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Aaron Paul Lazar

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The Return (LeGarde Mysteries Book 13) Kindle Edition

by Aaron Paul Lazar (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 75 ratings

Book 13 of 13: LeGarde Mysteries

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Sometimes the past won’t be laid to rest.

Music professor Gus LeGarde has been happily married to his second wife, Camille, years after his first wife, Elsbeth, leapt to her death from the Letchworth Gorge cliffs. But when he starts seeing a woman around town who looks exactly like Elsbeth, his marriage and sanity are thrown into chaos.Is she a ghost? A figment of his imagination? Or has there been some kind of horrible mistake, and could Elsbeth still be alive?

As if the shock of glimpsing his dead wife, seemingly in the flesh, weren’t enough, the LeGarde household is struggling with the arrival of strange new neighbors. The Silvermans are secretive and unapproachable from the start—patriarch Ezekiel is hostile and threatening, his adult daughter Serena is clearly terrified, and her teenage son Eli shows signs of abuse. At first they avoid the troubled family, but that becomes impossible when Gus’ daughter, Shelby, starts falling for Eli.

After a string of dangerous events culminates in the elder Silverman holding a shotgun on the two teens when discovered in flagrante delicato, Gus forbids Shelby from seeing the boy. But soon after things are broken off, Shelby and Eli abruptly vanish, plunging both families into panic.As the Silvermans’ dark past is slowly revealed, Shelby’s life hangs in the balance. Just how far will this family go to protect their secrets?

*** All LeGarde Mysteries can be easily read as standalones ***

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08RCW2DTR
Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (December 26, 2020)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 26, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2182 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,531,624 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #25,669 in Cozy Mystery
- #53,600 in Cozy Mysteries (Books)
- #196,347 in Literature & Fiction (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.3 75 ratings

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Aaron Paul Lazar

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USA Today bestselling author Aaron Paul Lazar is obsessed with writing. He's completed thirty-one books to date, and has earned twenty literary book awards. He writes mysteries, suspense, love stories, and more. You'll usually find him writing his heart out in the early hours of the day - preferably in the dark, quiet hours when no one else is awake in his bustling household.

READ MORE:

Aaron Paul Lazar wasn't always a mystery writer. It wasn't until eight members of his family and friends died within five years that the urge to write became overwhelming. "When my father died, I lost it. I needed an outlet, and writing provided the kind of solace I couldn't find elsewhere."

Lazar created the Gus LeGarde mystery series, with the founding novel, DOUBLE FORTÉ, a romantic winter mystery set in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. Like Lazar's father, protagonist Gus LeGarde is a classical music professor. Gus, a grandfather, gardener, chef, and nature lover, plays Chopin etudes to feed his soul and thinks of himself as a "Renaissance man caught in the 21st century." There are thirteen books to date in this series.

The creation of the series lent Lazar the comfort he sought, yet in the process, a new passion was unleashed. Obsessed with his parallel universe, he now lives, breathes, and dreams about his characters, and has written twelve LeGarde mysteries in addition to four other series.

One day while rototilling his garden, Lazar unearthed a green cat's eye marble, which prompted the paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore, retired country doctor and passionate gardener. The green marble, a powerful talisman, connects all three of the books in the series, whisking Sam back in time to uncover his brother's mysterious fate fifty years earlier. (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE, TERROR COMES KNOCKING, and FOR KEEPS)

Lazar's books feature breathless chase scenes, nasty villains, and taut suspense, but are also intensely human stories, replete with kids, dogs, horses, food, romance, and humor. The author calls them, "country mysteries," although reviewers have dubbed them "literary mysteries."

"It seems as though every image ever impressed upon my brain finds its way into my work. Whether it's the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly slate-green lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in mid-winter, these images burrow into my memory cells. In time they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured out on the page."

In 2009, Kodak laid him off after 28 years of service, and during the year he had off (before he landed in his job with KB America) he had time to explore and reconnect with his environment. Little did he know that several trips to the Adirondack Mountains would reawaken his passion for that part of the country. A new romantic mystery series was started entitled Tall Pines Mysteries: FOR THE BIRDS, ESSENTIALLY YOURS, SANCTUARY, and BETRAYAL.

In between all the novels, Lazar published three short writing guides based on his many years of writing advice blogs, entitled WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volumes 1-3. These are available in eBook and audio book formats.

In his twenty-first book, Lazar has jumped genre. THE SEACREST: a love story, now winner of many literary awards, is poised to capture hearts across the globe. Book 1 in the Paines Creek Beach novels (set on Cape Cod), THE SEACREST also launched a series, and is followed by THE SEACROFT and THE SEADOG.

When the news was filled with stories about the girls captured for ten years by that monster in Cleveland (you know who he was...), Lazar was compelled to write a book to honor the women involved. Thus was born the Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series, featuring award-winning DEVIL'S LAKE, DEVIL'S CREEK, and DEVIL'S SPRING. A new spinoff is now available, entitled THE ASYLUM.

The author's wife recently passed away and he's been working hard to heal after losing his lifetime soulmate. He lives on a ridge overlooking the Genesee Valley in upstate New York with his daughter Allison, two grandsons, dogs, and one cat. With a total of three daughters (Jennifer, Melanie, and Allison) and eight grandkids, he finds grandfathering to be one of the most precious and important times of life, and spends as much time as possible with Julian, Gordon, Isabella, Christopher, Luke, Joey, Emersyn, and Logan.

Summary of series:

LEGARDE MYSTERIES (country mysteries set in the Finger Lakes)

GREEN MARBLE MYSTERIES (mysteries with time travel and a ghost)

TALL PINES MYSTERIES (sensual women’s mysteries set in the Adirondacks)

PAINES CREEK BEACH SERIES (love stories by the sea)

BITTERSWEET HOLLOW SERIES (romantic suspense involving kidnapping)

LEGARDE MYSTERIES

1. DOUBLE FORTÉ

2. UPSTAGED

3. MAZURKA

4. FIRESONG

5. TREMOLO: CRY OF THE LOON

6. DON’T LET THE WIND CATCH YOU

7. THE LIAR’S GALLERY

8. SPIRIT ME AWAY

9. UNDER THE ICE

10. LADY BLUES

11. VOODOO SUMMER

12. MURDER ON THE BREWSTER FLATS

13. THE RETURN

THE LEGARDE MYSTERIES OMNIBUS

GREEN MARBLE MYSTERIES

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE (formerly Healey’s Cave)

TERROR COMES KNOCKING

FOR KEEPS

TALL PINES MYSTERIES

FOR THE BIRDS

ESSENTIALLY YOURS

SANCTUARY

BETRAYAL

TALL PINES BOOK SET

PAINES CREEK BEACH, love stories

THE SEACREST

THE SEACROFT

THE SEADOG

PAINES CREEK BEACH BOXED SET

BITTERSWEET HOLLOW, romantic suspense

DEVIL’S LAKE

DEVIL’S CREEK

DEVIL’S SPRING

THE ASYLUM

DEVIL'S LAKE BOXED SET (books 1-3)

WRITING GUIDES

WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volume 1

WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volume 2

WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volume 3

AWARDS:

Devil’s Lake

• 2015 Finalist Readers’ Favorites Awards

• 2015 Semi-finalist in Kindle Book Review Awards

The Seacrest

• 2015 Semi-finalist in Kindle Book Review Awards

• 2014 Best Beach Book Festival WINNER, Romance category

• 2013 ForeWord Book Awards, Romance, FINALIST

The Seadog

• 2016 Best Indie Book Awards, Romance, WINNER

Double Forté

• 2012 ForeWord BOTYA, Mystery, FINALIST

Tremolo: cry of the loon –

• 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Awards: Grand Prize Short List

• 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Awards: Honorable Mention, Eric Hoffer Legacy Fiction

• 2011 Global eBook Award Finalist in Historical Fiction Contemporary

• 2011 Preditors & Editors Readers Choice Award – 2nd place Mystery

• 2008 Yolanda Renée's Top Ten Books

• 2008 MYSHELF Top Ten Reads

For the Birds

• 2011 ForeWord Book Awards, FINALIST in Mystery

• 2012 Carolyn Howard-Johnson's Top 10 Reads

Essentially Yours

• 2013 EPIC Book Awards, FINALIST in Suspense

• 2013 Eric Hoffer Da Vinci Eye Award Finalist

The Disappearance of Billy Moore (formerly titled Healey’s Cave)

• 2012 EPIC Book Awards WINNER Best Paranormal

• 2011 Eric Hoffer Book Award, WINNER Best Book in Commercial Fiction

• 2011 Finalist for Allbooks Review Editor's Choice

• 2011 Winner of Carolyn Howard Johnson's 9th Annual Noble (not Nobel!) Prize for Literature

• 2011 Finalists for Global EBook Awards

Terror Comes Knocking

• 2013 Global Ebook Awards, Paranormal – Bronze

For Keeps

• 2013 Semi Finalist in Kindle Book Review Book Awards, Mystery Category

Spirit Me Away

• 2014 AuthorsdB book cover contest, Silver medal.

Under the Ice

• 2015 AuthorsdB “Bronze” Cover Award

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

75 global ratings

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Darlene Johnson

Another Great Read!

Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2021

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I have been waiting patiently for Mr Lazar's newest book and I was not disappointed!! Another great read as we follow Gus LeGarde and his family through many twists and turns. This is book 13 in the series and I highly recommend you read them. Great characters, great stories, unexpected twists and turns in every book. I couldn't wait to get to the next page to see what was going on! In addition I feel like I know these people, like they are my neighbors or friends I have known for years!

2 people found this helpful

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Tanya

More Gus please!

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is one of my favorite series. It’s a warm comfortable experience to read one of these books. I love the family, how they get along, the descriptions of the food, the descriptions of the garden and flowers. Through this series I’ve learned a lot about music and gardening. There’s a scene in the book where he waxes poetic about fresh, sweet corn. I also love food and the way his characters love it combined with family. I feel the same way.
I understand the creative need to do different things, but reading a Gus story is like reconnecting with a friend I haven’t seen in a while over a nice home cooked meal.

One person found this helpful

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C. Cook

Movie Please!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

The Return would make a wonderful movie! It has a loving family, suspense, history of art and music and so much more. One of Aaron’s best books and I read every book in each of his series. Thankful to have known Aaron for over 30 years. I miss his writing new books but very pleased that he is sharing his knowledge by helping other writers.

One person found this helpful

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Uvi Poznansky

The Return brings the past back full circle

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021

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When the past won’t be laid to rest, The Return brings it back full circle.

Written with a romantic, heart-rending touch in the signature style of Aaron Paul Lazar, The Return loops back to the beginning of the series, when Music professor Gus LeGarde could not find any consolation for the death of his wife Elsbeth. Now happily married to Camille, his newfound happiness is shattered when a woman who resembles his dead wife is spotted around town. Could Elsbeth be alive? If so, what will her return mean to his new family?

At the same time, he struggles to accept his daughter’s young love to Eli Silverman, son of his secretive new neighbors. Gus forbids Shelby from seeing the boy, and when she vanishes, he not only prays for her safe return but heads the rescue himself.

The story celebrates also the surprise return of a long lost piece of art. As befits the title, the story brings back all the characters from the entire series, celebrating their return as well and suggesting this is a farewell to the series.

I was lucky enough to be offered an ARC and offer my feedback.
Highly recommended. Five stars.

5 people found this helpful

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M. Bradley McCauley

Another intriguing Gus LeGarde book

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021

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I have anxiously waited for another Aaron Lazar 'Gus LeGarde' adventure and am excited to see the new one, “The Return” published on Amazon.
In, 'The Return', music teacher, homebody, family man, Gus never disappoints me nor does Aaron's clever craftsmanship as a mystery writer.
It was barely downloaded when I began the new adventures of Gus, his wife Camille, and best friend Siegfried Marggrander. Believe me, I was not disappointed.
I was more than intrigued when Gus thought he saw his deceased wife in the grocery store. Could it be? No way, but then it happened again and other strange incidents had me wondering what was going on.
When there are mysterious happenings around the area next to the LeGardes' property, the house that had been SIG'S family home, I immediately thought I had an idea of what was happening, even though I knew that’s Aaron’s way of leading me astray and keeping the action going.
Why was that strange woman with a German accent asking questions about the people living in the neighboring house? It was the house where Sig and his German-born family lived until Sig moved in the guest house on Gus’s property.
Why was the old man living on the grounds carrying a rifle and putting up no trespassing signs?
What about the young man from there who captivates Gus's daughter and why does she suddenly disappear?
So many escapades to get caught up in, but that's an Aaron Lazar book, always keeping the reader wondering what's next.
My one disappointment is that now that I've finished reading The Return, how long will it be until another Gus LeGarde adventure comes along? Will there be another?
There has to be, Aaron’s fans will demand it.

3 people found this helpful

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Kt

Loved this book

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

The only thing to complain about in this book ,is that Aaron thinks it is the last Gus mystery. BOO! This plot was interesting and brought all the characters together in a satisfying way. Still, cannot help wondering what is in store for Shelby, Freddie, Adam , Johnny, Look, Sig and of course Camille.

One person found this helpful

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DL

Amazing Story

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022

Verified Purchase

It’s another amazing LeGarde book! Aaron Lazar did a great job tying together many of the characters from the other books in this series. Loved this series!

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Marcia Black, author

Yet another good read.

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

I have read almost all of Mr. Lazars books. I keep them on my kindle to reread over the years. I know that when I read a new Lazar book it will be well written, interesting and filled with descriptions that put me in the scene. The Return brings me up to date with the characters I've come to know. Thank u for another good read.

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The Return (LeGarde Mysteries Book 13) Kindle Edition

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