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Deadly Fun: A Police Procedural Cozy Blend (Mapleton Mystery Book 9) Kindle Edition

by Terry Odell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
See all formats and editions
This 9th book in Terry Odell’s Mapleton Mystery series pits Gordon against a cat-and-mouse killer.Someone is playing a game with Mapleton’s Chief of Police … and it’s deadly.For Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler, life has become predictably boring—despite being a newlywed. Being a husband is great. Dealing with nothing but parking violations, speeders, and the occasional disorderly complaint is monotonous. Gordon wonders if he’s been so busy dealing with “Chief Stuff” that he’s lost his edge as a street cop. Especially when his biggest challenges are handling the penny-pinching mayor and deciding what goes into the station’s vending machines. A few anonymous prank letters are about the only ‘non-normal’ things to hit his desk, but they're a puzzle, not a threat.When a tragic car accident kills a friend, Gordon soon learns it was no accident. Determined this is the case meant to pull him out of his workplace rut, Gordon delves into the investigation. He and his colleagues uncover a string of similar murders all across the country over the last 20-odd years. Then, going through a victim’s personal effects, Gordon discovers the same type of anonymous letters that he’s been receiving. Now it’s a race against the clock to find the killer before another victim is chosen.Or is Gordon the next casualty on the killer’s list?
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  1. Book 9 of 13
    Mapleton Mystery
  2. Print length
    303 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 24, 2020
  6. File size
    3837 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

Terry Odell, Mapleton Mystery Series

The Mapleton Mystery Novels

Terry Odell, Mapleton Mystery Novellas
The Mapleton Mystery Series

The Novellas

  • Deadly Places
  • Deadly Engagement
  • Deadly Assumptions
  • The Mapleton Mystery Novellas (includes all 3 of the above)

The Mapleton Mysteries

Small town police procedurals with a cozy feel.

Welcome to Mapleton, a small town nestled in the Colorado Rockies. Although he’d rather be on the streets, Gordon Hepler has agreed to accept the job of Chief of Police. Join him as he learns to deal with the first homicide in Mapleton’s collective memory, a cold case, being stranded in a blizzard, a death on a movie production, another on a Caribbean cruise, and his frustration with small-town politics. Watch his relationship with cafe owner Angie blossom over the series.

The Novels

  • Deadly Secrets
  • Deadly Bones
  • Deadly Puzzles
  • Deadly Production
  • Deadly Fun
  • Deadly Options
  • Deadly Relations
  • Deadly Adversaries

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Deadly" Entertaining! Terry Odell has once againgrabbed my attention and never let go with a compelling police procedural thathas more than one mystery intersecting into one search for a serial killer." Kathleen Costa, Kings River Life Magazine
"I loved this book. This was a wonderfully crafted story. I devoured it in a day, didn't want to put it down. My 33 years of law enforcement had me relating to the characters Terry Odell developed in DeadlyFun, which is easier said than done. Job well done."
-Joseph E. Mosca, Author of Scorpion Wind and retired patrol officer

"Deadly Fun is my new favorite story in author Terry Odell's police procedural series. Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler and his officers find themselves on the trail of a vicious killer. It's a race against time to see if Gordon can catch the killer before there's another victim. Twists and turns that will keep you guessing!"--Muddy Rose Reviews

From the Back Cover

Someone is playing a game with Mapleton's Chief ofPolice ... and it's deadly.

For Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler, life has become predictably boring--despite being a newlywed. Being a husband is great. Dealing with nothing but parking violations, speeders, and the occasional disorderly complaint is monotonous.Gordon wonders if he's been so busy dealing with "Chief Stuff" that he's lost his edge as a street cop. Especially when his biggest challenges are handling the penny-pinching mayor and deciding what goes into the station's vending machines. A few anonymous prank letters are about the only 'non-normal' things to hit his desk, and even those pose no apparent threat.

When a tragic car accident kills a friend, Gordon soon learns it was no accident. Determined this is the case meant to pull him out of his workplace rut, Gordon delves into the investigation. He and his colleagues uncover a string of similar murders all across the country over the last 20-odd years. Then,going through a victim's personal effects,Gordon discovers the same type of anonymous letters that he's been receiving. Now it's a race against the clock to find the killer before another victim is chosen.

Or isGordon the next casualty on the killer's list?

This 9th book in theMapleton Mystery series pits Gordon against a cat-and-mouse killer playing adeadly game.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0846T2V2M
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Terry Odell (February 24, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 24, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3837 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 303 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B084DFQXMV
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

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Terry Odell

Terry Odell

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I was born in Los Angeles and now make my home in Divide, Colorado. An avid reader (my parents tell everyone they had to move from our first home because I finished the local library), I always wanted to "fix" stories so the characters did what I wanted, in books, television, and the movies. Once I began writing, I found this wasn't always possible, as evidenced when the mystery I intended to write rapidly became a romance.

However, my entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when my son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" I began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fan fiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, I wrote my first short story.

Things snowballed and soon I was writing my first original novel. Much later, I mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to my son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.

I love getting into the minds of my characters, turning them loose in tight spots and seeing what they do. Too often, they surprise me.

My published works include the Pine Hills Police Series, the Blackthorne, Inc. covert ops series, the Triple-D Ranch series and the stand alone, What's in a Name? -- all Romantic Suspense, as well as the Mapleton Mystery series, which have been described as a blend of police procedural and cozy mysteries. Heather's Chase is a stand alone International Mystery Romance, which I had a blast researching on a trip through the British Isles. My mystery short story collection, Seeing Red, is a Silver Falchion award winner. I also have a collection of contemporary romance short stories.

When I'm not writing, or watching wildlife from my window, I'm probably reading.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
49 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

D. McDowell
5.0 out of 5 stars It's all fun and games till....
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
... the police chief is the mouse in this cat-and-mouse affair.
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Muddy Rose Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Gordon's back! Yay!
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Deadly Fun is my new favorite story in author Terry Odell’s police procedural series. Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler and his officers find themselves on the trail of a vicious killer. It’s a race against time to see if Gordon can catch the killer before there’s another victim.

Twists and turns that will keep you guessing!

Muddy Rose Reviews
One person found this helpful
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Barbara Tobey
4.0 out of 5 stars Serial killer?
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2020
This is a terrific series. While Deadly Fun may not be my favorite, it certainly held my attention and kept me turning the pages. Nice to be back with familiar characters. There is a clever theme. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. This could be a cozy except for the light sprinkling of bad language.
One person found this helpful
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Curled in my Chair Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The one where the Chief’s the target
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
The next in the Mapleton Mysteries finds Chief of Police Gordon uncomfortable with administrative duties. When the head of the civilian patrol is found dead, Gordon wants to do something, but he has to trust his department to do their jobs. In an ironic twist, he holds the clues when the killer wants to have some “fun” with Gordon.
One person found this helpful
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Nado
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed them all. The characters come alive and the stories always capture my interest. This book did not disappoint. I love that Gordon and Angie finally married.
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Kathleen C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Fun earns 5+/5 Cryptic Red Folders...Compelling Page-Turner Drama!
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2020
Nathan “Nate” Romash retired to Mapleton a decade ago and became a valued volunteer for both the fire department and the civilian patrol. He was also a good friend of Chief Gordon Hepler which makes notifying his wife of his tragic death difficult. It’s more difficult now the forensics report indicates it wasn’t an accident. Jurisdiction makes it necessary to work closely with county officials to seek the real crime scene, compile Nate’s movements, and review available evidence. His phone is missing, and the mystery of a package he may or may not have picked up is a puzzle challenging everyone. Additionally, Hepler finds a red folder on his desk with an envelope addressed to him personally and inside a cryptic message “Hey, Gordon...” Curious prank? It’s even more curious when a second cryptic message arrives, and no one is taking credit for having put it on his desk. Curious threat? The victim also received anonymous messages and the team uncovers similar murders across the country for the past several years. Hepler and his team have their work cut out for them...a killer is on the loose!

“Deadly” Entertaining! Terry Odell has again grabbed my attention with a compelling police procedural that has more than one mystery intersecting into one search for a serial killer. I get a pleasant Walt Longmire vibe when reading, but don’t misunderstand, it’s not a copy cat series; Gordon Hepler is his own man, quiet, reserved, and meticulous. The drama has a cozy feel, more character driven, but with a realistic edge. The crime is cleverly depicted and revealed with intriguing issues and some personal peril; the characters are strong and skilled, and the station’s dynamics is less soap opera and more family. Terry’s writing style uses a third-person narrative putting readers in an outsider role, but it provides a well-rounded view of the investigation and all the characters. I really like the manner in which Odell organizes the drama with detailed interactions and descriptions in easily consumed chapters well-paced, detailed, not choppy...a realistic drama which also includes everyday life. I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book, but you can’t overlook the entire series...

Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author Terry Odell. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
One person found this helpful
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Nancy J. Cohen
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-Paced Police Procedural Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020
Police Chief Gordon Hepler is saddened by the death of his friend, a civilian colleague beloved by everyone. But when it turns out the guy’s car accident was not the cause of his demise, Gordon goes on the hunt for a devious killer. At first he doesn’t associate the strange letters he’s been getting with the case, but it soon becomes evident that he might be another intended victim. Can he find the killer first before he’s the next target? If you like finely-tuned police procedurals, you’ll follow the trail along with Gordon to the exciting conclusion. Gordon is a well-rounded character whose appeal will hold your interest as he follows a logical path to solve the crime. Disclaimer - I received an advance copy from the author. This review is given willingly and is my honest opinion.
One person found this helpful
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Cherry A. London
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, intriguing and very entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2020
A great thrilling ride filled with intrigue and excitement, where the COP Hepler and his boys had a frustrating time trying to catch a killer. An exhilarating and down right captivating book, where the characters had you glued to every page. I love this book, it has that element of deep intrigue which captivates and holds you prisoner with its gripping words. A must read I say.
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Top reviews from other countries

Jill Howes
5.0 out of 5 stars Good stories. Very enjoyable.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have enjoyed all the Mapleton mysteries and hope there may be more to come.
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