When Leah Norwood finds the body of Isabel Meeks in the dumpster behind her store, she can’t believe the police consider her a suspect. Sure, she didn’t liked Isabel, but then again, neither did anyone else. Isabel had a condescending attitude and a bad reputation. As manager of the antique store, Patina, she had made a lot of enemies.
There is Patina’s assistant manager, the handsome and … and charming Trent. Isabel was blackmailing him. There is Patina’s owner, the aloof and influential Anthony Thorpe. Isabel was smuggling drugs through his store. And there is the entire drug dealing Cantono family. Isabel had lost a box containing heroin from one of their shipments. That is just to name a few and didn’t even include the stranger who was seen arguing with Isabel just hours before her death.
The police have too many suspects and too many soft alibis. Leah needs to prove to the sexy new chief of police that she had nothing to do with Isabel’s death.
Leah loves a good mystery. Can she find the killer before the police arrest her for murder?
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Rating: 4.5 Stars
Leah is a business woman trying to deal amicably with her neighbors. She gets a shock that starts our mystery. If you watch a lot of the Discovery crime shows, her story would fit right in. If you like audiobooks, think of Leah as our narrator – story is told from her point of view.
Our author has created a character that doesn’t seem to be able to catch a break. But she takes it one step further by having Leah try her hand at being an amateur sleuth. We get a first hand look at her thought processes. How can you turn away now? You can’t because you want the answers to the questions that are raised.
Being that the main character is an amateur sleuth makes this tale perfect for those that like either crime fiction or the current popular cozy mysteries. It’s not a romantic suspense but her contact at the police department may have you wondering if it could be. By the ending you still won’t know so you might just have to follow the series to see if their connection will become more.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Dead in a Dumpster is an excellent start to a new series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I love her writing style. Ms. Blair has written a well-crafted whodunit that quickly became a page-turner and kept me captivated me from beginning to end. This is a well-plotted murder mystery with a great cast of realistic characters. The main character, Leah Norwood, is likeable and relatable. The story is filled with suspense and enough twists and turns to keep the reader involved. I highly recommend this fast-paced book for all readers who enjoy a good murder mystery. I’m looking forward to reading Dead in a Park, the second installment in the Leah Norwood Mystery series.
Leah Norwood is the owner of a small fragrance store, Scents and Sensibility, in downtown Reed Hill, Texas. Leah’s best friend, Olivia, creates the fragrances and Gage, handles product manufacturing and distribution. While taking out the trash at the end of the day, Leah finds the body of Isabel Meeks in the dumpster behind her store. Isabel is the manager of Patina, an antique store, located next door. Isabel isn’t very well liked, so there is no shortage of suspects. Leah recently exchanged words with Isabel and made a threatening remark that she never intended to follow through with. Now the police suspect her of committing the murder. In order to satisfy her curiosity about strange events and clear her name, Leah begins her own investigation. Chief of Police, Alexander Griggs, isn’t happy having a private citizen messing with his case. After her shop is ransacked, Leah opens up a package only to find it filled with drugs, and it becomes evident that something sinister, in addition to the murder, is going on.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.