Book Blurb:
When Colin Brissedon arrives at work one summer morning to find his new boss murdered, all eyes turn to him. After all, the man had threatened to fire him just a few days before, and his colleagues are more than happy to tell the tale. Kathleen admits her brother is no angel, but she can’t believe he would sink this low. Fortunately for them, neither does Daniel O’Halleran, the village’s new coroner’s assistant. Of course, he needs more than his gut feeling to prove it.
But that’s not going to be an easy task, considering the victim does not appear to have been held in high regard. In fact, Daniel is hard-pressed to find anyone who did like him, though there are more than a few who had reason to wish the man dead. To make matters worse, Kathleen is intent on conducting her own investigation despite his wishes, and he fears the consequences could be deadly.
And yet, with the pieces of the puzzle laid before him, he can’t shake the feeling that something is missing, an integral clue that will tie everything else together. Will Daniel be able to find the elusive detail and discover the reason behind the gruesome murder of the prominent attorney? Or will the guilty party live to kill again?
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/EBye
Author Bio:
I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist.
Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.
You can keep track of her upcoming releases and tidbits about her books on the following sites:
Website: www.imfostermysteries.com - for her mysteries, and www.andrea-matthews.com – for her romances.
You can also find her on Facebook at IMFosterMysteries or Andrea Matthews Historical Romance.
Editorial Review:
Friday, August 19, 1904 – 7:45 a.m.
Colin Brissedon hurried down the street, trying to make some order out of the mess of waves that covered his head. Why had he stopped at that salon on the way home last night? Because you’re a complete and total rounder, that’s why. Hadn’t Mr. Brice cautioned him about coming in with another hangover?
He could still hear the man bellowing about the firm’s reputation, warning him that if he came in looking like something the cat dragged in once more, he was finished, degree from Columbia or not. That was just a week ago, and now he’d done it again. Well, maybe not to that extent, but another night like last night and he was sure to be sliding down that slope once more, right back into the cesspit he’d so recently crawled out of.
The story opens with Colin Brissedon, a man who has just received threats from his now-murdered boss, making him a figure of suspicion. This sets the stage for a mystery that is both complex and captivating. The novel's opening hook draws the reader right into the main conflict of the narrative. Foster makes a calculated decision in selecting the opening scene, building suspense and mystery from the first. This strong start guarantees that the reader will be captivated and anxious to learn the truth right away.
The plot is interesting, creating a complicated web of mystery and mistrust that leaves the reader wondering. Foster skillfully adds turns and turns to "Murder on West Main" that not only progresses the story but also adds to the mystery, making it a novel that is hard to put down.
I. M. Foster's "Mystery on West Main: A South Shore Mystery" is an intriguing addition to the mystery genre that deftly blends tension, character depth, and an engrossing plot. This book demonstrates Foster's skill at writing a narrative that grips readers from start to finish in addition to offering an intriguing mystery.
Mr. Brice sat in his expensive leather desk chair, facing the window. The shade was pulled halfway down, though it didn’t matter much since the window faced north, and only weak sunlight shone down the alley at this hour of the morning. Still, it was enough for her to see his watery green eyes were devoid of all life. She was tempted to close them, but if she’d learned anything from Daniel, it was not to alter anything at a crime scene.
She tore her eyes away from the victim’s and shivered. Aside from those in a coffin, she’d never seen a dead man before, and she hoped to never see one again. Even after her father had been killed, when she’d searched his room in an attempt to exonerate her stepbrother, his body had been covered with a sheet. She was thankful now that she had not seen him that way.
Who doesn’t love a good, old-fashioned whodunit? This story brings us that, blending with great historical settings of the early 1900s. It follows all the best patterns and tropes for the genre and brings all the suspense and energy you’d expect from a great historical sleuth mystery.
The book is professionally formatted and edited, making for a comfortable read. The careful editing demonstrates attention to detail, which makes the plot flow naturally. The way that paragraphs and chapters are organized improves the narrative's rhythm and makes the book easier to read overall. Pacing is so important in a mystery and this story does it perfectly, building up each moment as you go along.
Foster is a master at developing characters; the cast is well-rounded and has many facets. Particularly well-written characters include Kathleen, who is driven to clear her brother's name, and Daniel O'Halleran, the coroner's assistant with a sharp intuition. Their goals, anxieties, and development during the inquiry are shown in a realistic and nuanced manner, piquing the reader's curiosity, and fostering empathy.
“Well, yes. I reckon you’ll just have to interrogate her and find out.” The sergeant was grinning again, his eyes sparkling with humor, and Daniel knew the man could see right through him.
Daniel let out a long sigh and leaned back in the chair. “I’ll admit I’m attracted to the woman, but…” He rubbed his forehead.
“I know. You both have some… issues… to deal with. Don’t take too long, though, Doc. She must be at least twenty-two or so already. She’ll be too old to wed before you know it.” Daniel frowned, and the sergeant chuckled. “I heard what that little whelp had to say, fool that he is. Word is his folks want him to marry Jenny Rydel, for the same reason old Brice was being wed to Becky Cavanaugh, I reckon. Their parents want them to wed to a bit of money and off their hands. Anyone even suggests I marry my daughter off before she finds the love of her life, and I’ll send them from here to Canarsie.”
Through the well-written dialogue, we also have the opportunity to learn more about the characters, the plot, and the timeline that they are all living in. Every plot point and character development advance the plot and keeps the narrative cohesive. Foster skillfully oversees the story's several threads, making sure that everything fits together logically and cohesively. The book's immersive quality is increased by this attention to continuity.
There is a clear progression from the inciting incident to the resolution in this well-written tale arc, which is so incredibly important in a mystery. Foster expertly controls the building suspense and the mystery as it develops, creating a dramatic and gratifying climax. The human journeys provide a fitting complement to the investigation's arc, giving the narrative more depth and impact.
The book's striking descriptions, captivating dialogue, and deliberate pacing all attest to Foster's skill as a writer. The story is improved by the prose's clear sense of place and mood, which is both evocative and approachable. Foster exhibits a good grasp of the art of striking a balance between action and detail to make the story both exciting and deep.
In a genre where clichés are typically overdone, "Murder on West Main" sticks out for its originality. Foster gives the mystery genre a new angle by fusing conventional ingredients with creative twists. This made it a very refreshing read. A coroner's assistant serves as a protagonist, and the South Shore hamlet location provides fresh perspectives on the murder case.
The conclusion of "Murder on West Main" is both rewarding and thought-provoking. Foster expertly brings everything together, offering a satisfying conclusion that is consistent with the tone of the book and credible.
"Murder on West Main" has everything a historical mystery lover could want, including a gripping story, well-developed characters, and a satisfying resolution to the mystery.
*****
“Murder on West Main” by I. M . Foster receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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