Fan Mail by Daryl Wood Gerber

Happy Veterans Day!  I hope you had a lovely weekend.  If you have been thinking about joining Audible* (or giving as a gift to someone on your list), now is the perfect time.  They are offering a promotion of $6.95 a month for the first three months (instead of $14.95).  I am going to take advantage of the offer.  I listen to audiobooks while driving because it helps me to concentrate (and I am almost out of new audio books).  Reese's Book Club has chosen The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes as this months audiobook selection.  Do you listen to audiobooks?  I am always looking for good recommendations.

Fan Mail by Daryl Wood Gerber returns readers to Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  Aspen Adams is trying to reach her gynecologist, Dr. Kristin Fisher when she gets a call from her boyfriend, DS Nick Shaper.  Dr. Fisher was found murdered in her office by her assistant, Heather.  That evening, Nick is called out to another gruesome crime scene.  Local restaurateur, Tony Vittorio was found murdered at Vittorio’s Restaurant with a butcher knife (sensing a trend).  Aspen then gets a frantic call from local news anchor, Gloria Morning.  Someone sent Gloria notes after each crime claiming the murders were done in her glory.  Gloria hires Aspen to find out who is behind the notes.  Just as Aspen begins digging into the case, there is an attack close to home.  Aspen is even more determined to track down the person responsible.  But then another person is murdered with a note delivered to Gloria.  Each victim has a connection to Gloria and Aspen believes everything ties together.  There are too many suspects and too few clues.  Aspen stumbles upon the answer, but it may be too late.

Fan Mail by Daryl Wood Gerber is the second novel An Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense series.  It can be read as a standalone for those who have not indulged in Desolate Shores. Fan Mail is a complex novel full of twists and surprises.  Aspen Adams quit her job as a therapist to work for her aunt’s detective agency.  Aspen has a long way to go before she gets her license, but she is learning the ropes.  Then her gynecologist is killed after leaving Aspen two messages that were cut off.  A local restaurant owner is murdered soon thereafter.  Gloria Manning phones Aspen because she received odd letters after each crime.  Gloria is used to fan mail as a news anchor, but these notes scare her.  She wants Aspen to get answers.  Aspen starts questioning the numerous suspects.  Unfortunately, the killer is just beginning.  Fan Mail is a fast paced suspense novel that will have you on the edge of your seat.  I like that there are cozy moments tossed in.  Aspen is learning to be a private investigator by working at her Aunt Maxi’s agency.  I like Aunt Maxi with her no nonsense approach.  She is careful to give Aspen rules (not that she always pays attention).  Candace, Aspen’s niece, lives with her and is now thriving.  Candace is mature for her age and provides good insights into the murders.  Nick Shaper is Aspen’s boyfriend and a detective with Placer County Sheriff’s office.  He has mixed emotions about Aspen’s getting involved in these crimes.  He appreciates her helpful information, but Nick does not want anything to happen to her.  The characters are developed and realistic.  There are multiple murders along with taunting notes and other nefarious activities in Fan Mail.  There are multiple suspects for Aspen to wade through, but the clues are meager.  Readers will have a hard time pining down the guilty party unless you pay close attention to the clues.  It is a complex mystery that continues to evolve as the story progresses.  I enjoyed all the action along with the tense atmosphere.  You never knew what the perpetrator was going to do next.  I like Daryl Wood Gerber’s descriptive writing which brought the story alive for me.  Fan Mail is an absorbing novel with an active adolescent, multiple murders, a dashing detective, a crafty killer, and a resolute rookie investigator.

Fan Mail comes out on November 12 and is available for pre-order through Amazon* (Amazon UK).  Desolate Shores is the first An Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense.  You can learn more about the author along with the various book series she writes, by visiting her website. Thank you for joining me today and I hope I have helped add another book to your extensive TBR pile.  Tomorrow I am featuring Memories and Murder by Lynn Cahoon as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.  It is the tenth A Tourist Trap Mystery.  I hope you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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