"Miami author Sharon Potts's debut shows the skills of a seasoned writer as she delivers a complex plot that builds believable suspense on every page."
Oline H. Cogdill, South Florida Sun Sentinel
An ordinary family. A quiet neighborhood in Miami Beach. A shotgun blast. Nothing will ever seem ordinary again.
When his parents are brutally murdered in their own home, Jeremy Stroeb, a disillusioned college student, is determined to learn the truth. Unaware that he's putting his own life in jeopardy and his sister at risk, he tries to find his parents' killer by getting on the inside of their worlds. But in doing so, Jeremy discovers his adolescent view of his mother and father was wrong. They weren't the people he had believed them to be.
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Oceanview Publishing (September 2009), ISBN-13: 978-1933515625
Something was off. She had the uneasy feeling of being watched.
Rachel Stroeb stepped away from the darkened portico, leaving her husband fumbling with his keys, their morose teenage daughter surrounded by a pile of winter coats and luggage.
Tall hedges and drooping palms hid their neighbors' houses, a film of dirty clouds blocking the light of the moon. But there was no sign of anyone, or anything amiss.
"Everything okay, Rachel?" D.C. called.
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"Welcome Sharon Potts! If this is a first novel, then I can't wait for the next. In Their Blood starts with a bang and never lets up. This is thriller writing the way it is supposed to be."
Michael Connelly, Bestselling Author
"Sharon Potts's gripping psychological suspense debut In Their Blood straddles new territory as both a heart-pounding-all-night-read and the richly textured tale of a child forced to grow up fast. If there is anyone who doesn't identify with Jeremy Stroeb's race to find his parents' killer, he must have a heart as hard as Miami's streets."
Christine Kling, Author of Wreckers' Key
"In this powerful debut novel, Sharon Potts successfully blends edge-of-the-seat suspense with the emotional journey into adulthood of her twenty-something protagonist and his younger sister. I held my breath as I watched Jeremy and Elise search for their parents' murderer and, in the process, discover the love and approval they thought they had lost."
Barbara Parker, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Sharon Potts has written a crackling debut crime novel. From the empathetic horror of her violent prologue to a final confrontation with the killer, the author imbues reluctant protagonist Jeremy with sharp, but non-conformist, views that mark a credible investigator, fixated upon who might have killed his parents and why. Truly, I could not put this first novel down."
Jeremiah Healy, Author of The Only Good Lawyer and Spiral
"In the novel, In Their Blood, the author has crafted a tense mystery of financial intrigue and murder in a Miami setting. After the slaughter of his parents, Jeremy Stroeb is caught between the need to protect his sister and help in the solving of the crime, and his desire to avoid the responsibilities in a world of finance in which he doesn't feel he belongs. The author describes the inner conflict, capturing the struggle of the main character's coming of age, which adds another dimension to this layered story. The research is unobtrusive to the plot line and the detailing of Miami settings give a veracity to this exciting story."
Martha Powers, Award-winning Author
"At the start of Potts's debut, a red-hot suspense novel, a midnight intruder murders D.C. Stroeb, an economics professor at Miami Intercontinental University, and his CPA wife, Rachel, in their exclusive Lotus Island, Fla., estate. Oddly, the killer takes only the couple's laptops. Their 16-year-old daughter, Elise, who was home at the time, suffers emotional trauma in the aftermath. Their 22-year-old son, Jeremy, who can't believe anyone could kill his parents, returns from backpacking abroad to assume the guardianship of Elise, against the wishes of his lawyer uncle, Dwight Stroeb. Jeremy connects with a sympathetic Miami detective, gets a job at his mother's CPA firm and enrolls at his father's university, where he becomes involved with his father's female graduate assistant, a Peruvian-French sexpot. The clue hunt sizzles in a plot driven largely by shifty accounting. By the end, the dangers of creative number crunching are all too apparent."
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Directionless and constantly at odds with his parents, twentysomething Jeremy Stroeb elects to remain in Europe when his parents and sister return home to Florida. He's hardly said good-bye when he's told that his parents have been murdered, his sister narrowly avoiding the killer. In shock, Jeremy returns home to find his sister distraught, his predatory uncle poised to become her guardian, and the police investigation at a standstill. In a burst of selflessness, Jeremy steps up: he enrolls in the college where his father taught, takes a job at his mother's accounting firm, moves back with his sisterand determines to solve the crime. Unfortunately, his resolve falters when he begins to uncover uncomfortable truths about his parents, about the sexy coed he's fallen in love with, and about himself.
The youthful protagonist, unusual in a genre that cleaves to older characters, is a refreshing surprise; the action unfolds in a crisply paced, unpretentious narrative; and an abundance of red herrings gives readers plenty to chew on as they try to figure out whodunit. A satisfying debut
YA/M: Steamy sex aside, teens will recognize much of the self-doubt evident in the young protagonist here."
Stephanie Zvirin, Booklist
"Miami author Sharon Potts's debut shows the skills of a seasoned writer as she delivers a complex plot that builds believable suspense on every page.
In Their Blood creates the kind of sophisticated tension that was the foundation of the late Barbara Parker's novels. In Their Blood also examines the meaning of family.
At the center is Jeremy Strobe, a 22-year-old college dropout who has been backpacking in Europe. No permanent address ties him down; sometimes it's days before he checks e-mail or answers his phone. Jeremy is not estranged from his family he loves them but, like many young people, he wants to find his own purpose in life. He needs to get out from under the shadow of his mother, Rachel, a partner in a prestigious accounting firm, and of his father, D.C., an economics professor famous for his political activism.
But Jeremy is forced to grow up and deal with grief and guilt when his parents are murdered in their home on Miami's exclusive Lotus Island. Now Jeremy has to be the guardian of his 16-year-old sister, Elise, who is suffering from emotional trauma. He also has to contend with his slimy uncle Dwight, a judicial candidate too eager to be Elise's guardian and who can't wait to move into his dead brother's mansion.
Jeremy also wants to know who would kill his well-liked parents. Jeremy believes the answer lies in his parents' professions, so he enrolls in the university where his father taught and takes a job at his mother's firm. As he pursues the clues, he also uncovers his parent's myriad flaws.
Potts expertly depicts Jeremy maturing as well as how he still can behave like a kid. The author credibly explores how Jeremy wants to be the man his parents would be proud of, while sometimes falling short.Potts also is careful to make the villains realistic.
Potts' affinity for characters and brisk pacing make In Their Blood an exciting debut."
Oline H. Cogdill, South Florida Sun Sentinel
"CRIME WAVE: The Latest Mysteries August brings three worthy additions to the genre... from first-time authors who look like they plan to stick around for a while.
In Their Blood by Sharon Potts The Story: He's just another rich kid bumming around Europe when 22-year-old Jeremy Stroeb finds out his parentsan accountant and a professorhave been murdered, so he heads home to Florida to find out why. TV Pitch: Stroeb's a male Veronica Mars.
Lowdown: Potts' debut is littered with a few too many red herrings but no matter. The plot still sizzles."
Entertainment Weekly
"The information that accompanied my copy of In Their Blood said that the book was Sharon Potts' debut novel. In that case, readers have much to look forward to in future books ...
Sharon Potts leads us, along with Jeremy and a female detective, Judy Lieber, through investigation of several possible suspects and keeps her readers guessing until the very end. In Their Blood is a thumping good read and heralds a very likely future star of the mystery genre."
Bookpleasures
"Honestly once I began this book I had a hard time putting it down. The book was full of twists, first it led you one way to the killer then another. The main family was interesting and complicated. Jeremy, who is young and somewhat irresponsible steps up to the plate and is obsessed with finding his parents' murderer. He goes through many dangerous paths to do so and meets several twisted people. He finds out that his parents were not who/what he thought they were. This was a great first novel and I hope we see more from Sharon Potts. Let me warn those of you who be offended though, there is some language and sexual content."
The Friendly Book Nook
"It's tough reviewing a book written by a friend. If it's not any good, what on earth could I say in the review? And so I picked up In Their Blood by Sharon Potts, with some definite trepidation. But, thankfully, my fears were unfounded. This is a good book...
Sharon Potts does an excellent job of telling a story, and building the suspense to keep the reader coming back for more. This coming of age thriller set in the violence and beauty of the affluent Miami suburbs, will keep you riveted throughout.
Well done, Sharon. I'm proud of you!"
Joanne Sinchuk, Murder On The Beach Mystery Bookstore
"Oozing with unending suspense, bombshell after explosive bombshell, and a fascinating, complex plotline, Potts' story is a thrilling read from beginning to the very end. The most shocking part however, is learning this is her first book...
In Their Blood is truly a captivating readI simply couldn't put it down. Those adult fans of thriller, suspense, mystery, and crime novels will quickly be adding Sharon Potts' name to their lists of 'absolutely must read'. The plot flows quickly from one chapter to the next and I was so caught up in the story, I just couldn't read it fast enough. Further, her crisply vivid descriptions about the Floridian setting put you right there in the middle of the sticky heat and the heart-pounding action. Potts is a perfect fit within Oceanview Publishing's cataloga new find with a definite future in the industry.
First-time author Sharon Potts definitely proves that writing runs in her veins. Although a fresh name on the fiction scene, she weaves a fascinating story as proficiently as any experienced best-selling novelist. "In Their Blood" drips of unfathomable conspiracy, ultimate betrayal, family secrets, and the quest for redemption. I don't know how Potts plans on topping this debut work, but I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Outstanding."
Vicki Landes Review
"In Their Blood is a suspense book by new author Sharon Potts. I heard about this on several different blogs, I believe, though of course I didn't use my handy-dandy little notebook to record it. It was a good book and one that I flew through, even with completing some of my projects I had to do. I give it a B+.
Jeremy is a difficult character to like. He is very selfish, and though he says he is going to take care of his sister, some of the decisions he makes do not add up to that. Jeremy also has a tough time learning about his parents and discovering who they really are and discovering some of the mistakes they have made in their lives. Because of these two things, this story is very true to the heart. I think I would have had a hard time believing things if Jeremy just came back from Europe and became Mr. Mom to his younger sister Elise. The suspense was done well, and several times I was running back and forth to who I thought the killer was. I eventually figured out the why, but was a bit unsure of the who. If you enjoy a good suspense book, I would strongly suggest you pick up In Their Blood."
Kristie Loves Books
"Sharon Potts has written a fast moving novel that is interesting and keeps you on the edge of your seat as it starts out running and keeps up the pace to the ending. It's an intriguing tale of a youth having to grow up too fast and keep his sister safe. This is a terrific first novel and I hope there are many more novels from Sharon Potts to come."
Barry Hunter, Baryon Review Of Books