SMRC for 5/31/07 - Featuring Luisa Buehler
I hadn’t intended to stop reviewing books completely during the SMRC, but it has taken up a lot of my spare time. However, I have about seven books awaiting reviews and hope to get to them shortly. I think six of them are by authors I haven’t read before, so I have fulfilled challenge already! The question really is when I will find the time to read the all the books by the featured authors. They all sound so good!
Today’s featured author is Luisa Buehler who writes the Grace Marsden Mysteries. Grace is a thirty something amateur sleuth who is obsessive compulsive–think Monk in a skirt. Each book in the series revolves around a cold case with uncovered bones and a touch of the supernatural.
THE ROSARY BRIDE: A CLOISTERED DEATH - Book One
During the 1940’s the women attending Rosary College insisted a beautiful young woman wearing a ‘fancy dress’ haunted the halls near the chapel. Many claimed to see the apparition often entering, sitting, and softly crooning a mournful melody. Stories of the ‘Rosary Bride’ continue from generation to generation.
Fifty years later, during the renovation of the college library, workers expose a skeleton. Grace Marsden, present at the discovery is drawn into the search for the victim’s identity, fearing the remains will lead to skeletons in her own family closet. Against her husband, her best friend, and her own common sense Grace determines to find the truth. Her involvement grows beyond her control when the dead woman reaches out to her.
Complications arise when the investigating police inspector dredges up more old secrets and betrayal. Ignoring her husband’s theory that the Inspector’s motives are less than honorable, Grace continues her quest to solve the decades old homicide. Desperate to know the truth, Grace enlists the help of Sister Andrew, a nun who lived at Rosary during the 40’s and has chronicled the college’s history. But all too soon the treachery of the past meets the future and once again lives are lost. Can Grace name the ‘Rosary Bride’ before her killer strikes again?
THE LION TAMER: A CAGED DEATH - Book Two
Wagons rolling, flags furling, horns blaring, the circus comes to town! Children chase the wagons, daring for a glimpse of exotic wild creatures. The big cats roar, sending shivers through the crowd, but they edge closer, demanding to be scared, knowing they are safe. And then a skeleton is found in a bygone relic. Is anyone safe?
Grace Marsden fights the lure of a decades old mystery surrounding a circus wagon, a phantom lion, and human bones uncovered at a local zoo. But when a dead woman sends her a letter and a dead man ends up in her neighbors yard, she can’t ignore the lion tamer and his tale. Legend, fact, or fantasy? Grace needs to find out fast before she becomes his current prey.
THE STATION MASTER: A SCHEDULED DEATH - Book Three
The eighth annual Depot Days celebration is drawing large crowds to the quaint old station. The buzz of an auction and the thrill of the win. Eager spectators crane their necks as the last antique trunk gives up its secret…Trouble!
Death has knocked at Grace Marsden’s door before, but the stakes skyrocket when circumstances cast her husband as the number one suspect in a hit and run. Once again fate sets Grace on a collision course with a determined murderer.
Suspicion raises ugly memories and peoples defenses when they realize their close-knit town harbors a killer. Who knows the secret? And who punched a one-way ticket to the end of the line for Grace?
THE SCOUT MASTER: A PREPARED DEATH - Book Four
“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God
and my country and to obey the Scout Law…
Hidden for decades in local woods lies a World War II munitions crate filled with bones. The gruesome discovery by a Boy Scout troop uncovers Satanic rituals and prompts questions about cults, Wiccan covens, and a murdered FBI agent.
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong…
Could young men led by a twisted scoutmaster be the hooded marauders terrorizing the woods? Can Grace count on the Scout Law to keep her safe as the cult chooses her for their next victim?
Luisa will be at Printers’ Row Chicago, June 9th, Muskego Library, WI June 21st, AuthorFest, Schaumburg Library June 23rd and the Delton Library, MI July 26th.
Her new book THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER: A BECKONING DEATH comes out this fall.
Learn more about Luisa Buehler at her website: http://www.luisabuehler.com/
If you haven’t signed up for the Summer Myster Reading Challenge yet, click here for directions. You are welcome to read along on your own, of course, but only registered participants are eligible for the prizes.
If you would like to comment on a book by a featured author or ask them a question, please leave the comment on their daily page so they can find it easily. Comments about what you are reading, books you have finished, requests for readalikes or recommendations, or mystery related links can be made on the SMRC post for that day so we can all see them. Thanks!
Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007
Posted: May 31st, 2007 under Summer Mystery Reading Challenge 07.
Comments: 3
Comments
Comment from Liz@Reviewed By Liz
Time: May 31, 2007, 5:43 am
There is something appealing about cold case mysteries. For those of us who don’t like a lot of gore, you are somewhat removed from the murder itself. But they are usually also heavy on research and legwork. I guess they have the same appeal that genealogy has for many people. You also get the feeling that, like genealogy, any amateur sleuth can do it. Because they aren’t constantly underfoot in an busy police investigation the plot seems more plausible.
THE CLOISTERED BRIDE looks great. I love a good ghost story - throw in a murder and how can you lose?
Comment from Lesa Holstine
Time: May 31, 2007, 6:31 pm
Just read my second new author. I finished Robert Ellis’ City of Fire, which included a five-year-old cold case. Terrific thriller, not for the weak of heart. And, this one involved an LAPD Detective working on a serial killer case, and the cold case of her own brother’s murder. So that’s my second “new” author.
Comment from Luisa Buehler
Time: August 12, 2007, 5:49 pm
When life give you lemons you’re supposed to make lemonade. Right? I’ve spent three months moving my company, struggling with no internet for 3 weeks, hiring a new employee (unexpected) and cutting 12,000 words out a too long fifth book.
My company is moved and internet accessible. My new person is very good and my fifth book will be out next month. I need only survive Tuesday when I take my only child to college. I get choked up just writing the words. I know I will so embarrass him.
I wanted to stop in and thank those of you who may have stopped by that day, long ago in May. I will have more time to enjoy this forum and take advantage of the books suggested.
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