Drama, crime, family issues...this novel has it all. All thing indicate this is a series, so I will watch for more. Grab a copy.

One On One – Michael Brandman

I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley.com as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Buddy Steel is a former LAPD Homicide Detective who has reluctantly returned home to San Romo County, to act as the Chief Deputy for his father, Sheriff Burton Steel. The Sheriff was recently diagnosed with an incurable and ultimately terminal illness and hopes that Buddy will take his place when the time is right. Both also hope to work through the difficulties of their contentious relationship while they can.

As the novel starts, Buddy is summoned to a murder scene at Freedom High School, where the Assistant Principal, Henry Carson, has been found murdered in his office – an apparent victim of a stabbing. As the investigation begins, Henry appears to be well loved by students and staff alike. Involved in student sports as well, no one has an unkind word to say about Carson. Meanwhile, his widow, Kimber has fled the state, giving Buddy a potential person of interest to assess.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Buddy inherits a second problem – a mystery graffiti artist has taken to Freedom to create some free-lance artwork –creating monstrous walls of spray painted ‘art’ on various buildings and the like, angering the town’s residents.

As the search continues for Carson’s killer, Buddy begins to find inconsistencies when he interviews students. It becomes apparent that Carson preferred the ‘pretty’ ones – both guys and girls - that he would spend extra time with, whether it be dinner, or weekend getaways. One student alludes to a ‘play party’, which sends the case in a completely different direction…

Meanwhile, some ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, and some night time surveillance help to locate the Freedom artist, but can they apprehend him?

This is my first read by author Michael Brandman, but it will not be my last. My initial thoughts were that the book was a bit slow and mellow for a police procedural type novel – the murder scenes and forensics were described subtly, while the true focus was on the dynamics of relationships between the individuals of the story, Buddy and his father, students between their mentor, etc., but it quickly evolved into a very good read! I look forward to more of Buddy Steel, and his father as this series continues!

This story is about an over bearing parent and his son, both in law enforcement. Sheriff Burton Steel 'summons' his son, Buddy from the LAPD homicide department. Buddy answers his father's call reluctantly. His father has A.L.S. and this is the last time they might be able to connect to one another.
Then things seem to go to hell in Freedom, first a girl is murdered and then the town has, a sudden scourge of graffiti is disfiguring both public and private property. Buddy's plate is soon full and the stakes are enormous as he sets about bringing resolution to a glut of seemingly irresolute occurrences.
I would like to thank Net Galley for a copy of this book that I voluntarily read.

Deputy Sheriff Buddy Steel is living and working in his small hometown, summoned by his father, the sheriff. Buddy left his job as a homicide detective and reluctantly moved back when his father was diagnosed with ALS.

What Buddy didn't expect was to have to solve another murder. The high school swimming coach is found stabbed to death. By all those questioned, the man was well liked by the other staff, as well as the students. When the man's wife leaves town without telling anyone, Buddy thinks she may have been involved.

But Buddy is finding things are worse ... much worse ... than anyone had thought.

At the same time, the town has been targeted by a tagger who leaves graffiti everywhere, leaving his signature. But who is he and how do they catch them?

And just who is challenging Buddy to a one-on-one basketball shoot?

It's a fast paced, action packed adventure. Buddy is a great character, sometimes humorous and in turn, sarcastic. But he is a great detective and doesn't willingly let anything go. I love the interaction between Buddy and his father. Even though their early years together drove them apart on most issues, it's quite apparent that with age has come some forgiveness and accepting of each other's lives. And if you look close enough, you will see a little bit of mutual pride show through on both sides.

This is the second book of the series. I highly recommend starting with MISSING PERSONS, although this one does quite well as a stand alone. I'm keeping fingers crossed I will see more adventures with these unforgettable characters.

Many thanks to the author / Poisoned Pen Press / Netgalley / Edelweiss for the advanced copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

4.5 stars

An amazing second book in the series. A pacey, well-plotted and exciting police investigation of a brutal murder of the assistant principal of a high school. A baffling case at the beginning but Sheriff Buddy Steel, the protagonist, exercises his "coply intuition" to solve the puzzle in no time. Unlike most mystery novels that only focus on one case, "One on One" has another independent minor case that Buddy has to work on as well.

The chapters are short but the author has the talent to capture the essence of the cases without being wordy. The second installment is, to me, a better sequel to the previous installment and I can't wait to read more about Buddy Steel. His character is distinctive and the rest of the recurring characters are as entertaining. The fact the author has background in entertainment industry probably helps to craft plots that are appealing and captivating. I totally could see the series turns into a TV show.

Fans of contemporary mysteries genre will find "One on One" a worthy read.

An amazing sequel to “Missing Persons” the first Deputy Sheriff Buddy Steel novel. Buddy had left his job as a Detective with LAPD Homicide and returned to Freedom, California. His father, the current sheriff, has been diagnosed with ALS and asked Buddy to come home and have his back as he battles the disease. Theirs is a tenuous relationship and Buddy hoped that by coming home that things would improve between them. Buddy is called to the local high school where the Assistant Principal has been murdered. Everyone loved this man…or did they? At the same time the town is being attacked by a graffiti artist and no one has been able to find the “Robber Xmas” who is marking up the town. Buddy Steel is the kind of cop that you would want investigating your case. He has his issues but has an abundance of common sense and empathy for those in trouble. In my opinion, if you loved the wonderful mysteries written by Robert Parker, which I did, (Jesse Stone & Spencer) you will love the Buddy Steel series. While reading, I could forget that Mr. Parker left us far too soon as Mr. Brandman “gets it” and brings you in to the story and characters as if you are living in the town and enjoying the quick and witty dialog that belongs to characters who have known each other, flaws and all. I only wish that Mr. Brandman had continued to write the Jesse Stone series for Mr. Parker’s estate. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

One mark of a good book is its ability to captivate the reader in some fashion (the I can’t wait to get back to my Kindle! Go away, world!) Another indicator of a good book is its ability to bring characters to life and engage the reader with said character ( this Buddy Steele rocks! Love him! What a cool dude! Wish I could meet him!) Finally, a good book has got to have a n interesting plot and satisfying ending. This new installment in the Buddy Steele series SCORES in all categories! It kept my interest throughout. I couldn’t wait to solve the mystery! The dynamic, well- rounded protagonist, Sherriff Buddy Steele, is winsome, cunning, and clever. His voice is unique and entertainingly funny! His character’s depth is developed because it is multi-fsceted: he’s strong yet vulnerable, witty yet not a push over. This series offers an easy read, not complex, but with enough depth to keep one’s Interest piqued....and, more importantly, leaves the reader wanting MORE! It is a good sign when one is left with the, “Aw shucks, it’s over” feeling. I hope I don’t have to wait too long to enjoy the presence and company of a new Biddy Steele episode!

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author Michale Brandman for the pleasure of this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Terrific, chats yet driven and disturbingly possible in its manipulation of women. Fast moving, sad yet funny. Something for any thriller reader

ONE ON ONE by Michael Brandman is the second book in the Buddy Steel series, and the follow up to “Missing Persons”.

Buddy Steel is the son of Sheriff Burton Steel, a fixture in the community who is into his third term, only to be diagnosed with ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s disease after winning his recent election.

Burton is successful in convincing Buddy to leave his job as an L.A. detective to serve as deputy his place, although Buddy has serious reservations, and reluctantly takes on his father’s duties.

Freedom, the community where Buddy serves, is rocked by the murder of a teacher at the high school who was popular and apparently well liked, until further investigation reveals that there are those who weren’t exactly fans of his, and possible abuse has taken place by him and others at the school involving both the swim team and football players.

Buddy once again develops feelings for a woman involved in the case, this time around its the widow, and he makes a conscious effort to remain professional in spite of his attraction to her knowing she’s still a suspect, and she has already displayed somewhat erratic behavior in the wake of her husband’s death.

Investigation into the murder is Buddy’s main focus, although an unknown vandal has been defacing several buildings in the community with his “street art” much to the chagrin of business owners requiring an investigation into the criminal activity that Buddy considers a blight.

Michael Brandman has previously written books in the Jesse Stone series following the death of Robert B. Parker, as well as working on the made-for-TV movies based on books in the series starring Tom Selleck, who is a friend of the author.

Buddy Steel is a likeable character, and the first two books in the series are very enjoyable and remind me somewhat of a younger Sheriff Dan Rhodes in the series by the late Bill Crider, as they both seem comfortable in their own skin in the small communities where they serve.

I’ll be looking forward to the next book in this series, and recommend this book to all of my friends as a relaxed paced mystery that is very well written by author Brandman.

4 stars.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of One on One, the second novel to feature Deputy Sheriff Buddy Steel of the fictional Californian township Freedom.

Buddy Steel gave up a career as an LAPD homicide detective to return to Freedom and assist his father, the Sheriff, as he struggles with serious illness. It is not, however, plain sailing in Freedom and Buddy is feeling the pressure as he deals with the murder of Freedom High School's Assistant Principal, Henry Carson, found in his office with a steak knife in his neck, and a prolific outbreak of graffiti.

I thoroughly enjoyed One on One which is a good mystery narrated in a very readable style. The novel is quite cozy in tone with Buddy's first person narrative so Mr Brandman does not dwell on the detail but the subject matter of underage sex and exploitation makes for more difficult reading. What's worse is that it is a very plausible scenario.

The plotting is clever and well paced with Buddy wondering why anyone would want to murder such a well liked teacher but as the novel progresses a slow but gradual trickle of information allows him to reach a startling conclusion. It had me hooked from start to finish as Buddy plays his cards close to his chest and I had no idea of the perpetrator until the reveal.

Buddy is a likeable protagonist who injects some gentle humour into the novel. He is smart, both in thought and mouth, but still manages to act like an overgrown schoolboy on occasion. He has returned to Freedom to try and build bridges with his overbearing father which seems to be working, except on the subject of assisted suicide where his father wants Buddy's help when the time comes and Buddy doesn't want to break the law. It will be interesting to see how this hot topic scenario develops in future novels.

One on One is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.