This was a fun and easy read. Last of the Seals is an interesting story that is founded on baseball's glory days. Mr. Messel did a nice job of weaving the end of a locally loved minor league baseball team with the end of a pitcher's career that leads to a new romance, a new job as a private investigator, and a search for a murderer.

I received a free copy of Last of the Seals through Goodreads first-reads.
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Is this book about the Navy Seals or the animal seals?? No, it is about the baseball team the Seals, a minor league team in San Francisco in 1957.I had no idea that there was a baseball team, the Seals, nor do I know much about baseball. However, that did not stop me from reading and reviewing this book. This book is not only about baseball, although it has a great part in the story, it is about romance and murder. The Seals are soon to be disbanded as a major league team is coming to town, the Giants and Sam Slater will soon be playing his last game with the team. He will soon start working as a private investigator for a Jimmy, a good friend of his. Before this can happen though, Jimmy is murdered and no one knows why.
Sam meets Amelia Ryan, a stewardess, who he finds himself getting more and more attracted to. As they become closer they find themselves embroiled in trying to find out who killed Jimmy and why. Their determination to solve this murder and bring some closure to Jimmy's family, puts their own lives in danger and they have to get out of some serious situations.
This novel is a murder mystery and love story all in one. This is 1957 and therefore the relationship between Sam and Amelia is very proper, but the sexual innuendos are certainly there. I really liked this book and I learned a bit about baseball that I didn't know before and found myself liking both Sam and Amelia and hope to read more adventures with this couple. The author is certainly knowledgeable about the topic he writes about, baseball. I highly recommend this book. ( )

Baseball, two murder mysteries and a romance ... can you ask for anything more in a book?

The year is 1957 ... the last season for the minor league baseball team the San Francisco Seals. Major League Baseball is coming to San Francisco in 1958 with the New York Giants moving west, unfortunately displacing the Seals. Longtime Seals pitcher Sam Slater is playing his last season in the minor leagues, he might have had a chance to play in the majors if he hadn't fought in World War II. After the baseball season ends, he will join his Army buddy, Jimmy Jankow, as a partner in his private investigative firm.

When Jimmy is brutally murdered for inadvertently seeing something he shouldn't have, Sam is left to pick up the pieces and investigate Jimmy's murder and the murder of a client's daughter. While getting his bearings and beginning his investigations into both murders, Sam comes to the aid of a beautiful TWA stewardess, Amelia Ryan, who was being accosted by two drunks on the street. A mutual attraction leads to the beginning of a relationship for Sam and Amelia. While asking Sam about his investigative agency, Amelia's inquisitive nature into the murder investigations leads her to join Sam in finding the murderers.

Will Sam and Amelia find the murderers and bring them to justice? Will their investigation into the murders get them into danger? Will Sam and Amelia's budding romance turn into a permanent relationship?

Last of the Seals is an entertaining whodunit story that masterfully weaves together three subplots into a cohesive story consisting of baseball, murder mysteries and romance. The book begins with a richly detailed history of the minor league baseball team the San Francisco Seals. As a baseball fan, I found the history of the San Francisco Seals to be fascinating and the inclusion of the pictures were a great bonus. This segment of the book will appeal to all baseball fans, there is nothing better than to learn about another piece of baseball lore. The author then effortlessly leads the reader into the tale of the San Francisco Seals pitcher turned private eye Sam Slater. This intriguing page turner has it all: baseball, murders, the mob, socialites, and a beautiful romantic love interest for our protagonist. As Sam and Amelia embark on the journey to solve the murder cases, there is enough action, suspense, thrills and chills, twists and turns to keep the reader sitting on the edge of their seats.

The author has created an interesting cast of characters that are realistic and engaging. I loved Sam's character, I really enjoyed reading about him being a war hero, a pitcher in the minor league and his progression to becoming a private eye. I loved how Sam and Amelia's romance blossomed, they seemed to be a perfect match for each other. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed their working together to investigate and solve the murder cases. The interactions and dialogues are engaging and keep the reader's interest while making this story an intriguing and enjoyable read.

Last of the Seals is the first book in a series of mysteries. I look forward to reading more about the adventures that await Sam and Amelia. Fans of baseball, mysteries and romance, this is one book that you will want to add to your TBR list, you won't be disappointed!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.

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