Fatal Fortune

Rachel Ryder

by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

A wealthy shut-in is found murdered in his mansion. Five other people were in the lavish home at the time of the crime—one of whom had motive enough to kill. And Detective Rachel Ryder is determined to discover who. But the more she and partner Rob Bishop learn about the wealthy and unsociable victim, the harder it becomes to narrow down the suspect list. Frustrated, the investigators refuse to allow anyone to leave until the culprit is unmasked. Now Rachel and Rob are sharing a roof with a cold blooded killer…and time is running out before the murderer strikes again. _______________________ Praise for Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and the Rachel Ryder "Detective Rachel Ryder is smart, tough, and fearless—readers will gladly follow her through every twist.” —LynDee Walker, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Fear No Truth "Tight writing, unexpected twists, and the tough but vulnerable lead Detective Rachel Ryder will leave you eager to read the next book..." —Susan Hunter, author of Dangerous Habits "Rachel Ryder is a new heroine on the suspense scene that you’ll want to engage with again and again." —Kimberly Charleston, Books Uplift _______________________________ What readers are ★★★★★ "Loved this."
★★★★★ "...a game of Clue!!!"
★★★★★ "...glued to the seat..."
★★★★★ "...a mansion full of murder suspects..."
★★★★★ "I enjoyed this and I’m sure you will also."

60 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women's fiction featuring strong female leads. Her stories shine through her dialogue, which readers have praised for being realistic and compelling.
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.

Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com

Reviews

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun novella in the Rachel Ryder series! If you liked the game Clue as a kid, you're going to love this book now! There is no Miss Scarlett, but there is a niece, nephew, housekeeper, gardener and butler so you have five solid suspects and one night to solve the case! This books in this series typically have quite a bit of depth and grit to them as they are a more serious murder mystery series, but this one is a fun addition to the series. I'm not sure how I missed it previously and I do recommend that you read the series in order as each book builds upon the other in small ways such as character development and the interpersonal relationships between the characters that you don't want to miss out on. This just whet my appetite for the next Rachel Ryder book that is about to be released so it was fun to have a short story with the characters to tide me over!

[A Belle & A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLUE in book form!

I love the Rachel Ryder Series and the nod to the game of CLUE in this novella. The suspect list was long and nuts. What a great quick read.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true Whodunit with all the elements of a game of Clue!!!

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought a Rachael Ryder story would have a humorous undertone to solving a murder case. Additionally, after reading the six books in the series I was very accustomed to these stories being full length books. So, imagine my surprise when opening Fatal Fortune to find a novella length Rachael Ryder story and when reading it I found myself giggling and with a permanent smile on my face. While Fatal Fortune may not be my most favorite of the Rachael Ryder story, it sure is my favorite novella length murder story.

Sure, this isn’t a full-length book, but it has every element necessary to pull you in and keep you glued to the seat while you work alongside Rachael and Rob in solving the murder. I loved how this story focused on Rachael and Rob as they worked their way through a mansion full of murder suspects – to include the maid, butler, gardener, assistant, and a couple of entitled family members. This story is an excellent stand-alone story in the series and if you haven’t ever read any of these stories it is an excellent introduction to a dynamic crime solving team. If you are a Rachael Ryder fan, you really owe it to yourself to read Fatal Fortune. I hope Carolyn Ridder Aspenson has a few more stories like this tucked away, I received an Advance Reader Copy of this story from the publisher and chose to provide my review.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fatal Fortune (Rachel Ryder), my twenty-fourth highly enjoyable read from author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson & the next in her new Rachel Ryder Series, the best series she's written so far. Well-written & enjoyable, 62-pages of a more serious mystery that takes us back to earlier in her career. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more in this series & from this author with Deadly Means being my next read. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella packs a whole lot of mystery in a nice little package! A wealthy man is found dead in his home. Whom among those closest to him would have killed him? I love the Rachel Ryder series and this was a nice “between the books” treat. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Sue Rae Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Fortune is a Novella in the Rachel Ryder seriess by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson in Bishop and Rachel must solve a murder of a wealty shut-in. The family and staff are the suspects! Since Rachel keeps referring to the game of Clue during this investagation. It was great to fnd out she has sense of humor even when there is a death involved.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compulsive and gripping! Suspenseful, addictive and complex! A very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters. The suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. Will keep you swiping the pages furiously. Worthy of your TBR list.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical Rachel Ryder book. First, it’s a novella, second, it’s less intense than the others, and third, it has a little humor in the story. But not every case should be the same. I enjoyed this and I’m sure you will also.

[Carole Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice novella who done it in the Rachel Ryder series. Not as intense as the full books, and a very nice short read.

[Randa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

a page turner.

I love this series of books. A real page turner. Can’t wait for the next one. Good book !!! Great story

[Angel Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short story
What a treat to get an added bonus book in the series. It's always the ones we least expect as the guilty party. A lovely quick read that hits the spot!

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lunch time read

I knew this was a novella but I barely had time to get comfortable. Actually it was a cute, quick read, with a harken to the past.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast visit with Bishop and Ryder!

[Bella Crooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this visit from Rob Bishop and Rachel Ryder!! I loved the suspence and action!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story, not sure where it falls in the series though...

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is interesting and full of mystery. It is a great closed room mystery. It has many twists. I really enjoyed this story.