Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Strangled in Sacramento by Troy Lambert & Stuart Gustafson

Author: Troy Lambert, Stuart Gustafson

Narrator: Joseph L. Stevenson

Publisher: Troy Lambert 

Genre: Mystery; Travel

Series: Capital City Murders, Book 3

Release date: Aug. 20, 2020 

Nick arrived in Sacramento, only to have his camera stolen.
A disaster for a freelance photographer on assignment to photograph every state capital for Travel USA magazine, Nick uses his amateur sleuth skills and his eye for detail to find the thief.
But it turns out his camera theft spirals him into involvement with another mystery. 

He turns to a friend Sandra, who he just met in Salem for help with his assignment, and it turns out they share a lot of interests. There is a spark there, but he can’t afford to get caught up in a romance.
The pursuit of his camera leads to a deeper mystery, part of a series of murders. The investigation puts them in the path of the killer. Will they find Nick’s camera and catch the strangler at the same time?

You won’t be able to stop listening to this episode of the Capital City Murders until the very end. Buy the audiobook and catch up with Nick and his adventures today!

Buy Links for Audiobook #3

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes

My thoughts:

Strangled in Sacramento is the third in a trio of mystery novellas being reviewed for this tour.  There are around 14 in the series so far.  To refresh, we are following , a photographer who is traveling from US capital to US capital to take photographs for a magazine.  This is his third stop in Sacramento, California.  Just his luck, not only does he stumble on a murder case, he also has his camera stolen.

I am really enjoying this series.  I like Nick as a character.  He would give Sherlock a run for his money because he always notices the one thing that the police didn't notice.  I kind of figured this one out early one, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment.  I definitely think he should go for it with Sandra.   I look forward to seeing if she shows up in future books.  If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend this series.

About the Author: Troy Lambert

“Making the world a better place by telling stories and helping others share theirs.”
Troy Lambert is a freelance writer, author, editor, and publisher who has dreamed of writing books since he was a young boy. He wrote his first book, George and the Giant Castle, when he was six years old. After being told by teachers, counselors, and many people around him that writing was a great hobby, but not a great way to make a living, Troy explored other money-making options.
After nearly three decades amassing a collection of name tags, hairnets, and various careers, he finally found the way to fulfill his dream of writing full-time and making a living at it. He currently has written nearly thirty books including ghostwriting projects. 
Troy lives, works, and plays in Boise, Idaho with his wife and a pack of very talented dogs who are occasionally enlisted to write blog posts and book blurbs. You can learn more about his work at troylambertwrites.com and more about the series at capitalcitymurders.com. 

Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Joseph L. Stevenson

Joseph has always been fascinated by literature and the stories it creates. This storytelling eventually led him to acting. He has spent the last several years in the Treasure Valley acting with Encore Theatre in Nampa, River City Entertainment and Boise Little Theatre in Boise, and the Thunder Mountain Line in Horseshoe Bend. Aside from gunslingers and murder mystery detectives, favorite roles include John Proctor from The Crucible, Benedick from Much Ado about Nothing, George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, Hamlet in Hamlet, and Edmund in King Lear. An avid Shakespeare fan, Joseph has taught English Literature and Theatre Arts at Vallivue High School since 2005. There is always another story to be told.

Website
 

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Slaying in Salem by Troy Lambert & Stuart Gustafson

Author: Troy Lambert, Stuart Gustafson

Narrator: Joseph L. Stevenson

Publisher: Troy Lambert⎮2020

Genre: Mystery; Travel

Series: Capital City Murders, Book 2

Release date: Jun. 12, 2020

Nick O’Flannigan, freelance photographer and amateur sleuth, arrives in Salem, only to discover another crime. The police have a man in custody, but one small clue tells Nick what no one else wants to acknowledge: They’ve got the wrong guy. 

With the help of a local reporter who’s also his buddy from college, Nick investigates. Will his clues lead him too close to the murderer and put both his life and his assignment in danger? Against disinterested police and an editor who wants him to stay focused on his assignment, will Nick beat the odds and solve the case?

Buy Links for Audiobook #2

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes

My thoughts:

Slaying in Salem  is the second in a trio of mystery novellas.  As in the first one, We follow Nick, a photographer who is traveling from US capital to US capital to take photographs for a magazine.  This is his second stop in Salem, Oregon.  Once again, he ends up involved in a murder case.

As with the first one, I did enjoy this installment.  I feel like I am getting to know Nick a bit better.  His knack for solving crimes is uncanny.  He tends to see clues that others don't see.  I think it's his ability to see things differently through the camera lens.  I liked the mystery in this one.  If Nick hadn't been there, the murder never would have been solved.  On to Sacramento next.

About the Author: Troy Lambert

“Making the world a better place by telling stories and helping others share theirs.”
Troy Lambert is a freelance writer, author, editor, and publisher who has dreamed of writing books since he was a young boy. He wrote his first book, George and the Giant Castle, when he was six years old. After being told by teachers, counselors, and many people around him that writing was a great hobby, but not a great way to make a living, Troy explored other money-making options.
After nearly three decades amassing a collection of name tags, hairnets, and various careers, he finally found the way to fulfill his dream of writing full-time and making a living at it. He currently has written nearly thirty books including ghostwriting projects. 
Troy lives, works, and plays in Boise, Idaho with his wife and a pack of very talented dogs who are occasionally enlisted to write blog posts and book blurbs. You can learn more about his work at troylambertwrites.com and more about the series at capitalcitymurders.com. 

Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Joseph L. Stevenson

Joseph has always been fascinated by literature and the stories it creates. This storytelling eventually led him to acting. He has spent the last several years in the Treasure Valley acting with Encore Theatre in Nampa, River City Entertainment and Boise Little Theatre in Boise, and the Thunder Mountain Line in Horseshoe Bend. Aside from gunslingers and murder mystery detectives, favorite roles include John Proctor from The Crucible, Benedick from Much Ado about Nothing, George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, Hamlet in Hamlet, and Edmund in King Lear. An avid Shakespeare fan, Joseph has taught English Literature and Theatre Arts at Vallivue High School since 2005. There is always another story to be told.

Website
 

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Overdoses in Olympia by Troy Lambert & Stuart Gustafson

 

Author: Troy Lambert, Stuart Gustafson
Narrator: Joseph L. Stevenson
Length: 1 hours 59 minutes
Publisher: Troy Lambert⎮2020
Genre: Mystery; Travel
Series: Capital City Murders, Book 1
Release date: Jun. 8, 2020

Nick O’Flannigan thought he was just starting out on a freelance photography assignment. 

But when he arrives in Olympia, he learns that there have been two overdoses in hospitals in the last week, both seemingly connected. With his keen eye for detail, he notices something in the photos that no one else sees. 

But how will he, an out of town photographer and amateur sleuth, get that information to the right authorities before another patient dies?
“A good whodunnit read.” (John Hussar)

You won’t find the answer until the very end of this powerful pause-resister of a travel mystery. If you love Jack McEvoy, you’ll love this debut in the Capital City Murders series.

Buy Links for Audiobook #1

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes

My thoughts:

Overdoses in Olympia is the first in a trio of mystery novellas.  They feature Nick a photographer who is traveling from US capital to US capital to take photographs for a magazine.  On his first stop, Olympia, Washington, he gets caught up in a mystery surrounding mysterious overdoses at the local hospital.

I quite enjoyed this quick story.  It's kind of like a 5 minute mystery.  Nick stumbles on a clue and ends up being the person to solve the mystery. I also liked Nick's character.  He was interesting and someone I look forward to following on his journey across the country.  The narrator was also enjoyable to listen to.  Stay tuned, I'll be reviewing the next mystery in September.  This time in Salem, Oregon.  I do recommend this one if you are in the mood for a quick audiobook, maybe for your daily commute.

About the Author: Troy Lambert

“Making the world a better place by telling stories and helping others share theirs.”
Troy Lambert is a freelance writer, author, editor, and publisher who has dreamed of writing books since he was a young boy. He wrote his first book, George and the Giant Castle, when he was six years old. After being told by teachers, counselors, and many people around him that writing was a great hobby, but not a great way to make a living, Troy explored other money-making options.
After nearly three decades amassing a collection of name tags, hairnets, and various careers, he finally found the way to fulfill his dream of writing full-time and making a living at it. He currently has written nearly thirty books including ghostwriting projects. 
Troy lives, works, and plays in Boise, Idaho with his wife and a pack of very talented dogs who are occasionally enlisted to write blog posts and book blurbs. You can learn more about his work at troylambertwrites.com and more about the series at capitalcitymurders.com. 

Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Joseph L. Stevenson

Joseph has always been fascinated by literature and the stories it creates. This storytelling eventually led him to acting. He has spent the last several years in the Treasure Valley acting with Encore Theatre in Nampa, River City Entertainment and Boise Little Theatre in Boise, and the Thunder Mountain Line in Horseshoe Bend. Aside from gunslingers and murder mystery detectives, favorite roles include John Proctor from The Crucible, Benedick from Much Ado about Nothing, George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, Hamlet in Hamlet, and Edmund in King Lear. An avid Shakespeare fan, Joseph has taught English Literature and Theatre Arts at Vallivue High School since 2005. There is always another story to be told.

Website
 

Blog Tour: Missing in Mexico

by:  Stuart Gustafson
published by:  ebook

"Missing in Mexico" is Stuart Gustafson's debut mystery tourism novel. Private Investigator Stan W. is hired to find a college freshman who’s missing after a family vacation in Los Cabos, Mexico. Even with local help and some promising leads, he’s unable to find her and returns home to inform the hurting parents. Months later he receives a mysterious letter and jumps on the next plane to Los Cabos. Will this be the break that he needs to find her? Or will she remain missing – Missing in Mexico?

This turned out to be a really great book.  I've learned with ebooks of the self-published varieties it's, as Forrest Gump says, like a box of chocolates...one that someone already ate all the good ones out of and you're left with the ones you don't really like.  This book was like finding your favorite candy the devilish chocolate eater skipped over.

The story was excellent.  The pacing was laid out well.  The reader could figure out fairly easily where she was, but not why she was there.  At least I couldn't. What I wanted to know is what the heck happend to Carmelita?  One minute Stan's all happy with her and then he's got another chick telling her there are no other women?  What??  Is Stan going to be a womanizer?

I was very pleased with the quality of writing.  However, I did notice a few (very few) spelling errors.  This is one of the reasons why I always suggest to writers (when they ask...), self-published and otherwise, to please invest in the services of a copy editor.  Even just hiring a college English major can do a world of good.  Don't rely on spell check.  It doesn't pick up on things like road/rode or dry/try errors. 

Right now, this book is a great bargain on Amazon for the Kindle users.  I'd definitely recommend it!  It looks like this is the start of a series and I look forward to seeing where it goes.