. Terry Odell is a friend from long ago and now she is (without even knowing) encouraging me to pursue my passion. Thanks
Terry!
Happy Trails!
So glad you enjoyed the books! I remember our zoo days all too well. My best to Frank, too.
Adding the recipes at the back of Saving Scott was very much appreciated and a great idea! I am not much of a baker, but I can share the recipes with those who are. Mmmmm