Steal Away

Teri Blake-Addison #1

by Linda Hall

What took Ellen away from her famous husband yearly, to the cold windy coast of Maine? Piecing together the life of an unhappy minister's wife, private investigator Teri Blake-Addison trails the wreckage to a remote Canadian island. When murder rocks the community, she realizes the puzzle may not be as simple as it had seemed. Book One in the Teri Blake-Addison private investigator series

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

I write mystery novels and short stories. So far I have 20 in print - with more coming. My newest mystery series begins with Night Watch and introduces my new series character, boat captain Em Ridge.

Other series include the Corporal Roger Sheppard mysteries, The Teri Blake-Addison PI thrillers and the Fog Point mysteries, as well as a number of romantic suspense novels and short stories.

For information about sales, new releases, contests, plus a 'free' short story, I'd love for you to sign up for my newsletter: writerhall.com/newsletter

I grew up near the coast in New Jersey, and it was there that my love of the ocean was nurtured. I married a Canadian and have lived in Canada ever since - well, actually, I have lived in three countries: the U.S., Canada and for a short stint - Taiwan.

I hope you enjoy my books.

Reviews

[Kate Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steal Away has everything I like in a mystery. Muiltiple story questions that aren't easy to answer, wonderful characters, who, I know will stick in my head for a long while. And an exotic setting for most of the book, Grand Manan Island, Canada and subplots. I love subplots, especially in a mystery. I think Linda Hall is a talented writer, and I'm happy to see she has a healthy backlist for me to enjoy.

[C.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm currently reading this one and enjoying it very much. Linda Hall is a writer who keeps my interest from the beginning to the end.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook well done. Intriguing plot with clearly drawn characters. Enjoyed the Christian theme & underplot - will read this author again. No foul language or graphic sex.

[Cafelilybookreviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steal Away is the first book in the Teri Blake Addison Mystery Series.

I found this book at my local library and after reading the back cover, thought I'd give it a try. Teri Blake Addison is former cop turned private investigator. In addition to the pressures of her job, she's a newlywed, married to a professor who was widowed when his first wife died of cancer. Teri finds it hard to live in the shadows of the perfect first wife.

Ellen Houseman is about a pastor's wife who disappears while sailing with some friends. As details come out about the accident, it appears that Ellen has been living somewhat of a double life. Her husband Carl, is so busy with his ministry empire that he inadvertently drives his wife and kids to pursue their own lives.

Though engaged to be re-married - Carl has a "sense" that something about the accident isn't right, and hires Teri to investigate the case. What Teri finds rocks everyone to the core and Carl faces losing his high profile ministry.

If you're into mystery and suspense - I recommend giving this one a try.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading and will read more of her books.

[Jean Marie Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on tape. A good mystery, entertaining, something I could listen to with teenagers in the car!

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really depressing. It shows how sins of all kinds can ruin your life.

[Dolores Ayotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Steal Away" is the first novel that I've read by talented Author Linda Hall. I love a good mystery and I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written suspenseful thriller. I had every desire to read it in one or two sittings but due to my busy schedule, it took me a few days longer. However, every chance I could get, I quickly returned to my reading as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

It is very obvious that Ms. Hall is a seasoned author. The story is well told and has ample twists and turns to keep the curious reader coming back for more over and over again. I just couldn't wait for the plot to unfold in order to see if my predictions were correct. The main character, Private Investigator Teri Blake-Addison is in her mid-thirties. She is a first time newly wed of only eight months, married to a man several years older, widower Jack Addison. Teri has a story of her own which is slightly explored in this fictional novel, but the main theme encompasses Teri being hired by a well-known leader of a Christian Ministry. Doctor Carl Houseman wants her to try and find information about the boat mishap that supposedly took the life of his wife, Ellen, as well as the lives of her two sailing partners. However, their bodies soon floated to shore after the unfortunate accident but there is nary a trace of his wife's body nor the boat she owned. Ellen's mysterious disappearance leads to the investigation of several interesting individuals as Teri puts her sleuthing skills to the test in order to solve this mystery thriller and very challenging case.

Yes...I certainly enjoy a good mystery novel and this one did not disappoint me!

[Carmen Liffengren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read much fiction lately. So, I picked up this novel that I've had for a while. I know it was an impulse buy from the bargains in Christian fiction. Actually, I was really drawn into this mystery revolving around the disappearance of a famous evangelist's wife. It has been five years since the supposed death of Ellen Houseman in a sailing accident, but for some reason, her husband wants to re-open the case and hires PI Teri Blake-Addison for the job. It's a quick read, but a little unsatisfying at the end. I did enjoy reading this novel, but I don't usually gravitate to mystery or crime even in a Christian setting.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Teri Blake-Addison is a private investigator who gets hired by this famous minister to look into his wifes death that happened 5 years ago. It takes many twists and turns through out the book.

[Irena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but not a keeper. Typical what happened to so and so... same story has been told before. Very mellow book, no excitement. There is a hint of it at the end, but no violence. Barely a mention of God or Christianity although this book is about a minister and his wife.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steal Away..By Linda Hall A ministers wife disappears after a boating accident at sea. The minister decides to hire a P I to look into the cold case after five years. The story flowed. The author lead the reader on every page till the surprise at the end. The character were real. A great mystery

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As she uncovers the life of minister's wife she finds out that all is not s it seems.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

again, one from my mom-she gets a lot at garage sales! it was alright, not super great, but a good mystery

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good mystery...enjoyed reading it and didn't want to put it down. Enjoyed descriptions of the coast and sea in Maine and Canada.

[Kerstin Gunia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago I read Linda Hall "Mountie Series" and was delighted to come across some more of her writing. This is, unfortunately a short lived series/character, I appreciated the unique premise of the main character and the layers of conflict. It was engaging and a well thought out plot & mystery. Technically my rating is a 4, but maybe a 5 will bring the character out of retirement😉

[cg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good mystery, especially because I did not figure out the plot until most of it was revealed. Plus, a added treat was a mystery with "Christian Overtones". Part of the story takes place at Grand Manan, a Canadian island located in New Brunswick, off the coast of Maine. It did spark my interest to visit.

[Tam Oberlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

🇨🇦 CANADIAN AUTHOR 🇨🇦

I own many Linda Hall paperback books and I read them years prior to beginning my Goodreads account in 2017. I just added them all to Goodreads in 2023 because I’ve been doing an inventory of all the books I own.

I do not have specific dates read—or even which years I read them in. I know that I loved them all. I strongly recommend her books.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me....it was interesting...and I certainly liked reading about Maine, St. Andrews and Grand Manan. I must say though, I really didn't connect with the characters which was a shame. But overall...not a bad read.

[Harriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story showed real people and real ways church people may hurt one another. Yet it also hints at grace, peace and new beginnings. Refreshingly, not everything is resolved in the end as "happily ever after".

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Frustrating read. I don’t have the patience for this PI’s investigation.
Ending redeemed it a bit for me .. but overall too depressing and writing style bugged me (lots).
This is my third book by this author and I don’t plan to read more.

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down. I liked the mystery, the undertones and the message

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Looking forward to the next in the series. Well written, loved the characters. I always enjoy books by Linda Hall.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed Jack and Teri's relationship ....intriguing tho bizarre storyline

[Gale Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read couldn’t put it down.

[Michelle-And Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It was exciting and suspenseful and I really liked how all the pieces came together

[JanetW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this ... this was published in 2003 ... but is a new author to me. wanna read more of her books ... off to ThriftBooks for me :) :) :)

[Melissa (Hiatus for Work-Will Pop In When I Can)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five years after his wife Ellen's death in a sailing accident, nationally-known minister and author Carl Houseman is still searching for answers. He needs closure because the circumstances surrounding Ellen's accident are still unresolved, and her body was never recovered. Carl hires Private Investigator Teri Blake-Addison to look into Ellen's state of mind prior to her death, and to try to uncover the truth about what really happened that day.

Teri's investigation takes her from her home in Maine to Philadelphia, where she learns that something is not quite right with those involved with Houseman Ministries. She also travels to Grand Manan, a small Canadian island off the coast of Maine where some debris as well as the bodies of Ellen's two sailing companions were found. As Teri talks to those closest to Ellen, she begins to discover there was more to this woman than initially meets the eye. Behind her public persona lay private secrets, and there are people who will stop at nothing to make sure they remain hidden. Teri meets some intriguing people while in Grand Manan, the most interesting being Gerda, a recluse with a disabled daughter. What secret is Gerda guarding? The more Teri searches, the more roadblocks she encounters.

Steal Away is a page-turning adventure from the start. The puzzle is carefully laid out and clues are revealed gradually, allowing the reader to investigate along with Teri. I found passages, dealing with Teri's struggles with her church and difficulties finding a place to fit in, authentic and genuine. The message of faith penetrates every aspect of the plot, yet is never preachy or overpowering. An exciting and humorous cast of individuals lend comic relief to this edge of the seat mystery. Steal Away has a large number of characters, which makes it difficult at times to keep track of each person's role in the story. However, this doesn't detract too much from enjoyment of the book, as it eventually becomes easier to remember who is who.

Linda Hall has written another winning thriller. Fascinating locations, characters to care about, and loads of intrigue make this a must read. Mystery lovers, especially those who enjoy Christian fiction, should move Steal Away to the top of their list.

[Kim]

I like this book it was interesting. It's about a husband and wife team who are top notch professional Private Investigation. They get a call from a Dr. Carl Houseman who is a minster with a television program. Terri said I know he is currently one of the most well-known Christian apologists and speakers. His books have sold in the millions. His church service is broadcast internationally. His opinions are quoted by many. He wants to hire us. Why would he want to hire you? Okay here it is. Carl Houseman's wife's died five years ago, leaving Carl and four sons. The three eldest are married with children. Carl Jr. the eldest works in the ministry office in Philadelphia, right next to Papa. I'd say he's being primed to take over. His wife's name is Marina and they have three children; a boy, is Carl Houseman III. Second son, Charles or Charlie as he's known to family and friends is a missionary in India. He and his wife have two children. Sam, the third son, is a youth minster in a rather large church in Colorado Springs. All of them are doing rather well. It's the fourth son, Brent, the youngest, the baby of the bunch, the prodigal--he left home a year after his mother died. He wants me to find him. And he will be hiring the perfect PI for the job since I know all about prodigals having been one myself for a whole lot of years. His name is Brent Houseman. He's twenty three years ago, lives in Orange, New Jersey. He works s at Pizza Hut where his fellow employee describes him as quiet and agreeable. In process of finding his they discover another missing link in the story line.