Destroying Angels (Five Star First Edition Mystery Book #1)
by: Gail Lukasik
Published by: Five Star
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Stephanie Boyd
Leigh Girard, a recent cancer survivor, moved to Egg Harbor, Wisconsin to start a new life for herself. She has retired from teaching, left her husband, and taken a new job with the “Door County Gazette” as a journalist. Her first assignment is to write a simple expose on the life of Carl Peck, a local restoration craftsman, for the obituary column.
But while talking to the family and researching Carl Peck’s past achievements, it becomes clear to Leigh that Carl didn’t die of natural causes and was actually murdered. Then Leigh discovers that despite the local opinion that murders don’t happen in Door County, there was another murder twenty years ago that may be linked to the current murder of Carl Peck. Unfortunately neither the police nor the murderer appreciates Leigh’s interference.
This story isn’t an easy, light or humorous read, but it isn’t a dark or heavy story either. Leigh may have survived cancer but she is far from over the experience. She is resentful, feels emotionally and physically damaged, and is distrustful of getting close to other people. If her own body can betray her by having this cancer, then how can she depend on anyone else?
But Leigh is also caring and dedicated to finding the truth even when it means risking her life again. Leigh’s tenaciousness isn’t winning her friends; she can’t get along with at least one of her co-workers, the daughter of the man she thinks was murdered hates her for no apparent reason, the police don’t want her butting into their business, and at least one person wants her dead!
I liked Leigh from the beginning and even when she is annoying other characters in the book, I still liked her forthrightness and determination to find the truth. No matter what the townspeople think of Leigh, the author of Destroying Angels is winning over mystery readers. I am delighted with this first book of this interesting new series. If you like a well-planned mystery, filled with intrigue, evil bad guys, and heroines that are all too human, you will enjoy Destroying Angels.
Armchair Interviews says: Excellent debut novel in this series, published in 2006. See our review for 2009 newest’s effort, Death’s Door.
Author’s Website: http://www.GailLukasik.com
From our armchair to yours...
