Lowcountry Boneyard by Susan M. Boyers
Publication date: April 21, 2015 by Henery Press
Paperback: 292 pages
Genre: Mystery
Source: Author/publisher via TLC Book Tours for an honest review
Where is Kent Heyward? The twenty-three-year-old heiress from one of Charleston’s oldest families vanished a month ago. When her father hires private investigator Liz Talbot, Liz suspects the most difficult part of her job will be convincing the patriarch his daughter tired of his overbearing nature and left town. That’s what the Charleston Police Department believes.
But behind the garden walls South of Broad, family secrets pop up like weeds in the azaleas. The neighbors recollect violent arguments between Kent and her parents. Eccentric twin uncles and a gaggle of cousins covet the family fortune. And the lingering spirit of a Civil-War-era debutante may know something if Colleen, Liz’s dead best friend, can get her to talk.
Liz juggles her case, the partner she’s in love with, and the family she adores. But the closer she gets to what has become of Kent, the closer Liz dances to her own grave.
Praise
“Has everything you could want in a traditional mystery: a credible and savvy protagonist, a meaty mystery, and setting that will make you want to spend time in South Carolina. I enjoyed every minute of it.” – Charlaine Harris, New York TimesBestselling Author of Day Shift
My Take:
Lowcountry Boneyard is a southern mystery with a touch of paranormal. The paranormal is Colleen, the ghost of Liz Talbot's best friend. At first, I was a bit concerned about what this aspect of the book would do to the overall story, but I ended up loving it. Colleen pops in when needed and is learning new ghostly skills all the time -- which is extremely helpful for Liz.
I wouldn't call Lowcountry Boneyard a cozy mystery because it was too tense and some seriously bad stuff happens, but it was definitely a page turner and I was thoroughly involved in the story from the first chapter. I really liked Liz, the point of view character and a real southern woman with serious crime solving skills. She is funny and smart and has a strong sense of style. Even when her personal relationship with her business partner hits a rough patch, she is still the professional and continues to focus on the case at hand.
The missing persons case of finding heiress Kent Heyward takes some crazy and scary turns early on. Liz and Nate have their work cut out for them. Beyond that, I hate to say too much about the plot -- this is one crazy ride and I don't want to ruin the fun for the reader. There is so much going on and so many interesting and, in some cases, creepy people introduced in the course of the novel. I loved every minute of this book!
I haven't read any of the other Liz Talbot Mysteries, but I will be changing that in the immediate future. I enjoyed Lowcountry Boneyard so much that I am going to make reading the other books my summer goal. The story is fun and exciting and a real nail-biter of a suspenseful mystery. I will definitely recommend it to friends and family. I can't wait to see what adventures Liz and Colleen will get up to next!
Purchase Links
About Susan M. Boyer
Susan M. Boyer is the author of the USA TODAY bestselling Liz Talbot mystery series. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations. Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels.
Susan lives in Greenville, SC, with her husband and an inordinate number of houseplants.
Susan’s Tour Stops
Friday, April 24th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Monday, April 27th: Lesa’s Book Critiques
Wednesday, April 29th: A Bookish Way of Life
Friday, May 1st: From the TBR Pile
Monday, May 4th: Bibliotica
Tuesday, May 5th: FictionZeal
Tuesday, May 5th: Mystery Playground
Thursday, May 7th: Ms.Bookish.com
Monday, May 11th: Mockingbird Hill Cottage
Tuesday, May 12th: Walking With Nora
Wednesday, May 13th: Bell, Book and Candle
Monday, May 18th: Reading Reality
Thursday, May 21st: The many thoughts of a reader
Monday, May 25th: Priscilla and Her Books
Tuesday, June 2nd: Book Loving Hippo
Wednesday, June 3rd: Jane Reads
Landi, thank you so much for reading and for this lovely review! I'm so thrilled you enjoyed Lowcountry Boneyard!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great review! I loved Boneyard and the other Liz Talbot mysteries and I bet you will, too.
ReplyDelete