Shanghai Road by Claire O’Sullivan is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the opening:
Allie Espinoza
Monday 7:00 p.m.
When the idiots over at Granley Insurance offered to pay me a whopper of a sum to investigate Max Munson—a man who’d been on their fraud radar for some time—I hesitated only long enough to catch my breath.
But first the photo and verse. I couldn’t resist another cloud and sky photo from Florida. 🙂 And I’ve leaned on Joshua 1:9 for a lot of years. It’s funny how repeating that verse gives me such peace. I think it’s important to memorize Scripture verses!
Now for Shanghai Road by Claire O’Sullivan. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Shanghaiing is history. Now, transportation is the key.
Allie Espinoza, a private investigator with questionable methods, is eager to make a solid reputation in Whiskey River. On her first job, on a less-than-legal search for evidence for fraud, she uncovers more than she bargained for.
Now she’s on the run—until she’s apprehended by Deputy Ben Johnson, one of Whiskey River Police Department’s finest. At the police station, Allie’s true identity is uncovered.
Desperate for extra staff, the PD hires her to help investigate a now complicated case, and it’s not all champagne. As she and the PD unravel the secrets of spidery intrigue, time runs short while lives hang in the balance. Allie Espinoza must dodge those finer points of the law, a cranky homicide detective, and uncover the evil.
My take:
I read Shanghai Road in one night, it was so good! I didn’t know it, but Shanghai Road was the third book in the Whiskey River Series. Not that it made any difference other than to make me want to read the first two!
Allie Spinsoza is a spunky character and quickly drew me into the story, which is full of twists and turns and humor. I love that in a book. Detective Ben Johnson is a perfect foil for her. I want to know more about both of them, so I’ll be getting the first two in the series. There are plenty of suspects, and I love the way O’Sullivan kept me guessing who the villain was.
You can read it for free in Kindle KU or purchase it.
Okay, readers, what’s the first line of the book you’re reading this week? Leave it in the comments or just say ‘hi’ and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library!
I love this song by Jim Reeves. There were so many really good musicians and singers back in the day! Enjoy…
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Comments 41
Author
Sorry the post is late, but my scheduler didn’t work again…
No problem like that scripture and that book looks like a great read would like to read a print copy of book
Author
It was so good, Crystal. I think you would enjoy it. I forgot to include the link, but if you have KU you can get it there.
Interesting photo of the clouds, Pat. Did you see the cat’s head over by the palm trees. Made me think of Tux. My first thoughts, as I started singing Surfing USA, was huge waves. I saw waves and hearts everywhere in those clouds.
Oh yes, that Scripture is like a shield around us.
“Luna Rosati could disappear into any crowd, any city, any life. Except this one. This life. It had a way of pulling her back. Like a riptide dragging her under.” The first paragraph of Girl Lost by Kate Angelo.
Author
I loved Girl Lost, Barbara. Afraid I didn’t see the cat’s head. lol I love those wispy clouds.
Great photo and what a promise God makes to us!
I have not read anything by Claire O’Sullivan, but you’ve convinced me I need to fix that!
I’m currently reading “Searching for Justice” by Connie Queen (another new author for me) which is part of the long running K-9 Search and Rescue series. The action takes place in Texas. The opening line is, “A shiver skittered down Brynne Taylor’s spine as the headlights hit the old Victorian house that had once served as her foster home.” Brynne is a K-9 handler recently hired by the county sheriff’s department.
Author
Thanks, Tim! I love that scripture verse. I haven’t had time to read the other two books in this series, but if you wanted to read this one first, it is definitely a stand alone. 🙂 And I’ll have to check out Searching for Justice!
I’ve read Shanghai Road. I agree, great read! I really enjoyed Allie’s character. I am reading a Christian space fantasy called The Guardian of Avlina by A.J. Avila. It’s turning into an entertaining, clever allegory with angels and demons and a Messianic figure. The first line: Baston, his red eyes seething, dove into the depths of hell.
Author
Oh, wow, Priscilla…what a first line! I’ll have to check that out.
Did you know that jailbreaking your pent-up city toes from their Chelsea boots and surrendering your feet to the white-hot sand of Miami in February is good for you?
Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson
Author
Love that first line, Gloria and I so agree with it! lol
Happy Friday, Pat! Praying for all those is the path of the storm.
Author
Caryl, thank you!!! If I don’t respond or the Mystery Question post doesn’t go out, you’ll know I don’t have power.
We didn’t expect to love her.
First line of Robin Jones Gunn book “Gelato at the Villa”.
Author
Very intriguing, Beth!
Mary bids farewell to the family she has traveled with from Ein Karem, her middle trembling like the threads on her cousin Elizabeth’s loom. from Draw Close to Jesus by Heidi Chiavaroli.
Author
Draw Close really sounds interesting, Joan!
Love the photo and God’s promise to us in Joshua 1:9. Thanks for sharing Jim Reeves song!
This sounds like another good book and I am going to download it on KU. Too many good authors and too many good books; not enough time.
I
am reading Fighting For You, Bk 8 in the series The Wright Heroes of Maine by Robin Patchen
Author
Love Robin Patchen’s books, Mary G! And I so agree about too many books and not enough time. lol Glad you enjoyed Jim Reeves…
DEA special agent Caleb Rourke shoved his door open and climbed out, vest already on.
Author
That sounds interesting, Mary!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
It is very interesting and good, Diana!
I have never read any books by Claire O’Sullivan, but I just realized I have purchase all three of them within the last couple of months. I need to start them. I need to check out the book Pricillia mentioned also. Thanks for the recommendations.
Author
Sharon, I think you’ll really enjoy them!
I’m reading Before the Dawn by Erica Vetsch. “Karen Worth’s mild impatience gave way to moderate annoyance and finally to outright anxiety as she paced the depot.”
I love listening to Jim Reeves. I have many of his gospel songs. I also have a recorded duet of him and Patsy Cline, “I Fall to Pieces”. Interestingly they never did a duet in real life. Someone put them together because they both sang it separately in the same key! Gives me chill bumps, especially considering they both died tragically in plane crashes.
Author
I don’t think I knew that about Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline. I’ve heard them both sing “I Fall to Pieces”. Both gone way too soon!
Hi Pat! Stay warm this weekend and hoping we don’t get the snow/ice they are predicting
Author
I hope we don’t either, Shelia…I hate ice…you stay warm as well!
First line ftom my book “All But My Life” A Memior from a Holocaust survivor.
There is a watch lying on the green carpet of the living room of my childhood.
Author
That opening line is chilling, Arlene. I’ll have to find All But My Life!
I need to read that scripture every day!
Author
Me, too, Judy.
Thanks for the picture and verse. It boosted my spirits. I keep thinking about the impending storm headed our way. I would love to see a beautiful, deep snow. However, the city power system has become less reliable in recent years, so I find my self dwelling on what happens if the power goes out and it’s 20 degrees outside. Not a fun thing to think about.
I’m reading Marrying the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund. It releases in about ten days, so I think I’m okay to share the first line.
St. Louis, Missouri
July 1849
She’d done it. She’d finally sold a story.
Author
Hi Edward! We have about a quarter inch of sleet blanketing our roads and it’s 22°…I’m praying the power stays on, but I’m prepared if it doesn’t. 🙂
In early February 2011, there was an extreme cold event that affected natural gas flow and pressure from El Paso, where Tucson gets it’s gas, across southern New Mexico and Arizona. The gas pressure dropped below what was considered safe, and our supplier for Tucson determined they could not supply gas to all customers. Our part of Tucson is in the southeast corner, and about 14,000 customers here were without gas about 2 1/2 days. We experienced temperatures as low as 19 degrees F. Gas company employees shut off gas at every meter, and when they were able to start restoring service, they required someone be on site to let a company employee in so they could safely turn on gas to each appliance. Until our gas was restored, we wore winter coats in the house! At least we had electricity so we could use portable electric heaters to help some. It was quite an experience.
Author
Tim, that’s something I don’t want to experience! Right now I have power and it’s only sleeting, which doesn’t bring down the power lines. Praying it stays that way!
The soft fluffy clouds are so cozy, and I love the verse! Claire O’Sullivan is a new author to me, and Shanghai Road sounds interesting! The first line of my current read is:
“The days of running headfirst into trouble were over for Kimi Redbird Wheeler. Or so she thought.”
Author
Hi Emily. Claire O’Sullivan was a new author to me, as well, but I really am glad I found her!
Hi! Keep warm
Author
Praying the power stays on, BN!