Catherine Astolfo

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. School Principal Emily Taylor has lived in the little town of Burchill for two years. She feels that she and her husband have finally found their perfect home and safe haven, that is, until the school caretaker Nathaniel Ryeburn is found murdered. The townspeople are filled with fear as the reality of a murder in their midst is realized. Who could this killer be? Is it someone they all know? As Emily begins to investigate on her own, she learns that as Bridgeman, Nathaniel was also the town counselor, and knew everyone’s secrets, something she didn’t expect because the Nat she knew was reserved, shy and quiet. Then Emily comes across evidence and a shocking discovery. Sadly, her curiosity brings investigators to her home, while she and her husband try to hide from their own secret past.

This was a great novel; I was drawn in from the very beginning. The author was very detailed in her descriptions, that you could actually feel like you were standing there right beside her. The characters were believable and realistic, especially for a small town. The mystery uncovers a twisted secret that completely stunned me! I loved the story and plot, but I wish there was more added about Langford’s past, that portion felt incomplete. Hopefully, future books in the Emily Taylor series will expound on this. I was also disturbed by the graphic nature of the animal abuse; the author’s descriptive nature was a little too intense in this instance. Needless to say this is not a book for young readers.
… (mer)

Up Chit Creek Series: Kira Callahan Mystery By Catherine Astolfo
Kira works at the retirement center where most everybody has a memory issue and are old.
She finds a dead man with a woman sitting nearby, knife sticking out of the man's back.
Her older sister owns and run the center. Sheriff and deputies come out but it's hard to question those who don't respond due to their illnesses.
Love hearing about the rooms available in the mansion for the residents to use. Liked learning about others past and the history of the town.
It's a bit confusing to keep track of them all.
Kira is involved in finding clues, by listening or asking questions of others...
She confides in George, her boyfriend and he has more suggestions as more pass away...
Adult sex scenes. Loved the Leonard Cohen lyrics, priceless! Author bio at the end along with other works.
Free from Smashwords… (mer)

This is the second book in this series. However this is my first time reading a book by this author. If you are like me and just trying out this author, than you don't have to worry as this book can be read as a stand alone story. The residents of ReVisions Retirement Residence are quirky but in a good way. I did not feel like any of them where there to just grow old. In fact, they kind of remind me of the characters from the board game Clue. Despite this fun fact, I was impartial to the story as a whole and how Kira solved it. It was not all bad as there were moments where I was focused on the story and liked what I read. Although I was not a fan of this book, readers who like cozy mysteries may like this book due to the characters and the fact that it does read like a cozy mystery.… (mer)