It’s a bittersweet reunion for Mac Faraday when members of his former homicide squad arrive at the Spencer Inn. While it is sweet to attend the wedding of a late colleague’s daughter, it is a bitter reminder that the mother of the bride had been the victim of a double homicide.The brutal slaying weighing heavy on his mind, Mac is anxious to explore every avenue for a break in the cold case—even a … case—even a suggestion from disgraced former detective Louis Gannon that one of their former friends is the killer.
When the investigator is brutally slain, Mac Faraday rips open the cold case with a ruthless determination to reveal which of his friends is a cold-blooded murderer.
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Crimes Past is the thirteenth installment from Lauren Carr’s series, Mac Faraday Mystery. This time Mac Faraday and his crew meet again at the Spencer Inn for a friend’s wedding of their daughter. Mac is reminded of the cold case murder of the bride’s mother. A colleague tells Mac that the killer is closer than he thinks. When that colleague is, too, murdered, Mac finds himself determined to find out who is the murderer and who he can and can not trust.
I have loved Lauren Carr’s mysteries and Crimes Past is no different. Though, I believe this one can be read as a stand alone, it may be best for a reader to read the first in the series to get a little bit of a back story with Mac Faraday. I found that the plot was no way predictable. I was left guessing on how it would all end and enjoyed the twists and turns that I did not expect. I do love Mac Faraday as a character and admired his investigative skills to solve the case, however no character beats that highly intelligent canine, Gnarly. He is so funny.
I am giving Crimes Past a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy good laughs and entertaining murder mysteries. I, also, recommend the audio version for those who enjoy a fabulous performance by and entertaining narrator.
Crimes Past is a fabulous read that should not be missed! Well done, Miss Carr, well done!
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
A mystery within a mystery, when a cold case impacts present day. Who commits a murder (double homicide) at a gathering of law enforcement personnel? Someone who believes they can get away with it. Logic suggests it must be one of their own kind.
Sixteen years later the killer has still not been caught. The murders are unresolved. Mac Faraday can not forget.
If you have not been introduced to the mind of Lauren Carr, settle in with your attention undivided. You need to focus to detect the clues and keep the relationships in line.
This book delivers all you want in a crime novel and more. Humor keeps it from being over the top dark, but that doesn’t mean this will be an easy read or listen.
I love how the relationships between the characters are so well developed. Gnarly, everyone’s favorite character has some four legged (or is that sixteen) competition for the dog lovers this time. Don’t you know, every politician has secrets in their shadow.
So much happens in this book and I’m hard pressed to not spoil it for you when sharing my review.
Lauren gives you a mystery within a mystery, more suspects than you can shake a stick at, a cold case, and a cast of characters that will charm your pants off. Well, maybe not literally.
Mac Faraday feels guilty about not solving the murder of two police officers,, gunned down on their wedding day sixteen years ago. He made a promise to one of the murdered officer’s young daughter’s and he plans to keep it even now. So, when the daughter is set to be married, he offer’s up his five star resort for the ceremony and invites all of the people from that long ago wedding to attend. Surely he can find and nail down the killer.
Well, I sure didn’t see the killer coming. Lauren had me hopping from one likely suspect to the next. I’d feel like this one did it, then that one did it. When several more murders occurred, I gave up and let the author reveal things for me. I was having so much fun with other things and I just went with the flow.
As usual the characters are plenty and the author does this handy thing at the beginning of the book. She lists all of the main players and how they connect to each other, even the four legged ones. I do confess, I’m always excited when Mayor Gnarly shows up. Yes, he’s the mayor and a darn good one when he’s not stealing cell phones from purses or the food from your plate. He’s a hundred pound German Shepherd, a hero and a lovable scamp. He stole my heart the first time I met him and still has it.
Being familiar with how Lauren springs surprises, I couldn’t wait to see what she offered up this time. There’s some doozies. She managed to make me feel giddy as each one was revealed. If I wasn’t holding the book to read it, I’d be clapping my hands.
Another fun, exciting mystery from Lauren that will have you using your brain pan. If you’ve read her books before, you’ll have fun settling in with these characters again. If you haven’t, jump in and meet them. You’ll be comfortable soon enough.
Another fun Faraday!!! Keep going
This is the thirteenth in the Mac Faraday series. I’ve read all 13 and this author really knows how to twist a plot. Oh, and did I mention the mayor of the town is a German Shepherd named Gnarly? He is a hoot and a major character. Each book in the series can be a stand-alone read. The author includes a list and description of the cast of characters to keep the reader from getting confused as this book has quite a few characters. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
Lauren Carr supplies a cast of characters that have me eating out of their hands. I loved the opening paragraph that had me chuckling to myself. I love April’s humorous, sexy day dreaming while she’s hovering over the dead bodies.
Who would walk into a hotel filled with cops and kill a couple of them? And how?
All that was in the prologue and I do enjoy a good prologue. Sets the hook and reels me in.
A cover up? Hide a body? Doesn’t sound like the Mac Faraday I know. BUT…
Mayor Gnarly has his ups and downs. From cornering a cat and paying the price, to a book launch party. I love the kleptomaniac. The scene put a smile on my face. He has become, maybe always was, a prima donna, a diva. Can a male be a diva? Can a diva be canine?
Archie and Mac got ‘detoured’ as they dressed for the party, or should I say…undressed..and a hilarious scene ensued. LOL I can so easily picture it.
I love the murder mysteries, there are plenty to go around, but my primary concern is for Gnarly. What does that say about me? That I am more worried about what could happen to Gnarly than the dead humans. I’m angry for him, but I can’t help but laugh at the situation.
Lauren has me laughing and smiling through the entire book. Gnarly is a favorite of mine, no doubt about it.
The body’s keep falling and the mysteries grow.
Picture This: two humans, one German Shepherd, four Corgis, spying on the neighbor out the window.
“…Gnarly’s groupies.” Cracked me up!
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Crimes Past by Lauren Carr
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