A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley

Welcome!  An Orphan's Wish by Molly Green is out today.  A Spell of Murder by Clea Simon and Batter Off Dead by Maymee Bell  come out on December 11. I am going back in time with today's review.  I did not have the opportunity to feature A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley when it came out in August. 

A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley takes us to Blue Lake, Indiana.  Lena London along with her employer, Camilla Graham have returned from England to Graham House.  Lena is thinking about her father’s upcoming visit when she gets a call from her friend, Allison Branch asking her to rush over.  Allison has found mail carrier, Eddie Stack dead at the back of her property with Sam’s letter opener in his chest.  It looks like the killer is trying to set up Sam to take the fall for Eddie’s murder.  When they look at Sam’s surveillance footage to see how the guilty party obtained the letter opener, they see a figure in black break into Sam’s home.  The individual took the unique letter opener along with a piece of paper.  Lena along with Camilla delve into the case.  But then Lena receives threatening notes and someone breaks into Camilla’s home.  Lena is even more determined to identify the killer.   What did Eddie see that got him killed? 

 

A Dark and Twisting Path cannot be read as a standalone.  You need to read the book in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series in order.  The mystery that has been in all three books is coming to a head in A Dark and Twisting Path. It involves Sam, his ex-wife (Victoria), Victoria’s missing daughter (Athena) and the ruthless Nikon Leandros Lazos.  I was happy that to see that this particular thread is wrapped up.  I thought the mystery was complex and multilayered.  Information is revealed a little at a time as the story progresses.  However, the mystery plays out in the background.  Other issues seem to overshadow it (unfortunately).  The writing is good, but the pace is a little slow.  The pacing does pick up near the end.  Lena is a developed character.  She is smart, engaging, loyal and creative.    Lena, along with the other characters, are relatable and likeable.  There is quite a bit going on in A Dark and Twisting Path.  There is the murder, threatening notes, the kidnapped child, burglary, Lena’s father visiting, Lena and Camilla working on a new book, lunches, romance, dinners, adorable animals, and some man with a beard keeps popping up.  I felt A Dark and Twisting Path was the best book in this series.  At the end of the book, there is a hint at the mystery to come in the next A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery.  I am giving A Dark and Twisting Path 3.5 out of 5 stars.    

The next A Writer's Apprentice Mystery is Death Waits in the Dark which comes out on April 2, 2019.  The first two books in A Writer's Apprentice Mystery series are A Dark and Stormy Murder and Death in Dark Blue.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with my review of The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis.  I hope you have a satisfying day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Fiction Can Be Murder: A Mystery Writer's Mystery

Good Day!  Isn't the cover of Fiction Can be Murder cozy?  I just want to climb into the chair and relax with a book.  I just finished Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes).  The first book in A Southern Cake Baker Mystery series which will be out on Tuesday, May 8. Migraines have put me behind on my reading.  

Fiction Can Be Murder by Becky Clark is the first tale in A Mystery Writer’s Mystery series.  Charlemagne “Charlee” Russo is at her writer’s critique group when she hears the news that Melinda Walter, Charlee’s agent, was found dead.  She was murdered using the method in Charlee’s unpublished manuscript—Mercury Rising.  Since only a handful of people have read the manuscript, Charlee is propelled to the top of the police’s suspect list.  Charlee is left with no choice.  She must investigate Melinda’s death to clear her name.  With the suspect list narrowed down to her critique group, Charlee must discern who killed her agent and is trying to frame her for murder.  Charlee’s imagination goes into overdrive especially after she notices a SUV following her. Is she the killer’s next target? 

Fiction Can Be Murder had an interesting premise.  A mystery writer whose own work was used to murder her agent.  I wanted to get a peek into the life of a mystery writer.  Unfortunately, Fiction Can Be Murder has a terrible main character in Charlemagne “Charlee” Russo.  Charlee comes across as paranoid, annoying, judgmental and unstable.  She thinks that anyone on the street can be a killer and they might attack her at any moment (she wonders if the lady with the double stroller is carrying an Uzi).  I forgot to mention she is also clumsy.  She is known for having coffee spills on her clothing (she needs a sippy cup).  Of course, Charlee is also scattered brained.  She forgets to charge her phone and is frequently late (let’s face it—she is never on time).  I could have done without her using an alley for a restroom. There is a lack of character development, so the characters come across as flat.  Now and then the author sticks in a detail or two. The mystery consists of Charlee “questioning” her friends (verifying their alibis) in an accusatory manner (when she is not hiding in her apartment) and endless speculation.  Charlee was not subtle in her questioning.  I am amazed that any of these people are willing to be her friends after the case is solved.  The term “bull in a china shop” is apropos for Charlee.  The solution was laughable, and the ending was rushed (considering the 90% of the book was devoted to Charlee questioning people).  I did find the method of murder unique and imaginative (I liked it).  Fiction Can Be Murder is told in the first person and the story rambles (there is also repetition—Charlee’s Kia is mentioned 20 times).  The writing lacked an ease and flow.  I found the story to be disjointed.  Please be aware that this book does contain a small amount of foul language.  Fiction Can Be Murder was not a good fit for me (It felt more like a rough draft than a finished novel).  Please get a sample and see if Fiction Can Be Murder is the right book for you.  We are all individuals with different reading tastes. 

Thank you for visiting.  Tomorrow I will feature Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower.  The first novel in A Magic Garden Mystery series.  I hope you have a very special day.   I am off to finish Better Off Read by Nora Page. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader