Murder at Luna Lake

Blue Ridge Mountain Cozy Mysteries, Book 1

By: Cathy Pickens

Narrated by: Tiffany Morgan

WELCOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA, WHERE THE HOSPITALITY IS WARM AND THE MURDER IS STONE-COLD.

Attorney Avery Andrews has returned to her humdrum hometown of Dacus, South Carolina, leaving her job at a powerful law firm in the rearview mirror. But with her Donna Karan suits she's struggling to fit back in. Is it still a place she's able to call home now that she's swapped her prestigious clients for high school bullies and formidable aunts?

She finds sanctuary in her grandfather's cabin on Luna Lake until police arrive to investigate a mysterious rumor. But more than secrets lie beneath the dark surface of Luna Lake . . .

A body is pulled out of the murky waters and Avery finds herself drawn into the investigation.

She soon discovers that her hometown is a hotbed of murder and secrets—and she is at the center of it. But can Avery uncover the killer before anyone else gets hurt?

This southern cozy murder mystery is perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Karen MacInerney, Katie Gayle, and Faith Martin.

©2023 Cathy Pickens (P)2023 Tantor

Previously Published

First of all this book was previously published under the title "Southern Fried" in 2004. It makes the scenes where the heroine needs change for a pay phone and frustration at the lack of a car phone much more understandable. The narrator does a good job and I would not have a problem listening to another book she has done. What I would not do again however is read another book by this author. The cover is very deceptive, it leads you to believe it is a stereotypical cozy and that couldn't be further than the truth. Several mentions of male genitalia, crass words and talking about nailing a woman to a tree (in the literal sense) among other disgusting things were deal breakers. I totally understand the gallows humor of one of the cops but that is completely different. This is a perfect example why no matter how cheap the books are you read the first one before buying the series. The story started out fine but as the book progressed so did the loathsome behaviors. I did skip to the end to find the perpetrator but I had already figured it out even before I stopped reading.