Book Review
Sharpe Shooter by Lisa B. Thomas
Book 1: Cozy Suburbs Mystery Series
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: March 19, 2015
Format: Paperback - 202 pages
Kindle - 3996 KB
ISBN: 978-1514114346
ASIN: B00UZLDFYW
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: Cozy Suburbs Mystery Series
Book 1: Sharpe Shooter
Book 2: Sharpe Edge
Book 3: Sharpe Mind
Book 4: Sharpe Turn (Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2016)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
Book Description:
Burned-out high school teacher Deena Sharpe is ready for a change. She has no idea a fifty-year-old murder case is about to turn her life upside down.
The Perry County Sheriff’s office has found a skeleton in the closet…literally. When they identify the man’s body fifty years after his disappearance, his family turns to Deena to uncover the truth about his murder. The clock begins ticking when she discovers a mysterious writer is about to implicate the victim in his latest conspiracy theory book. She must channel her inner super-sleuth to solve the puzzle and protect her family name. With the help of her off-beat brother and others from the cozy town of Maycroft, Texas, Deena takes on a quest that leads to more questions than answers.
Sharpe Shooter is the first book in the Cozy Suburbs Mystery Series. With antique shopping, car chases, and ghosts in the night, the story will keep you guessing as you follow Deena on her quest for the truth.
Book Excerpt:
Perhaps I should have had a plan before setting myself
up to be fired, Deena Sharpe thought as her eyes traveled around the empty
classroom. Thriving just days earlier with busy teenagers, so alive that their
youth spilled over into the hallway, the room now seemed like an empty tomb
awaiting a sarcophagus.
The tap-tap-tap
sound coming down the hallway meant Janice Marshall, the assistant principal,
was ready for Deena to vacate the building. No one likes the screeching of
fingernails on a chalkboard, but most teachers at Maycroft High School would
have chosen it any day over the incessant sound of those clicking heels. Like I
always say, Deena thought as the annoyance grew louder, there is something fishy
about a woman who can stand on her feet all day in high heels. She is not to be
trusted.
Luckily, she would never again have to endure Ms.
Marshall’s condescension or shoes.
“How much longer are you going to be, Mrs. Sharpe?”
She stood in the doorway as though entering might actually infect her with
cooties.
“Oh, just a bit longer.” Deena relished her
intentional vagueness. Using her gooiest Southern drawl, she added, “You don’t
have to wait for me, dear.”
Ms. Marshall smirked, leaned against the door frame
as if she herself were the very foundation of the building, and began occupying
herself on her cell phone.
Standing over her desk, the perch from which she
ruled her flock, Deena slowed her movements, accomplishing two goals: savoring
the moment and bugging her watchman. “Is this how you deal with all teachers
when they leave this school? Are you worried I might steal this stapler?” She
held it up as a visual aid.
Ms. Marshall rolled her eyes. “No, but this is a special circumstance.”
Still holding the heavy black stapler, Deena
contemplated bashing her in the head or shoving it somewhere else. She
envisioned the headline in the Northeast
Texas Tribune: Ex-Journalism Teacher Bludgeons Assistant Principal with
Swing Master II.
She dropped it in the box she was filling to take
home.
Deena envisioned herself as Lara Croft: Tomb
Raider—always ready to fight the good fight. She called it her Walter Mitty
Complex. In her mind, she would kick butt and take names; in reality, she would
step aside and apologize. Still, she was always looking for ways to unleash her
inner Lara. She even took karate at one time but gave up when she got walloped
by a six-year-old warrior princess.
Now, surrendering her classroom keys to the
principal’s chief stooge seemed like waving a white flag on her career. She
still managed a pained, melancholy smile as she headed out of room 106 and down
the hallway for the last time. Surprisingly, she felt no sense of relief, her
stomach queasy, her chest tight. Instead, she felt the same foreboding she got
every year on the eve of the first day of school.
My Book Review:
In Sharpe Shooter, author Lisa B. Thomas weaves an intriguing cozy mystery tale that easily draws the reader into ex-teacher turned amateur sleuth Deena Sharpe's adventure when she tries to uncover the fifty year old cold case mystery behind her late Uncle Matthew's unexplained disappearance and murder, when his skeleton is discovered in the closet of the Perry County Sheriff's Office. Deena takes the reader along on her amateur sleuth adventure as she tries to clear her family's name and uncover the truth behind her uncle's murder.
This captivating and fast-paced whodunit tale has enough quirky characters, witty humor, drama, intriguing twists and turns, and conspiracy theories that will keep you guessing. Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the story takes place in rural Maycroft, Texas, a picturesque southern town with a lot of heart and charm. The description of the town and its residents was simply wonderful, there's nothing better than down home country charm and living.
This entertaining cozy mystery tale will keep you engaged as you turn the pages following along with Deena's investigative adventure, and you can't help but get caught up in the drama and calamity that ensues as she tries to solve her uncle's murder. Deena's story unfolds with a wonderful balance of comedy, drama, and suspense that easily kept me guessing, and left me wanting more.
Sharpe Shooter is a riveting cozy murder mystery that will engage you to join in the crazy adventures and trials and tribulations that occur, while providing you with a dose of good ol' southern charm and humor.
Sharpe Shooter is the first book in the Cozy Suburbs Mystery Series.
RATING: 4 STARS
About The Author
With two grown children out of the nest, I live a quiet life with my husband and Peekapoo puppy. Besides writing, I enjoy my grandchildren, photography, traveling, and antiquing (aka. buying and selling used junk). Like my main character, Deena, I have an antique booth and enjoy treasure hunting and reselling vintage finds.
Author Website
Goodreads
Contest Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Virtual Book Tour
Tour Schedule:
June 22 – FictionZeal – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
June 23 – Deal Sharing Aunt – INTERVIEW
June 24 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
June 25 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST
June 26 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 27 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 28 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
June 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
This is new to me...I love discovering new reads. I am a 'retired' teacher and so I understand the need for changes, but investigating skeletons in the closet? Yeah! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen, thank you for visiting my blog. This is a new series and author for me too. :)
DeleteHi Ashley, thank you for stopping by my blog. This is a new author and series for me, and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. I really enjoyed reading Sharpe Shooter, and I look forward to reading more books in this series. :)
ReplyDelete