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Liv Montgomery
thought her biggest problem the night of the Fourth of July
fireworks and historical reenactment would be the pesky mosquitoes.
She is the event coordinator for the town of Celebration Bay
in upstate New York. Celebration Bay is considered a destination
town and relies on tourists for most of its revenue. Right
now Liv and Ted Driscoll, her assistant, are making sure all
is in readiness for the Independence Day fireworks and Battle
of the Bay reenactment. A descendant of Henry Gallantine -
who happens to have the same name, uses a lantern (LED light)
to signal the townsfolk that the British ships are in the
harbor. He does this from the roof of his mansion. The re-enactors
are shown driving away the British ships. Then there are the
fireworks and everyone leaves the festivities in good spirits.
All went
well until the fireworks start and Ted notices the signal
on the Gallantine roof. Someone is signaling SOS. Liv and
Ted take off towards the Gallantine mansion and bring AK Pierce
(head of security for the event) with them. Finally, Hildy
the housekeeper opens the door and the three take off to the
third floor to get on the roof. The pull-down stairs take
them right up to the roof. AK slowly shines his flashlight
around the roof. He soon sees something on the ground. It
is Jacob Rundle, the Gallantine gardener; he has a big hole
in his stomach. They hear a noise and find Leo (a teenager
who has been helping with the clean-up) crouching on the roof.
He is holding a musket with a bloody bayonet. He says the
ghost hurt Mr. Rundle and was after him too. Liv had better
be careful looking for the murderer or she could end up spooked.
Things
to ponder: Who plays the part of the "official"
Celebration Bay ghost? Why did Chaz Bristow leave town? Where
did Henry Galantine go after he signaled the British ships
were coming? Is someone stealing Gallantine valuables?
I enjoyed
this book. This series just keeps getting better with each
new addition. I like the cast of characters - especially the
ones that are a little quirky. Liv, our protagonist is smart,
feisty and sure of herself. Once she decides something, she
will give her all to prove she is right. There are enough
red herrings to keep you guessing whodunit. The story is well-plotted
and the pace kept me turning those pages. So if you like a
mystery that is patriotic, then you should be reading Independence
Slay.
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