First Deadly Conspiracy - Box Set

McRyan Mystery Series, Books 1-3

By: Roger Stelljes

Narrated by: Johnny Peppers

Length: 26 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The first three books of the New York Times and USA Today best-selling McRyan Mystery series:

• First Case - prequel novella
• The St. Paul Conspiracy
• Deadly Stillwater

Fans of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense will enjoy these fast-moving stories of murder, greed, and treason, the cast of colorful characters, and their setting in and around historic St. Paul, Minnesota.

First Case: Murder Alley: novella

In an emotionally charged investigation full of unexpected twists and turns, Mac McRyan will need to follow a convoluted trail of evidence, secrets, and hidden agendas to help solve a murder mystery that is his First Case.

The St. Paul Conspiracy

A complex murder investigation with repercussions far beyond an ordinary serial killer case - national and political security concerns lie at the root of this tangled, fast-paced, gritty crime novel. The Merit Award winner for Commercial Fiction for the Midwest Independent Publishers (MIPA) Book Awards and a Minnesota Book Awards nominee.

Deadly Stillwater

Two girls gone... A complicated, brazen daytime kidnapping is just the beginning in a case of betrayal and revenge that will ultimately strike at the soul of the St. Paul Police Department. From the searing streets of St. Paul to the murky waters of the St. Croix River, Deadly Stillwater is a book you won't be able to pause until its last gripping minute. Midwest Book Awards winner - Genre Fiction for the Midwest Independent Publishers (MIPA) Book Awards.

©2012 Roger Stelljes (P)2015 Roger Stelljes

3.5 stars OK Series

Mostly enjoyable mystery series. All three, including the novella prequel, have well developed plots, interesting characters, and satisfying conclusions. Mac MacRyan is a smart, young detective that uses his mind more than his braun to solve mysteries. The interplay among him and the three detectives on his team is light yet serious when necessary. The stories have the required supportive boss with the supportive political hierarchy above him. The plots are involved but not so complex as to confuse the reader.

I'm going for the next in the series.

The issue I found distracting was the great deal of descriptive explanation or background interspersed by often repetitive narrative.It made me feel that the story was being told to me rather than the characters playing their part of the story.

Johnny Peppers was very good with the delivery of the story

Entertaining Stories, Not so entertaining Narrator

If only the narrator was as talented as the author! I would love to read the series on my own or hear it performed by The CJ Washburn Series narrator!

GREAT BONES-but the devil's in the details!

I really enjoyed the story lines. Mentally they kept me on my toes trying to figure out where it was going, I felt the editing & the performance really let the author down. "Boy-o"?? Way overused. For me, it diminished the authenticity of the story. I can hear it being used I n the 1930's, but not today. And the reference to rapper 50 cent is not pronounced "fifty cents"! One reviewer criticized the overuse of descriptives. I disagree w/this BUT some of them were really flat and a better editing job would have helped. The narrator was the wrong choice for this collection of stories. His reading & the timbre of his voice brought no gravitas to this subject matter. These seem like silly things but the really yanked me out of the story. This author has great potential but he needs a new editor. I will read his others hoping the editing & narration has improved.

Amazing

Amazing series. just an amazing series. I really enjoyed listening to this. This book will have you excited

"Dick Lick"... Really...

Fair story lines. Some good characters, even ol' Dickie boy was a good character. But really "Dick Lick".. Must of been a real time of writers block for that name to make it..

The Narration Ruins It

Love the story! The voiceover is horrendous. Male voices all sound nerdy - especially the main character whom I wanted to sound strong and virile. All females sound the same - breathy and weak.

Fair

Good plot and story but dialogue is very weak. Characters very one-dimensional. Narrator is decent. Great detail on Minnesota.

excellent listen

after listening to all 3 books, I'm hooked on these stories. despite then having a police procedural story frame, I still find myself not getting knowing " who done it" until the part where Mac figures it out. Even then the story is engaging enough that I still want to hear how they got to the perp. check it out if you like crime books

Loved it!

Great story! Very well done. Love all the Twin Cities references. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Great Books, Fantastic Value

I really enjoyed all three books and how the story lines and characters progressed from one to the next. Just got the next box set, very impressed with the value!