Green Mountain Murder

Rating:
Summary: Leaves the reader wanting more
Review: American Literary Press began business as a book bindery in 1947, when, incidently, type was set by hand. Now ALP offers a quality product to first-time authors who want to present a polished product to the public.

Green Mountain Murder begins on Route 5 in Vermont, with Sam Whittaker and Bernie Sakoris picking up a bedraggled woman named Myrtle Fritz on the highway. Myrtle was drunk and confused, and the next morning Bernie informs Sam that Myrtle's husband, Bud, has been found brutally murdered. Sam answers Chief Bently McIllmurray's summons for an interview the same day, and is pleasantly surprised when the Chief's Cousin, Kicksie Brennan, breezes in to the station to help with the investigation. Kicksie is from Boston and is helping out her cousin. She is drop-dead gorgeous and sparks fly when Sam lays eyes on her for the first time. She is also an excellent cop:

"'Homicides. That's all I do mainly. Some robbery and some assault, but primarily homicide.' She paused briefly. 'In fact I just got handed a new case when I left. Hated leaving right then, but it always seems to happen that way. Just have to juggle it with the one here. But to answer your question, about the pictures, I suppose sometimes my work bothers me, especially when there's a child involved.' She paused as if she were going to elaborate, but then thought better of it. 'I've been with the Boston P.D. For about twenty years, so I should be used to it by now.'"

Sam and Kicksie hook up, and Kicksie "shows him the ropes." Predictably, a romance blossoms as the case takes on even more sinister dimensions involving abuse, corruption of the clergy, and tragedy surrounding Myrtle. Green Mountain Murder is a folksy, and at the same time sophisticated, first effort from Ms. Henryk. She leaves the reader wanting more, which is the goal of any literary effort, and she isn't afraid to tackle a controversial plot.

Green Mountain Murder is another example of the world of "publish by demand" yielding some very interesting results in a market that craves new and original talent.

Shelley J. Glodowski, Reviewer