Lovers in Crime, Book 3

Another captivating mystery from bestselling author, Lauren Carr, has arrived on the scene.  If you haven’t read one of Lauren’s novels, do start as soon as you can.  Mystery, suspense, and humor are all spun together into a complex plot that will keep you guessing.

Homicide detective, Cameron Gates, and husband, County Prosecutor , Joshua Thornton,  return in their Lovers in Crime series.

The 1980’s…

A rock and roll  band finally gets its big break, playing to a crowd.  It is going great, at least until the end of the show.  That’s when the lead singer, Dylan,  announces he is leaving for California—that night–to go solo.  The big break becomes their last show together.  It also becomes the last time anyone sees him.

Current Day…

Forward nearly two decades later.  An old abandoned psychiatric hospital is being demolished. A body is found long preserved in the freezer there.

That is only the beginning.

When Joshua’s Oldest son, J.J. (Joshua Jr.), returns home from college to study for the bar, some tension is expected.  Father and son have always had their issues.  But when he quickly reconnects with an old flame nearly twice his age, “tension” may be too light a word.

The girlfriend, Suellen Russell, once a part of the Reading Railroad Band, wants Cameron’s help to find Dylan’s killer.

Murder…

Another death has attracted Cameron’s attention already.  That of a local woman who’s husband is developing dementia.  Was it murder?

Still, the detective is drawn into Suellen’s mystery, determined to learn what happened that night the band was together.

The killer isn’t yet finished.  When the next murder occurs,  both Joshua and Cameron know they must solve the case before one of their own becomes the next target.

Laughter…

Wound in and throughout the story is a horse whisperer who arrives on the scene at exactly the right moment,  their delightful adopted daughter Izzy, and a variety of animals to add immense amusement to the tale.  This time?  Besides the dogs and cats we have come to expect,  you will meet a horse names Gulliver and , and a rooster called Charley. Their antics certainly will make you laugh out loud, even as you follow the clues.

The book is so very entertaining. Once I began I found myself so engrossed in the story that I couldn’t wait to see “who done it.”  Murders, investigations of each, cold cases, and the family dynamics. Grown sons, strong personalities, and even stepmother issues add to the need to see how it might end.  Killers are out there, but will it all connect?

The Series…

Ms. Carr has created a lovely family in the Lovers in Crime series, one that is ready to accept and help when needed.  After all, that is how Izzy joined the family.  This time it involves Poppy and Noah, both with difficult pasts. Both need the understanding and caring found in the Thorntons.  Wish we had more of them in reality.

The author’s series include the Lover in Crime series, the new Thorny Rose series, and the Mac Faraday series.  I admit, following the characters adds to my enjoyment with each new addition, but Killer in the Band is easily a stand alone novel.  Start with this one, and see if you don’t want to go back to the beginning and join Ms. Carr’s followers.   Each overlaps with the other, so you often have the pleasure of other series characters dropping in to the story.

The entire collection from Lauren has become a favorite of mine.

Enjoy!

The Tour

Book Description:

Summer of Love & Murder

Joshua’s eldest son, Joshua “J.J.” Thornton Jr., has graduated at the top of his class from law school and returns home to spend the summer studying for the bar exam. However, to Joshua’s and Cameron’s shock and dismay, J.J. moves into the main house at Russell Ridge Farm, the largest dairy farm in the Ohio Valley, to rekindle a romance with Suellen Russell, a onetime leader of a rock group who’s twice his age. Quickly, they learn that she has been keeping a deep dark secret.

The move brings long-buried tensions between the father and son to the surface. But when a brutal killer strikes, the Lovers in Crime must set all differences aside to solve the crime before J.J. ends up in the cross hairs of a murderer

Praise for Lauren Carr’s Mysteries:

“Lauren Carr could give Agatha Christie a run for her money!”

– Charlene Mabie-Gamble, Literary R&R

“As always, Lauren Carr brings an action-packed story that is almost impossible to put down. Her mystery plots have so many twists and turns that I didn’t know if I was coming or going. And the action just didn’t stop from the very beginning till the very end.” – Melina Mason, Melina’s Book Reviews

Buy the Book:

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Author’s Bio:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Book Trailer:

BOOK REVIEW TOUR SCHEDULE:

Oct 31-  Working Mommy Journal– review / giveaway

Nov 1 –   Bound 4 Escape– review / giveaway

Nov 2 –   Life as Leels– review

Nov 3 –   Books, Dreams, Life– review

Nov 4 –   Book Reviews Nature Photos– review / author interview

Nov 7 –  The Starred Review– review / author interview / giveaway

Nov 8 –   Readers Muse– review / guest post

Nov 9 –   Olio by Marilyn– review / giveaway

Nov 10 – Library of Clean Reads– review / giveaway

Nov 11 – Nighttime Reading Center– review / giveaway

Nov 14 – Bless Their Hearts Mom– review / giveaway

Nov 14 – My Journey Back– review

Nov 15 – A Mama’s Corner of the World– review / giveaway

Nov 16 – Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine– review

Nov 17 – fuonlyknew– review / giveaway

Nov 18 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!– review / giveaway

Nov 21 – Heidi’s Wanderings– review / giveaway

Nov 22 – The Autistic Gamer– review

Nov 23 – Deal Sharing Aunt– review / giveaway

Nov 24 – The Travelogue of a book addict – The Book Drealms– review / giveaway

Nov 25 – Books for Books– review

Nov 28 – Pause for Tales– review / guest post / giveaway

Nov 29 – The World As I See It– review / giveaway

Nov 30 – Rockin’ Book Reviews– review / giveaway

Dec 1 –   Sahar’s Blog– review

Dec 1 –   fundinmental– review / author interview / giveaway

Dec 2 –   Jessica Cassidy– review / giveaway

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Merry Citarella, often writing as Merrci, writes on a wide range of topics. Recently relocated to the Oregon Coast in the northwest United States, she frequently writes travel features on the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She specializes in health and aging, Alzheimer’s Disease, food, lifestyle, and book reviews. For more information you can see her on The Writers’Door. You can read more articles here or at her websites Alzheimers HQ and Simple Living Ideas