Howell, Roger Lynn

Once readers get past a housewife with no police experience knowing how to investigate a murder, this first book in a proposed series is a good, well-written story. There are twists and turns, several plausible suspects, and a satisfying conclusion. More police procedural than cozy mystery, Howell’s (The Reclamation; The Magpies’ Song) novel is for fans of strong women characters, historical mysteries, and good investigative techniques.