Hide Away

Adam Dutton & Beverly Laborde Mystery #2

by B.V. Lawson

What's a cop to do when his best friend is accused of murder? Vermont Detective Adam Dutton has to make one of the hardest arrests of his life—his friend and godfather, Harlan Wilford, who stands accused of murder. Meanwhile, the slightly reformed con woman, Beverly Laborde, returns to Ironwood Junction to take her first tentative steps toward a more normal life and to become Detective Dutton's unofficial "partner," whether he likes it or not. Neither Adam nor Beverly believe for a minute that honest Harlan is capable of murder, but who framed him and why? Was it a disgruntled former customer of Harlan's antiques business? Or another attempt by the crooked mafioso members of the Northeast Antiquities League to get back at Adam? With Adam and Beverly's nemesis, Mayor Titus Lemann, piling on the pressure, and his wife—who also happens to be Adam's ex—piling on the seduction, Adam and Beverly must dodge personal and professional land mines before they blow up in their faces. Harlan's freedom may not be the only thing at stake, with Adam and Beverly's friendship ... and their very lives ... on the line.

295 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2020

About the author

Thanks for visiting my profile! I'm an author of crime fiction, including the Scott Drayco mystery series, which has been honored by the American Independent Writers, Maryland Writers Association, named Best Mystery in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and been a finalist for the Shamus Awards, the Silver Falchion, the Daphne Awards, the Foreword Book Review Awards, and the Kindle Book Awards. Library Journal said of the series, "worth putting on your reading list," and I hope you'll think so, too.

Reviews

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trust your instincts in the end though you can render no reasons"-Emerson
"Tree roots in the ground spread out in strange patterns, but they all lead back to the trunk"

Throughout this book, the two main characters Adam and Beverly, dance around their growing attraction. Adam, in law enforcement, has to arrest his godfather Harlan because he was the last to see a weapon used to kill another person. Is Harlan really a killer? If not, then who is? It takes all of Adam's skills to realize that maybe Beverly's way of quiet presence might be just what is needed to dig through to the unexpected solution.

There were enough boxes ticked when I saw this book online that I could hardly wait to read it. New England? Antiques? Mystery? I'm there. Entertaining? Yes. Compelling? You bet! Want more please....
Highly Recommended. 5/5

[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man found murdered. All the evidence points to Harlan Wilford who owns an antique shop and has an item missing used in the murder. Detective Adam Dutton is investigating the case. He does not believe Harlan is guilty and is out to find the real killer. A novel to keep you guessing. A heart pounding conclusion to the story.

[Peggy Tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's packed full of action, danger, suspense, twists, turns and surprises. I couldn't put it down. It's a fast paced enjoyable and entertaining read.

Adam and Beverly are positive that Harlan is being framed for a murder he didn't do. They will do their best to prove his innocence and to find the real killer. Adam and Beverly both would like to have a lasting romantic relationship but neither of them has told the other one about it. They have a tendency to get in very dangerous situations. The mayor rears his ugly head and forces the department to hire his nephew and then for forces the chief to put his nephew in the detective bureau. The mayor hates Adam and wants him either gone or dead and gone. His nephew hates Adam too. You don't want to miss reading this second book in the series.

[Infosleuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens...

This can be read as a standalone book but you’ll enjoy it more if you read Steal Away first. Imagine having to arrest your godfather for murder even though you’re sure he’s innocent! If that wasn’t bad enough, your ex is on the prowl and you seem to be the target. The mayor wants the case wrapped up quickly. There are so many twists and turns, it was challenging to try to solve the mystery. And I love the characters even more as we find out more about them. I just couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Such a well written book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Adam Dutton has a lot of things going on. First, he is trying to find out who is trying to set up his Godfather for murder. Then his ex-wife is trying to seduce him, and she is married to the Mayor who is applying pressure to get this murder case wrapped up. Then there is the con lady, Beverly to whom Adam and she have a certain chemistry, but can they ever take their relationship to the next level? Great characters, wonderful storyline with a small about of romance and a lot of mystery. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Rita Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly Laborde and Adam Dutton team up again to solve a murder. They are a great pair and complement each other while working together to find the murderer. There are several possible culprits with only one taking the fall and going to jail. The police are working hard when one crime after another takes place with break ins, items being stolen, and a bomb. The action and suspense just keep on going and me hanging onto every word.

I really enjoyed reading this and looking forward to the next book in the series. Thanks for a great plot and interesting characters.

[Colleen Sasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable story of Adam being picked on and Beverly trying to help him and friends. The searching for clues to find the murderer keeps the pages turning. There are so many possible that it is dizzying but keeps the story interesting and entertaining. There are a great set of characters that keep the story interesting as well. The mystery is not solved until the end of the story and keeps it a surprise. I look forward to their next adventure.

[Voracious Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dutton and Laborde work together to prove the innocence of their friend, Harlan Wilford who has been accused of murder. In the meantime these two keep circling around their attraction to each other trying to find away they can fit into each other's lives.

BY Lawson continues to develop her characters and I find them more interesting and likeable in each book.

[Ken Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "dynamic duo" are back in action, this time they are investigating a murder with Harlan the main suspect.
Lots of false trails and clues to keep you guessing who is the real killer.

I received an arc copy of this book

[Tonya Cheton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review

Fixated on how Adam and Beverly really worked well together. There are times i couldn't stop myself from disliking the way Adam doesn't have a handle on the situation, when it come to catching the bad guys.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful characters. Interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Simply a GREAT read!

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

[Vanathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the book. Fascinating how B.V. Lawson brought all the different storylines together to an unexpected ending.