#Follow Me for Murder - A Review

 

#Follow Me
for Murder

by

Sarah E. Burr

A Review

The author has created a modern cozy mystery that combines the tech of Dick Tracy and the fashion sense of Glamour Magazine as she begins a new series of books featuring blogger and PR consultant Cordelia (aka Coco) Cline.

Cordelia’s current clients are Sean and Olivia Chen, owners of the soon to open Once Used, Twice Buy antique store. One morning Coco walks in and finds Stacy Lockner, a young woman hired to help set up the store, lying on the store floor, dead. The police originally set out to prove that Sean and Olivia are responsible for her death. Coco makes it her job to find the real killer and to salvage the reputation of the soon to be opened store. Cordelia takes a liking to Stacy and doubles down to find her killer.

The result is a story with enough turns and suspects to hold the reader’s attention from beginning to end. Coco and her friend feed bits of evidence to the local police and the county crime lab - some evidence sends the cops chasing the wrong suspects, but the clues that are discovered will eventually disclose the person responsible for the crime. I found little wrong with this title and easily give it five stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Murder On The Hour - A Review

Murder On The Hour

by

Elizabeth J. Duncan

A Review

I read the book. I  liked the book. I do not get the title.

Regardless, this lovely Welsh murder mystery held my interest both as we visited the various shops in Lianelen and walked about the outlying country that lay alongside the River Conwy in North Wales. But even the beautiful territory in which the author set her book could not stop the murder of Catrin Bellis. And it would take the combined instincts and detective work of Penny and Victoria (owners of the local spa), Evelyn (the former  postmistress), and DCI Gareth Davies, to discover the guilty party.

To add complexity and interest to the story, Antiques Cymru (the Welsh version of The Antiques Roadshow) was coming to town. The mixture of tapestries, tea sets, furniture, and other oddities recovered from attics and barns in the area would provide some of the clues and excitement that added to the local mystery. But in the end it would take … ah, but that would be giving away the story.  

Michael was an annoying distraction to both Penny and to the reader. His presence added little to the story and wasted the time of whoever met him.  It is time to let him go.

The first couple of chapters were a slow go - but once the murder occurred and time could be spent in tracking down the culprit, the book’s pace picked up quite nicely. The last night of reading was a long one as I made my way to through the final chapters to find out the truth.  As the book draws to a close, the author does a nice job of walking us back to the beginnings of WWI to provide the historical backdrop of the crime. A tale which might have served as the basis for another mystery as well.

The author hints that there will be more mysteries for Penny and her friends - I, for one, hope they come soon.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Imposters of Patriotism - A Review

Imposters of Patriotism

by

Ted Richardson

A Review

Historical fiction is really two different genres.  There are those books which are set in a former time period but which are purely fiction and have no connection to truly historical events.  Historical fiction also includes a group of books that are woven from one or more significant events in history - those events not only form the backdrop for the story, but become an integral part of the story.  "Imposters of Patriotism" is a part of this second sub-genre.

The year is 1778.  George Washington and much of the Continental Army is stranded at Valley Forge waiting out a devastating winter.  Watching his men suffer and die with inadequate provisions, deadly illnesses, and increasingly more difficult odds of defeating the British forces being led by General William Howe.  General Washington, seeking what is best for his men and for the country, writes a letter to General Howe offering to negotiate a surrender.  Due to circumstances beyond his control, General Washington's letter is never delivered.  As unlikely as it seemed at the time, the Americans proceed to win the war and gain the independence they desired.  The letter is all but forgotten.

Moving between the past and the present time, we follow the letter and its discovery, as well as collaborating documents, by an antiques dealer living in Savannah, GA.  In the weeks following the letter's discovery, the lives of Matt Hawkins, the antiques dealer, and his friends are threatened by a number of individuals who have put their own interests above those of their country.  "Imposters of    Patriotism" follows the letter, through flashbacks, to its discovery and disclosure to the American public.  In the process, it weaves a great deal of well-known history that adds considerable credibility to this exciting story.

The weaving of fiction and history works well - except for one small flaw.  One major character is described as "the most direct descendant of George Washington."  The problem is that George Washington had no known children of his own. He raised two of Martha's (a widow) children from her previous marriage and two of Martha's grandchildren, but with no children of his own, he had no "direct descendants".  The author may have been better off describing this man as Washington's "closest living relative" and the problem would be solved.

The book was an exciting read - whether the history from the 18th century, glimpses of known events from the early 19th century, or following the lives of Matt Hawkins and his friends as they follow the evidence and their hearts. The book forced me to examine history that I had not previously known, I was introduced to places and people that gave me a deeper appreciation for the men and women who sacrificed for the freedom we still enjoy today. Along with a good mystery, this book should hold many a reader's attention.  And get started soon, as the author has another volume arriving later this year.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.