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Dead Hot Shot
A Loon Lake Mystery #9

by Victoria Houston



      Nolan Reese is a very wealthy woman who is universally disliked. She dominates Andy, her unassuming husband. By threatening to withhold trust money, she is forcing her daughter Eleanor (Blue) to marry Blue's childhood friend, Barry Tucker. She fosters Frances and Josie Dark Sky from the Ojibwa reservation with Mildred Taggert of Mildred's Food Shop. Josie believes she will inherit Nolan's estate.

On the eve of Thanksgiving Nolan is gives a dinner announcing Blue's engagement. She leaves the party for her usual nightly walk on the boat dock to view the stars, a tradition which is common knowledge to area residents. But this walk proves fatal. The following morning Andy finds Nolan's body face down alongside the boat dock.

Chief of police Lewellyn (Lew) Ferris is called in to investigate. She brings with her Doc Paul Osborne, retired dentist and unofficial coroner, and Ray Pratt, a fishing guide as well as her photographer. Before they make any progress, there is another murder, that of Mildred Taggert. Right on the heels of these murders, Gina Palmer, former investigative reporter and now a forensic database expert, arrives in pursuit of a link to the theft of credit card data from stores in the Midwest. With the abundance of possible suspects it is a race to solve the murders before they can enjoy their Thanksgiving turkey.

Dead Hot Shot is a light-hearted story set in the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin. We once again meet old acquaintances: Lew Ferris fending off Doc Osborne's proposal of marriage; Ray Pratt, tracker and fishing guide who women find irresistible. The mystery is elusive and its solution unexpected. Perhaps best of all is the preparation and enjoyment of the Thanksgiving turkey. The atmosphere of Loon Lake and its inhabitants set the scene for a well-plotted and enjoyable story.

The Book

Bleakhouse Books
July 15, 2008
Hardcover
1932557733 / 978-1932557732
Cozy mystery / Police procedural
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Excerpt
NOTE: Holiday read - Thanksgiving

The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2008
NOTE:
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