Book Review: THE BODY BUSINESS (A Samantha Newman Mystery Book 1) by Gay Yellen

About the Book (from Amazon)

A missing friend... A jealous rival... 

An investigator with motives of his own. With a great job and a steady guy, Samantha Newman has it made until her best friend at work disappears and doubt creeps in. Is there some ugly reality behind her firm's success?

When she turns to the FBI for help, they send Carter Chapman, a man on a mission, and it doesn't include a headstrong corporate executive with her own set of problems. But after a terrible event puts them on the same path to discovery, they each have to decide if some secrets are worth the price. 

Fast-paced, fun, and full of surprises, The Body Business is Book 1 in the Samantha Newman Mystery Series from award-winning author, Gay Yellen. 

Review 

Samantha is putting pieces together, yet doesn't know what the puzzle will reveal. There's a sleazy co-worker who started on the job at the same time as Sam and immediately told Sam to stay out of her way. Then people start disappearing or dying suddenly. Most recently, it's Sam's best friend. For days, she hasn't returned Sam's calls. At the same time, she's broken up with Derek, who she brought into the company and is rising fast to the top. She doesn't trust him or anyone else. She sends a message to the FBI.

Yellen has a fine, well-developed cast of characters. As she tells the story, I had to agree with Sam that something was off. The FBI agent who finally responds has his own agenda, but comes around to Sam's thinking soon enough. The plot moves at a quick pace and the ending makes sense. If you like mysteries with multiple subplots, lots of action, and twists and turns, you'll enjoy this book. It kept my attention and the other two books in the series are now on my TBR list.

AMAZON

About the Author 

Gay Yellen began working life as a stage and TV actor, then moved behind the camera for the American Film Institute (AFI) as Assistant to the Director of Production. A former magazine editor and national journalism award winner, she was contributing book editor for Five Minutes to Midnight (Delacorte), an international thriller and New York Times Notable. 

Her award-winning Samantha Newman Series of romantic mystery novels includes The Body Business, The Body Next Door, and The Body in the News. 

Gay lives in Texas. She loves connecting with book clubs and community groups in person and online. You can contact her through her website or at GayYellen@gmail.com    

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