Thursday, April 3, 2008

Kill Me If You Can-Nicole Young

Kill Me If You Can
Nicole Young
Revell, Apr 2008, $13.99
ISBN: 9780800731588

Patricia “Tish” Amble fixes up dilapidated old houses to sell. Her last “Bring it back to life” project was a rundown Victorian in Rawlings, Michigan that she felt would make a perfect setting for Halloween, but proved more frightening when she almost was murdered (see LOVE ME IF YOU MUST). Needing a respite, she goes to her family summer cabin in Northern Michigan where she spent many joyous childhood summers; she figures she will fix the place up while there.

However, Tish is stunned to find a torn photo of her late mother with the words "Don't ask why" written across her face. Deciding the time to bring ghosts to rest is now. Tish is determined to investigate the murder of her mother over two decades ago. As she makes inquiries in the nearby town and amongst her strange relatives, Tish places herself in danger from someone who wants the past kept secret.

The second Patricia Amble mystery is an enjoyable amateur sleuth family drama in which each clue that Tish uncovers about her mom’s murder leads to several questions about her family. Tish is a terrific lead protagonist who holds the plot together yet each time she (and readers) think they know what happened; the clue implodes into a plausible entertaining twist. Fans will appreciate Tish's investigation into her mother’s murder that leads her in dealing with her estrange family and their friends.

Harriet Klausner

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