In The Spirt of Murder (A Silver Dagger Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: Indian Run is a minuscule South Central Florida town where violence is rare. The last major incident occurred four years ago when a barroom brawl erupted. There is no need for a high profile big city detective but the Chief of Police still hires Claudia Hershey because he believes her presence on the force will stop the town council from merging his department with the county sheriff. Claudia, a victim of burnout, signs a one-year contract, not realizing the isolated townsfolk will not accept strangers in their midst. Thus Claudia and her daughter are ignored whenever possible.

That situation changes when someone kills spiritualist and medium Donna Overton. The victim's face was battered into a bloody pulp. The night before she was brutally killed, Donna attended a Halloween Party hosted by a junior high school teacher. She conducted a séance that was so good (just see the tapes the police possess) that Claudia believes she spooked someone into thinking the medium had incriminating evidence. Claudia's inquiries begin immersing her deep into her new community, but she knows a killer is still free.

IN THE SPIRIT OF MURDER is a colorful, down home and atmospheric mystery. Readers who enjoy a police procedural cozy will find Silver Dagger's second offering to be a delightful read that is filled with action under every bush but almost totally void of gore. Laura Belgrave creates a cerebral story line that provides clues along the way so that the fan can put the puzzle pieces together to try to solve this pleasing who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced fun in Florida!
Review: Laura Belgrave has introduced a character who will more for Florida than the 'Seminoles','Gators' and 'Caines'and without all the head butting. Claudia Hershey is a compelling character whose sense of justice reaches far beyond the streets of Cleveland and into a small Florida town, supposedly free of all those big city troubles. Laura Belgrave spins the kind of story that mystery enthusiasts crave while sitting up and reading by a nightlight, listening to the quiet calm of night and hoping the story doesn't end. It is a smashing debut of both author and character! More Claudia Hershey mysteries have to be on the immediate horizon and I can hardly wait!

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced fun in Florida!
Review: Laura Belgrave has introduced a character who will more for Florida than the 'Seminoles','Gators' and 'Caines'and without all the head butting. Claudia Hershey is a compelling character whose sense of justice reaches far beyond the streets of Cleveland and into a small Florida town, supposedly free of all those big city troubles. Laura Belgrave spins the kind of story that mystery enthusiasts crave while sitting up and reading by a nightlight, listening to the quiet calm of night and hoping the story doesn't end. It is a smashing debut of both author and character! More Claudia Hershey mysteries have to be on the immediate horizon and I can hardly wait!

Rating:
Summary: Action-packed!
Review: Offers a superb weaving of a superior plot line with an intriguing cast of characters. The authenticity of the suspects leaves you guessing to the last minute about whodunit! The characters are well developed and you truly get to know the inner workings of the main character, Claudia Hershey. She's the kind of person you want to follow through additional ingenious plots in what will hopefully be a series of sequels. Write on!

Rating:
Summary: Action-packed!
Review: This book was so good I read it in one sitting. A fast-paced story and one heckuva lady cop. Claudia Hershey gets my vote for best new character on the mystery scene. I liked seeing Florida through her eyes and watching her nail the bad guy. A brave, smart, and very real character. Highly recommended.