Murder Mystery – The Spine View

A Crime Through Time by John Anthony Miller

A Crime Through Time reads like a cold case murder mystery. The story line bounces between the mid-19^th century and the 1950s in Normandy. If not for the setting, this plot could have been something straight out of the crime drama 48 Hours. A totally engrossing read.

In the past, an artist’s model was murdered not far from the studio of Jean-Pierre, a French painter known for his use of light. Then an attempt is made on the life of Elsie Lyon, the wife of a wealthy and ruthless Paris businessman, while she was leaving the same studio after a portrait sitting with the artist.

In the present (1956 Normandy, France) Zelie Girard has just inherited a house with 3 cottages, two of which are rented, from her mother-in-law, along with a mountain of debt. Not sure what she is going to do, Zelie starts to go through her late mother-in-law’s things. In the attic she finds a series of paintings that could be valuable. Her interest is peaked and she sets out to discover more about the paintings and the artist. What she uncovers is much more than she bargained for.

This book is highly atmospheric because the author did an outstanding job with the descriptive prose. The attention to the details of the settings made it easy for me visualize each scene. It is one of the reasons I was deeply invested with the outcome.

Another aspect of this book that had me captivated were the great characters. Some of them I loved and some I loved hating. The characters were definitely fully developed and I had no problem understanding their actions and motivations from the prickly and arrogant detective to the young postwar widow. In addition, the cast was varied and this added a richness to the story.

The pacing was good and the clues where doled out slowly as the story unfolds. Despite the clues, I never figured out who the murderer was. I thought I was paying attention. However, I was totally surprised in the end. The ending was not as all what I expected and yet it felt right.

A Crime Through Time is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and lovers of historical fiction. It would also make a great book club selection. Highly recommend that you put this on your TBR list.

I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Drug Lord’s Daughter by Tom Towslee

The Drug Lord’s Daughter has everything I could ask for in a murder mystery. The author, Tom Towslee, weaves a tale of murder and intrigue, set in an idyllic vacation spot within a Mexican beach front town, and a reporter that just can’t leave well enough alone. All of this made for a book I could not put down.

John Standard, Senor Juan as the locals call him, is an expat from Oregon, living the easy life with his girlfriend Emma in a small Mexican seaside town. He has traded his former life as a freelance reporter, and the cold, wet winters in the Pacific Northwest, for this quiet existence. His days consist of fishing, reading and maybe a night in town with Emma.

Then one day the quiet of this town is shattered when Lulu, a friend of Emma’s, is murdered in her home. Emma asks John to see what he can find out from the police about the murder. John and the local police captain, Alejandro Vega, are not on the best of terms. After speaking to him, John gets the sense that he knows more than he is letting on. His investigative reporter instincts kick in and he becomes obsessed with finding out the truth even though his and Emma’s life maybe in jeopardy.

The quality of the story took me by surprise. Sometimes I find that action/thriller type books sacrifice character development in favor of action and then more action. Therefore, I love to read a story that gives me both a great character with a well thought-out and fast paced plot. The story takes off from the first page and there was never a dull moment in this riveting story. Despite being fast paced, the plot never felt rushed and the clues were perfectly placed to keep the reader engaged.

I loved the character of John Standard. He was down to earth and a bit gritty. I understood him and sympathized with him. There was some outstanding character development here and even though this was the third book in a series, the author gave enough background information that it worked well as a stand-alone.

If you a fan of murder mysteries that are served with a side of action, this is the book for you. Don’t miss out on this electrifying story! Totally looking forward to reading more from this author.

I received a free copy from the published in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sinner, Saint, or Serpent by John Anthony Miller

Sinner, Saint or Serpent, by John Anthony Miller, is a twisted murder mystery that will keep even the best sleuth in the dark until the very last page. The book opens and closes with a bang and the ending took me totally by surprise. I need more books like this!

No one seems very upset when August Chevalier, a prominent business man, is murdered, Mafia style, in his own home. After all, he was a ruthless businessman with questionable practices and even a few ties with the mob. No wonder no one seems too enthusiastic about finding the killer, including the police, with one exception being a local reporter named “Justice” Harper.

Justice earned his nickname by being a fair and honest reporter that always seeks the truth. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he wants to find the killer who committed this crime. He feels he owes that to the citizens of New Orleans. Of course the added benefit of solving the crime before the police is getting a big scoop for the newspaper.

Justice along with his colleague, Remy Moore, work together to discover who killed Mr. Chevalier. There are three prime suspects. The philanthropist Lucinda Boyd, known for her many charity efforts that benefit the folks of New Orleans, the wealthy businesswoman Blaze Barbeau with a questionable past, and the voodoo queen of New Orleans, Belladonna Dede. They all have motives for waiting him dead and all three can be placed close to the scene around the time of his death. So who did it?

Loved Mr. Miller’s descriptive prose of 1920s New Orleans. It was wonderful and I got a real sense of the vibe of the city. I could just imagine going to a speak-easy and listening to the jazz band play, then strolling the streets of the French Quarter. The city described had a mysterious air to it and that made it the perfect setting for a murder mystery.

The plot was superbly done. It opened with the murder; therefore, I was invested in the story right away. The tension in the plot slowly built so that I always wanted to keep reading to get the next clue and try to figure out who the killer was before the final reveal. By the end I was sitting on the edge of my seat and then when I finally arrived there I was totally blown away. Did not see that coming at all!

If you love mysteries you need to read this book. Great story and awesome execution! You will love it!

I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.