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Shoot if you Must
When Professor Meg Adams’s literature assignment results in the murder of her favorite student, Meg decides to help solve the mystery. Heather had been researching John Greenleaf Whittier, poet of a ballad about the historical figure, Barbara Fritchie. The poem honors Fritchie for shaming Stonewall Jackson by flying a Union flag as he marches through Frederick, MD to the Battle of Antietam.
But was it really Fritchie who waved the flag? Heather discovers a letter written by Fritchie herself that will overturn this interpretation. However, Heather is murdered, and the letter is stolen. Whoever possesses the letter could sell it for profit, or an academic could exploit it to further academic aspirations.
Meg feels honor-bound to investigate, much to the dismay of the cop assigned to the case. Meanwhile, Meg’s best friend observes their growing attraction and tells Meg to make a play for Lieutenant Tall, Dark and Handcuffs.
But was it really Fritchie who waved the flag? Heather discovers a letter written by Fritchie herself that will overturn this interpretation. However, Heather is murdered, and the letter is stolen. Whoever possesses the letter could sell it for profit, or an academic could exploit it to further academic aspirations.
Meg feels honor-bound to investigate, much to the dismay of the cop assigned to the case. Meanwhile, Meg’s best friend observes their growing attraction and tells Meg to make a play for Lieutenant Tall, Dark and Handcuffs.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2019
9 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 5, 2020
I love books that make me smarter while entertaining me--and this book does. I thought I knew the Barbara Fritchie story, but now I know more. While the intricate plotting kept me guessing about who done it, the joy of the book is the characters and the dialog. Meg is complex and appealing, and there are many other well drawn characters, but my favorite is the sassy and wise Joan. I was laughing out loud whenever she spoke.
January 20, 2020
Shoot if you Must is an amazing first novel-- well crafted, beautifully written, and insightful. Clark has created a believable world with its own geography and history while at the same time crafting an intriguing mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Her characters are not just players in the plot-- they have believable personalities that transcend the page. I will be looking forward to her next book!
February 1, 2026
I want to be sorry about this, but the book genuinely sucked. Could you please consider beta readers next time before you choose to sell another book ever again?
May 19, 2022
I am very happy to positively review this book, which I will refer to as Shoot. With a long and full lifetime of reading under my belt, several things are important to me. First, I love it when I can't put a book down, or can't wait to get back to it if I am forced to put it down, and this story definitely fits into that category. I thought about it while going about my daily routine, which means a lot to me. In order for me to continue reading anything, the story has to be very well written and have good "flow", for which Shoot gets another of my checkmarks. I also have to get to know and care about the characters and feel empathy with, and for, them. Check! A bonus in this book is that one character's diary excerpts added another dimension and richness to the story. Those are the basics for me to enjoy reading, remembering, and recommending a good story. In addition, Shoot takes place in a historic and very interesting location, so I learned quite a lot of history and literature, which I appreciate. Lastly, the story kept me guessing, so there was no disappointment in figuring out the perpetrator ahead of time...a real surprise there! I look forward to more such books from Pam Clark!
January 22, 2020
This book is not a good read - it's a damn good read! Full of interesting characters, writing that doesn't get in the way of the story, and based on interesting historical events, Shoot if you Must is indeed a page turner.
I particularly liked the sympathetic villain, the clever but imperfect heroine, and of course, a good-looking police detective. All the components you need to just settle into the story and see what happens.
A disclaimer: Pam Clark is a good friend - nevertheless, I bought my own copy of this book on Amazon.com and stand my ground on its quality.
News Alert: Pam is signing books at Turn the Page Bookstore in Boonsboro, MD on February 1 starting at 2 PM. For those of you who may not know, this is Nora Roberts' bookstore, and Ms. Roberts herself is signing her 50th Eve and Roarke book. It's a great honor for a newly published author to receive an invite to join in, an indicator that this book is indeed a very good read!
I particularly liked the sympathetic villain, the clever but imperfect heroine, and of course, a good-looking police detective. All the components you need to just settle into the story and see what happens.
A disclaimer: Pam Clark is a good friend - nevertheless, I bought my own copy of this book on Amazon.com and stand my ground on its quality.
News Alert: Pam is signing books at Turn the Page Bookstore in Boonsboro, MD on February 1 starting at 2 PM. For those of you who may not know, this is Nora Roberts' bookstore, and Ms. Roberts herself is signing her 50th Eve and Roarke book. It's a great honor for a newly published author to receive an invite to join in, an indicator that this book is indeed a very good read!
February 1, 2026
girl this shit is ass for real. main character is just the author's very obvious self-insert. and of course nobody wants a dumbass lit professor in a murder investigation- what the hell do you know about murder investigations?? the description itself is written poorly, to say little of the actual book itself (though i could say MUCH). character consistency is a Large problem. also please never say lieutenant tall dark and handcuffs ever again. i cringed so hard my shoulders are now permanently locked up around my ears. funny how we're on the site GOODreads when this is in fact a BADread. please contact an editor and make excessive use of them. did not enjoy myself. 0/10.
September 13, 2020
Hang on for a nonstop thrill ride
This book caught my eye because it is set in a town half an hour from where I live. Despite living here my whole life, this work of fiction included historical facts that taught me things I hadn’t leaned in school. The characters felt very realistic as I read and when I wasn’t reading this book, I wondered what they were doing without me. Totally didn’t figure out whodunit which was a nice surprise. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
This book caught my eye because it is set in a town half an hour from where I live. Despite living here my whole life, this work of fiction included historical facts that taught me things I hadn’t leaned in school. The characters felt very realistic as I read and when I wasn’t reading this book, I wondered what they were doing without me. Totally didn’t figure out whodunit which was a nice surprise. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
January 22, 2021
Enjoyable
An above average cozy crime style novel. I liked the historical aspect which added another dimension. The characters could have been more consistent at times but you often get this with this genre.
An above average cozy crime style novel. I liked the historical aspect which added another dimension. The characters could have been more consistent at times but you often get this with this genre.
November 28, 2021
I chose this book because it takes place in Frederick, MD. I wasn't really expecting much but it was unbelievably good. The suspense and romance was just right and I found the history of the Civil War very educational. I would definitely read another of Pam Clark's books.
February 23, 2020
Loved the book. Being from Frederick - the setting was especially interesting.
February 28, 2022
Finished in no time
One of those books that you can't put down for long. Very, very nice read. Held my attention all the way through. I had my suspicions on whodunit.
One of those books that you can't put down for long. Very, very nice read. Held my attention all the way through. I had my suspicions on whodunit.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews