Murder In Los Lobos-Sue McGinty

Murder In Los Lobos
Sue McGinty
Fithian Press, Oct 2008, $14.95
ISBN: 9781564744777

In Los Lobos, California, the murder of affluent Connie Mercado has shook up the already divided community. Before someone pushed her car with her inside off a cliff overlooking the Pacific, residents were heatedly arguing whether to convert the Mercado estate into a conservatory or a regional wastewater treatment plant.

Former nun turned obit writer for the Central Coast Chronicle, Bella Kowalski has no doubt her friend was murdered over the land usage; Bella, having strongly protested against the sewage plant, was forced off the road just before the homicide occurred. Over the objection of her spouse Mike, a former big city cop with a heart proble. Bella considers investigating the homicide. She makes up her mind when the police deem Mike a viable suspect.

This is an engaging relevant regional amateur sleuth that focuses on the debate between nature and development that is in the news today with the oily dig mantra. The dispute drives the story line, but Connie keeps it focused (with help from Mike and their dog Sam). Sub-genre fans will appreciate Sue McGinty’s fine whodunit although readers will know which side of the argument she supports.

Harriet Klausner