A rainy night . . . A stranded motorist . . . A Good Samaritan passerby … a Nobel Prize–winning professor . . . The setup for a shockin...
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reviews
Jan 05, 2012
Anna
rated it: 
The Blackbird Papers is a mystery novel by Ian Smith. It is his debut novel. On his way home after receiving a prestigious award, Professor Wilson Bledsoe, who teaches at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, is murdered. His brother, FBI agent Sterling Bledsoe persuades his boss to allow him to lead the investigation into the murder. Carved into his brother’s chest is the word “nigger.” At first the trail leads to a group of white supremacist. Sterling, however, is skeptical. The men h
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Oct 14, 2009
Mocha Girl
rated it:
prominent, award-winning African American Dartmouth etiologist is murdered in rural Vermont and his brother, FBI Special Agent, Sterling Bledsoe, spearheads the investigation. When circumstantial evidence points to white supremacists, Sterling senses a cover-up and digs deeper to find the truth. The story then follows his methodical steps as he conducts interviews, observes autopsies, and delves into his famous brother's clandestine research project involving thousands of dead blackbirds found
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Jan 15, 2012
Donna
rated it: 
The plot was good but not executed in a way that excited me as a reader. Quite obviously there was a lot of research put into this book. The ecological thriller bored me. I was lost with all of the scientific terminology, etc. Ian Smith did ok breaking down concepts. The mystery became so deep that the plot was hard to keep up with. Many of the clues throughout the story were too easy for Sterling to find. If he needed certain information, he found it. The number of supporting characters clouded
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Feb 18, 2010
Christy
rated it: 
I had some time to spare and thought I'd give this a try since I watched celebrity fit club. Boy was I surprised. I read the whole thing, had a hard time putting it down, in one day. The characters were imperfect and the story line intriguing. I was pretty sure I wnew whodunit as soon as it was done, but there was a gutpunch at the end that threw me, even though I saw it coming.
Jun 30, 2011
Casi
rated it:
I expected to really like this book. I didn't. Probably one of the most boring "thrillers" I've ever read. It felt like someone did a whole bunch of research and wrapped a story around it. It didn't have that natural flow that it should have had. A lot of the phrases and metaphors were very common and cliché. I was glad when it finally ended. On a positive note, it was very well researched and I learned a lot about blackbirds and sunflowers.
Sep 04, 2009
Michelle
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Loved it; page turner. The characters are so fresh and vivid. I enjoyed this debut novel and hoping Ian Smith writes another follow up one. It was refreshing to see a well written, thought out plot.
Mar 17, 2009
Melina
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I wish the author would try his hand at another work of fictionl I really enjoyed this story.
Dec 16, 2009
Tom
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Nice read, some unusual, unexpexted turns in a classical "whodunnit". Really nice setting.
Oct 22, 2009
Kate
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I didn't want to put this book down! A well-written story with very believable characters.
Apr 10, 2008
Monique
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Murder in a small college town..a distinguished scholar stops to help a fellow pedestrian and it ends up being his last night--but why? As his estranged brother tries to piece the puzzle together more questions are raised and the surprise at the end will definitely catch you off guard..Good but not great read.
Oct 29, 2007
Kanesha
rated it:
This was a very good book! Before this I only knew of Ian Smith as Dr. Ian Smith on Celebrity Fit Club but he took this book to a new level. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a good exciting read.
Oct 07, 2007
Carol
rated it:
Ian Smith is a creative writer.
I read this book in two days.
This books is full of suspense, detailed plots, and very intense.
Easy to read!
A well writing book.....
I read this book in two days.
This books is full of suspense, detailed plots, and very intense.
Easy to read!
A well writing book.....
Jun 08, 2007
Erik
rated it:
Read this book in one weekend. Very good book, although the ending kind of sucks. Would recommend to anyone.
Mar 09, 2008
Daphne
rated it:
Come on Dr. Smith! This was a phenomenal read! Where's the next book????
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