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Man with the Sand Dollar Face
Hattie Crumford, a quirky widow in her early sixties, takes her first job answering the phone in a private investigator's office. Running a little late one morning, she discovers an agitated man pacing at the office door. He insists he must see the PI immediately. In the midst of his anxious demands, he clutches his chest and collapses. Shocked, Hattie runs for help.
Upon returning, the man has disappeared. Detective Hugo Gabby and Hattie’s boss, Wallace C. Woodard, are skeptical and dismissive of her story. To prove it’s not her wild imagination, Hattie sets out to find the missing man using only the cryptic note he left in his place and his last words as her clues.
As the story unfolds, Hattie Crumford finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on the Man with the Sand Dollar Face.
Upon returning, the man has disappeared. Detective Hugo Gabby and Hattie’s boss, Wallace C. Woodard, are skeptical and dismissive of her story. To prove it’s not her wild imagination, Hattie sets out to find the missing man using only the cryptic note he left in his place and his last words as her clues.
As the story unfolds, Hattie Crumford finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on the Man with the Sand Dollar Face.
- GenresMystery
213 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2017
About the author
Sharon CassanoLochman
16 books2 followersSharon CassanoLochman is a spinner of drama, tailor of emotions, manipulator of personal connections, and a player of words. She writes for the spiritually minded and the young at heart. She is the author of Spiritual Verse Today, Man with the Sand Dollar Face, Room for Grace, and Stranded on Thin Ice. To learn more about Sharon CassanoLochman visit her website at sharoncassanolochman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 29, 2017
Hattie Crumford is not a private investigator; she only answers the phone for one in a busy office building in New Orleans.
Then, in an instant, everything changes for Hattie when a man barges into the office demanding to speak with her absent boss and then dies in her arms breathing the words “the man with the sand dollar face.”
Hattie runs out of the office, seeking help, but when help arrives, the body of the man is gone. No one in authority believes her story; her boss Mr. Woodard doesn’t believe it. Neither does Police Detective Hugh Gabby, even though he condescendingly gives her his card. They see her as an over-excitable elderly woman.
Trying to persuade them otherwise by launching her own investigation is lonely business for this eccentric widow of 62. Her only allies – Rudy, the doorman, and Charlie, the young homeless man – listen and give her lukewarm support, but the people who should be listening – the police and her boss – are dismissive at worst and patronizing at best.
There are people who take Hattie seriously – the bad guys. Suddenly Hattie finds herself in their hands in a life-and-death struggle that takes her to the heart of the mystery: the man with the sand dollar face.
Things are not what they appear to be, and the reader is quickly caught up in Hattie’s thoughts, sensibilities, and daydreams before being taken on Hattie’s trip of terror that leads to the truth.
Hattie is a memorable and colorful character! I want to see one of her daydreams fulfilled: her name above her boss’ on the outside of the office door.
Then, in an instant, everything changes for Hattie when a man barges into the office demanding to speak with her absent boss and then dies in her arms breathing the words “the man with the sand dollar face.”
Hattie runs out of the office, seeking help, but when help arrives, the body of the man is gone. No one in authority believes her story; her boss Mr. Woodard doesn’t believe it. Neither does Police Detective Hugh Gabby, even though he condescendingly gives her his card. They see her as an over-excitable elderly woman.
Trying to persuade them otherwise by launching her own investigation is lonely business for this eccentric widow of 62. Her only allies – Rudy, the doorman, and Charlie, the young homeless man – listen and give her lukewarm support, but the people who should be listening – the police and her boss – are dismissive at worst and patronizing at best.
There are people who take Hattie seriously – the bad guys. Suddenly Hattie finds herself in their hands in a life-and-death struggle that takes her to the heart of the mystery: the man with the sand dollar face.
Things are not what they appear to be, and the reader is quickly caught up in Hattie’s thoughts, sensibilities, and daydreams before being taken on Hattie’s trip of terror that leads to the truth.
Hattie is a memorable and colorful character! I want to see one of her daydreams fulfilled: her name above her boss’ on the outside of the office door.
February 24, 2020
My three-word description of
The Man with the Sand Dollar Face
by
Sharon CassanoLochman
is engaging, menacing and amusing.
Book synopsis:
A quirky widow in her early sixties takes her first job ever in a private investigator's office. Arriving early she discovers an agitated man waiting at the door. He insists he must see the PI immediately. In the midst of his anxious demands, he clutches his chest and collapses. Shocked, she runs for help. Upon returning, the man has disappeared. The police are skeptical, dismissive of her story. To prove she's not a wacky woman, she attempts to find the missing man using only the cryptic note he left in his place and his last words as her clues.
Meanwhile, the private investigator is onto something and tells her to retrieve a disc in his filing cabinet which must be delivered to the police immediately. When she enters her office the next morning, she's met by two men who usher her out at knife point and drag her into a waiting limo. Abducted and held hostage, she's drugged by her captors who are trying to get the mysterious disc.
As the story unfolds she finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on finding the man with the sand dollar face.
My musings:
I loved this mystery thriller, and that Sharon CassanoLochman has developed a very unique, strong and quirky character in Hattie. The interactions between Hattie and New Orleans detective Hugo Gabby are priceless and come across as very convincing. The storyline is punchy and gritty, and although it begins rather slowly, the pace soon escalates. Rich in comedic value, the humour left me grinning well after the end. Masterfully written and totally compelling, I would love to read a sequel to The Man with the Sand Dollar Face.
Verdict:
An engaging mystery with a menacing undertone that I recommend with confidence.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Book synopsis:
A quirky widow in her early sixties takes her first job ever in a private investigator's office. Arriving early she discovers an agitated man waiting at the door. He insists he must see the PI immediately. In the midst of his anxious demands, he clutches his chest and collapses. Shocked, she runs for help. Upon returning, the man has disappeared. The police are skeptical, dismissive of her story. To prove she's not a wacky woman, she attempts to find the missing man using only the cryptic note he left in his place and his last words as her clues.
Meanwhile, the private investigator is onto something and tells her to retrieve a disc in his filing cabinet which must be delivered to the police immediately. When she enters her office the next morning, she's met by two men who usher her out at knife point and drag her into a waiting limo. Abducted and held hostage, she's drugged by her captors who are trying to get the mysterious disc.
As the story unfolds she finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on finding the man with the sand dollar face.
My musings:
I loved this mystery thriller, and that Sharon CassanoLochman has developed a very unique, strong and quirky character in Hattie. The interactions between Hattie and New Orleans detective Hugo Gabby are priceless and come across as very convincing. The storyline is punchy and gritty, and although it begins rather slowly, the pace soon escalates. Rich in comedic value, the humour left me grinning well after the end. Masterfully written and totally compelling, I would love to read a sequel to The Man with the Sand Dollar Face.
Verdict:
An engaging mystery with a menacing undertone that I recommend with confidence.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 15, 2019
Once again I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and impartially review, and introducing me to another new Author.
This is a very engaging well written book with an unusual to say the least lady detective.
According to the 'Blurb' accompanying this book, Hattie Crumford, a quirky widow in her early sixties, takes her first job answering the phone in a private investigator's office. Running a little late one morning, she discovers an agitated man pacing at the office door. He insists he must see the PI immediately. In the midst of his anxious demands, he clutches his chest and collapses. Shocked, Hattie runs for help. Upon returning, the man has disappeared. Detective Hugo Gabby and Hattie’s boss, Wallace C. Woodard, are skeptical and dismissive of her story. To prove it’s not her wild imagination, Hattie sets out to find the missing man using only the cryptic note he left in his place and his last words as her clues. As the story unfolds, Hattie Crumford finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on the Man with the Sand Dollar Face.
This book has the feel and style of a Phillip Marlowe or Sam Spade era story, but is set in modern times and as the story develops there is a more edgy serious surprising and somewhat shocking nature to the way our heroine is treated by the villains. A very entertaining new character, lets hope there is more to learn about Hattie and more cases to solve.
Recommended.
This is a very engaging well written book with an unusual to say the least lady detective.
According to the 'Blurb' accompanying this book, Hattie Crumford, a quirky widow in her early sixties, takes her first job answering the phone in a private investigator's office. Running a little late one morning, she discovers an agitated man pacing at the office door. He insists he must see the PI immediately. In the midst of his anxious demands, he clutches his chest and collapses. Shocked, Hattie runs for help. Upon returning, the man has disappeared. Detective Hugo Gabby and Hattie’s boss, Wallace C. Woodard, are skeptical and dismissive of her story. To prove it’s not her wild imagination, Hattie sets out to find the missing man using only the cryptic note he left in his place and his last words as her clues. As the story unfolds, Hattie Crumford finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on the Man with the Sand Dollar Face.
This book has the feel and style of a Phillip Marlowe or Sam Spade era story, but is set in modern times and as the story develops there is a more edgy serious surprising and somewhat shocking nature to the way our heroine is treated by the villains. A very entertaining new character, lets hope there is more to learn about Hattie and more cases to solve.
Recommended.
March 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this mystery thriller, set in New Orleans, by an exciting new author. Sharon CassanoLochman builds a memorable character in Hattie Crumford, the heroine of the story. I loved the sensitivity combined with the strength and positivity of Hattie's character. I believe there is a little of Hattie in all of us - feeling misunderstood, perhaps at a vulnerable point, but willing to take a chance on a new look at life. That's Hattie - starting a new job even though she's in her 60s, trying to be kind and compassionate each day with each person she meets. Turns out her child-like curiosity and view on life get her mixed up in a million-dollar drug-related murder mystery of epic proportions. The last 50 pages of the book are thrilling and terrifying. This well-written page-turner is not to be missed!
February 3, 2019
Interesting stream of consciousness mystery narrated by a woman grown a bit odd following a meaningless marriage. At 62 she has her first employment ever and is working as secretary for a hack private investigator in the wonderful city of New Orleans. Boring life until the day that turned her upside down and brought an unfriendly reality into her life experiences! The publisher's blurb covers a lot but doesn't let the reader know how entertaining the story is! The story set up begins rather slowly but ramps up even faster than the humor and left me chuckling well after the end.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Books Go Social via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Books Go Social via NetGalley. Thank you!
June 15, 2021
Ended up loving this book! Before the halfway mark I considered giving up on it, only because the story seemed to focus too much on Hattie’s memories and ramblings and not enough on the storyline. However, my interest didn’t wane completely and I’m so glad I kept reading! Hattie is SUCH a character, you can’t help but adore her feisty nature as the story goes on. I couldn’t help but laugh (loudly) at her...uhhh, unconventional defense tactics near the end of the book. Truly loved it, Hattie the baddie 😆
March 24, 2019
Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.
October 13, 2021
Interesting storyline with humor and mystery mixed in to make this a quite enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 27, 2018
What if you showed up at work one day (at your first job!) and a distraught man dropped dead in the office? What if you heard his last whispered words as he fell, and you found a crumbled piece of paper with an enigmatic phrase written on it? What if you ran for help and when you returned, the dead man was gone? And what if nobody believed you, but just wrote you off as a batty old lady?
This is how Hattie Crumford's day starts, and from there things just get more interesting. Author Sharon CassanoLochman has drawn a fascinating character study with her main character, Hattie, the 60-something, naive widow working at her first job, and trying to fit in with the normal day-to-day for the first time in her life.
Hattie becomes embroiled in the mystery of the dead man, the crumbled piece of paper, and the plot that keeps following her all around her native city of New Orleans. Once her natural curiosity kicks in, there's no stopping her! And once she goes too far into trying to prove that the dead man really did disappear and she's not batty, there's no turning back. She's deep in it, and what started as an exciting preoccupation for the once-sheltered widow turns into a life and death scenario that will have you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages.
I loved this mystery thriller, and CassanoLochman has developed a unique and quirky characters. The interactions of Hattie and New Orleans detective Hugo Gabbie are priceless and ring true, and the last 50 pages are masterfully written and totally gripping. I would love to read a sequel.
I highly recommend this new novel by an exciting new author, Sharon CassanoLochman.
This is how Hattie Crumford's day starts, and from there things just get more interesting. Author Sharon CassanoLochman has drawn a fascinating character study with her main character, Hattie, the 60-something, naive widow working at her first job, and trying to fit in with the normal day-to-day for the first time in her life.
Hattie becomes embroiled in the mystery of the dead man, the crumbled piece of paper, and the plot that keeps following her all around her native city of New Orleans. Once her natural curiosity kicks in, there's no stopping her! And once she goes too far into trying to prove that the dead man really did disappear and she's not batty, there's no turning back. She's deep in it, and what started as an exciting preoccupation for the once-sheltered widow turns into a life and death scenario that will have you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages.
I loved this mystery thriller, and CassanoLochman has developed a unique and quirky characters. The interactions of Hattie and New Orleans detective Hugo Gabbie are priceless and ring true, and the last 50 pages are masterfully written and totally gripping. I would love to read a sequel.
I highly recommend this new novel by an exciting new author, Sharon CassanoLochman.
February 2, 2019
Stick with it! In the first part of the book Hattie is quite nutty and acts crazy. I was tempted to give up. But if you stick with it the story does unfold. The ending is good and by the end Hattie is even a good character. She was truly a product of her environment and the mentality of the time she lived. I am glad I didn't get up on the book.
March 17, 2019
Full of charm… an intriguing plot and the twists and turns throughout make for a satisfying tale… an engaging mystery with a menacing undertone and chilling atmosphere running through it… the conclusion was unexpected and satisfying… fans of Agatha Christie and MC Beaton should enjoy this… A superb and highly entertaining , and a perfect read for those dark, chilly nights.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews