Versed in Murder

 

Versed In Murder: A McLaren Mystery by Jo A. Hiestand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Versed in Murder might sound as if it could be a story of sinister poetry. However, it is melodies and lyrics that compose this story. McLaren’s best mate, Jamie, needs some help this time. A good friend of Jamie's, a violinist in a band, died about a year ago and Jamie was the one who found him. He might have done a little investigating of the scene before the other officers arrived. In other words, he overstepped. Overstepped enough to be given a couple of days off. Embarrassed by his lack of protocol, he really doesn’t want to admit his mistake to McLaren but needs his help enough to ‘fess up.
At her usual best in character description, the author makes us love McLaren and be furious with him too. McLaren hems and haws about helping Jamie and as soon as Jamie is out the door, Melanie is scolding him for not helping his best friend. I was mad at him, too. Silly man. He’s never like that. I was glad Melanie gave him the dickens. HA, the dickens, I must have been watching too many Andy Griffith shows. If you don’t get this aside, you need to read the Author’s Note.

A master at the mystery game, Hiestand has outdone herself with hidden hints as well as some that are right before your eyes if you pay attention. She does everything she can to throw you off balance, but is never out of tune:)

This is a quick read, as smooth as glass. I will be immensely surprised if anyone can figure out who the villain is before the author decides to tell you—another great McLaren book. Don’t miss it.

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