I was given this book in return for an honest review two years ago and I've finally had time to see what Sam was up to in the next book! Sam Slater recently retired from the Seals baseball organization when the dreaded New York Giants came to town. Sam agreed to go into the private investigator business with his best friend. Weeks later, Jimmy was murdered, and Sam only has Amelia to weather the sadness, but Amelia, a TWA Airline stewardess stands by her man and helps him during his cases as she loves the intrigue. Amelia and Sam take over the case when Jimmy died and discovers Dr. John O'Dell, a prominent doctor is being blackmailed by someone that knows a dark secret that the doctor rather not be known. The blackmailer has killed before and he will kill again unless his demands are met and he is determined to take Sam and Amelia out if they get in his way! ( )

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!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher 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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