I received this print copy in exchange for an honest review, and Sam Slater never disappoints me with book two of the series! Sam and Amelia have taken their relationship to a new level with the meeting of both families and Amelia's family adore the ex-baseball player. Sam's parents can see how much Amelia means to Sam, but a client is giving her fits as she manages to always get close to Sam. Maggie Bolender, a wealthy and gorgeous woman is used to getting her way and hires Sam to find out who killed her husband as the police ruled it a suicide by his jump over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Arthur Bolender would never have left his car running in the middle of the bridge as he was too well connected and had everything to live for, but Sam uncovers an old strange Victorian house that Maggie wasn't aware of and his further investigation shows it wasn't where he kept a mistress! ( )

Deadly Plunge is the continuation of the story of ex baseball player Sam Slater and his stewardess fiance Amelia Ryan. After a man, arthur Bolender, plunges to his death off the Golden Gate Bridge, Sam is contacted by Maggie Bolender who believes her husband was murdered and that he did not commit suicide as suspected. Maggie gives Sam a key to a house and when Sam and Amelia go to investigate this house, they find evidence of a plot to assassinate Nikita Khrushchev. Things start to get hairy the further Sam gets into his investigation. A full cast of characters add to the story, along with the continuing love story between Sam and Amelia make this book an interesting read. The author is well versed in the history of San Francisco and this is evident in his writing. An enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the Sam Slater series.
I received this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review. ( )

In Deadly Plunge, former baseball player turned private investigator Sam Slater is back with a new case to investigate. Sam and his TWA stewardess / girlfriend Amelia Ryan are hired by the widow of Arthur Bolender, a wealthy and politically connected San Francisco man, to find out why he plunged to his death from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Set in 1958 San Francisco and told in the third person narrative, author Greg Messel once again weaves another tale of romance, mystery and suspense, with a twist of political and international intrigue added into the mix. As Sam and Amelia investigate the questionable death of Mr. Bolender, they come across a secret old Victorian-style house that he owned, where clandestine activities occurred and leads them into a dangerous world of political and international intrigue. Their discovery causes serious complications that could have deadly results. And if that isn't enough to whet your appetite, Sam and Amelia's relationship has blossomed into a secret engagement. Can Sam and Amelia solve the mystery of Arthur Bolender's deadly plunge? Will Sam and Amelia survive the international danger from this investigation?

Rich in detail and vivid descriptions of authentic 1958 Cold War political and international time period and San Francsico setting; with a cast of characters who are interesting and draw the reader into their lives; and a riveting storyline that has intrigue, suspense, twist and turns, and a steamy romance; Deadly Plunge will captivate your imagination and keep you guessing what will happen next. I really enjoy the author's style of writing, he engages the reader with his detailed descriptive writing, and weaves a gripping story that has a nice balance of mystery and romance that keeps the reader turning the pages.

Deadly Plunge is the second 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 Last of the Seals, the first book in the series in the second book, 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!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.

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