"Poison by Punctuation" Chalkboard Outlines Book 2 by Kelley Kaye Bowles

"Emma scooted away from the side of the pool when Leslie started snapping her wet towel. She skidded around the corner of the locker room and stopped short when she aw the foot protruding from the corner of the gym lockers. The foot was encased in a short white sock with a blue paw embroidered on the side. Oh my God. Oh no. Oh no.".......


Emma and Leslie are back in Book Two of the “Chalkboard Outlines” series. Taking place a year after the teachers first adventure together. 

This time Emma finds a body, and horrifying enough, it’s a student. Given their previous success in helping solve 2 murders last year, Emma and Leslie are determined to see this one solved as well. 

Emma is finally settling in after moving from South Carolina to Colorado. Leaving behind a philandering ex husband, she finds herself in a fairly stable relationship with Hunter. Although, there is a bad boy that may turn her head. With a mix of characters, teachers, neighbors, cops, and parents, one of them has to have knowledge of Kirsten’s death. 

I found this read enjoyable as the first in this series, maybe a little more so. This book felt more settled and comfortable. The characters are different and fun, not your usual sleuths. With quotes from Shakespeare, it really does remind me of high school. 

There’s no question that the killer will be found, and brought to justice. Emma and Leslie won’t have it any other way. 

Thank you Kelley Bowles 

                                                                                            Buy "Poison by Punctuation" now on Amazon: click here!

"Death by Diploma": Chalkboard Outline Series Book 1 by Kelley Kaye Bowles

                                                            

"Leslie held out her closed fist. "Let's do it. Let's solve it ourselves." Emma felt her face go through a range of expressions: surprise, doubt, then fear. That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. "Ah don't know, Leslie. Ah've never even seen a dead body before, much less tried to find his killer. It sounds dangerous. Or maybe stupid. Probably both.".......

Emma Lovett is a new teacher and carefully trying to navigate the waters at her first teaching assignment. Unfortunately, a murder is going to interfere in her enthusiasm.

A contemporary read, told with quick humor and wit. Emma is from South Carolina, drawl and all. She makes a new teacher friend, Leslie,  and has her by her side to keep her grounded.  

Such an entertaining read. It was easy to fall into the story, and the mystery Emma and  Leslie are now dealing with. Who was murdered, and why? Is Emma going to step aside and let the police handle it? Of course not. Not when Emma and Leslie have clues of there own to follow. A long list of suspects and many reasons why people commit murder, make for a roller coaster ride of a story. 

Will they solve the crime? Will they have jobs when it’s over? Come along and find out. Enjoy the pleasant distraction of a good book. 

Thank you Kelley Kaye Bowles

Buy "Death by Diploma"on Amazon:click here!

"Premonition" by Tower Lowe (A Cotton Lee Penn Historical Mystery Book 2)

Buy "Premonition" now on Amazon: click here!

"Cotton Lee sat back down on the cool steps to finish her tea.  She thought about Anselm and Reni, and the Vietnam War that took Bedford away. In a trance of dark trees and brisk air, she tried to move back more than a hundred years to a time when a Union soldier left solid gold United States coins with his enemies. Or did the enslaved black people somehow get the coins? Or did those frightened Southern women, worried about starving, steal the gold pieces?".....


Cotton Lee is back in this historical mystery. This time she’s drawn into a perplexing murder, someone that her and friends know. Anselm is found shot to death in the woods. Is one of her friends a possible suspect?

A strange twist are the gold coins found on Anselm’s body. Minted in 1862, these coins have a story behind them as well. In 1864 the coins were a gift from a Union Soldier to a mistress. When the soldier dies the coins had disappeared, at least until 1972 when they are found on Anselm. Two mysterious deaths with the gold coins in common. Can Cotton Lee figure out what the connection is?

A trip back in time when everything was so different. A story of the south, and the results of war. Cotton Lee is a wonderful character. The story is told between two different times, but seamlessly brought together in the end. A fateful tale told so well, that you can feel yourself slipping into this story and back in time. A story of secrets revealed, and coins traveling through time.

Thank you Tower Lowe