Helpful Score: 4
I enjoyed all of Ledbetter's "Direction" mysteries, so I was looking forward to this book. This...not so much. I felt like it was written by someone with ADD, didn't much care for the protagonists, and finished it with a sigh of relief.
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent. I do enjoy that this author has written a book with "thinking" heroines.
Helpful Score: 1
VERY GOOD
Helpful Score: 1
this was my first book by this author and I will be seeking more.
fine amateur sleuth romance , September 1, 2004
Following a divorce from Stuart and the loss of her job as an assistant director of the tech-services department of a Kansas City firm, Zoey Jones accompanied by her fourteen years old daughter Claire returns to her hometown of Blytheville, Missouri. She works at her uncle's bar feeling like the cheese in a sandwich as she struggles with the rebellion of her teen, the interference and "raids" of her home improvement mom and the failing health of her dad.
Detective Lieutenant Hank Westlake persuades Zoey to go out with him. However, their first date since she left for college years ago turns ugly when her father is arrested for the murder of Marlowe and the robbery of convenience stores. Though the evidence is overwhelming, Zoey refuses to believe that her dad, a kind veterinarian, could do these felonies. She begins her own inquiries only to find the proof getting increasingly stronger that her father did the deeds even as she falls in love with the cop that will put him away for life.
Though the motive seems on the surface way out even with our failed health care system, amateur sleuth romance readers will treasure this fine tale due to a powerful caring cast. The story line moves out on two subplots: the investigation (unofficial and official) and the romance with both intertwining through the relationship (at times dysfunctional) between Zoey and Hank. Few, if any, writers are better than Suzan Ledbetter at staying AHEAD OF THE GAME with interesting novels that grip the audience from start to finish.
Following a divorce from Stuart and the loss of her job as an assistant director of the tech-services department of a Kansas City firm, Zoey Jones accompanied by her fourteen years old daughter Claire returns to her hometown of Blytheville, Missouri. She works at her uncle's bar feeling like the cheese in a sandwich as she struggles with the rebellion of her teen, the interference and "raids" of her home improvement mom and the failing health of her dad.
Detective Lieutenant Hank Westlake persuades Zoey to go out with him. However, their first date since she left for college years ago turns ugly when her father is arrested for the murder of Marlowe and the robbery of convenience stores. Though the evidence is overwhelming, Zoey refuses to believe that her dad, a kind veterinarian, could do these felonies. She begins her own inquiries only to find the proof getting increasingly stronger that her father did the deeds even as she falls in love with the cop that will put him away for life.
Though the motive seems on the surface way out even with our failed health care system, amateur sleuth romance readers will treasure this fine tale due to a powerful caring cast. The story line moves out on two subplots: the investigation (unofficial and official) and the romance with both intertwining through the relationship (at times dysfunctional) between Zoey and Hank. Few, if any, writers are better than Suzan Ledbetter at staying AHEAD OF THE GAME with interesting novels that grip the audience from start to finish.
A woman moves back home after a divorce, and later her father is arreseted for murder.She begins her own investigation.
After her life was downsized by a divorce and a pink slip, Zoey Jones moved back home to Blytheville, Missouri. Now tending bar at her uncle's watering hole, Zoey is working overtime to keep her rebellious teenage daughter and her eccentric parents out of trouble.
Naturally, Blytheville's sexy top cop Hank Westlake picks this time to start rekindling old fires. But their tentative first date is a bust--literally-- when Hank is forced to book Zoey's own father for murder. Sure, Charlie has been acting strange lately, but could he rally be the bumbling burglar behind three convenience-store robberies? Actually yes... but he had a very good reason. And did he murder clerk Joe Donny in cold blood? No. Not a chance.
Determined to find the real killer, Zoey begins her own investigation, knowing that in life, and in love, it's good to stay on your toes and ahead of the game.
Naturally, Blytheville's sexy top cop Hank Westlake picks this time to start rekindling old fires. But their tentative first date is a bust--literally-- when Hank is forced to book Zoey's own father for murder. Sure, Charlie has been acting strange lately, but could he rally be the bumbling burglar behind three convenience-store robberies? Actually yes... but he had a very good reason. And did he murder clerk Joe Donny in cold blood? No. Not a chance.
Determined to find the real killer, Zoey begins her own investigation, knowing that in life, and in love, it's good to stay on your toes and ahead of the game.
Life is easier with a good pair of running shoes. After her life was downsized by a divorce and a pink slip, Zoey Jones moved back home to Blytheville, Missouri. Now tending bar at her uncle's watering hole, Zoey is working overtime to keep her rebellious teenage daughter and her eccentric parents out of trouble.
From back cover.
From back cover.
After her life was downsized by a divorce and a pink slip, Zoey Jones moved back home to Blytheville, Missouri. Now tending bar at her uncle's watering hole, Zoey is working overtime to keep her rebellious teenage daughter and her eccentric parents out of trouble
After her life was downsized by a divorce and a pink slip, Zoey Jones moved back home to Blytheville, Missouri. Now tending bar at her uncle's watering hole, Zoey is working overtime to keep her rebellious teenage daughter and her eccentric parents out of trouble.
Naturally, Blytheville's sexy top cop Hank Westlake picks this time to start rekindling old fires. But their tentative first date is a bust literally when hank is forced to book Zoey's own father for murder. Sure, Charlie has been acting strange lately, but could he really be the bumbling burglar behind three convenience-store robberies? Actually, yes. . .but he has a very good reason. And did he murder clerk Joe Donny in cold blood? No. Not a chance.
Determined to find the real killer, Zoey begins her own investigation, knowing that in life, and in love, it's good to stay on your toes and ahead of the game.
Naturally, Blytheville's sexy top cop Hank Westlake picks this time to start rekindling old fires. But their tentative first date is a bust literally when hank is forced to book Zoey's own father for murder. Sure, Charlie has been acting strange lately, but could he really be the bumbling burglar behind three convenience-store robberies? Actually, yes. . .but he has a very good reason. And did he murder clerk Joe Donny in cold blood? No. Not a chance.
Determined to find the real killer, Zoey begins her own investigation, knowing that in life, and in love, it's good to stay on your toes and ahead of the game.
