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Fatal Deception
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Fatal Deception (Fatal #5) by Marie Force [Start Date: January 04, 2016]
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1. What did you think of Sam when she thought she would finish her job faster than the other 2? I thought it was unethical, a little girl is missing she should wish the little girl found no matter the circumstances. I’ve read almost 1/3 of the book so far and I’m not liking Sam very much. What about you?
2. What did you think of their plan to get the wedding planner to manage their life?
3. What did you think of their dilemma over the buying chicken nuggets and mac &cheese?
4. So the victim wasn’t who she said she was. Was she really in love with her husband or the whole thing was setup or perhaps a fraud that turn into true love and it got her killed? If it was fraud what did she want to achieve? What’s your theory?
5. Hill is attracted to Sam! I don’t know how to feel about that! When I read about Nick’s jealousy I thought he was being over the top but then we got to see inside Hill’s head and � thoughts?
6. Who has the baby?

Oh, man-oh-man! I can't decide if I want to go on with this series. I have so many books to read...but I own most of this series in Kindle and Audible.com - as I like the Whispersync feature.
Decisions, decisions!

Oh, man-oh-man! I can't decide if I want to go on with this series. I have so many books to read...but I own most of this serie..."
This one is not bad at all, it's just that Sam gets on my nerves with her rudeness and interactions with others!

7. When Sam was getting ready for the fundraiser, all I could think about was “Doesn’t she want to take a shower after the ordeal she had that day with the injury, blood and hospital?� she didn’t even get into the bath when she got home. Is it only me or you noticed that too?
8. I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous the way Stahl is always in the homicide division, he overhears everything and bumps into Sam at least twice a day. Isn’t it getting unrealistic?
9. Did you expect Sam to suspend Jeanine and Will after their confession, did she do the right thing?
10. Do you think Skip had been cheating?
11. Mauve was found safe and sound but Bertha’s Ray son was killed because of it. The plot is getting more obvious. Can you figure out what’s going on? What do you think about the GPS device inside the baby?
12. I have to say I’m really enjoying how they are investigating in this book. I think this is the first book the mystery and police procedure is believable and logical!

ShoSho's questions for chapter 1-9
1. What did you think of Sam when she thought she would finish her job faster than the other 2? I thought it was unethical, a little girl is missing she should wish the little girl found no matter the circumstances. I’ve read almost 1/3 of the book so far and I’m not liking Sam very much. What about you? Sam is particularly brash and rude in this book. Yes, she's obsessed with her job, but she should know better than to make promises (even to herself) about investigations. Her attitude is dialed way up this time.
2. What did you think of their plan to get the wedding planner to manage their life? I thought it was just a way to keep that character in the series. While wedding planners have great organizational skills, they aren't the same as housekeepers. I did think that asking her if she knew anyone was a good idea. Now I'm going to be looking for her to get romantically involved with an officer or have someone close to her murdered.
3. What did you think of their dilemma over the buying chicken nuggets and mac &cheese? Are they really that out of touch? I mean, they know how to cook, and Scotty has eaten with them before. So, I guess stressing over something this insignificant is a way of dealing with their anxiety.
4. So the victim wasn’t who she said she was. Was she really in love with her husband or the whole thing was setup or perhaps a fraud that turn into true love and it got her killed? If it was fraud what did she want to achieve? What’s your theory? Well, it was pretty obvious early on that it was going to head that way. I'm surprised they haven't looked at Witness Protection yet. I mean, come on, they have an FBI agent involved. Why hasn't he brought it up? If it's not that, then I'm assuming she's from some shady background that she was trying to escape somehow.
5. Hill is attracted to Sam! I don’t know how to feel about that! When I read about Nick’s jealousy I thought he was being over the top but then we got to see inside Hill’s head and � thoughts? Ugh! Is this really necessary? With the first book Sam was nice-looking with big boobs. Now she's a femme fatale. Really? And the same with Freddie. I don't think it adds anything for everyone to suddenly be stumbling over themselves drooling over the two of them. Next thing we'll find that Stahl's dislike of her is because he's been lusting after he as well!
6. Who has the baby? I have no idea, but I figure it's a real relative of her's.

#1. Yep it's dialed way up in this book!
#2. LOL You won't have to look for long! And yes I thought a wedding planner won't be a good housekeeper in reality which this is not! lol
#3.I thought they were making it too big.
#4.Witness protection was first thought too. I guess we read too much RS and they don't!!
#5. Huh you noticed that too, the way Sam image has changed?
LMAO at Stahl's comment!!


And it was hot and I loved the epilogue! I'll wait for you to finish before I say more.

ShoSho's questions for chapter 10-16
7. When Sam was getting ready for the fundraiser, all I could think about was “Doesn’t she want to take a shower after the ordeal she had that day with the injury, blood and hospital?� she didn’t even get into the bath when she got home. Is it only me or you noticed that too? LOL! That is so true!
8. I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous the way Stahl is always in the homicide division, he overhears everything and bumps into Sam at least twice a day. Isn’t it getting unrealistic? I agree that he's become a bit too ridiculous. He doesn't seem to have any real job other than lurking. I wonder that they haven't been able to force him into any other situation given his behavior so far.
9. Did you expect Sam to suspend Jeanine and Will after their confession, did she do the right thing? In one way yes, but I thought she should have sat down with them first and then made a decision. However, this way did lead to some character development.
10. Do you think Skip had been cheating? There's enough innuendo to make you think so, isn't there? However, it doesn't fit with his character to me, so I think there must be more to it.
11. Mauve was found safe and sound but Bertha’s Ray son was killed because of it. The plot is getting more obvious. Can you figure out what’s going on? What do you think about the GPS device inside the baby? The GPS thing was creepy. Mom was definitely concerned. And the way Bertha Ray's son was killed was so vicious, it makes me wonder why someone would be so cruel. Sending a message? That only works for me if there is a longer term association.
12. I have to say I’m really enjoying how they are investigating in this book. I think this is the first book the mystery and police procedure is believable and logical! Yes, this is a better book for procedure. Though I did feel there were some threads that they took their time following up on.

#8. No it seems his job is lurking in the pit.
#9.I agree with both points.
#10. I didn't think he had cheated either but there sure was reason for us to think so.
Lara , can you do a couple of DQs for the last part?

So, my general thoughts:
1. Sam is really rude and obnoxious in this book. It works sometimes with long-term colleagues and friends, but she's like that with everyone except Nick, Scotty and her family
2. The motivation behind the murder(s) wasn't strong enough for me. I think that more development could have been done on that end. And I wish Bertha Ray would be kept in the series, I really liked her character.
3. The think with Hill is a bit much. He's really far gone and I'm surprised he isn't any better at handling himself. Plus, I don't like the fact that Sam only lightened up with him after Nick told her Hill was attracted to her.
4. I'm glad the closed case had some follow-up. And I'm glad that Sam got a taste of her own medicine when her dad found out. Funny that she didn't see that when she suspended Jeanine and Will. Even her dad didn't see it.
5. It was nice to have bits that followed up with the other couples, and I'm glad that we didn't have the merry-go-round of relationship dramas like the last book.
6. I really don't think Sam has any realistic idea of what Nick's political career would mean for her. he's very willing to talk abut giving up politics for her, but she never seems to consider changing her work--even if it were just spending less time on the street.
7. Peter had to find a way to butt his annoying self into this book too. At least Sam was smart about things for the first time. Though that nurse would lose her job for disclosing that information in the real world.
8. I'm surprised that after all the build up that we didn't spend time seeing how Sam and Nick adjusted to having Scotty stay with them. And I'm not satisfied with the security issues at the end. Once again Sam is being stupid. Plus, they're bringing Scotty into it.

2. The motivation behind the murder(s) wasn't strong enough for me. I think that more development could have been done on that end. And I wish Bertha Ray would be kept in the series, I really liked her character.
A little bit more threat from Victoria would have made it more believable. I think we’ll see more of Bertha Ray. She was a strong character
3. The think with Hill is a bit much. He's really far gone and I'm surprised he isn't any better at handling himself. Plus, I don't like the fact that Sam only lightened up with him after Nick told her Hill was attracted to her. She saw him staring at her but chose to ignore ,maybe she thought it would go away? But yes the whole thing was too much
5. It was nice to have bits that followed up with the other couples, and I'm glad that we didn't have the merry-go-round of relationship dramas like the last book. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop on any of the 4 side relationships. All of them are going too strong and lovey dovey! I enjoyed reading about all of them without drama
6. I really don't think Sam has any realistic idea of what Nick's political career would mean for her. he's very willing to talk abut giving up politics for her, but she never seems to consider changing her work--even if it were just spending less time on the street.Just like the conversation Nick had with Christina. He told her it would better if she quit her job rather than her fiancé because Sam won’t take it well!!!! It doesn’t seem that she’s willing to compromise
7. Peter had to find a way to butt his annoying self into this book too. At least Sam was smart about things for the first time. Though that nurse would lose her job for disclosing that information in the real world.Huh you’re right about the nurse I didn’t think of that! I wonder if there would ever be a book without Peter in it in the series!?
8. I'm surprised that after all the build up that we didn't spend time seeing how Sam and Nick adjusted to having Scotty stay with them. And I'm not satisfied with the security issues at the end. Once again Sam is being stupid. Plus, they're bringing Scotty into it. I thought MF is saving that part for the next book.

it was said that Colton is 40 .A year older than Valerie and Christian which makes them 39. 12 years ago she was a teenager when her parents died ,how’s that possible? later it was said that she had finished college when her parents died! There were a few other things like that.

it was said that Colton is 40 .A year older than Valerie and Christian which makes them 39. 12 years ago she was a teenager when her pare..."
I hadn't paid that close attention to ages, but was thinking about Valerie's age, the 12 year gap, and how long she'd been married. There was another blip I noticed in the action (though I can't remember what it was). There were a few little editing issues this time.

I agree. Personally, I think that Terry's situation is very shaky. The fact that his relatively short sobriety keeps being mentioned makes me nervous.
And I wonder about Freddie's relationship. They don't have a strong foundation and his uncertainties show that.

it was said that Colton is 40 .A year older than Valerie and Christian which makes them 39. 12 years ago she was a teenage..."
I know there was a few more, I can't remember them either. I was surprised at the editing issues!


1. What did you think of Sam when she thought she would finish her job faster than the other 2? I thought it was unethical, a little girl is missing she should wish the little girl found no matter the circumstances. I’ve read almost 1/3 of the book so far and I’m not liking Sam very much. What about you?
I think Sam was being protective of her territory. Perhaps this is government bureaucracy at its worse. My initial thought was instead of letting her department handle it all, it was being piecemealed out instead of streamlined. I think she was also uncomfortable with Agent Hill being brought into the investigation so that may have triggered her reaction. She's attracted to him and it bothers her. I like Sam.
2. What did you think of their plan to get the wedding planner to manage their life?
The planner brought a bit of levity into the story. That's about it so far.
3. What did you think of their dilemma over the buying chicken nuggets and mac &cheese?
This may be the author's way of introducing Scotty into the storyline, more levity.
4. So the victim wasn’t who she said she was. Was she really in love with her husband or the whole thing was setup or perhaps a fraud that turn into true love and it got her killed? If it was fraud what did she want to achieve? What’s your theory?
Perhaps Victoria began her relationship with Derek as a sham, then ended up falling in love with him. She may have wanted out of the scam and was murdered when she refused to continue in the fraud. I'm not sure what it was she was involved in.
5. Hill is attracted to Sam! I don’t know how to feel about that! When I read about Nick’s jealousy I thought he was being over the top but then we got to see inside Hill’s head and � thoughts?
Probably just the author writing in a little bit of turmoil in the storyline. I mean Hill's feelings can't go anywhere. Sam loves Nick but she is bothered that she is attracted to Hill.
6. Who has the baby?
No clue!

I agree that she's adding turmoil, but I think she's also building

Lmao! I didn't read what you had replied to so after reading your comment my jaw was on the ground! I think it took 30 seconds of "is she serious" to realise you have the wrong name in your comment!!

1. What did you think of Sam when she thought she would finish her job faster than the other 2?
Sue’s reply - I really didn’t like it ,felt like a race not a way to justice, this is where a book editor might have asked to have this softened. In her mind she thought by finding the killer it would lead to the Child. This is even expressed, but it came out wrong.
I thought it was unethical, a little girl is missing she should wish the little girl found no matter the circumstances. I’ve read almost 1/3 of the book so far and I’m not liking Sam very much. What about you?
Sue’s reply � I thought the novel started out on the wrong foot (Some very unadvisable dialog), but righted itself after a while.
2. What did you think of their plan to get the wedding planner to manage their life?
Sue’s reply � Since I liked “Tinkerbell� I thought it was a creative way to get her to be a reoccurring character, and after all it did really make sense they’d need someone for Scotty. I also thought it was a creative way to make it more believable that “Tinkerbell� would want it.
3. What did you think of their dilemma over the buying chicken nuggets and mac &cheese?
Sue’s reply � Cute and clueless though how they couldn’t draw on their own childhood experiences was funny. I think it was just a cute scene on how unprepared they felt for Scott’s visit and possible adoption.
4. So the victim wasn’t who she said she was. Was she really in love with her husband or the whole thing was setup or perhaps a fraud that turn into true love and it got her killed?
Sue’s reply � Well considering his job, I thought she was a plant. I hoped the whole time that she really did love her husband and somehow proof of that would come out (Optimist).
If it was fraud what did she want to achieve? What’s your theory?
Sue’s reply � Access to the President’s and his thoughts, I didn’t feel like there was any mystery to this and why the book didn’t bother to explain it until the whole thing unraveled..
5. Hill is attracted to Sam! I don’t know how to feel about that! When I read about Nick’s jealousy I thought he was being over the top but then we got to see inside Hill’s head and � thoughts?
Sue’s reply � I loved it, I thought it was handled perfectly. It’s rare you can feel bad for a character who might break up a couple. But I never got the vibe it would be possible. So my “couple� was safe. Nice audio accent with this character.
6. Who has the baby?
Sue’s reply � My thought was the killer, but I hoped that she’d simply be dumped in a safe place.
ShoSho's questions for chapter 10-16
7. When Sam was getting ready for the fundraiser, all I could think about was “Doesn’t she want to take a shower after the ordeal she had that day with the injury, blood and hospital?� she didn’t even get into the bath when she got home. Is it only me or you noticed that too?
Sue’s reply � Yeah I noticed that too, not my preference either. Funny how the little things catch our attention. When I use to write, something like that would have been at least “thought about� because I’m a stickler for details.
8. I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous the way Stahl is always in the homicide division, he overhears everything and bumps into Sam at least twice a day. Isn’t it getting unrealistic?
Sue’s reply � Stahl is a serious annoyance, but Sam’s over the top insubordinate remarks I thing are just as annoying. I never look forward to those scenes because they seem like a wash/rinse/repeat cycle. This changes further in the series. But for the first 5 books it just gets annoying.
9. Did you expect Sam to suspend Jeanine and Will after their confession, did she do the right thing?
Sue’s reply � Absolutely, I thought it 100% appropriate. The police department is a small, chain of command similar to a unit in the military. Can you just imagine if folks just started to keep information to themselves? Now I understand why they did it. But the whole chain of command is important.
10. Do you think Skip had been cheating?
Sue’s reply � Nope, never thought it. Would have made him more human but that isn’t his role. He’s Sam’s hero and I can’t see the author shaking that foundation.
11. Mauve was found safe and sound but Bertha’s Ray son was killed because of it. The plot is getting more obvious. Can you figure out what’s going on? What do you think about the GPS device inside the baby?
Sue’s reply � I thought thank god with regards to the GPS device and I thought it plausible Bertha-Ray’s explanation as to why she didn’t see it on the news. I’ve gone years without turning on my television (I’m a reader, not a watcher for the most part� though I’m more balanced these days).
12. I have to say I’m really enjoying how they are investigating in this book. I think this is the first book the mystery and police procedure is believable and logical!
Sue’s reply � Now this is a book where I did have some problems with the procedures. The investigative part was fine, but it’s the “competion� to find the killer before the baby was just wrong. I know they tried to explain it away. But I just didn’t like the initial vibe that stuck with me. I also didn’t like how Sam kept back from Hill the lead she was following on the Presidential candidate. I felt those should have been shared. Now as for the complexity of the crime and the avenues pursued I thought it was great. I was annoyed by the baby thing and it shows here. When I read it the first time, I just think I wasn’t listening to the details as closely. I’m not fond of “Hot Dog� tactics, which Sam definitely subscribes to. I definitely like it in Rescue reads but not in a police procedural.
I love this series; it’s a great read even with the flaws. Like Virgin River it’s the cast that keeps me coming back. The Crime is just structure for the story for me. This crime was more emotional than some of the others which I give high marks for.
Mentioned above that Sam is rude, other than the over the top remarks to Stahl which would bring her up on charges. I thought it was no different than Eve Dallas who can be just as demanding and rude.... the way Sam bounces laws of investigation off of Freddie is so Eve/Peabody. So I don't have an issue with that part.
Epilogue was great, I just loved it.

#1. That's exactly how I felt and it got a bit better by the end.
#5. I think you're the only that loved this part :P I felt real sorry for him.
#7.IMO details is what makes the difference between a great novel and a novel !
#8.I'm looking forward to this change.
#10.You're right.
I think there is big differences between Eve and Sam. Eve's behaviour bothers me sometimes but not too often. In death books are much better written , the character are more developed and the police investigation is always great. I'm biased !lol

7. When Sam was getting ready for the fundraiser, all I could think about was “Doesn’t she want to take a shower after the ordeal she had that day with the injury, blood and hospital?� she didn’t even get into the bath when she got home. Is it only me or you noticed that too?
I didn't even notice it. I guess I just assumed she cleaned up.
8. I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous the way Stahl is always in the homicide division, he overhears everything and bumps into Sam at least twice a day. Isn’t it getting unrealistic?
I think his goal in life is to find dirt on Sam so he's stalking her.
9. Did you expect Sam to suspend Jeanine and Will after their confession, did she do the right thing?
They lied to her so as their supervisor she acted appropriately. I used to be an office manager and I hated when coworkers tried to use our friendship when I had to reprimand them.
10. Do you think Skip had been cheating?
I thought there was probably a good reason for why he didn't want the case reopened, but didn't think he was cheating.
11. Mauve was found safe and sound but Bertha’s Ray son was killed because of it. The plot is getting more obvious. Can you figure out what’s going on? What do you think about the GPS device inside the baby?
I did have the gist figured out but still enjoyed. The gps in the baby creeped me out, I don't approve.
12. I have to say I’m really enjoying how they are investigating in this book. I think this is the first book the mystery and police procedure is believable and logical!
I love the series and have enjoyed all the books. This is the first book in the series I had the ending pretty much figured out.


2. What did you think of their plan to get the wedding planner to manage their life? Probably a good way to keep the character active, but it didn't seem like a likely thing for someone to do.
3. What did you think of their dilemma over the buying chicken nuggets and mac &cheese? I felt their pain. I never bought the right brands where my kids were concerned. :-)
4. So the victim wasn’t who she said she was. Was she really in love with her husband or the whole thing was setup or perhaps a fraud that turn into true love and it got her killed? If it was fraud what did she want to achieve? What’s your theory? I wasn't sure who was behind the scheme, but obviously she was a plant.
5. Hill is attracted to Sam! I don’t know how to feel about that! When I read about Nick’s jealousy I thought he was being over the top but then we got to see inside Hill’s head and � thoughts? Definitely over the top. Where is this going? It made me think something bad was going to happen to Nick.
6. Who has the baby? (view spoiler)

8. I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous the way Stahl is always in the homicide division, he overhears everything and bumps into Sam at least twice a day. Isn’t it getting unrealistic?Comic relief.
9. Did you expect Sam to suspend Jeanine and Will after their confession, did she do the right thing? I didn't expect it, but thought she did what she had to do.
10. Do you think Skip had been cheating? Yes
11. Mauve was found safe and sound but Bertha’s Ray son was killed because of it. The plot is getting more obvious. Can you figure out what’s going on? What do you think about the GPS device inside the baby?I did it for my dogs and I'd rather have kids protected than have them missing. I didn't realize it was available - too bad my kids are too old, now.
12. I have to say I’m really enjoying how they are investigating in this book. I think this is the first book the mystery and police procedure is believable and logical! I think the plots are pretty well worked out.
Books mentioned in this topic
Fatal Frenzy (other topics)Fatal Deception (other topics)
White House�
The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. DC police lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she's forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI special agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father's resurrects old hurts—a distraction Sam cannot afford.
As Sam's investigation heats up, so does Nick's political career—and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby, or will ambition, greed and lies prove fatal?
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