Down Home Murder - Laura Fleming, Bk 1 Author:Toni L. P. Kelner Laura Fleming is the prodigal daughter returning home to Byerly, N.C., from her adopted and very Yankee world of Boston academia. She joins her family at the bedside of "Paw," the family patriarch, who was hospitalized following an accident at the textile mill where he, like most of his clan, earns a little extra money doing piecework.... more » Just prior to lapsing into a coma, Paw whispers to Laura that this mishap was no accident.
Acting on Paw's final words, Laura and her husband, Richard, a literature professor with an annoying habit of quoting Shakespeare, set out to find the killer. Many suspects--including kin--arise and then are eliminated from suspicion by the Yankee interlopers. Eventually, the two stumble upon a connection to another crime--the recent rape and murder of a local girl--which reveals the identity of the old man's killer.« less
A great beginning to a series. I especially liked the married couple detectives- and their relationship to each other. I also enjoyed the way that their interactions with each other and with relatives echoed the themes of the mystery itself- this interweaving of themes enriches the story and makes it richer and more interesting than the typical mystery. But, the book is not too heavy- there is good-hearted humor in the descriptions and characterizations, and the murder is handled well- with seriousness but not too much gore.
Lynn D. reviewed Down Home Murder (Laura Fleming, Bk 1) on
In the first in Toni L. P. Kelners smart, witty mystery series, amateur sleuth Laura Fleming finds her trip going Southin lethal ways
They say you cant go home again, and Laura Burnette Fleming thinks they may have a point. Moving to Boston has made her a bona fide Yankee in the eyes of her Byerly, North Carolina family. Yet Lauraforever Laurie Anne to her kinstill rushes back to see her ailing grandpa.
Paw is in a bad way, rousing just long enough to tell Laura he didnt fallhe was attackedbefore passing away. Why would anyone harm the beloved Burnette patriarch? True, the family has its share of issues lately, from Aunt Nellies doomed get-rich-quick schemes to Aunt Ednas fixation with the local pastor. But surely not even the grasping cousins slyly sizing up Paws possessions could commit murder.
With the aid of her Shakespearean scholar husband, Richard, and her indomitable great-aunt Maggie, Laura confronts a slew of family secrets. Turns out Paw may have seen something that a killer is determined to keep quiet. And Laura will have to untangle the truth, before this homecoming leads to another homicide.
This was a delightful book to read. Lauras family in North Carolina are truly an amazing group of people who come what may defend each other always! I enjoyed the small town cozy part of it, how most of the family truly didnt get along very well and their love for Paw! The ending truly surprised me and even though its an older mystery because Laura and Richard are from Boston --- its not totally outdated. Once I started it, I couldnt put it down!
