by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of either the first or second book in this series or Cold Conviction, in either print or ebook (winner’s choice), and a link to purchase the new book.

Aspen Adams used to be a therapist. After the suicide of a patient, she quit her job, moved to Lake Tahoe, and worked for her Aunt Max. Max is a private investigator so Aspen started out with basic ‘you’ve been served’ work and now is a private investigator herself.

Aspen’s parents were murdered fourteen years ago after returning home unexpectedly. Her sister Rosie, a wild child into drugs and who’d stolen from their home before, was a suspect but had an alibi. Now Rosie confesses to Aspen that there were things she didn’t tell at the time. Rosie is about to come unglued, just when she as she’s finally making progress. Aspen decides it’s time to investigate the murders herself.

She’ll have to be on guard about what she finds. Not everything is as she remembers it. The detectives involved have retired or died, items she remembers are not in the storage locker, and most of all, everyone has an agenda and secrets.

Nick, Aspen’s boyfriend, is able to drive with her to her old hometown but can’t stay. While it would be good to have his police experience, working on her own lets her pace herself as she absorbs the facts of her parent’s lives and deaths.

The mystery is more than the identity of the killer. Aspen’s parents and grandparents also had secrets that are bound to come out. Because finding the secrets means she’s getting close to the killer, it also means she can’t investigate in bits and pieces but has to go all in, for Rosie’s sake and her own.

This is the third book in the series. Aspen is now a full-fledged investigator, has a loving man in her life, is raising her sister’s teenage daughter, and has basically reinvented herself. Finding closure about the murders is bound to lead to more changes in all their lives. Readers will be anxious to see what lies ahead.

To enter to win a copy of one of the first two books in this series (Desolate Shores or Fan Mail) or the latest book Cold Conviction, in either ebook or print, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “conviction,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 9, 2021. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. BE AWARE THAT IT WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL FOR WINNERS TO GET THEIR BOOKS DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS & BE SURE TO STATE WHICH BOOK YOU WANT AND WHETHER YOU WANT PRINT OR EBOOK.

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You can use this link to purchase this book from indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy, and KRL gets a portion of the sale:

Cold Conviction

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Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s editor for Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of the ’60s, with twenty-two cozy stories. She also edited A Murder of Crows, twenty-one stories featuring animals and crime (no animals were harmed). She also writes for magazines, newsletters, and the occasional guest blog. Both anthologies are available at the usual outlets, print or ebook.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

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