March 2, 2026

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Book Review: It's Time for Halloween

Book Title: It's Time for Halloween
Author: Il Ritchie
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Publisher Date: July 8, 2025 (12 Pages, Board Book) - Layered View
Genres: Children, Adventure, Holiday,
Series: 
An ode to Halloween and the joys of trick or treating, this colorful, chunky, die-cut board book is a work of art meant to be displayed face-out on nursery bookshelves.

“A gentle introduction to Halloween fun, this festive board book invites toddlers to spot treats, costumes, and critters in a costumed parade....Bright, interactive, and developmentally on target, this seasonal board book is an engaging choice for Halloween displays and lapsits alike.”—School Library Journal

Follow along for trick-or-treating through the neighborhood on Halloween night!

Grab your hat, vampire bat
Fill your tummy, mummy

Dress it up, little pup
Howl at the moon, big baboon

Let’s raise a scare, grizzly bear

Now we’ve made a masquerade,
A spooky Halloween parade

No matter how you scare, I don’t care,
You’re my little boo and I love you!

Every page turn reveals a new layer to Kathrin Fehrl’s adorable illustrations of kids dressed up as ghosts, pumpkins, cats, witches, mummies, and fairies, with a fun seek-and-find for each scene. Perfect for Halloween lovers of all ages, this sweet story is a celebration of one of the best times of the year.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. This is my honest review.
Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub | Mascot Books | Gibbs Smith 
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It's Time for Halloween is a decent book. I enjoyed it. This book is for babies to three-year-olds. However, I do love children's books and reviewing them. All children's books will be passed along to newborns or new parents to enjoy.


I do this with most of my board books. However, I do hold on to them for a bit or for special occasions. I read this book in a few minutes, and I really enjoyed it. The layered view as you turn the pages is a neat idea I haven't seen in a board book. I also enjoyed that one of the critters could be seen from the beginning to the end of the book.


The pictures tell the story, and you find different things on each page. Children and little ones can count for pumpkins or who has what costumes. It's all fun and learning for the little ones. There is rhyming going on throughout the book as well.


I really liked the fact that each page has you do a little bit of something different. Your child or children can count or make it so that if the child wants to learn the sounds of the different animals in the book. You can do that with this. This book is for babies to toddlers. It's great for the Fall / Autumn season or for the seasonal holiday of Halloween, which some call it.


 
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Book Review: Dead Money Run

Book Title: Dead Money Run
Author: J. Frank James
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Publisher Date: 26 Aug 2013 (290 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Series: A Lou Malloy Crime Series (#1)
Lou Malloy has just maxed out on a fifteen year prison sentence for the theft of $15 million and just before leaving prison he learns that his sister is brutally killed. As he is leaving prison, he's told to keep his nose clean or he would soon be back. As far as Malloy is concerned all bets were off until he finds his sister's killer. In the meantime, he has to fight off predators trying to get their hands on the money he stole and keep from being sent back to prison trying to protect those dear to him. He catches a break when he meets up with Hilary Kelly, a private investigator with an agenda of her own, She has been hired by the insurance company that paid on the theft claim of the money stolen from the casino by Malloy. In the course of events, Malloy and Kelly become more than just friends and Kelly decides to throw in with Malloy. Together they work to uncover exactly what happened to Malloy's sister and why. Their search involves a vicious gang led by a vengeful old man and his crazy son who has his own problems keeping his hands off other women. To make matters worse, Malloy and Kelly's search is complicated by the fact that Malloy's sister was really a special agent with the Department of Home Land Security and she was working undercover when she was killed trying to locate the whereabouts of special plates to produce counterfeit currency that if the plates ended up in the wrong hands, whole banking systems of major foreign countries could collapse overnight. As Malloy and Kelly race to find the killer of Malloy's sister, they enlist the help of Crusher, a pro wrestler who served in the cell next to Malloy at the Atlanta Penitentiary. The decision is made for Malloy and company to hit the same casino again that Malloy robbed fifteen years ago by a special ops unit of the Department of Homeland Security. The plan is complicated by the fact that the ops unit is phony setup led by a former agent turned rouge who is backed by another vicious gang with international contacts intent on getting their hands on the missing money plates. Malloy decides to go through with the heist of the casino a second time, but on a different schedule than planned. If they don't make it they have no way to return to the real world. They are in a make or break it race. Read as they race to the finish line and learn if this where the run ends or the run begins....
Disclaimer: I received a free Copy from the publisher and from the author for an honest review

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We are introduced to Lou. Why is he in prison for something he did? But why did they decide to rob a casino and not return the money to us beyond me?
We seem to get an adventure with many different folks. It starts with wanting to find out who and why his sister was killed.

Why does everyone want the money? Or is it something else that they want?
There seem to be quite a few dead bodies along the way.  Someone seems to be cleaning up his messes. Who wants Lou dead? Why do they want the money? Though there seems to be another plot going on, it seems that someone keeps coming after Lou.
That person seems to think he knows this tech or has it or something. Though Lou seems to have found a woman as well, and maybe a little romance come about. What will happen to him and the young woman he first meets?
Will he solve the mystery of how his sister was killed? Why was she killed?

 
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March 1, 2026

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Book Review: An Invitation to Mystery

Book Title: An Invitation to Mystery
Author: Lauren Carr
Publisher:  Independently Published
Publisher Date: 2026 (84 Pages, Ebook)
Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Murder Mystery, Novella,
Series: Deep Creek Detectives Club #1
A cryptic invitation arrives at the homes of Lauren Carr's most beloved detectives: an all-expenses-paid weekend of luxury at the five-star Spencer Inn—penthouse suites, black-tie dinners, and Sunday brunch included. It sounds too good to be true… or like the world’s most elaborate time-share trap.
Mac Faraday, Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, Joshua Thornton and Cameron Gates, and Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday can’t resist. But this isn’t a vacation.

Mac has founded an exclusive club for the sharpest minds he knows—and their first challenge is to help a retired captain finally solve the forty-year-old murder that has haunted him since his very first case.
Over gourmet meals, spring gardens, and one chaotic dog-led treasure hunt, rivalries flare, old secrets surface, and a single silk scarf reveals a betrayal no one saw coming.


Packed with Lauren Carr’s signature humor, heart, and four-legged mischief, An Invitation to Mystery is the debut novella in the exclusive Deep Creek Detectives Club series—where luxury meets cold justice, and the past refuses to stay buried.


This limited novella series is for Mystery Lovers and Detective Club members only--with 2 novellas released per year! (Detective Club members receive each new release one month before Mystery Lovers!)

Disclaimer: I received this book as a member of her street team and a Detective Member. This is my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
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We learn that a few couples have been invited to the Spencer Inn. But why? What only a few select members.

This brought together all my favorite characters for marking.  If you haven't read any of the series by Lauren Carr, you are missing out. Each series is done wonderfully. I have a favorite from each. Once again, they came together for a mysterious gathering.

Will they solve it together, or won't they? What mayhem will the dogs get into?

What lovely adventures and discussions await? Will couples enjoy themselves and make friends? Will there be more of these detective clubs gathering in the future? Can they figure out the clues and put them together, and give the caption some peace of mind?
They seem to be talking about a case while enjoying some downtime. They all seem to be getting frustrated, angry, and tearing each other apart over it. It seems there are no clues.

Did Doris give one because the murderer had shared a grapefruit with someone?

But maybe Jessica found a break in the case as to how Emily Bennett had a Ska slip scarf that was Charlotte's?

Will they find out how Emily got the silk scarf? Will it lead to more clues? 


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Book Review: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

Book Title: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
Author: Andrew Peterson
Publisher: WaterBrook Children's
Publisher Date: May 16, 2023 (304 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Dragons, Adventures
Series: The WingFeather Saga # 1
Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning. Extra features include new interior illustrations from Joe Sutphin, funny footnotes, a map of the fantastical world, inventive appendices, and fanciful line art in the tradition of the original Frank L. Baum Wizard of Oz storybooks.
Disclaimer: I bought this book for my own enjoyment to complete the series.  This is my honest review.
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We get introduced to the world, and how Fangs of Dangs are wondering about Skee?
Why are they picking up children and then never returning them? We meet the Isby family.
There are Janner, Tink [Kalmar], Lelli, their grandfather, and their mother, Nia. Where is their father? Who is their father? What adventure will they have?

We hear more snow children as they get ready for the Dragon Day festival.
Janner feels like he always has to keep looking out for his brother and sister. However, he does get to do what he wants.
His grandfather wants to tell him, but his mother doesn't want him to say anything or bring up memories. Why secrets and no truth? Though Janner knows his father's name is Esben.
 
Will the children enjoy the festival together? Janner is trying to keep his siblings nearby. Will it work?
Leeli has gone missing. This happened between sad songs and before dragons came up to start dancing.
But before Tink and Janner can watch the dragons. They had to find their sister Leeli.

Their dog Nugget seems to give a clue with his barking. Once they find Leeli and Nugget, they are in a fight with two Fangs of Dangs.
Someone may have helped the children with the two stones thrown at them.

Janner and Tink help their sister. Tanner thinks they should head for home. When they get close, they see that it's dark. Podo seems to have gone to see the dragons. They go, they take Glipper Trail.

Will they find Podo (grandfather)? Where did Podo go?
Will they find their moma with Podo? Did they go to see the dragons? Why was everything dark and no smoke, as if no one was home?

We get a dragon dance and a song that Leeli sings. But where did it come from, and how did she know it?
Fangs have caught them. March them to a jail. But what will happen to them? Will they be tortured or sent away?

Will their mother or grandfather find them? We see that the adventures are starting.
What will Igiby's children do and what adventures will they get into? Who is this mysterious stone thrower?

There seem to be secrets, and they don't seem to know why. Why is Nia not really telling the children about their father? Especially Janner.
What is their family history? What adventures will all three children have?


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Book Review: Sycamore Circle

Sycamore Circle Book Cover
Book Title: Sycamore Circle
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: 
Publisher Date: February 7, 2023 (298 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance,
Series: The Rumors in Ross County # 2
Samuel "Bo" Beauman is a lot of things. He's a counselor for transitioning ex-cons, a good friend to many, a construction worker, a brother and son, and even a part-time model for a high-end sportswear catalog. He's also a man searching for redemption. One thing he isn't is a man in need of a girlfriend.

But none of that seems to matter when Bo hears Joy's kind voice in a crowded coffee shop. He instantly knows she's someone he wants to know better. The two of them hit it off--much to the dismay of practically everyone they know--but Bo doesn't care what other people think. He feels at peace whenever he's with Joy, and he won't let her go without a fight.

There's a lot going on in Joy Howard's life. She's got an ex-husband who starts acting like he doesn't want to be an ex anymore, a sixteen-year-old daughter in need of a guiding hand and a lot of rides to dance practice, more orders for paintings than she has time to paint, and a roster of tutoring clients who sometimes need far more than she can give. What she doesn't have is time for a new relationship.

When Joy starts getting mysterious texts and phone calls from unknown numbers, she tries to ignore it. But instead of going away, the messages escalate and Joy realizes she can't handle it alone. But she is juggling a jealous ex-husband, a handful of students with little to lose, and a brand-new boyfriend who spent several years behind bars. Who can she trust?
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author for an honest review. This is my honest review.
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We are back with Lincoln and his crew. Only now do we hear about Bo's story in this next book. I wonder if we will get a few more books in this series. About Steph and maybe a few others. But I really am glad we do hear a bit about Lincoln, his wife, Jennifer, and their little one.

We meet Bo and Mason at a coffee shop. We also meet a woman named Joy.
Will Bo and Joy hit it off, or will Bo put too much information on her too fast?
We do get Lincoln mentioned once more. I would like to know if we will get a bit more on Lincoln and his wife, or at least hear about his life and whether he started a family.

We meet Chloe. So we get a more subjective perspective. We have met a boy named Finn.
Will Finn find a way out of the Amish, or will he stay Amish? Seth might be able to help, or he won't. We will see. Are Amish really strict, or are some parents harsh on their children to stay in the church?

We see more of this relationship. But there seems to be someone watching Joy. But who was texting her from an unknown number? That's creepy and strange.
These letters and phone calls seem creepy and weird. But it shouldn't be something joy needs to worry about, but is and has a right to be.




 
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January 26, 2026

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Book Review: The High Divide

Book Title: The High Divide
Author: Lin Enger
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Publisher Date: 3 September 2014 (332 Pages, Hardcover)
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Western, 1878 - 1889 Gilded Age
Series: 
In 1886, Gretta Pope wakes one morning to discover that her husband is gone. Ulysses Pope has left his family behind on the far edge of Minnesota's western prairie, with only the briefest of notes and no explanation for why he left or where he's headed. It doesn't take long for Gretta's young sons, Eli and Danny, to set off after him, following the scant clues they can find, jumping trains to get where they need to go, and ending up in the rugged badlands of Montana. Short on money and beleaguered by a treacherous landlord, Gretta has no choice but to seek out her sons and her husband as well, leading her to the doorstep of a woman who seems intent on making Ulysses her own. While out in the Western wilderness, the boys find that the closer they come to Ulysses's trail, the greater the perils that confront them--until each is faced with a choice about whom they will defend, and who they will become. Enger's breathtaking portrait of the vast plains land- scape is matched by the rich expanse of his characters' emotional terrain, as pivotal historical events--the bloody turmoil of expansionism, the near total demise of the bison herds, and the subjugation of the Plains Indians--blend seamlessly with the intimate story of a family's sacrifice and devotion.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from LibraryThing Early Readers for an honest review. This is my honest review.
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We are introduced to the family that we will be following. We are seeing Eli's point of view at the moment.
We know the boys are home, and Eli see thus father walk away? But why? Will Eli go looking for his father? Will he stay and help his mother and brother?
We seem to be seeing how each member feels or struggles when someone walks away. Will Danny and Eil keep looking for their father? Will Eli go off and leave his brother, Danny, with their mother?

Eli seems determined to go search for their father. Danny seems to have either dreams or nightmares. Are his headaches due to them?
Now there m I ther is looking for both her sons. Will she find them? What will she do if and when she finds them?

It looks like the boys are searching for their father. After finding out some information about him, they realize they do not know him. Will they decide to head back home? Will they follow, hoping to find their father? Will their father return, and will they all be together? Will it just be Gretta and her sons that remain?

What adventures does Eli go on, and will he let his father learn a lesson, or will Eli do something to help his father heal and help a man who lost his whole family? Will his father feel better?
Was his guilt too much to consider dying, and will this Magpie and his family understand, and what is the result of giving one son for another? Will the Inians see that his son might be struggling, and is that what he wanted for a son he so wanted to teach and have help hunting? Did these Indians decide that what they did would not help, or did it make more sense to see the world as it changed to?

 
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Book Review: Bound to Happen

Book Title: Bound To Happen
Author: Annie R McEwen
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books, LLC.
Publisher Date: February 4, 2025 (386 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Mystery, Time Travel, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance
Series: Bound #2
The women in her family have a history of falling in love with ghosts. Aoife’s positive she’s the exception to the rule.
She’s wrong.

Aoife ‘Fee’ Gowdie is exploring a derelict London music hall when she discovers a seventeenth century theatre below. The problem? It’s got a seventeenth century ghost in it. And he has a pet—Fee’s mouse, the one she buried that morning.

Gilbert ‘Gil’ Sorley—orphan, thief, actor, playwright—was born in 1613 and died… The jury’s still out on that. He remembers the moment. The fight, the blade, the blood. It’s been a gray wasteland since then. Until the miracle of her. And the mouse.

The old theatre has protected Gil for centuries, but now it’s slated for demolition. To stop time and death, Fee and Gil have nothing except desperate, impossible love. Is it enough?

BOUND TO HAPPEN by Annie R McEwen is perfect for fans of Discovery of Witches and Practical Magic, the A Stitch in Time books, Ghost, and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
Disclaimer: I bought this book, and this is my own honest review
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We meet up with Fee. She is about studying or researching, not playing—her flatmates help her bury her mouse.

I am curious about her parents and, if she has any, her siblings. Suppose this is the same Fee that is mentioned at the end of book one. Her name is Aoife, but friends call her "Fee". Wonder what she's doing in London and who she works for.

We meet Gil, and we see his point of view. He seems interested in a woman who was on stage. What happened to him? What caused his death and exile to a theater in London? He has come alive this year when an ung woman came to visit and explore the stage.

Fee thinks she can pass on her leaking as if it were a choice. But what if she's soul, and she really does have a choice?

Will she help Gil? Her mother warned her, but she didn't take it seriously.

Where she is now, she has to forget her family, such as her brothers and parents. However, we have some memories of her mom and Papa, and of her brother, Michael, and the twins. Will her siblings have Souler, or is it just women in the family?

It's getting more and more interesting as the story goes on. Will Fee finally know that she found her healing? Did he see her?

Why can souls travel centuries? But somewhat struggling in the 21st century with life once they run into their leeches?

Will Fee and Gil have a few children at some point? Will they be souls as well?

Will Fee free her leating? Will she join him once she does? She's trying to learn her soul's past. But is it a family business, or something else? Did her mother not get all the help, or did she not know how to bring her ghost to her, and that is why Fee and her sibling were living in Paris, France, in the 1700s?.


 
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January 10, 2026

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Book Review: Spring Thaw: A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery Novella and Other Mystery Short Stories

Book Title: Spring Thaw: A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery Novella and Other Mystery Short Stories
Author: Lauren Carr
Publisher:  Independently Published
Publisher Date: 23 October 2018 (250 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Murder Mystery, Short Stories,
Series: A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1.5
In today's hectic world, many whodunit fans don't have time to get their mystery fix diving into a whole novel. Lauren Carr's SPRING THAW AND OTHER MYSTERY SHORT STORIES is for these fans-but that doesn't mean whodunit fans who do have time can't dive in as well.

A novella, Spring Thaw features retired federal agent Chris Matheson from Lauren Carr's newest bestselling cold case series. When his late father's former friend is indicted for the seven-year-old murder of a church bishop, Chris renews old broken friendships to thaw out the cold case.

Featuring Mac Faraday from Lauren Carr's popular Mac Faraday Mysteries, an estate auction turns into a deadly affair after Gnarly's antics cause Mac to purchase a gem of a dress, which isn't his color in Killing Bid. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.) Beauty to Die For features the Lovers in Crime, Joshua Thornton, and Cameron Gates in a race against the Angel of Death to clear the name of a dying woman's son, who was framed for murdering Miss Pennsylvania. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.)

Countdown to Murder returns to the Lovers in Crime where Cameron and Joshua try to solve the murder of a young pregnant widow before it happens. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.) Mystery fans will see that every dog has his day, especially if that dog is Gnarly.

In Lucky Dog, Gnarly helps Mac Faraday to solve the murder of a wealthy society girl. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.) Dog Loving Mystery Fans will get a special treat when they read The Gnarly Rehabilitation Program. In this Gnarly Mystery Short, Bert and Ernie learn the hard way that crime does not pay when they dognap Gnarly. (Previously published as a bonus feature with A WEDDING AND A KILLING.)

Gnarly, the rambunctious German shepherd, is also featured in Lauren Carr's Christmas short, A Gnarly Christmas. It is Christmas day and Gnarly has been up to his old tricks again. Now he's in the doghouse--or rather the boathouse--after stealing the Christmas feast! Moments after Archie and Mac leave Spencer Manor, Gnarly hears a call for help from Rocky, the Maltese down the street. Four assassins for hire have invaded the home of Rocky's elderly owners. While the home invaders wait for instructions from a mysterious caller, Gnarly must plot to stop them. Can Gnarly save Christmas with only the help of an 8-pound Maltese dressed in an elf suit? (Previously published as a single short story by the same name.)

Disclaimer: I bought this book, as I am a big fan of Lauren Carr. I really wanted to read this book to catch up with all her series. This is my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want To Buy: Amazon | BH Publishing Group | Lifeway |
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Spring Thaw:
A Chris Matheson Cold Case
We are introduced to Chris and his family when we get a premonition of what is going on six years earlier.

Who came into the church and started shooting up the church while trustees were in a meeting.

Was it a trustee or was it someone else? Was it Duance McCall? Why stick it to him? Why investigate him? Why does he have a mystery that was unsolved in the case of why he cut off his family and friends when the church split?

Chris got some information about what might be going on, but not much. Though we hear Kirk and what was going on around the time of the shooting. 

Though we get more of Kelly's father's story. Why all of a sudden do we have new witnesses come about, and now a murder weapon? 

A 6-year-old cold case seems to be reopened again, but why? Is someone covering for their own family member?

Lauren Carr can do it with short stories, too.  She hooked me with this one as it was only just starting. I am only a few pages in.

Well, we get more information, and now we don't know who did it. Was bishop really the target? Lauren Carr put twists and turns even in the middle of the story. Who is lying and why?

Killing Bid:
A Mac Faraday Mystery Short 
We are introduced to Mac and Artchie through Mac's perspective, primarily through his troubles with bag snatching. 

We are also introduced to Ben and Catherine's Flemings, who are Archie's friends.

While shopping, they talked about Celeste Taylor and the Estate auction Mac was invited to. 

When they get an auction or a lease, look at the jewelry left here. Archie and Catherine come up to respect their husbands' statement that all of Celeste Taylor's jewelry is fake.

Is this true or is it not? La Chat is mentioned in the book. Did he do it or not? Who is La Chat?

A Beauty to Die For:
A Lover In Crime Mystery Short
We meet up with Joshua and Cameron. It all starts with a 2 am phone call from his cousin Tad Macmillan.

This is the start of a series of secrets. But clarify one person's name for a dying person so she can have peace. 

Who is covering up murders, but especially Rachel Burke? Who framed Billy and murdered him? But made it look like something else and cover it up?

There are twists and turns, and even more to unravel this mystery.

Cameron and Joshua seem ready to prove that the dying mother's son did not do it, but to catch the real ones? But who did we seem to have found another murder along the way? 
 

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