Review | Dream Killer

by | Jan 11, 2016 | 2016, ARC, C, eBook, Nada

Dream Killer by Mike Baldwin

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To fulfill her friend’s dream, legendary sports agent Veronica Townsend has constructed a kids’ summer camp on the farm where baseball hero John Jensen was raised. Camp Dream Catcher, though, is in danger of shutting down after a lifeguard is murdered. With cancellations pouring in, Veronica must solve the mystery in a desperate attempt to keep the camp open.

Veronica has persuaded Missy, her lovable assistant at Real Deal Sports in Manhattan, to be the camp’s bookkeeper. Missy is excited Pete, who works for San Jose’s pro baseball team, is spending a week at the camp during the All-Star break. But when Pete arrives, the camp is in disarray after the lifeguard is found dead in a cellar at a house seven miles from Camp Dream Catcher.

Director of the Omaha Boys and Girls Club, Ashley Webb has taken a sabbatical to oversee day-to-day operations at the camp in Burlington, Kansas. Ashley is convinced the camp can’t afford to stay open since the budget is drowning in red ink after Veronica spent nearly a million dollars of overtime to hurriedly get the project up and running.

Ashley also is concerned Veronica stubbornly refuses to close the camp despite evidence the killer may be a fellow staff member since camp lifeguards and counselors accounted for most of the guests at a wild party where the lifeguard was shot by his own gun.

Veronica gets assistance from former Major League All-Star Reggie Gordon, who has volunteered to serve as the camp’s director to pay tribute to John, a former teammate. After the lifeguard is murdered, Reggie is committed to assisting Veronica in her attempt to preserve John’s dream.

The sequel to Hall of Fame sportswriter Mike Baldwin’s debut novel, Dream Killer is a classic whodunit with numerous twists and turns in a fast-paced story packed with entertaining characters.

** from Smashwords

Hott Review:

What I liked: I think Dream Killer is an interesting mystery. It took me a while to feel comfortable in the story, and I never felt like I was a part of it, but I couldn’t seem to stop reading it either. I needed to know how things turned out. I appreciated that even with the attention to detail there wasn’t anything gory or explicit.
Christianity is a big player in Dream Killer. Though it’s not what the book – or the camp – is about, it’s pretty clear and actually has more Christian references than some “Christian Fiction” I’ve read. Dream Killer is by no means a Christian Fiction cozy nor are there any “sermons”, but there are references. Of course, there are also gay characters and a drunken party, so we’ve got a bit of something for everyone.
What I didn’t like: There are a LOT of players in Dream Killer. I really had a rough time keeping them straight. Plus I felt like the storyline and things I already knew were explained to me too frequently. Besides those and a few odd grammar/punctuation choices, I enjoyed Dream Killer.

If you love sports and light mysteries, Dream Killer is the book for you!

More…

Author: Mike Baldwin
Source: I received an ARC from Mike Baldwin in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher & Date: November 14th 2015 by Smashwords Edition
Genre: New Adult, Mystery
ISBN: 9781495182853
Pages: 250
Grade: C
Ages: 16+
Steam: YA
Setting: Camp Dream Catcher, Kansas

Author Bio:

Mike BaldwinA lifelong sportswriter, Mike spent the majority of his career writing for The Oklahoman, the Oklahoma City newspaper.

Before he transitioned to becoming a full-time novelist who specializes in mysteries, Mike’s sportswriting career took him to 80 of the country’s 90 NFL stadiums, NBA arenas and Major League Baseball stadiums, in addition to sixty college campuses, Super Bowls and Final Fours.

The highlight of his sportswriting journey was when he was transferred to Dallas to write daily stories on owner Jerry Jones’ Cowboys during the Barry Switzer era, back when “America’s Team” was led by future NFL Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders.

During his career, Mike’s beats also included the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant; Oklahoma State teams led by coaches Les Miles, Mike Gundy and Eddie Sutton; and the OU Sooners led by coaches Bob Stoops and Lon Kruger.

A lifelong mystery fan, Mike’s niche is fast-paced whodunits that feature female lead characters; stories packed with entertaining supporting casts in plots with numerous twists and turns, capped by surprise endings.

Away from the computer, Mike is an avid golfer. Mike also was humbled and honored to recently be voted in the Oklahoma Christian University Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2015).

Websites & Links: Mike Baldwin's website Mike Baldwin's twitter Mike Baldwin's facebook

 

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** Many of the books I review are Advance Review Copies. These books are loaned to me for my review. I am in no way compensated for my time nor am I asked to give anything but my honest review. If you have further questions, please, review my FTC Disclaimer on my homepage.

Written by Regina Hott

I love to read! But I don't always think the synopsis on the backs of books do them justice. I do, however, believe all books should come with an intended rating - or at least a steam FYI. So, I'm taking upon myself to educate all -- christian & secular readers, alike -- on the books behind the synopsis and the possible things you may not want your YA reader to see. Enjoy!

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