This is the fourth book in the Mysteries of Silver Peak series. Although the books have Carole Jefferson as the stated author, various authors write this series. However, I don't see much difference in the writing styles! As with the rest of the books in this series, the story starts slow with many details given. By now I am familiar with many characters in this town, and I like the way the characters are developing. As soon as I finish one book in the series, I want to start the next one. But then there is always a slow portion in the middle of the book where I almost have to force my way through. But then the book picks up speed and I can't put it down till I finish, because I want to know who did it and WHY. I enjoy these mysteries because we do not have a TSTL heroine, and the use of the internet is realistic. The main character, Sadie Speers, also uses her knowledge of antiques to solve the puzzles. I appreciate the fact that we don't actually have dead bodies in the stories, and there is usually some healing of relationships when the facts come to light. I also like Sadie's interaction with her family members.
Sadie, A widow, retired teacher and now antique shop owner is an amateur sleuth. When her close friend, Virginia whom she is working on a community presentation on how an old schoolhouse that burnt down in 1965 is pushed off the road investigating this crime and is in the hospital in a coma. Sadie with the police takes steps to find the arsonist. Every time that she thinks that she has found the arsonist it turns out to not be the person. It is not till the end of the book that the arsonist is found and that persons motives.A great cliffhanger mystery. I would have never suspected this person or their motives.
