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Piper Blackwell #6
The Dead of Sled Run
It is almost Christmas and yards glow with twinkling lights.
But more than chestnuts are roasting.
A raging fire sweeps through the decorated landscape of Sled Run, destroying the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg and killing two.
An accident? Or did something toxic fuel the flames?
Sheriff Piper Blackwell and Detective Basil Meredith believe Oren was targeted and are tasked with finding motive and means before more than the holiday burns bright.
With many clues reduced to ashes, can Piper and Basil catch the culprits before they strike again? Or is this blaze just the start of the most murder-filled time of the year?
Jean Rabe returns with another installment in her highly addictive Piper Blackwell series. As masterfully plotted as the previous five volumes, THE DEAD OF SLED RUN is a compelling page-turner that opens with a harrowing scene sure to have readers on the edge of their seats, and only escalates from there. The only flaw I can find in Rabe’s mysteries is they are over too soon, but that’s my fault for being unable to put the book down.” —Brian A. Hopkins, Four-time Bram Stoker Award Winning Author
But more than chestnuts are roasting.
A raging fire sweeps through the decorated landscape of Sled Run, destroying the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg and killing two.
An accident? Or did something toxic fuel the flames?
Sheriff Piper Blackwell and Detective Basil Meredith believe Oren was targeted and are tasked with finding motive and means before more than the holiday burns bright.
With many clues reduced to ashes, can Piper and Basil catch the culprits before they strike again? Or is this blaze just the start of the most murder-filled time of the year?
Jean Rabe returns with another installment in her highly addictive Piper Blackwell series. As masterfully plotted as the previous five volumes, THE DEAD OF SLED RUN is a compelling page-turner that opens with a harrowing scene sure to have readers on the edge of their seats, and only escalates from there. The only flaw I can find in Rabe’s mysteries is they are over too soon, but that’s my fault for being unable to put the book down.” —Brian A. Hopkins, Four-time Bram Stoker Award Winning Author
- GenresMysteryMurder Mystery
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2023
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Jean Rabe
220 books155 followersWhen I am not writing, I toss tennis balls to my cadre of dogs. My house is filled with books and dogs, you can smell both when you walk in the front door. It's a good smell.
I have 36 published novels and am currently writing in the mystery genre. My latest mystery, The Dead of Winter, was a finalist for the Claymore Award and is the first in the Piper Blackwell series.
I live in a tiny town in the middle of Illinois that has a Dollar General, a pizza place with exceedingly slow service, a veterinarian (good thing, eh?), and train tracks...lots of train tracks.
I have 36 published novels and am currently writing in the mystery genre. My latest mystery, The Dead of Winter, was a finalist for the Claymore Award and is the first in the Piper Blackwell series.
I live in a tiny town in the middle of Illinois that has a Dollar General, a pizza place with exceedingly slow service, a veterinarian (good thing, eh?), and train tracks...lots of train tracks.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 13, 2023
From the very first chapter, I was hooked while holding my breath. I loved the pace of this book and the intimate look at the main characters! I also love all the inclusions of cats and dogs!! I have liked all of the Piper books, but this one is my favorite! Can't recommend enough!!
November 23, 2023
Well done, Jean!
This is another strong entry in a wonderful series. Piper does indeed shine and the other characters are really well developed.
This is another strong entry in a wonderful series. Piper does indeed shine and the other characters are really well developed.
December 23, 2023
When Piper Blackwell’s Chief Deputy, Oren, is awakened by a fire at his house, he barely manages to find and save all of his cats, but as he locates the third cat, she falls unconscious, and Oren nearly falls with her. He would have likely lost his life had another deputy, Basil, not arrived to help them out alive. But with first & second degree burns from the fire, Oren will be hospitalized for a very long time. And his home has been completely destroyed, along with his neighbor’s house.
It becomes clear that it was arson. Unfortunately even though the neighbors are in Florida for the winter, someone who shouldn’t have been there had been in the house when it collapsed. And those were only the first two mysteries that need to be solved in this book, with more to be revealed along the way.
This was a very intricate tale with quite a few twists and turns along the way. Ms. Rabe has woven a masterpiece with this tale. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, another of the clues needed to solve this mystery was discovered that seemed to upend what I had thought was happening, convincing me that I still didn’t actually have the mystery solved. And just when I was convinced that it couldn’t be answered in this one book, she manages to tie it all together to reveal the truth of what was going on. And wow, was it bigger than I had expected.
This was an amazing story by a true master of murder mysteries. If you enjoy a great story that will keep you guessing every step of the way, then this book is a must read for you. And if you've read any of the other books in this series, then you really don’t want to miss this one. It’s a book you won’t be able to put down. (I certainly couldn’t!)
It becomes clear that it was arson. Unfortunately even though the neighbors are in Florida for the winter, someone who shouldn’t have been there had been in the house when it collapsed. And those were only the first two mysteries that need to be solved in this book, with more to be revealed along the way.
This was a very intricate tale with quite a few twists and turns along the way. Ms. Rabe has woven a masterpiece with this tale. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, another of the clues needed to solve this mystery was discovered that seemed to upend what I had thought was happening, convincing me that I still didn’t actually have the mystery solved. And just when I was convinced that it couldn’t be answered in this one book, she manages to tie it all together to reveal the truth of what was going on. And wow, was it bigger than I had expected.
This was an amazing story by a true master of murder mysteries. If you enjoy a great story that will keep you guessing every step of the way, then this book is a must read for you. And if you've read any of the other books in this series, then you really don’t want to miss this one. It’s a book you won’t be able to put down. (I certainly couldn’t!)
November 29, 2023
My Review: The Dead of Sled Run
The Dead of Sled Run is the 6th book in the Piper Blackwell series by Jean Rabe. I’ve read all six and believe me this installment is as fantastic as the rest.
If you like reading books that leave you breathless from the very first word, this series is for you. The story starts with a roaring blaze, in the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg, with such vivid descriptions your eyes will water, and your nose will burn from smelling the thick gray smoke.
When Piper Blackwell, Spencer County (Indiana) sheriff, arrives at the burning house, Oren has already been taken by helicopter to a burn center in Indianapolis, so she knows the outlook isn’t good. The young Army veteran won the election for sheriff when her dad had to step down due to illness. Ironically, she had beaten Rosenberg for the job a year earlier.
Determined to find the cause of the fire, that also spread to a neighbor’s home, she’s stunned to learn arson is suspected. Not only is Oren severely injured, two bodies are discovered next door leading to speculation of a hate crime since both homeowners were of Jewish descent and neither house was decorated for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
Piper, the twenty-two-year-old sheriff, feels the weight of the community on her shoulders. Self-doubt haunts her when whispers, along with downright accusations begin to surface that her dad, former sheriff Paul Blackwell, would’ve already solved the case. Was she really up to the task? Especially when she finds out her dad, along with her injured deputy, Oren, are being sued by a recently released inmate for false arrest for the murder of the former prisoner’s brother.
Jean Rabe weaves a story that rivals any country road in Southern Indiana. The characters capture the reader’s interest, immediately. From Oren’s daughter, Millie, to Basil, who moves his wife and family from the diversity of Chicago to “lily-white” Spencer County, Indiana, to Piper’s new husband, Nang, who hopes to become the county’s next big culinary entrepreneur. Not to mention the string of arson suspects!
If you haven’t read the full series of Piper Blackwell books, don’t let that stop you from reading The Dead of Sled Run. It’s a downright gem of a whodunit.
However, do yourself a favor and read all six books from beginning to end!
The Dead of Sled Run is the 6th book in the Piper Blackwell series by Jean Rabe. I’ve read all six and believe me this installment is as fantastic as the rest.
If you like reading books that leave you breathless from the very first word, this series is for you. The story starts with a roaring blaze, in the home of Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg, with such vivid descriptions your eyes will water, and your nose will burn from smelling the thick gray smoke.
When Piper Blackwell, Spencer County (Indiana) sheriff, arrives at the burning house, Oren has already been taken by helicopter to a burn center in Indianapolis, so she knows the outlook isn’t good. The young Army veteran won the election for sheriff when her dad had to step down due to illness. Ironically, she had beaten Rosenberg for the job a year earlier.
Determined to find the cause of the fire, that also spread to a neighbor’s home, she’s stunned to learn arson is suspected. Not only is Oren severely injured, two bodies are discovered next door leading to speculation of a hate crime since both homeowners were of Jewish descent and neither house was decorated for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
Piper, the twenty-two-year-old sheriff, feels the weight of the community on her shoulders. Self-doubt haunts her when whispers, along with downright accusations begin to surface that her dad, former sheriff Paul Blackwell, would’ve already solved the case. Was she really up to the task? Especially when she finds out her dad, along with her injured deputy, Oren, are being sued by a recently released inmate for false arrest for the murder of the former prisoner’s brother.
Jean Rabe weaves a story that rivals any country road in Southern Indiana. The characters capture the reader’s interest, immediately. From Oren’s daughter, Millie, to Basil, who moves his wife and family from the diversity of Chicago to “lily-white” Spencer County, Indiana, to Piper’s new husband, Nang, who hopes to become the county’s next big culinary entrepreneur. Not to mention the string of arson suspects!
If you haven’t read the full series of Piper Blackwell books, don’t let that stop you from reading The Dead of Sled Run. It’s a downright gem of a whodunit.
However, do yourself a favor and read all six books from beginning to end!
December 10, 2023
This 6th Sheriff Piper Blackwell mystery is very compelling; at least as compelling, if not more so, than the previous mysteries!
Author Jean Rabe describes the fires*, and aftermaths, vividly well.
* (Not much of a spoiler as I believe most of the descriptions of this book bench in the fires.)
Interestingly, we don’t get that much into Piper‘s head, or Piper‘s life, in this novel. However, we learn a lot more about people on her small police force, including a new guy in town who also came from Chicago like one of her newer employees. She describes them and their points of view very well – – the narrator is omniscient, or at least semi –omniscient so we get into all of the characters’ heads, to some degree. Here’s my total fave description of one character!! — “…built blocky like a Lego…”!! (Chapter 28) Awesome!
I find in this book, even more than others, I don’t relate to Piper that well. This is not necessarily a problem! I think it’s mostly me, since at this point of my life, I have more in common with the old guys in the book(!), it’s not only the fact that Piper is not focused on. I do love the focus on multiple characters.
The author has chosen to have all of the books in these series happen in a tight time frame. Makes that small Indiana town seems scary! I might’ve spaced them out more in time, but it does not really matter.
In addition to the description of the fires, the author describes hospital settings really well. I think Jean Rabe is a master of settings. One can really picture them.
Urban problems of today, and even popular music of today, make their way into the book which gives it an immediacy. I don’t think these nice touches will really date the book though.
I hope in the next book in the series – – there has to be another book! – – we will get back more into Piper’s and Nang’s lives. And of course another murder mystery.
Author Jean Rabe describes the fires*, and aftermaths, vividly well.
* (Not much of a spoiler as I believe most of the descriptions of this book bench in the fires.)
Interestingly, we don’t get that much into Piper‘s head, or Piper‘s life, in this novel. However, we learn a lot more about people on her small police force, including a new guy in town who also came from Chicago like one of her newer employees. She describes them and their points of view very well – – the narrator is omniscient, or at least semi –omniscient so we get into all of the characters’ heads, to some degree. Here’s my total fave description of one character!! — “…built blocky like a Lego…”!! (Chapter 28) Awesome!
I find in this book, even more than others, I don’t relate to Piper that well. This is not necessarily a problem! I think it’s mostly me, since at this point of my life, I have more in common with the old guys in the book(!), it’s not only the fact that Piper is not focused on. I do love the focus on multiple characters.
The author has chosen to have all of the books in these series happen in a tight time frame. Makes that small Indiana town seems scary! I might’ve spaced them out more in time, but it does not really matter.
In addition to the description of the fires, the author describes hospital settings really well. I think Jean Rabe is a master of settings. One can really picture them.
Urban problems of today, and even popular music of today, make their way into the book which gives it an immediacy. I don’t think these nice touches will really date the book though.
I hope in the next book in the series – – there has to be another book! – – we will get back more into Piper’s and Nang’s lives. And of course another murder mystery.
December 25, 2023
Jean Rabe’s The Dead of Sled Run is my first Piper Blackwell Mystery. It is a gripping police procedural set during the holiday season. While I might have missed something in terms of character development, I had no issue jumping into this sixth book in the series. I appreciated the setting in rural America, the red-herrings from the author and the perpetrator, and the characterization made me want to meet these “people”.
Jean Rabe writes a good police procedural mystery. She is a storyteller who I will be following and reading more of her books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
Jean Rabe writes a good police procedural mystery. She is a storyteller who I will be following and reading more of her books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
November 26, 2023
This is a gripping new entry to an engaging series. As the series continues, the characters' lives have changed and matured, especially Piper as she grows into her job as sheriff. But this time the crimes hit home, and then become even more personal. Great series with characters you love, descriptive writing, and everything you want in a mystery, with lots of explosive action - literally! You'll enjoy it!
December 30, 2023
I have become quite a fan of the Piper Blackwell series. I was hooked within the first couple of pages of The Dead of Sled Run. This sixth book of the series exceeded my expectations. Each book in the series seems to get better and better. I hope Jean Rabe continues to write more of them. I will continue to buy them.
December 12, 2023
I keep saying this because it's true. Just like the previous books in this series, a very well-done murder mystery with enough twists to make it hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews