Daniel Patterson (1) (1953–)

Title: One Chance (A Penelope Chance Mystery)
Author: Daniel Patterson
Pages: 223
Year: 2013
Publisher: Daniel Patterson
Set in Franklin, Florida, One Chance is the first Penelope Chance mystery. She is a detective on the small Franklin police force and has recently become engaged to a local doctor. Her parents were killed in a house fire when she was a young girl and she was taken in by Doug’s family. Doug is her best friend, like the brother she never had. She has become a detective, but she still lives with the guilt of surviving the fire when her parents did not.
In a quiet town, Penelope wishes for something that would come across her desk that would have her use her brain, something out of the routine. Then, the weekend arrives and everything happens at once. Doug is accused of trying to kill the other town drunk one Friday night. Doug insists he is innocent; however, the victim identifies Doug’s truck and everyone knows Doug doesn’t let anyone else drive it. Then, Doug’s ex-wife shows up after two years to drop off their 5-year-old son and then can’t be reached to see when she is returning. Other strange events occur all over this same time period to make Penelope wonder what is going on in her little town.
This is a fair mystery. It isn’t great, but it isn’t terrible either. The characters seemed somewhat stilted to me. I liked Penelope’s reliance on God in all things and her living her faith without fear of what other people think. I didn’t think it was necessary that her fiancé spend the weekend at her house when someone breaks into his home. He could have stayed at a hotel or with some other friends. I did like how Penelope stuck up for her best friend when everyone just looked at him as the town drunk and figured him as guilty. However, I just didn’t feel the tension or suspense as I have in other mysteries. I am interested in reading the next book in the series to give this author another chance in the mystery genre. The second book in the series is due in the fall 2013 according to the back of book number one.
My rating is 3 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457… (altro)