Book Review: Why Casey Had to Die

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Why Casey Had to Die     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
L. C. Hayden
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Harry Bronson
Five Star Publishing, 2006, 258 pps.

Detective Harry Bronson is now retired although not entirely by choice. Harry’s wife Carol is looking forward to his retirement and a promised trip strictly for pleasure. Out of the blue Harry is offered a job which will not only provide a nice vacation for Carol but also some income during the time they are gone.

Harry is hired as a consultant for a mystery convention in Arizona. The Slayers is a mystery group that meets once a year. The members follow a script and try to solve a murder.

When the script is announced Harry finds out that the murder The Slayers are trying to solve is the murder of Casey Secrist, a college student, and Harry’s first murder case. The names have been changed but anyone familiar with the case will recognize the Secrist murder. Casey’s murder was arrested but Harry always felt that the man who was jailed was innocent. The case has haunted Harry throughout his career. Now The Slayers are bringing the case to the forefront and Harry is also receiving anonymous notes referring to his old case.

When Carol decides to get into the act and help Harry with his detecting then Harry is forced to play a game and only his wits can help him save his wife. Harry learns all he ever wanted to more about geocaching in his race to help his wife.

I liked the characters that Hayden has created – Bronson and his wife as well as his former coworkers who grant him many favors along the way. I am looking forward to more of Harry Bronson’s detecting. Geocaching sounds like fun but not when used as a race to save a loved one.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM