Genre: Romance, Mystery, Police Procedural
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Outside, a storm. Inside, a killer. Book 13 in the Lessons in Murder series, by award-winning, best-selling author Edale Lane.
When a deadly blizzard strands motorists at a highway rest area, Detective Jenna Ferrari and her wife, Dr. Randi McLeod, find themselves in the middle of a double homicide. With power lines down and roads impassable, the travelers and the unknown murderer are trapped together.
Tensions rise and suspicions mount as Jenna teams up with Trooper Bonnie Rourke to separate truth from panic. Closed off from the outside world, they must rely on experience and intuition to solve the crimes before the killer gets away—or strikes again.
A chilling holiday whodunit filled with twists, wit, and heartwarming chemistry, Snowbound with Murder blends suspense, romance, and small-town charm in the series’ most atmospheric case yet. Settle in with a mystery you won’t put down.
The Review
Lt. Det. Jenna Ferrari is on her last assignment before she has to face her family for the Christmas Holiday. Not that she was excited about the trip to her parents, but this was a “must-do,” since she missed Thanksgiving while being caught up in a case. The station will be well covered by Sgt. Det. Ron Owen and the new tech youngster Tyr Hendrix, who certainly is a genius.
It’s her turn, and Det. Trisha Jamison’s, to have some time off. Trisha isn’t giving up her holiday, as she has plans with her fiancee, Bennet. As they finish up as much as they can before five, they take a lot of joking by Owens when he arrives. No matter what, Jenna has to go. Randi is waiting for her and there is no backing out.
With Byron and Bandit all settled at the kennel, Prof. Randi MacLeod, runs down the list of all things that need to be done before the trip from Virginia to Kentucky. They had decided to tell Jenna’s mother, Renita, about the baby. From the looks of things, her sister Angie and brother Vince are bringing their own companions to keep Renita occupied.
Jenna’s Dad, Vinnie, seems to be cool about Jenna and Randi, and has a good outlook. He enjoys himself with his grandson Eli. He and Vince, Jr. even get along as they are working at the shop together. But it’s still difficult for Renita to accept the way things are now with her grown children, and what is to come. She still lives in the ’70’s and believes in Catholic teachings and “morality.” Jenna promises herself she will not turn into her mother.
Randi and Jenna finally hit the road and are on the West Virginia Interstate. The drive gets bad as the weather turns to snow, and they decide to pull over. There are a half-dozen cars in the parking area as Randi and Jenna make their way to the building. They decide to stay until they are warmed up. But then a highway patrol officer blocks the door, announcing that Interstate 64 is closed as conditions grow worse.
Now stuck, the situation just gets worse with the appearance of two dead bodies, no communications, and lights out. Jenna, State Trooper Sgt. Bonnie Rourke, and Randi have to solve the murders with over a dozen suspects, all in a small building. Without the modern technology of the Roanoke PD, the crime scene is difficult for Jenna to solve, or even just process.
Lane’s Snowbound with Murder has the nostalgic feel of a classic Agatha Christie novel. Even though it’s set in the modern day, Jenna and Randi are caught up in a situation where technology can’t be accessed due to the storm. Even Jenna finds herself missing clues. Some suspects refuse to co-operate, and she also finds herself bumping heads with Sgt. Rourke. Even for us readers. it’s not even an easy crime to solve, with high suspense and complex characters.
Edale also gives a reprieve to Jenna and Randi with Renita. Jenna’s brother and sister bring their companions to dinner, which keeps Renita busy, and Vince Sr., is in his own world with little Eli. I’m sure there will be more about Jenna’s family in the novels to come.
I’ve followed the “Lessons in Murder” series from the very first book. Now with book thirteen, Edale Lane has done an outstanding job creating a fresh, new story for Jenna and Randi to keep readers immersed.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento, and I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
