Title: The Devil’s Dime
Author: Bailey Bristol
Publisher: Prairie Muse Publishing
Buy Link: Buy The Devil’s Dime Here!
Rating: 
You Need To Read
Reviewed By: Nicole
Blurb:
The Samaritan Files Trilogy Book One The Devil’s Dime Investigative reporter Jess Pepper made it his life’s mission to use his column to expose those who lived on the devil’s dime. With his words he could defend the innocent and bring down corruption, one evildoer at a time. But when his column forces an innocent Samaritan into the public eye, and puts a target on his back, Jess must discover not only who wants this good man dead, but how to save the man’s daughter, who has captured his heart. Violinist Adelaide Magee came to New York City with little more than a violin tucked beneath her chin and enough determination to launch her dream. Her women’s orchestra, the Avalon Strings, was fast becoming the city’s hot new item, until reporter Jess Pepper put the one man she loved in deadly peril. Can Addie trust Jess to save this good man? Or will she have to do it herself? Corruption and greed set the scene for this vividly drawn tale of danger, heartbreak, unexpected love and family found in 1890′s New York.
Review:
This is the first book in a trilogy called the Samaritan Files Trilogy. I am not a fan of trilogies unless I have all of the books. So my review is based upon not having read the whole trilogy.
I liked the book. But I wanted to have read more. I give this book 4 stars. I like the description by the author in 1896 New York City. The main character Jess Pepper was an investigative newspaper columnist for the Times. He considered himself a good writer. One that could turn a story and have it be good. And he was after a story. Think of the television show- Cold Case.
Two other characters in this novel are Ms. Adelaide Magee and Mr. Hamilton Jenson. Mr. Jenson invites Addie to hear Janis Joplin and introduces her around as the new violinist discovery. He makes her uncomfortable though. But she needs the money in order to pay her bills.
The two meet Adelaide and Jess by accident. Jess is a hell of a hunk of man. “His riot of dark hair waved one direction and curled another and framed his face in the most endearing, roguish way. His lopsided grin tied her tongue in a knot and rooted her feet where she stood.” P 68.
“He was a powerful man, the rare type who could carry off a thick, dark head of hair like that, swept back into handsome chaos…Though watching his large, agile hands, Addie had known instinctively that he wasn’t a fighter…His manners were natural, never practiced. Respectful in their simplicity, not polished, yet never seeming to diminish himself…or her…And never once had expression been anything but attentive… But what made her most comfortable with him was the simple fact that he was comfortable with himself. He was at ease in his own skin, something Addie felt only with her violin tucked beneath her chin. “ p 69.
Jess begins a liaison with the police department which he hopes will help him in his investigative work to do his newspaper pieces. As his feelings for her develop into something deeper he becomes interested in her story, Addie. It becomes just as important as the newspaper articles he works on. Addie’s father, Ford Magee got arrested. And he became even more invested in her life.
The mystery however comes in when one of his, Jess’ friends, gets involved in a murder that is called a suicide. It bothers Jess. So he had two mysteries to solve. But he wanted to figure out what happened to Addie’s family. Throughout the rest of the novel you find out more about Addie’s family and the history of her parentage. At the end of the novel she gains entry into her world of music and study. Her family is getting together. Jess asked her to marry him on stage. And she had accepted.
I gave this story 4 stars. I thought it was well written and well described. It was a little long though for me. I would have preferred more in less time. It does keep you engaged off and on. That was also a problem. I had no complaints with the characters. I think they were timely and not too many.
But I would have preferred a little shorter story. All in all it was a good novel.
You should read when you get the chance but I think you should read the whole trilogy.
