Review by Joan Leotta
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Opening this book we are signaled that the author is going to take us on a classic ride. She gives a list of characters (a la Christie and other early cozies) and in the first chapter introduces us to a feisty heroine. In making Lou, our heroine, owner of a sewer truck that services and empties septic tanks, the author announces that we are in for a bit of a different “ride.” When I asked Faber why she chose such an odd profession for her protagonist, Elaine replied, “I thought it would be a funny job for a cozy mystery protagonist.”
Lou, a widow, enjoys a collection of good friends and a handsome single man who is interested in her in spite of her odiferous profession. However, there are several in the town who not only look down on her job but also have tried to cheat her. In addition to the personal issues facing Lou, she is faced with the prospect of a giant housing development and superstore which would ruin the town’s quiet character and would wipe out all of the shops on Main Street. (Locklear is a fictional town in the lower part of the Sierra Mountains, California. Faber says the setting was inspired by a cabin she once owned above Auburn and Nevada City, California) “In my mind's eye, Lockleer Mountain was located near that location. There are also Native American reservations not too far from that vicinity.”
As in the inspiration cabin, she has created a neighboring Native American community giving birth to the story’s title legend. Into this mix of elements, a Spirit Woman who is accompanied by a mountain lion, shows herself.
While there are no legends (that Faber knows of) like the one she created for this book, Faber researched several Native American legends when creating the one presented in this novel.
Murder, financial mayhem, and more keep the plot pace moving forward rapidly. The list of characters lets us check, if our minds forget anyone along the way. The structure is straightforward, no shifting times and speakers—which helps us keep the various plots and characters in mind and in line. Though I suspected the ending, Faber finishes the story cleverly and in a satisfying manner.
Faber is already at work on a sequel. I hope to be able to read it when it comes out—after all, I have to find out what Lou is up to!
To enter to win an ebook copy of The Spirit Woman of Lockleer Mountain, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "moutain,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 27, 2021. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Joan Leotta plays with words on page and stage. Her poems, short stories, and articles are widely published, including here at KRL. Her work recently appeared or is forthcoming at verse virtual, verse visual, whenwomenwrite.com, moreorless50, and spillwords, among others. When not writing or performing you can find er at te beach collecting shells or at table with family.
I know that area! Count me in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun read. Adding to my TBR list.
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