Isabel Long’s next case begins during a chance encounter with a homeless man, who says he was 12 when he found his mother murdered in their home.
Abby McKenzie was a well-liked seller of vintage books who owned a store in the hilltown of Dillard. That was 43 years ago and the case was never solved.
One obstacle is that several of the suspects are dead, including an avid book collector, a former town official who stalked her, and the man who last saw her alive. Another is that, once again, Isabel must deal with Dillard’s police chief, who ran interference in her other cases.
But that doesn’t deter Isabel nor her mother Maria, her partner in solving crime. She just needs to find the source who will unlock this case
Review
Joan Livingstone is an author new to me but I can assure you I will be seeking out more of her books. Obviously, not having read the first seven books in the serious, I was wary of not being able to understand the overall series arc. This was not an issue as the author gives enough you get a feel for the characters.
I loved the premise of a daughter and mother investigative team, an unusual combination in crime fiction. This added something to the plot and their relationship sparkled. I also liked the fact the main character, Isabel Long was a reporter turned private investigator meaning she had background knowledge she could use in her quest to solve the cold case.
All the characters are well rounded and they have depth. Even knowing little about their backgrounds, I was still able to warm to Isabel and her mother, and got to know them well enough that I would like to read further books in the series.
The investigation is hindered by the fact that the murder was 45 years ago but this did not deter our sleuths. Though not an on the edge of your seats mystery, the plot line was strong and kept me reading. I would highly recommend this book.
I was given. copy of this book as part of the Reading Behind the Lines Blog Tour. At no point was I asked to provide a positive review and it is based on my reading, and enjoyment, of the book.
Joan Livingston is the author of novels for adult and young readers, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series, featuring a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. solving cold cases in rural New England. Finding the Source is the eighth book in the series.
Joan draws upon her own experience as a longtime journalist in Massachusetts and New Mexico to create Isabel Long, a sassy, savvy widow who uses the skills she acquired in the business to solve what appears to be impossible cases. She also relies on her deep knowledge of rural Western Massachusetts, where she lives, to create realistic characters and settings.
Links to Buy
Amazon USA – https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Source-Isabel-Long-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0F8JLJ5CW
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Source-Isabel-Long-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0F8JLJ5CW
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