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In Their Blood

by Sharon Potts (Goodreads Author)

3.42 of 5 stars 3.42 · rating details · 178 ratings · 42 reviews

Born into a life of privilege, Jeremy Stroeb loves freedom, loathes responsibility and drops out of college to start backpacking across Europe. But this free-spirited drifter crashes back to brutal reality when his parents, Rachel and Daniel Stroeb, are murdered in their home on Miami Beach.When he returns to Miami, Jeremy assumes guardianship of his teenage sister, Elise,...more

Hardcover, 354 pages

Published October 1st 2009 by Oceanview Publishing (first published September 8th 2009)

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Jun 19, 2012 Best Crime Books rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have never read any Sharon Potts and as always look forward to reading new authors. Very early in the book we meet Rachel and Daniel Stroeb following their trip to visit their son Jeremy who is backpacking across Europe. His teenage sister Elise sneaks out the house and on her return is scared witless when she discovers the bodies of her parents who had quite clearly been savagely murdered.

Before long Jeremy makes an appearance and between him and his sister they need to look out for each othe...more

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May 22, 2010 Darcy Odden rated it 4 of 5 stars

Does a spoiled, privileged college dropout have the wherewithal to be responsible enough to care for his sister and uncover a murderer?

Jeremy Stroeb, a college dropout trying to find himself in Europe, refuses to come home despite pleas from his parents and sister. But his plans change when his mother and father are murdered in their Miami Beach home soon after the family returns from visiting Jeremy in Europe.

Jeremy's parents, Rachel, a CPA, and Daniel, a professor, had recently changed their...more

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Mar 13, 2010 Susan Pettrone rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jeremy Stroeb is a lot like many kids his age who are living a comfortable life. With parents who have more than enough money to support his wanderlust, his world of rebellion and backpacking anywhere his heart took him in defiance of his parents so called “sell out world” hits hard when he receives the news that his parents have been brutally murdered in their bed and that his sister Elise is now his responsibility. His parents had named him and not his Uncle Dwight to be her guardian, angering...more Jeremy Stroeb is a lot like many kids his age who are living a comfortable life. With parents who have more than enough money to support his wanderlust, his world of rebellion and backpacking anywhere his heart took him in defiance of his parents so called “sell out world” hits hard when he receives the news that his parents have been brutally murdered in their bed and that his sister Elise is now his responsibility. His parents had named him and not his Uncle Dwight to be her guardian, angering his uncle beyond belief.

Jeremy finds for the first time in his life of privileges, that he is now responsible for someone other than himself. In fact, he is the only one who can save his sister from the plight of being thrown into a home with her materialistic Aunt and Uncle. He has to learn the hard way how to be responsible and that way is in a lot of ways hard indeed for Jeremy.

Through many false starts and somewhat naive moves, Jeremy takes it upon himself to find his parents killers. But during this time, he makes many decisons, some good and some bad to find the means to an end and put justice to work.

He asks for and is given a job with his mothers old firm where he makes friends with Robbie and he learns more than someone is comfortable with at PCM, setting in motion a chain of events that are definitely dicey if not deadly for anyone who pushes the envelope too far.

Jeremy also enrolls at his father’s college where he hopes to learn more than is taught in the classroom. Such as why his father’s office was set afire and why it seems the top dog of the school hated his father with a passion. Intertwined in this, is his meeting and ever growing relationship with his father’s grad assistant, Marina who turns out to be someone who turns his life upside down, revealing secrets about his father he never would have dreamed possible. Though she means well, Marina is too close to the action, a fact that Jeremy finds out the hard way.

All through Jeremy’s search, his sister Elise is battling her own demons regarding the night her parents were killed. As the shock wears off, she remembers more of the night and that fact alone is enough to put her life in danger as well.

Add to this, a grandfather who is supportive while grieving for his late wife, a detective who is working as hard as she can to find the killers, while trying to keep Jeremy and his sister safe and a myriad of other characters as well and you have a suspense novel that is impossible to put down and more impossible to turn the last page on.

This is a book like no other. It has romance, lust, suspense, danger, missed signs, and a cast of sometimes unbelievably real characters who make the reader stop and realize that he/she has met someone just like this character in his/her life! That knowledge alone is enough to propel the reader deep into the lives of Jeremy. Elise, their grandfather and all the other characters who are so well fleshed out by author Sharon Potts that you’d swear at times they were sitting in your living room with you!

I recommend this book to all who love a mystery/suspense type novel that actually “could” happen given the right circumstances and place. It is a book that rivets the reader and compels them to read until the final page is turned and the book is safely on the self ready for the next read. But I’ll warn you, putting the book away will not take it from your mind, as you will ponder it’s contents for days. And to this reader and writer…that is exactly what makes a good book. The ability for it to stick with you hours and days later.

This is that sort of book and I highly recommend this read to anyone, for it will change the way you look at life forever as you follow Jeremy and Elise through the most horrific time anyone can imagine, in their quest for the truth of their parents deaths and justice for their killer. (less)

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Jan 20, 2010 Bethany rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book had it ALL. The thrills, the action, mystery, murder – even love.
Jeremy Stroeb is the quintessential “rich kid”. His parents are hard workers who got where they are through determination and love of what they do. Jeremy doesn’t know what he wants to do. On the outside he seems to be a slacker living off his parent’s money. On the inside – he’s still just a confused kid whose last wish is to be his parents. He wants to be his own person.
Jeremy’s parents are brutally murdered, leaving h...more

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Aug 08, 2009 ccqdesigns rated it 3 of 5 stars

Rachael, a partner in an accounting firm and Daniel Stroeb, a college professor, are murdered in their Miami Beach home leaving their two children, Jeremy and Elise, alone. Jeremy is a college dropout roaming around Europe and Elise is a teenager who has been severely traumatized by finding her parents after their murder. Now, Jeremy must return home to take care of his sister but finds it difficult to change his self centered ways. Jeremy soon decides to try to find out who his parents really w...more

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May 04, 2012 Ash rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I enjoyed it for a couple reasons. From the very beginning Potts manages to make the reader interested in the family’s story and the protagonist’s journey to find his parent’s killer. Her writing is clean and descriptive, but it’s the kind of narration that you stop noticing as you get more entrenched in the drama. And it was easy to get lost in the story, which was complex and kept me guessing about not only the murderer’s identity, but a basket of fam...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Marguerite rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first chapter introduces us to a wealthy nuclear family. Mom is a successful CPA partner at her firm. Dad is a tenured professor at university. They have two kids: a teenage daughter and young-adult son.
The son left college his final year to travel abroad, causing tension within the family because he wasn't realizing his family's wishes for him. They live in an upscale gated community populated with McMansions, yachts and high-end cars. Then BAM! Mom and dad are murdered in their bed. The da...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: librarything-giveaways, 2011-reading

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Jeremy has lived a very privileged life- his dad's a college professor and his mom's a successful partner at a CPA firm. He doesn't want that kind of 9-to-5 life for himself though, and drops out of college to travel around Europe and escape the responsibility of becoming an adult. When young Jeremy Stroeb's parents are brutally murdered in their home though, he must rush back to Miami to assume guardianship over his 16-year old sister, Elise. However, upon arriving home, he finds that little is...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Jean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jeremy is named the guardian of his 16 year old sister, Elise, after their parents are brutally murdered. They are determined to find out who committed this terrible crime. The police investigation seems to be losing pace and so Jeremy begins his determined goal of finding the murderer. Jeremy soon finds out things that make him realize he really didn't know his parents as well as he thought. Their past lives open up some secrets unknown to Jeremy. The author keeps you turning the pages until th...more

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Apr 11, 2010 Janice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sharon Potts has written a coming of age novel combined with a mystery that definitely works. The story starts with the violent murder of Rachel and Daniel Stroeb. They leave two children, Jeremy, a 23-year-old son who is living out of the country and has never settled down and Elise, a high school student. Jeremy had flight trouble and so missed the funeral but this tragedy forces him to take responsibility and he assumes the guardianship of Elise against the wishes of his uncle. The problem is...more Sharon Potts has written a coming of age novel combined with a mystery that definitely works. The story starts with the violent murder of Rachel and Daniel Stroeb. They leave two children, Jeremy, a 23-year-old son who is living out of the country and has never settled down and Elise, a high school student. Jeremy had flight trouble and so missed the funeral but this tragedy forces him to take responsibility and he assumes the guardianship of Elise against the wishes of his uncle. The problem is Jeremy has not really grown up himself. He has good intentions, enrolls in the school where his father was a professor to finish his degree, and gets a job at the accounting firm where his mother was a CPA. However, it soon becomes apparent to him that his real goal is to solve his parents’ murders.

Jeremy becomes involved with his father’s administrative assistant who willingly helps him by giving inside information. His father was an activist and Jeremy begins to think that maybe his father’s enemies killed his parents. However, Jeremy becomes even more confused as he learns some things about his father he wishes he never knew and breaks off the relationship with the assistant.

Meanwhile, Elise is spending a lot of time with Carlos, her boyfriend because Jeremy is never home and she does not like to be in the house where the murder took place. Jeremy attempts to be there but really wants to find out who murdered his parents. At the accounting firm, he gets to know those who worked closest with his mother and learns there were inconsistencies in the accounts of the business that Carlos’ father owns. Is there someone at the firm who was willing to kill his parents to keep accounting secrets? Again, Jeremy finds out something about his mother that surprises him and he realizes that both of his parents were human.

In the midst of all this, we see Jeremy growing up, taking care of his sister, loving his grandfather, making mistakes but as he is finding out information about his parents, he is learning more about himself. Elise also realizes that she remembers more from that fateful night than she thought and she is in real danger. Can they figure out who is the murdered before he comes after her? Potts has written a suspenseful story that keeps you guessing throughout. She also has created interesting characters in Jeremy and Elise who you are rooting for as you see them growing up throughout the story. This is a fine debut novel and I hope she continues to write.

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Sep 16, 2011 Karen & Gerard rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: death, mystery, relationships

In Their Blood by Sharon Potts is a coming of age story of a young man who loves to live life on his own, with no responsibilities or money worries because his parents are highly successful. That is, until his parents are tragically killed and he takes it upon himself to find out why while also taking care of his baby sister.

There's not a lot of action but I still enjoyed this book; must have been the writing style. I'm glad I read it!
(Gerard's review)

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Oct 25, 2009 Lisa Bork rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

A college senior backbacking across Europe returns home to care for his sister after his parents are shot dead in their bed. He accepts a job at his mother's accounting firm and enrolls in classes at the university where his radical father taught, hoping to uncover clues to death. But his sister, who surprised the killer in their home, may hold the key to solving the crime. A pageturner.

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Nov 24, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

4.5 stars!

Sharon Potts really knows how to draw readers in. In Their Blood captured my attention from the beginning with a horrific double murder. And from there the mystery begins. I love that Sharon starts the novel off this way. It drew me in!

Jeremy and Elise both just lost their parents in a terrible and violent way. I would never know what to do if anything like this happened to me. But i love that they are both strong and determined to find out who did this. It's great to see that they are...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Lillie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-challenge, mystery

I couldn't identify with the main character. He was self-centered and irresponsible and fell in and out of love (or at least lust) when he was supposed to be caring for his sister, who had been severely traumatized by their parents' murder and was terrified that the killer was coming back for her.

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Sep 18, 2011 Bertha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jeremy Stroeb, a free-spirited drifter, must come back to reality when his parents are killed and he is made guardian of his 16 year old sister. He vows to find the killer before she becomes his next victim.
A great book for anyone who loves a good mystery.

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Jul 22, 2012 Connie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

This was a fast read, and entertaining. The plot was a little over-complicated, but the narrator's flawed (and, therefore, realistic) characterization propelled the story forward. I also thought the epilogue was a little vague.

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Apr 26, 2012 Darlene rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wasn't sure I'd like this book in the beginning; however, I quickly got into it. There is a lot of suspense, and it makes you feel a lot of emotion, especially where Jeremy is concerned. You will have times you are fed up with him because of his immaturity, and times you are proud of him.

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Apr 19, 2012 Erin rated it 2 of 5 stars

I thought the main character jumped to some strange conclusions and it was like all of a sudden he decided he was going to murder his parents murderer. What?

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Apr 15, 2012 Mary Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked it, but the characters were a bit cliche. Making a suspect out of every character but the dog was a little Mary Higgins Clark-ish.

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Oct 16, 2009 Cathleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

What begins as a fresh, exciting thriller ultimately stutters and stalls, becoming convoluted and predictable. Not bad for escapist entertainment, but it falls short of its potential.

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Jun 28, 2010 Miryam rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

excellent mystery, extremely well written -- keeps you guessing 'til the very end!! Can't wait for the sequel.

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Nov 27, 2009 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book and couldn't put it down. A thriller with a few twists and turns.

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Jun 10, 2012 Janet rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love her books! Have heard her speak several times. She is great!

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Apr 18, 2012 Billie Copas rated it 5 of 5 stars

EXCELLENT!!! Totally keeps you guessing! No dull, boring parts! Can't wait to read more from this author!!

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Jul 11, 2010 Monica rated it 2 of 5 stars

The reviews I read were more interesting than the actual book.

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Nov 01, 2012 Rose Hanley rated it 3 of 5 stars

A little slow at first but then picks up and the book cant be put down!

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Dec 15, 2009 Jody rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, mystery, thriller

Who killed the Stoebs. Plenty of suspects and motives.

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Aug 10, 2009 Emily marked it as to-read

EW says the narrator is "A male Veronica Mars." sold.

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Aug 28, 2010 Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars

really enjoyed this and it kept me interested the whole way.

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May 14, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great read ! Was riveting to the end!

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About Sharon Potts

Sharon Potts is the award-winning author of IN THEIR BLOOD and SOMEONE'S WATCHING, suspense novels about ordinary people in extraordinary situations set in South Florida. She has also written contemporary humorous novels, SOUTH BEACH CINDERELLA and GOODBYE NEVERLAND. Her work has received numerous awards including the 2010 Benjamin Franklin Award for best mystery/suspense novel, as well as a starr...more

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