Greg Messel

The sixties… swinging sixties… Vietnam… Kennedy… Were the disillusioned young adults of the sixties so different from those of today? Greg Messel’s novel, Dreams that never were, tells the first person story of a reporter following the rise of Robert Kennedy, just as that rise came to an end. It’s a story that feels intensely personal and real, told with a thoroughly convincing voice. And it combines an authentic sense for time and place with heart-searching timeless questions, show more romance and excitement. By the end of the story, the reader is just as deeply invested in a man whose future is just beginning, as in another whose dreams are tragically done.

Just maybe, the reader might also feel some small investment in today’s fallen dreams.

Dreams for America’s future (now our past) thread through this tale, with chapters hauntingly prefaced by words from the late Senator. Meanwhile America’s nightmare plays in the background—Vietnam and war all too real. A sense of government failing to listen, influencers too easily influenced, and secrets weighed down by fear, feels as relevant today as it was then. And fear is as poor a guide as dreaming.

Authentic, well-chosen details are told with a thoroughly convincing voice in this novel. Well-timed backstory fleshes out the characters’ motivations. Honest feelings and questions draw the reader in. And the final conclusion, “tears for Bobby, … but also for us,” is absolutely right, and absolutely sad.

But it’s not just a sad novel. The author weaves true love into the pain, and hope into despair. Dreams that never were just might inspire new dreams in a new generation, and it’s highly recommended.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review. show less

Some may remember; some are too young. The Day the Music Died is part of the lyrics in “American Pie” by Don McLean. It refers to the plane crash on February 3, 1959 killing rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly; Ritchie Valens; and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. That is the day this story begins although this novel is not about the plane crash. Sam became eerily close to the shooting of San Francisco policeman, Charlie (Chick) Young. Charlie suspected his wife was cheating and had show more asked Sam to investigate. While they were sitting in Charlie’s car discussing Sam’s conclusion, a car pulled up next to them and opened fire. Sam remained unharmed thanks to a now dented silver cigarette case in his vest pocket.

Sam’s wife, Amelia, retires from her job as a stewardess for TWA to begin working with and assisting Sam in his PI business full time. Other than investigating Charlie Young’s murder, they are also called upon to investigate the disappearance of California Assemblyman’s daughter three years prior. It’s a cold case assuming she had died, but now Christopher and Julie Michaelis have received a letter from their daughter, Melissa. Things turn dangerous … Sam and Amelia remind each other to be more cautious … then, Amelia is kidnapped.

It is the 5th Sam Slater Mystery, but was easily read as a standalone. Using the plane crash as a backdrop for this novel gives the reader a feel for the time period and adds more realism. The story takes place in San Francisco. It’s a traditional ‘whodunit’ before all of the technology we have today. It starts out fast and continues with quite a bit of action and suspense. Between chapters, the author added authentic pictures of the area from the 1950’s – That was a very cool thing to do. Amelia was beautiful; I get that. However, I don’t think I needed to read about her beauty over and over … and over again. I rated Shadows in the Fog at 4 out of 5. show less

This was my first Sam Slater mystery and I was quite impressed. Messel’s writing is proficient, rich in atmospheric details of both surroundings and era. Hailing from San Francisco I appreciated the extra mile Messel took to cite historical references of both San Francisco and the era of 1950’s. Dispersed throughout the book are wonderful photographs aiding in immersing the reader into the narrative. The name dropping of known personalities and events during the time was another plus show more Messel provided. The 1950’s was well depicted.

I enjoyed the connection between Sam and Amelia. Both leaving successful careers behind to venture off on a new aspiration as a partnership. Their love for one another is obvious and added a certain charm to the story, makes for an interesting trial in their new life as partnered investigators. All the characters involved were well developed.

The plot was soft, more story than hard boiled mystery. It was truly an old school whodunit with enough suspense, and mystery to keep the reader focused. The characters and plot work hand in hand to create the entire story, neither dominated.

Very well done, with extra effort in details from the author creating a delightful reading experience. Messel certainly piqued my interest to explore other books past and future in the series. show less

In Fog City Strangler, the fourth book in the Sam Slater Mystery series, former baseball player turned private investigator Sam Slater is back with a new case to investigate. Sam and wife Amelia, a TWA stewardess are hired by a wealthy San Francisco dowager to find her missing daughter who disappeared while walking her dog on Stinson Beach. And to complicate matters even more, there is a serial killer calling himself the "Fog City Strangler," who preys on beautiful young blonde women, and show more leaves his calling card by sending a note and a piece of the victim's clothing to the local newspapers. Sam is worried that the serial killer will go after Amelia, his lovely blonde hair wife, who is featured on TWA's latest billboard campaign.

Author Greg Messel once again weaves another action packed tale of romance, mystery and suspense set in 1958 San Francisco. Written in the third person narrative, Sam and Amelia's latest riveting mystery adventure takes the reader on a thrilling ride with enough twists and turns that will keep them guessing. And if that isn't enough to whet your appetite, Sam and Amelia's marriage will be tested when the Fog City Strangler sets his sight on Amelia.

Of the four books in the series, this book is my favorite as the focus on Sam and Amelia's relationship is taken to the next level with their marriage and it is cleverly interwoven with the two mystery investigations. I loved the balance of mystery and romance that the author interweaves throughout the story. Fog City Strangler is rich in detail and vivid description of the authentic 1958 San Francisco time period. The author provides the reader with some really wonderful historical facts, statistics and pictures from that time period, you can't help but become captivated with the amount of interesting information that the author provides the reader throughout the story.

With a cast of characters who are interesting and draw the reader into their lives with their witty dialogue and dramatic interactions; and a riveting storyline that has enough intrigue, suspense, twist and turns, and a steamy romance that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages, Fog City Strangler is one heck of an entertaining romantic mystery novel.

Fog City Strangler will captivate your imagination, while the mystery and will keep you guessing as you follow Sam and Amelia on their latest investigative adventure.

Fog City Strangler is the fourth book in the Sam Slater Mystery Series, but can be read as a stand alone story. The author does reference characters and storyline plots from the other three books in the series, but he interweaves them so smoothly that the reader won't get lost or feel like they have missed anything. However, I would recommend that you follow the sequence of the books in the series, because once you have been drawn into Sam Slater's latest investigative adventures, you will be hooked and want to follow him onto his next adventure!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.

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