The Deputy

Gracie Island, Book 1

By: Leigh Fenty

Narrated by: John Walker

Eighteen months after the loss of his wife, Deputy Jasper Goodspeed wasn’t ready to move on. He’d learned to get up every morning, do his job, and smile when necessary. But enjoying himself wasn’t on his list of things to do.

On the evening of his first murder investigation, he was halfway through a night of drinking himself into oblivion. Forgetting was a good thing, if only for one night a month.

Living on an isolated island with a population of three hundred, crime was almost non-existent. Drunk and disorderly and rambunctious kids were the norm. Murder, especially one witnessed by the deputy’s best friend and his visiting sister, Poppie, was a once in a lifetime occurrence.

As rare as it was, Deputy Goodspeed didn’t need a partner. Certainly not one as stubborn and willful as Poppie. Her ability to make him genuinely smile was intriguing and utterly frustrating.

While he tries to ignore his growing feelings for Poppie, Jasper’s friends and family attempt to convince him she’s just what he needs to bring a little sunshine into his dreary existence.

The Deputy is the first book in a four book series following Jasper Goodspeed as he learns to forgive himself and embrace life with someone new.

Get started on the journey today.

©2023 Leigh Fenty (P)2023 Leigh Fenty

Fun, flirty romantic suspense!

If you are looking for something to keep your interest, look no further. Leigh Fenty's first book in her Gracie Island series has caught my attention and now I want to keep listening to the rest of it! Deputy Jasper Goodspeed is the law, and while at work, he is the man! But outside of his job, he is still grieving the loss of his wife eighteen months earlier. Now, a murder has taken place, and his best friend and sister witnessed it. Finding the murderer is priority and Poppy is helping not only with her statement but in putting a smile back on Jasper's face. This is a fabulous story, a slow burn romance with that thrilling suspense woven through it.

John Walker brings this story to life. He narrates all the characters with easily distinguishable voices, perfectly fit to each person. I enjoyed his portrayal and his ability to keep the feelings of suspense and romance flowing.

Give it a chance...it gets good

The book was a little slow to start. I am glad I stuck with it because it actually was a good story. If you're into mystery more than romance you're going to like this book.

Loved this story

My first read by the author and I really enjoyed the writing. I liked the story, the setting on the island, the characters and liked the narration. I have already downloaded book 2.

How I got lost

Love to the point I listen to whole book in one sitting can’t wait to listen to the next on could stop listening to it

Story was OK

I was given a free audiobook code for a review. The preview sounded good. The story did not live up to the preview.

Just ok really 2.5 stars overall

The story covers a week and it’s a lot of words and descriptions that take the reader around “the island”. It was a predictable story for the protagonist, the Deputy. The mystery wasn’t that engaging and I’m not sure I need to know anything more about these characters. They can stay on their island and it doesn’t need another book to make it a series.

Wait, this was a romance? Not likely

Not certain what I listened to - not a romance book that’s for sure! Story was ok. Narrator John walker sounded like an undercover Sebastian York.

the deputy

not a fan of the narrator the story was sort of boring action was ok

A sweet romance

This book is a sweet enemies to Lovers romance between an island visitor and the local deputy. There were some inconsistencies in the story that I were a little distracting. The story centers around a murder mystery that the deputy is trying to solve. The story covers a lot of characters on the island and the descriptions really brings home how the island community must work together to survive the harsh island living.

I love Gracie Island

This is the first book I've listened to/ read by this author and the 2nd book I've listened to by this narrator. I love cozy mysteries and not to mention good-looking deputies. You add the two together and you've got the perfect book.