Book Title: It's Murder My Son by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Book 1)
Category: Adult fiction, 288 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Lauren Carr
Release date: June 23, 2010
Tour dates: May 1 - June 28, 2019
Content Rating: PG (It's a murder mystery and there is mild violence. Very mild swearing no F-bombs. No on-stage sex scenes.)
Book Description:
What started out as the worst day of Mac Faraday’s life would end up being a new beginning. After a messy divorce hearing, the last person that Mac wanted to see was another lawyer. Yet, this lawyer wore the expression of a child bursting to tell his secret. This confidence would reveal Mac as heir to undreamed of fortunes, and lead him to the birthplace of America’s Queen of Mystery and an investigation that will unfold like one of her famous mystery novels.
Soon after she moves to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, Katrina Singleton learns that life in an exclusive community is not all good. For some unknown reason, a strange man calling himself “Pay Back” begins stalking her. When Katrina is found strangled all evidence points to her terrorist, who is nowhere to be found.
Three months later, the file on her murder is still open when Mac Faraday, sole heir to his unknown birth mother’s home and fortune, moves into the estate next door. Little does he know as he drives up to Spencer Manor that he is driving into a closed gate community that is hiding more suspicious deaths than his DC workload as a homicide detective. With the help of his late mother’s journal, this retired cop puts all his detective skills to work to pick up where the local investigators have left off to follow the clues to Katrina’s executer.
Review
The book cover drew me in immediately that it needs a special mention. The largely greyscale like theme along with the words in that font sent the direct message about how the book will be. Wonderfully thought out image. I loved the placement of the gate and all elements about the cover.
The cast of Characters at the beginning of the book, and the one line definitions of the same - it is a unique feature because it gives their relationship with each other (and uses carefully chosen words that may, will, make the reader form certain notions before they enter the book. It is safe to assume that the reader's perception of the whole book will vary widely depending upon whether or not they have read and understood the list at the beginning. It did take me a few pages into the novel to realise that I was, indeed, reading the first installment of a familiar series. I am no stranger to Mac Faraday mysteries (nor Gnarly) but it was a special thrill to read that first book where it all began. I understood the importance of the cast of characters list then, and it still made my reading more pleasant, especially when I did NOT have to refer to it multiple times (thanks to easy writing).
When you are familiar with a series, you have a prior idea about how certain characters would behave. You have a good comfort level with the writing, and do not spend much time trying to independently analyse. If an author manages to make you want to read her books by her storytelling, and gives you that much-needed familiarity, that is half the battle won. I think Lauren Carr has always been that author for me. I get in tune with the style within a few pages, and then just read on without pauses.
As far as 'detective thrillers' go, the Mac Faraday series uses a similar premise differently, making the reader take a pause before choosing the protagonist as the most dependable, best character of the series. This might also be my notion because I'd previously read other books from this series, and it is like watching the ninth episode of the show, and knowing the character arc of some major characters and then coming back to the first episode to see how it all began.
The scene is set, the mystery is afoot, the detective is in place, (albeit a bit reluctantly) and the story has nothing preventing it from going full steam ahead. Be it with the helpful Archie or the (endearingly) roguish dog Gnarly, or the lead Faraday who is reluctant about the whole set up but eventually (grudgingly) ends up getting into the game, all of Lauren's characters have their own voices and choices, and if you are a seasoned reader, you already have your favourites. Though these are standalone, a series means that characters do continue in books and having seen the evolved versions of them you are hyper aware, and often pleasantly surprised about, their 'beginnings'.
It's Murder, My Son is that book which will be your must read if you are a Mac Faraday series (or a Lauren Carr) fan. The mystery was intriguing, even more so because of the reveal. The writing comfortably paced, the story interestingly delivered, and the book remaining a treat for the readers.
To read reviews, please visit Lauren Carr's page on iRead Book Tours.
Buy It's Murder My Son:
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Enter the Giveaway!
Ends July 6, 2019
Thank you so much for the Fantastic Review for It's Murder, My Son! it is thrilling to see that you enjoyed this first installment in the Mac Faraday mysteries! I'm sure your followers will enjoy these thrilling mysteries as well. Here's wishing each one luck in the giveaway for the Amazon Gift Card.
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