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A Fen Maguire Mystery #1
Murder On The Brazos
He has no badge and no authority, in a county full of corruption, drugs and murder.Newman County, Texas was clean and safe when Fen Maguire left office as sheriff nine months ago. But the dead drug dealer found floating down the river says things may be changing… and not for the better.
Fire engulfs the dead man’s home, and all evidence points to the new sheriff’s father. Fen, however, knows there’s more to this case than a drug deal gone bad.
When he discovers a stash of drugs and a coded notebook, Fen launches his own investigation into the murder. Can he uncover the layers of corruption in his beloved county? Or will this be one time justice doesn’t prevail?
Fen Maguire is a man who values truth and justice, and is willing to fight for it. A clean read, whodunit mystery, Murder On The Brazos is the first book of The Fen Maguire Mystery series. No foul language, gore, sex or violence!
Fire engulfs the dead man’s home, and all evidence points to the new sheriff’s father. Fen, however, knows there’s more to this case than a drug deal gone bad.
When he discovers a stash of drugs and a coded notebook, Fen launches his own investigation into the murder. Can he uncover the layers of corruption in his beloved county? Or will this be one time justice doesn’t prevail?
Fen Maguire is a man who values truth and justice, and is willing to fight for it. A clean read, whodunit mystery, Murder On The Brazos is the first book of The Fen Maguire Mystery series. No foul language, gore, sex or violence!
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2023
775 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Hammack
49 books422 followersDrawing from his extensive background in criminal justice, Bruce Hammack writes contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries.
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
When he's not writing his next novel, he enjoys reading classic whodunits, watching film noir movies and traveling to see new places.
Having lived in eighteen cities around the world, he now lives in the Texas hill country with his wife of thirty-plus years.
He is the author of the Star of Justice series, the Smiley and McBlythe Mysteries and the Fen Maguire Mysteries. You can find out about his latest release at https://brucehammack.com/.
Follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BruceHammack...
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bruce...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
September 12, 2024
Book 1 in the Fen Maguire Mystery Series, MURDER ON THE BRAZOS is an excellent example of how to craft a series that will entertain without offense and support multiple volumes while maintaining interest.
Author, Bruce Hammack, introduces a cast of multi layered, complex characters who will support each other and the creative imagination of Hammack. They have depth from lives that have been lived well and hard; the details of which are parsed out one crumb at a time. It’s both frustrating and enormously satisfying.
Fen is a retired sheriff, recently widowed, grieving but trying to find his new normal and being cared for by his guard dog like housekeeper, Thelma, and her husband who acts as farm manager. Fen is an award winning painter of western landscapes but has been fairly idol for almost a year, since his wife’s passing. While attempting to paint out by the river, a dead body floats by and snags on his property. Fen calls in to report the body and is drawn into a murder case, against his will, that becomes much bigger and more complicated than imagined.
Those complications come by way of relationships: Fen’s ex father in law and sister in law both pitted against him in multiple ways, his old department is split in their loyalty and has been corrupted, women are trying to get his attention romantically and he takes on an art student who is related to the dead body. That decision leads Fen to get a PI license giving birth to a new career and a new series of books for Hammack.
A well crafted and tightly veiled mystery with unique procedural elements, art that’s more than a passing note and wonderfully written characters who will be fun to follow in future volumes📚
Author, Bruce Hammack, introduces a cast of multi layered, complex characters who will support each other and the creative imagination of Hammack. They have depth from lives that have been lived well and hard; the details of which are parsed out one crumb at a time. It’s both frustrating and enormously satisfying.
Fen is a retired sheriff, recently widowed, grieving but trying to find his new normal and being cared for by his guard dog like housekeeper, Thelma, and her husband who acts as farm manager. Fen is an award winning painter of western landscapes but has been fairly idol for almost a year, since his wife’s passing. While attempting to paint out by the river, a dead body floats by and snags on his property. Fen calls in to report the body and is drawn into a murder case, against his will, that becomes much bigger and more complicated than imagined.
Those complications come by way of relationships: Fen’s ex father in law and sister in law both pitted against him in multiple ways, his old department is split in their loyalty and has been corrupted, women are trying to get his attention romantically and he takes on an art student who is related to the dead body. That decision leads Fen to get a PI license giving birth to a new career and a new series of books for Hammack.
A well crafted and tightly veiled mystery with unique procedural elements, art that’s more than a passing note and wonderfully written characters who will be fun to follow in future volumes📚
February 17, 2023
I'm already hooked on this new series by skilled mystery writer Bruce Hammack. Fen Maguire is a hero you can't help but like. Still grieving his late wife, this retired sheriff is just trying to make it day by day, when a dead body floats downriver right where he's working on a new painting. (Yes, he's a talented and sought-after artist, too.)
Hammack does a great job of developing the tension between Fen and his sister-in-law (who somehow managed to get elected as the new sheriff). Plus he's at odds with his father-in-law, and let's not overlook the bossy housekeeper or the nosy reporter! There are plenty more characters to round out the cast, each memorable in his or her own way and with a role to play in solving the crime.
Glad to know there are more Fen Maguire stories in the pipeline...er, on the river!
Hammack does a great job of developing the tension between Fen and his sister-in-law (who somehow managed to get elected as the new sheriff). Plus he's at odds with his father-in-law, and let's not overlook the bossy housekeeper or the nosy reporter! There are plenty more characters to round out the cast, each memorable in his or her own way and with a role to play in solving the crime.
Glad to know there are more Fen Maguire stories in the pipeline...er, on the river!
June 30, 2025
I was hesitant to start another series by this author since I didnt think it could be as good as the series about Smiley and McBlythe. But I was wrong. Enjoyed this one just as much. Clean read, cozy mystery set in Texas. Interesting characters. I wish the library had the rest of the series 😕
June 21, 2024
well, golllllyyyy! it can be done!
the website said it was clean and it was -cover to cover. what a concept! I could name countless writers with much better known names than this one who can't seem to pull off that achievement - and, yes, I have read most of them - but, this one kept bits promise AND delivered an engaging story with some believable characterizations. from Fen Maguire to Bailey Maddison to Thelma to the Forsythes and on and on. and the even better part of this breathing fresh air? b.h. has a slew of sequels, so no rummaging around my Kindle's library to find something worth reading. honestly, for every book I do read, there's at least ten others I bail out of before I get to chapter five. last one I ditched, I had just started chapter two... so thank you, b.h., for being a welcome lighthouse in that endless storm of competitive authoring where so many rocky pitfalls have capsized otherwise interesting stories. I am looking forward to book two in the Fen Maguire saga.
the website said it was clean and it was -cover to cover. what a concept! I could name countless writers with much better known names than this one who can't seem to pull off that achievement - and, yes, I have read most of them - but, this one kept bits promise AND delivered an engaging story with some believable characterizations. from Fen Maguire to Bailey Maddison to Thelma to the Forsythes and on and on. and the even better part of this breathing fresh air? b.h. has a slew of sequels, so no rummaging around my Kindle's library to find something worth reading. honestly, for every book I do read, there's at least ten others I bail out of before I get to chapter five. last one I ditched, I had just started chapter two... so thank you, b.h., for being a welcome lighthouse in that endless storm of competitive authoring where so many rocky pitfalls have capsized otherwise interesting stories. I am looking forward to book two in the Fen Maguire saga.
February 5, 2023
Murder on the Brazos, written by Bruce Hammack, a retired police office, is an enjoyable, easy, clean read, that engages the reader!
Fen was the sheriff of Newman County, but after his wife died he just didn't have the heart for it, and he'd lost the election to his sister-in-law, who hates Fen, as does his father-in-law. And because of them the county is no longer the safe place it used to be!
As an artist Fen is out painting along the river bank when he sees a body caught in the brush. Knowing he must, he notifies the police, and awaits their arrival, which puts him in the cross hairs of the new sheriff and her head deputy.
The writing is so well done, you can actually imagine the places, and the people, which makes it hard to put the book down! Who killed Clete and dumped him in the river, and why was he killed? who's running all the drugs in the county and why haven't the police stopped it?
I received the ARC for free and am leaving this honest review of my own free will, which I'm very happy to do. I truly enjoyed Murder on the Brazos, and am looking forward to the next book in the Fen Maguire series! I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I have! I want to thank the author, Bruce Hammack for the chance to read and review another one of his excellent books!
Fen was the sheriff of Newman County, but after his wife died he just didn't have the heart for it, and he'd lost the election to his sister-in-law, who hates Fen, as does his father-in-law. And because of them the county is no longer the safe place it used to be!
As an artist Fen is out painting along the river bank when he sees a body caught in the brush. Knowing he must, he notifies the police, and awaits their arrival, which puts him in the cross hairs of the new sheriff and her head deputy.
The writing is so well done, you can actually imagine the places, and the people, which makes it hard to put the book down! Who killed Clete and dumped him in the river, and why was he killed? who's running all the drugs in the county and why haven't the police stopped it?
I received the ARC for free and am leaving this honest review of my own free will, which I'm very happy to do. I truly enjoyed Murder on the Brazos, and am looking forward to the next book in the Fen Maguire series! I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I have! I want to thank the author, Bruce Hammack for the chance to read and review another one of his excellent books!
June 13, 2023
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series:
Murder On Shinbone Creek, prequel - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like what the Sheriff did for the Sheriff-elect. Interesting story lines with good characters combined with a good writing style made this a one sitting read. 4*
Murder On The Brazos, #1 - Takes place about nine months after MOSC ends. Enjoyable story that held my interest and attention until I finished the last page, in one sitting. One person I missed because I did not pay attention; yes, I was snookered by the smoke. Love that the author knows a bit about Texas and Texans. Source: BookSirens. 4*
Murder On The Angelina, #2 - Picks up where MOTB ends. Interesting with good story lines and believable characters. Chicken Oil Co. closed April, 2022 due to a fire; now it looks like the author described, an aged, worn building; before the fire, a well taken care of rustic, not a dump. Source: BookSirens. 4*
Murder On The Guadalupe, #3 - Starts at the end of the Spring semester. I did not care for this story too much, yet I cannot say why. The writing style or maybe the story lines weren't as good as the previous books. Just an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series end.
Murder On Shinbone Creek, prequel - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like what the Sheriff did for the Sheriff-elect. Interesting story lines with good characters combined with a good writing style made this a one sitting read. 4*
Murder On The Brazos, #1 - Takes place about nine months after MOSC ends. Enjoyable story that held my interest and attention until I finished the last page, in one sitting. One person I missed because I did not pay attention; yes, I was snookered by the smoke. Love that the author knows a bit about Texas and Texans. Source: BookSirens. 4*
Murder On The Angelina, #2 - Picks up where MOTB ends. Interesting with good story lines and believable characters. Chicken Oil Co. closed April, 2022 due to a fire; now it looks like the author described, an aged, worn building; before the fire, a well taken care of rustic, not a dump. Source: BookSirens. 4*
Murder On The Guadalupe, #3 - Starts at the end of the Spring semester. I did not care for this story too much, yet I cannot say why. The writing style or maybe the story lines weren't as good as the previous books. Just an average read. Source: BookSirens. 3*
The Fen Maguire Mystery Series end.
January 2, 2024
Current day, Newman County, Texas
Main characters:
Fen Maguire: Former sheriff of Newman County, Texas
Sally Maguire: Fen's beloved late wife (failed heart transplant)
Nathaniel Newman: Sally's wealthy father, claims Fen killed Sally
Lori Newman: Sally’s sister, current county sheriff
Thelma Blackwood: Fen's protective housekeeper and cook
Sam: Fen's half-Choctaw ranch manager
Tom Stevens: Texas state highway patrol sergeant
Jake Creech: recently hired police lieutenant
Clete Brumbaugh: Found dead in the river at Fen's property
Bailey Madison: Clete's niece, lived with him in his old trailer
Chuck and Candy Forsythe: Fen's lawyer and wife.
Danni Worth: County crime scene investigator
Judge Rawlings: County Judge
Lou Cooper: Reporter writing about Clete's murder
Whew, that's a lot of characters, and that's not the entire list. Normally, when there’s an abundance of characters, I lose track and forget who's who. But in this book, for whatever reason, I didn’t. Every character was different and well defined.
Very slight synopsis (without giving too much away):
Fen was a former sheriff, currently an artist and a widower who loved his wife more than his own life. After having a heart transplant that her body rejected, she decided not to go with a second one and gave up her life for the sake of someone else who might need it. He missed her dearly. Talks to her urn daily, because talking morning and night about their days was a routine of theirs he just didn’t want to give up.
Painting a scene at the river by his house a dead body floated nearby. This started an investigation by the sheriffs department. Eventually the highway patrol was involved.
This story was about corruption, coverups, murder and arson, but it was also about characters who cared deeply for each other, and a former sheriff with a heart of gold.
I don’t know how Bruce Hammack came to be on my radar, but I’m so glad he did. This author is an absolute gem. Intelligent dialogue, very clean stories, fantastic characters, gentle faith arc, subtle and creative wit and an amazing murder mystery storyline. I can just about guarantee you won’t know "who did it". Or how Fen came to the conclusions he did.
Not really a cliffhanger, but the ending makes me want to find the next story in this series because it’s so good!
I’d love to see his stories as a miniseries, or at the least be able to find them in audio version. Can’t wait to see this author's star rise.
The last paragraph of the description of this book, says it all. "Fen Maguire is a man who values truth and justice, and is willing to fight for it. A clean read, whodunit mystery, Murder On The Brazos is the first book of The Fen Maguire Mystery series. No foul language, gore, sex or violence!"
Yep!
Main characters:
Fen Maguire: Former sheriff of Newman County, Texas
Sally Maguire: Fen's beloved late wife (failed heart transplant)
Nathaniel Newman: Sally's wealthy father, claims Fen killed Sally
Lori Newman: Sally’s sister, current county sheriff
Thelma Blackwood: Fen's protective housekeeper and cook
Sam: Fen's half-Choctaw ranch manager
Tom Stevens: Texas state highway patrol sergeant
Jake Creech: recently hired police lieutenant
Clete Brumbaugh: Found dead in the river at Fen's property
Bailey Madison: Clete's niece, lived with him in his old trailer
Chuck and Candy Forsythe: Fen's lawyer and wife.
Danni Worth: County crime scene investigator
Judge Rawlings: County Judge
Lou Cooper: Reporter writing about Clete's murder
Whew, that's a lot of characters, and that's not the entire list. Normally, when there’s an abundance of characters, I lose track and forget who's who. But in this book, for whatever reason, I didn’t. Every character was different and well defined.
Very slight synopsis (without giving too much away):
Fen was a former sheriff, currently an artist and a widower who loved his wife more than his own life. After having a heart transplant that her body rejected, she decided not to go with a second one and gave up her life for the sake of someone else who might need it. He missed her dearly. Talks to her urn daily, because talking morning and night about their days was a routine of theirs he just didn’t want to give up.
Painting a scene at the river by his house a dead body floated nearby. This started an investigation by the sheriffs department. Eventually the highway patrol was involved.
This story was about corruption, coverups, murder and arson, but it was also about characters who cared deeply for each other, and a former sheriff with a heart of gold.
I don’t know how Bruce Hammack came to be on my radar, but I’m so glad he did. This author is an absolute gem. Intelligent dialogue, very clean stories, fantastic characters, gentle faith arc, subtle and creative wit and an amazing murder mystery storyline. I can just about guarantee you won’t know "who did it". Or how Fen came to the conclusions he did.
Not really a cliffhanger, but the ending makes me want to find the next story in this series because it’s so good!
I’d love to see his stories as a miniseries, or at the least be able to find them in audio version. Can’t wait to see this author's star rise.
The last paragraph of the description of this book, says it all. "Fen Maguire is a man who values truth and justice, and is willing to fight for it. A clean read, whodunit mystery, Murder On The Brazos is the first book of The Fen Maguire Mystery series. No foul language, gore, sex or violence!"
Yep!
June 29, 2025
Former sheriff Fen Maguire is settling into retirement after the death of his beloved wife. He spends his days painting beautiful landscapes and mourning his loss. One day while he’s out painting a river scene on his Texas ranch, he spies the body of a drug dealer tangled up in the riverbank underbrush. Thus starts his troubles. His father-in-law is laser focused angry at him for not forcing his wife to have a second heart transplant (as if he could make her do anything) and the new sheriff is his equally angry sister-in-law who also wants to punish him, so he’s Suspect No. 1.
This bubbled to the top of my TBR pile and I almost didn’t read it because I saw the tagline about it being a “clean mystery with no foul language, gore, sex, or violence!” Usually that’s code for deadly dull proselytizing in mystery clothes, which gets a hard no from me. I like grit and darkness in my mysteries, and don’t mind curse words. Makes the story more real. OK, I don’t really need to know in great detail how tab A fits into slot B and what part C is doing, but I don’t mind when people get busy either. That too is real. But I was on the treadmill at the gym and didn’t want to slow down to pick another book so I pressed on.
What I found was a tightly written, fascinating story filled with dimensional characters (even the secondary characters had quirks and depth) I quickly came to care about and a story that held my interest all the way through. Maguire is an honest, reasonable, humane law enforcement officer who cares about the lives of the residents in his county and seeing that justice is served. There is some God talk, but it’s germane to the plot and to Fen’s character, rather than being a thinly-veiled cudgel the author uses to beat his point of view into readers. Watching Maguire solve the mystery and bring justice to someone who maybe didn’t “deserve” it was satisfying and engaging. He reminds me a bit of my all-time favorite sheriff, Walt Longmire. I will read more in this series.
This bubbled to the top of my TBR pile and I almost didn’t read it because I saw the tagline about it being a “clean mystery with no foul language, gore, sex, or violence!” Usually that’s code for deadly dull proselytizing in mystery clothes, which gets a hard no from me. I like grit and darkness in my mysteries, and don’t mind curse words. Makes the story more real. OK, I don’t really need to know in great detail how tab A fits into slot B and what part C is doing, but I don’t mind when people get busy either. That too is real. But I was on the treadmill at the gym and didn’t want to slow down to pick another book so I pressed on.
What I found was a tightly written, fascinating story filled with dimensional characters (even the secondary characters had quirks and depth) I quickly came to care about and a story that held my interest all the way through. Maguire is an honest, reasonable, humane law enforcement officer who cares about the lives of the residents in his county and seeing that justice is served. There is some God talk, but it’s germane to the plot and to Fen’s character, rather than being a thinly-veiled cudgel the author uses to beat his point of view into readers. Watching Maguire solve the mystery and bring justice to someone who maybe didn’t “deserve” it was satisfying and engaging. He reminds me a bit of my all-time favorite sheriff, Walt Longmire. I will read more in this series.
January 27, 2023
I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Fen painting by the river. As he begins, he notices a body hung up in the river and contacts 911 to advise them. Tom, from the State Police, arrives on the scene and takes charge until the sheriff's department gets there. Things go well until the new sheriff arrives. The individual in the river happens to be a drug dealer and was murdered.
Fen was an innocent bystander, but the sheriff's dept. wants to bother him. Fen used to be the sheriff but was defeated by his sister-in-law. Fen and his in-laws do not get along because he honored his wife's wishes and because of that, his father-in-law calls him a murderer.
Fen later becomes involved with the victim's niece, Bailey. Fen is an artist and he takes her under his wings snd helps her with becoming an artist. He first met her when she showed up at a fair and assisted him. They went away to another fair and upon arriving, they discovered that the trailer that she was living in was set on fire. Fen tried to help, but he injured his knee. He was able to save Bailey but both Fen and Bailey went to the hospital. Fen was able to recover at the hospital, but Bailey needed to go to a hospital in Houston because of the severe burns she received. Fen decided that he was going to fix up the apartment over the garage and have Bailey live there since her living quarters had been destroyed in the fire.
Fen as time went on decided that he was going to figure out who the players involved with the murder and the arson on the trailer. As the story ends, he brings all of the parties together.
To find out who was responsible and what other actions were taken, then you need to read this book. It is definitely worth it.
This story begins with Fen painting by the river. As he begins, he notices a body hung up in the river and contacts 911 to advise them. Tom, from the State Police, arrives on the scene and takes charge until the sheriff's department gets there. Things go well until the new sheriff arrives. The individual in the river happens to be a drug dealer and was murdered.
Fen was an innocent bystander, but the sheriff's dept. wants to bother him. Fen used to be the sheriff but was defeated by his sister-in-law. Fen and his in-laws do not get along because he honored his wife's wishes and because of that, his father-in-law calls him a murderer.
Fen later becomes involved with the victim's niece, Bailey. Fen is an artist and he takes her under his wings snd helps her with becoming an artist. He first met her when she showed up at a fair and assisted him. They went away to another fair and upon arriving, they discovered that the trailer that she was living in was set on fire. Fen tried to help, but he injured his knee. He was able to save Bailey but both Fen and Bailey went to the hospital. Fen was able to recover at the hospital, but Bailey needed to go to a hospital in Houston because of the severe burns she received. Fen decided that he was going to fix up the apartment over the garage and have Bailey live there since her living quarters had been destroyed in the fire.
Fen as time went on decided that he was going to figure out who the players involved with the murder and the arson on the trailer. As the story ends, he brings all of the parties together.
To find out who was responsible and what other actions were taken, then you need to read this book. It is definitely worth it.
January 25, 2023
Fen Maguire is the former sheriff of Newman County, Texas. He left office 9 months ago and primarily devotes his time to his paintings. While engaged in one of his paintings, he spots a body floating down the Brazos River and getting tangled up in the brush of a fallen hackberry tree. The body turned out to be Cletus Brumbaugh, who lived in a trailer on Nathaniel Newman's property. Fen is a widower and Nathaniel Newman is Fen's ex-father-in-law. Nathaniel blames Fen for not convincing his wife, Sally, to get a second heart transplant against her wishes. Nathaniel has also vowed to do everything he can to destroy Fen. Lori Newman, Nathaniel's daughter, is the new sheriff, and Lt. Jake Creech is her second-in-command. Unfortunately, many of the deputies in the sheriff's office view Lori as incompetent, while crime is on the rise.
Clete Brumbaugh's trailer is located on Nathaniel Newman's land and he was also known to grow marijuana on a section of the land. Whether Nathaniel was aware of the drugs is unknown. The original crime scene appears to be a bridge over the Brazos River on the Newman property.
Who killed Clete Brumbaugh? Why was he killed? What did drugs have to do with his death? Can Fen unravel the clues to discover the true culprit?
Bruce Hammack has a great start to another wonderful series with the Fen Maguire Mysteries. He has great characters with realistic situations with a dash of humor to keep the reading light and enjoyable. There is no shortage of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged clear to the end.
Clete Brumbaugh's trailer is located on Nathaniel Newman's land and he was also known to grow marijuana on a section of the land. Whether Nathaniel was aware of the drugs is unknown. The original crime scene appears to be a bridge over the Brazos River on the Newman property.
Who killed Clete Brumbaugh? Why was he killed? What did drugs have to do with his death? Can Fen unravel the clues to discover the true culprit?
Bruce Hammack has a great start to another wonderful series with the Fen Maguire Mysteries. He has great characters with realistic situations with a dash of humor to keep the reading light and enjoyable. There is no shortage of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged clear to the end.
February 22, 2023
Wonderful characters work out a murder mystery.
This is the first book in a series seeming to be themed around rivers. We get to meet some wonderful characters and it has the feel of character driven narrative. Our hero is the retired sheriff and wealthy landowner who discovers the body whilst painting a landscape scene. He is in conflict with his sister-in-law (the new sheriff) and father-in-law (neighbouring landowner). The latter carries a deep grudge over the death of our hero's wife. Our hero is in mourning for his wife and shrugs off the attentions of several women who fancy him.
He is aided in escaping amorous attentions by his resident housekeeper who has a relationship with another ally, the farmhand/handyman of Choctaw Indian heritage. During the story he acquires responsibility for a talented, but wayward high school student who wants to drop out. Also in the mix are: crime scene analyst; high school art teacher; state trooper; journalist and officious, obnoxious detective who is allied to the new (and incompetent) sheriff.
The plot moves quite fast and there is peril both in reputation and physical. We learn why out hero has an unreliable knee and suspicion falls on several people. I only worked out a part of the solution, but all the clues are there in the story.
I am looking forward to reading more in the series if they match this for interest and entertainment.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the first book in a series seeming to be themed around rivers. We get to meet some wonderful characters and it has the feel of character driven narrative. Our hero is the retired sheriff and wealthy landowner who discovers the body whilst painting a landscape scene. He is in conflict with his sister-in-law (the new sheriff) and father-in-law (neighbouring landowner). The latter carries a deep grudge over the death of our hero's wife. Our hero is in mourning for his wife and shrugs off the attentions of several women who fancy him.
He is aided in escaping amorous attentions by his resident housekeeper who has a relationship with another ally, the farmhand/handyman of Choctaw Indian heritage. During the story he acquires responsibility for a talented, but wayward high school student who wants to drop out. Also in the mix are: crime scene analyst; high school art teacher; state trooper; journalist and officious, obnoxious detective who is allied to the new (and incompetent) sheriff.
The plot moves quite fast and there is peril both in reputation and physical. We learn why out hero has an unreliable knee and suspicion falls on several people. I only worked out a part of the solution, but all the clues are there in the story.
I am looking forward to reading more in the series if they match this for interest and entertainment.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 19, 2023
2.5 stars
I felt it was weirdly written. The law and order seemed fine, just the way somethings were written and mentioned were just weird. Like the MC noting almost every females perfume. WHY? It added NOTHING to the story, there was no romantic feelings attached to it, it contributed nothing to the mystery, so why did he keep noting them. Also, women in general were portrayed in a very negative way throughout the novel, I made many annotations of negative descriptions that were absolutely uncalled for, and none of them made any sense to the story. The female cook was probably meant to add some measure of comedic element to the story, but she felt vicious instead of funny. She literally spewed vitriol for no reason. There are other things - like the way the MC kept thinking about his dead wife, almost deified her. And not just him, but the cook too. It felt weird and not normal. Story was ok, twist came suddenly and with no prior intimation, but it wasn't in a good way. It felt incredulous. And I honestly felt MC just manipulated things vs actually doing any sleuthing. Overall, wont be reading this author's works again
I felt it was weirdly written. The law and order seemed fine, just the way somethings were written and mentioned were just weird. Like the MC noting almost every females perfume. WHY? It added NOTHING to the story, there was no romantic feelings attached to it, it contributed nothing to the mystery, so why did he keep noting them. Also, women in general were portrayed in a very negative way throughout the novel, I made many annotations of negative descriptions that were absolutely uncalled for, and none of them made any sense to the story. The female cook was probably meant to add some measure of comedic element to the story, but she felt vicious instead of funny. She literally spewed vitriol for no reason. There are other things - like the way the MC kept thinking about his dead wife, almost deified her. And not just him, but the cook too. It felt weird and not normal. Story was ok, twist came suddenly and with no prior intimation, but it wasn't in a good way. It felt incredulous. And I honestly felt MC just manipulated things vs actually doing any sleuthing. Overall, wont be reading this author's works again
July 12, 2023
This book is less about solving a murder and more about family drama. Fen, the main character, is a retired sheriff who is at odds with his late wife’s father and sister. The story did not flow well, in my opinion. There was a decent plot twist toward the end, but by then I had lost interest.
Another unwelcome distraction is Thelma, Fen’s cook and housekeeper. She is obnoxious and rude, and appears far too often. She thinks every woman except Bailey, a teenager whom Fen befriends, is trying to replace Sally, Fen’s late wife. I would have given this book an extra star if just once Fen would have said, “Shut up, Thelma” because that’s what I was thinking as she kept showing up.
The story was mildly interesting, which is why I’m giving it three stars, but it was not suspenseful. Other than Thelma, I didn’t care too much about most of the characters. I don’t think I will read other books by this author.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Another unwelcome distraction is Thelma, Fen’s cook and housekeeper. She is obnoxious and rude, and appears far too often. She thinks every woman except Bailey, a teenager whom Fen befriends, is trying to replace Sally, Fen’s late wife. I would have given this book an extra star if just once Fen would have said, “Shut up, Thelma” because that’s what I was thinking as she kept showing up.
The story was mildly interesting, which is why I’m giving it three stars, but it was not suspenseful. Other than Thelma, I didn’t care too much about most of the characters. I don’t think I will read other books by this author.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't choose it because of the "clean" or "Christian" description but because I enjoy a good crime/ detective novel and this one was just the job. I found it easy to get to know the characters; those who will feature in the series as it progresses and, to an extent, the guilty parties. I found this author's story telling nicely paced, not overly complicated, and realistic, at the same time a story I wanted to read to the end to see what happened. Others might have seen all of the denouement coming, but I didn't see it all in advance - and that is how I prefer it.
Fenn McGuire was sheriff until his wife died and he wanted to retire from public life. However, the new sheriff, a young woman, was bought into office by her rich father for his own reasons. Fenn, a keen amateur artist, befriends a young girl with no family who is a very promising artist, and after things heat up, gets a private investigator's licence and becomes friends with the local newspaper reporter. Its looking good for the rest of the series !
Fenn McGuire was sheriff until his wife died and he wanted to retire from public life. However, the new sheriff, a young woman, was bought into office by her rich father for his own reasons. Fenn, a keen amateur artist, befriends a young girl with no family who is a very promising artist, and after things heat up, gets a private investigator's licence and becomes friends with the local newspaper reporter. Its looking good for the rest of the series !
July 26, 2025
Of all the places we explored in our 20-plus years in Texas, Brazos Bend State Park in Ft. Bend County was my favorite go-to place. I can highly recommend it to anyone traveling along Interstate Highway 10 going anywhere. Those memories were what caused me to pick up this book - but it's one I didn't put down till I finished it despite the night passing me by. Hammack brings to mind all the treasures that make this area of Texas spectacular on nearly every page. If you haven't been, it will make you need to go there. He introduces us to folks we feel we know personally, and the story is intense and just keeps coming. We have artists, many of them, lawyers - too many?, cows, and cops. Our main character, Sheriff Fen Maguire at the death of his wife finds himself fed up, crippled up, declares himself retired, and registers as an official private investigator. But things are changing too fast in his little community. This story will keep you up nights. Sorry. Not. This is the first of five tales set on Texas Rivers by Bruce Hammack. I want them all.
REVIEWED on July 26, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available on Kobo.
REVIEWED on July 26, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available on Kobo.
January 19, 2023
Whenever I read a book by this author I know I’m in for a really good read, excellent plotting, with believable and likeable characters, and an ending I can’t usually guess. His writing gives an authentic feel to the police procedures, and the characters feel real. I love his Smiley and McBlythe series, and Fen Maguire, an ex-sheriff and artist, champion of the underdog with a nicely devious mind, is the star of another good series.
In this book, Fen is finding it difficult to keep out of a murder investigation, being run by his sister in law, who hates him. I like Fens’ interaction with Bailey, who has had a hard life, but is also a budding artist. He has numerous friends and supporters who want him back in office, but he’s determined that’s never going to happen. A very easy book to read, it’s nicely paced with a very satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this book, Fen is finding it difficult to keep out of a murder investigation, being run by his sister in law, who hates him. I like Fens’ interaction with Bailey, who has had a hard life, but is also a budding artist. He has numerous friends and supporters who want him back in office, but he’s determined that’s never going to happen. A very easy book to read, it’s nicely paced with a very satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2023
Fen Mguire used to be a sheriff but was injuring on duty. He decided to quite the job after his wife died from cancer. Fen happened to be the current sheriffs son-in-law. Fen didnt want to run against him . Fen did not get along with him because he blamed Fen for his daughter Sallys death, Fen also was a painter. Doing painting and selling them at Fairs and events.One day he found a dead man floating in the river near his home. They identified him as a local man. He turned out to be Bailys uncle. The sheriff was a conniving man he was doing all he could to arrest Fen. Fen decides to get a investigator license then so he could figure out who killed that man.In the meantime he takes in a the young Bailey Because someone set her uncles house trail on fire.. She also loved to paint so she went with him to all the Fairs and sold her painting also.Would he be the one to figure out who the murder really was.
February 1, 2023
Murder on the Brazos is a new series from author Bruce Hammack. Although he has written several books and series, this was my first experience with his work. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This series focuses on Fen Maguire, a former sheriff and recent widower, who is trying to move on with his life but gets pulled back into investigating a murder on his land with familial ties. This is a nice, wholesome book that all can enjoy. There is no profanity, violence or sex, which many appreciate. The tone is similar to Walt Longmire and Joe Pickett mysteries, but more clear cut and set in Texas. It's a quick read and felt like an expanded episode of Murder She Wrote, which is actually a compliment. A lot of people are looking for nice whodunnits.
This series focuses on Fen Maguire, a former sheriff and recent widower, who is trying to move on with his life but gets pulled back into investigating a murder on his land with familial ties. This is a nice, wholesome book that all can enjoy. There is no profanity, violence or sex, which many appreciate. The tone is similar to Walt Longmire and Joe Pickett mysteries, but more clear cut and set in Texas. It's a quick read and felt like an expanded episode of Murder She Wrote, which is actually a compliment. A lot of people are looking for nice whodunnits.
April 7, 2023
This is an excellent first book in a series to be called the Fen Maguire Mysteries. Fen Maguire is an ex-sheriff in a county in Texas where the justice system is now in a poor state. Even without the advantages of his former office, and with a seriously damaged knee, Fen is still able to bring the evil-doers to justice.
For many, this book will be the more appealing because there are no gun fights, car chases, and definitely no sex scene. It is still an intriguing mystery that is solved in a reasonable and decent way. I don't know if this qualifies it as a "cosy" mystery, but it does show that cases can be solved other than at the point of a gun.
It will be worthwhile to look out for the further books in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For many, this book will be the more appealing because there are no gun fights, car chases, and definitely no sex scene. It is still an intriguing mystery that is solved in a reasonable and decent way. I don't know if this qualifies it as a "cosy" mystery, but it does show that cases can be solved other than at the point of a gun.
It will be worthwhile to look out for the further books in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 10, 2023
Plotted like a western, Murder On The Brazos features retired Texas sheriff and current fine art painter, Fen Maguire, a widower with a largely female team. There's the tart-tongued housekeeper who keeps him on the straight and narrow, the evidence technician who may or may not have a crush on him, the wild-child surrogate daughter he mentors in the art world, and the ace investigative reporter he's wary of but who is (mostly) on his side. Most importantly there is his late wife, with whom he has a conversation every morning. His sister-in-law is the new sheriff and she is incompetent and maybe bent. Anyway, something is rotten in Newman County and Fen intends to find out what. Or does he? Every time someone calls him Sheriff Maguire he says, "Not anymore." It reminds me a little of John Wayne in Big Jake, to whom people kept saying, "I thought you was dead", to which he always replied, "Not Hardly." The Duke would have made a good Fen Maguire.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 17, 2023
I love Hammack’s other series with Smiley and McBlythe and was excited to receive the ARC for this new series. Fen Maguire has retired as Sheriff after his wife died, less than a year ago, leaving Newman County in good shape. But there seems to be some changes happening, and not for the better. When a drug dealer is found in the river and the man’s trailer is set on fire, Fen decides to do a little investigating, as the new Sheriff and her deputy don’t seem interested in looking into it. Fen is a fascinating new character in this series and I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this series! I did receive an ARC and write this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This may not be the first book in this series as I seem to recall reading some time ago a Fen mystery and some of the characters came back to life in this book. I think specifically of Sam and Thelma but I also remember Fen's painting.
The plot of this boo is well-developed and it is only in the latter pages that we find out who the actual murderers were. One was characterized throughout the book as a bully while the other was a complete surprise because of the very positive atributes shown throughout. I have come to love this author's books no matter which series.
This may not be the first book in this series as I seem to recall reading some time ago a Fen mystery and some of the characters came back to life in this book. I think specifically of Sam and Thelma but I also remember Fen's painting.
The plot of this boo is well-developed and it is only in the latter pages that we find out who the actual murderers were. One was characterized throughout the book as a bully while the other was a complete surprise because of the very positive atributes shown throughout. I have come to love this author's books no matter which series.
January 25, 2023
Love a good mystery and this was one. This was book one of a two book series. Fen makes a great hero. He's a former sheriff whose county has been suddenly taken over by crime since his retirement. Now the county has lost its clean status. Fen investigates and his wise and experienced mind sets forth to bring back peace to the area.
Its a good read and is a non-violent book. I enjoyed the clean book and look forward to the next one. Very good characters and well-written. I am sure mystery lovers with all find this a great book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.
Its a good read and is a non-violent book. I enjoyed the clean book and look forward to the next one. Very good characters and well-written. I am sure mystery lovers with all find this a great book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.
January 27, 2023
This is the first book in a new series from Bruce Hammack. I love the Smiley and McBlythe series so much that I didn’t anything could compare. I was wrong. I’m hooked from this book on. Although the scenario is very different, much is still the same - takes place in Texas; still a mystery to unravel; different characters, but still a lot of sassy dialogue between the main characters; one of the main characters working through the death of his wife; and an easy read. I’m already looking forward to the next book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2023
I received an ARC copy of the new series of Fen Maguire, ex sheriff. 4.5 stars.
The characters are well developed and draw you in quickly. There are several threads to keep the story moving along. The murder, the new sheriff who is way out of her depth, and nasty too. The framing of said sheriff and her father. Ex sheriff Fen, who really doesn’t want to be involved, but duty and honor compel him to do something. And the introduction of Bailey, the almost 18 yr old, talented artist living in a barely live able circumstance.
Come enjoy the Texas countryside, with murder and plots to frame and who was the murderer.
The characters are well developed and draw you in quickly. There are several threads to keep the story moving along. The murder, the new sheriff who is way out of her depth, and nasty too. The framing of said sheriff and her father. Ex sheriff Fen, who really doesn’t want to be involved, but duty and honor compel him to do something. And the introduction of Bailey, the almost 18 yr old, talented artist living in a barely live able circumstance.
Come enjoy the Texas countryside, with murder and plots to frame and who was the murderer.
February 4, 2023
What do I like or dislike? I HATE that there are other things that seem to be important in my day besides finishing this new Bruce Hammack book! And being a glutton, it was finished all too soon and he doesn't have book 2 ready yet. I thought that the Smiley & McBlythe ones couldn't be beat, but ol' Fen has proven capable of at least being as good, as this wounded, lamed, retired sheriff is faced with a county in need of someone like him to get the job done. And in this book, too, there are the deep relationships, built down through other trials and struggles, so that their roots go deep. Do NOT miss it!
February 8, 2023
Absolutely frigging LOVE IT!
Fantastic storyline that grabs you from page one and keeps you on your toes until the end! Characters that are so well written they come to life and have me wanting to head to Texas to meet them! ;)
The story had me feeling every emotion there is and my mind going crazy trying to unravel the mystery of it all.
I can't believe that as much as I love The Smiley and Blythe Mystery series, I might actually like these characters more!!
!I highly recommend this book or any other by Mr. Hammack!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fantastic storyline that grabs you from page one and keeps you on your toes until the end! Characters that are so well written they come to life and have me wanting to head to Texas to meet them! ;)
The story had me feeling every emotion there is and my mind going crazy trying to unravel the mystery of it all.
I can't believe that as much as I love The Smiley and Blythe Mystery series, I might actually like these characters more!!
!I highly recommend this book or any other by Mr. Hammack!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 10, 2024
Fen Maguire has retired from the sheriff's office and is troubled by an old work-related injury. He now spends his time grieving his wife's death and painting pictures. In the opening scene, he notes a bloated body snagged on a tree limb floating in the Brazos River. Unfortunately, by reporting it, Fen is in the crosshairs of the new sheriff and her difficult assistant.
Bruce Hammack is a new find because Amazon offered this book as a freebie. I enjoyed the story because it was clean (language) and had no sex scenes. I've grown weary of those types of stories. I want an interesting tale with character development and twists and turns. This is a satisfying read.
Bruce Hammack is a new find because Amazon offered this book as a freebie. I enjoyed the story because it was clean (language) and had no sex scenes. I've grown weary of those types of stories. I want an interesting tale with character development and twists and turns. This is a satisfying read.
March 13, 2024
In a county full of crooked dealings, drugs, and murder, Fen Maguire returns to find things going from bad to worse. Without a badge or any official authority, he dives into investigating a suspicious fire at a drug dealer's place, which points fingers at the new sheriff's dad. But Fen's not buying it. As he digs deeper, he stumbles upon a stash of drugs and a secret-coded notebook, sparking his own personal quest for justice.
I liked how it sets up a compelling mystery with a strong protagonist driven by a sense of justice, promising and engaging. Murder On The Brazos is a clean, gripping mystery without all the usual language, gore, or violence.
I liked how it sets up a compelling mystery with a strong protagonist driven by a sense of justice, promising and engaging. Murder On The Brazos is a clean, gripping mystery without all the usual language, gore, or violence.
August 3, 2024
This was my first novel of Bruce Hammack. I enjoyed this book immensely. From the beginning I was enthralled by the story. It had me hooked. I didn't know who it until Fen announced it in the meeting. I was shaken to discover who'd done it. Fen is a charming man who is goals to any woman who desires to marry a proper gentleman. Not once did he stop mentioning his wife. Or his love that he had for her. I love that.
Bailey is a favorite of mine. She's so sarcastic and challenging. We love the Tom/Bailey duo. She's the daughter he never had. Plus, she keeps Fen on her toes. Fen keeps her on the straight and narrow. He sees Sally in her.
SPOILER: Tom, I expected. Danni was a complete surprise. I love puzzles and mysteries so it's always nice to be surprised during a book. Makes me want to continue the series. I can't wait to read more of Fen and Bailey's journey
Bailey is a favorite of mine. She's so sarcastic and challenging. We love the Tom/Bailey duo. She's the daughter he never had. Plus, she keeps Fen on her toes. Fen keeps her on the straight and narrow. He sees Sally in her.
SPOILER: Tom, I expected. Danni was a complete surprise. I love puzzles and mysteries so it's always nice to be surprised during a book. Makes me want to continue the series. I can't wait to read more of Fen and Bailey's journey
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