The Buck Stops Here

Four years ago, Callie Webber's world was shattered when her husband was killed in a boating accident. A man named James Sparks was out boating drunk and didn't even see Brian in the water. Since that horrible day, Callie has managed to recover from her grief, partially thanks to her job investigating charities for the J.O.S.H.U.A Foundation on behalf of her boss, Tom Bennett. Tom and Callie have also fallen in love, and Callie hopes to marry him soon. Ten days ago, Callie overheard a conversation where Tom took responsibility for Brian's death. Shocked, Callie asks for an explanation, only to be told that Tom can't tell her anything because of his work for the NSA. Brian's accident is a matter of national security? How can this be? While Tom can't tell Callie anything, he does encourage her to poke around on her own, which she immediately starts to do. Almost immediately, she begins to discover that the things she thought she knew about that fateful day aren't true. Following the faint trail she can find, she begins to piece together an entirely different picture of events. But what exactly is Tom's roll in all of this? Will God help her forgive him or will Callie turn her back on Tom and God? I must confess, this is the book in the series I've been most anxious to read since I started the series. It didn't disappoint. After the first couple chapters, which are a good introduction for those who haven't read the previous four books in the series, the action takes off. I had trouble putting the book down several nights in a row because the suspense was killing me. About half way through, the plot moves to New Orleans and things slow down a little. After the break neck pace of the first half, it feels slow, but in actuality, things are still moving forward. I also found this part interesting in light of the recent hurricanes. The problems that were an issue in the disaster there were discussed briefly in this book, which came out a year before hand. Just a few throw away lines, really, but they caught my attention. Each book in the series has been personal for Callie in some way, with each one hitting closer to home. As a result, we've been able to see her grow to the point where she is strong enough to deal with the truth she learns from the investigation. Not that she doesn't go through some incredible moments of weakness and pain. Callie is a very human character, which is one of the things I have always loved about her. Forgiveness is a very obvious theme in the book, both God's forgiveness of us as well as forgiveness of each other. It's not preachy, however, but a good reminder for every day life. The writing style still isn't as polished as some series I read, but this time around was actually the smoothest of the series. I had no trouble reconnecting to these characters from the very first page. While not a requirement by any means, this book will be most enjoyed after reading others in the series. All of t

Callie Webber knows that she loves Tom Bennett, but is bothered with Tom's past and his secrecy regarding his work with the National Security Agency. She also knows that somehow, Tom blames himself for the accidental death of Callie's first husband. Callie works for Tom as an investigator for the J.O.S.H.U.A. foundation which donates grants to charitable organizations. Callie's position is to recommend which of numerous charity possibilities are to benefit from Tom's generosity. For this particular assignment, Callie is sent to New Orleans to uncover some of Tom's past and to meet his family while working with a charity for children with rare diseases called Family HEARTS. This organization was formed to assist Tom's niece who is also a victim of a rare disease. While reading THE BUCK STOPS HERE, you really need to first meet the characters from reading the previous book, A QUARTER FOR A KISS. Even though this is the fifth book in the series, the previous book is needed to understand the characters and their relationships to each other. Yes, you probably could read this as a stand alone, but you really wouldn't understand the situation of Callie's job, her life, Eli, or Tom. The past history is important to THE BUCK STOPS HERE. Some people frown on reading Christian mysteries; however, I find each of Mindy Clark's books enthralling and delightful while knowing each character better. These are fast paced, action adventure novels with the characters' integrity being the center point. Her books are not really Christian, but probably more inspirational. The characters, especially Callie, view their religion as a part of their daily life. Some real people also have that viewpoint. Callie considers her religion to be private and while you read about her, you discover that this private relationship regarding her religion is what gives her character strength. THE BUCK STOPS HERE is fast-paced and a well-organized novel. The characterization is superb. Each character develops depth with each page. The sequence of Callie's investigation perfectly matches the reading pace. I thoroughly enjoy these novels and I am wondering about the next one. What will the title be? Will the two-dollar bill be next or what title could you use with a five-dollar bill? Mindy Starns Clark has written now five books in THE MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERIES SERIES involving Callie Webber. She lives in Louisiana and is also a wife and mother.

This was a fast, fun read with deep meaning. This was the first Million Dollar Mystery I read and now I'm reading all the rest - I can't stop myself!

Several years ago, Callie and her husband Bryan were on the Appomattox River in Virginia, when a drunken speedboat driver killed the latter. The driver James Sparks pleaded guilty and was sentenced to sixteen years in prison. At first Callie did not want to live, but over time with the help of a friend private investigator Eli Gold she regained her equilibrium. Eli got Callie a job as a researcher at the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation investigating nonprofit organizations that apply for grants. Though she still mourns her loss, she has a new beau, Tom Bennett, a code breaker for the National Security Agency. Callie overhears Tom tell Eli he loves her and wants to marry her, but must tell her the truth about Bryan. Eli reminds him that would be an NSA security breach. Stunned, Callie later confronts Tom, who claims national security so she begins to investigate her late husband's life and death. Her inquiries take her from her Maryland Eastern Shore home to Louisiana where she seeks the truth although someone is stalking her with murder in mind. The fifth "Million Dollar" mystery, THE BUCK STOPS HERE, is a terrific tale that completes the circle started with the first novel. The story line is electrifying, but character driven as Callie needs to know if her second true love had something to do with the death of her first true love. Callie is the center of this fast-paced plot with her quest to learn the truth even risking a chance at a loving relationship. This stand alone novel and the entire series provides delightful entertainment value and worth the bucks, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Harriet Klausner

Mindy has done it yet again. This book, the final one in this series, moves along at a fast pace. It has action, suspense, drama and ofcourse romance. Mindy's character Callie is about to have the investigation of her life. After finding out (by over hearing a conversation) that her boss, Tom, had something to do with her late husbands death, Callie confronts Tom, but because Tom works for the NSA he is restricted by law not to tell her anything, so he just tells her he's sorry and to please forgive him and then leaves. Ten days later, Tom shows up and in around about way without actually saying it, lets Callie know that she can do her own investigation into the situation. As Callie searches for answers from Virgina, Georgia and then to Louisiana, Callie some how pushes God to the side and takes matters into her own hands, breaking some of the very rules she'd never done before. She struggles with the pieces of information that she's getting and wondering if she and Tom will ever be able to continue their relationship that has been developing into love for many months. During the course of her investigation, she is also conducting an investigation on the Company Family HEARTS for the company that she works for, J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation. The Family HEARTS compay works for familys with children who have rare disorders. Callie meets several familys whos' lives touch her own. During this investigation Callie meets some of Tom's family and gets a better look at his personal life that has been kept private. For those of you readers who have read all of the previous books in this series we finally get to know just what J.O.S.H.U.A. stands for!