Book Review: A Valley to Die For

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

A Valley to Die For     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Radine Trees Nehring
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Cozy   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Something to Die for # 1
St. Kitts Press, 2002, 284 pps.

Carrie McCrite is settled in her six-room log cabin in Arkansas. She had this cabin built and moved there when her husband was killed in a hunting accident on the land that they had purchased and where they planned to eventually retire when Amos gave up his law practice in Tulsa but Carrie is there sooner than expected. All of Carrie’s friends were against the move but her son Rob supported her in her decision and Carrie felt it was the right thing to do.

The first person to greet Carrie when she moved to her new home was JoAnne Harrington, her closest neighbor. JoAnne is an outgoing woman who speaks her mind and Carrie and JoAnne struck up an immediate friendship. JoAnne introduces Carrie to many of the beautiful things of nature that the area has to offer. Soon they have a path beaten between the new homes.

Evan Walters was the friend that was with Carrie’s husband Amos when he was shot. He still lives in Tulsa but checks in with Carrie almost constantly trying to convince her to come back to Tulsa at least for a visit and Carrie is getting a little tired of all the calls and interference in her new life.

JoAnne finds out that an abandoned farm near them has been sold and the owner plans to use the farm for a rock quarry. JoAnne, Carrie and all the neighbors are upset that their little paradise will be destroyed. They form a committee to investigate what actions they might take to block the opening of the quarry.

Henry King is also a neighbor and a retired policeman from Kansas City and he is a member of the committee as well as some of the other neighbors. Henry and Carrie have been out to dinner occasionally and Carrie is very attracted to Henry and she feels the feeling is mutual.

When JoAnne fails to appear for a committee meeting and isn’t at home Carrie begins to get worried. When she goes to investigate she finds JoAnne’s body in approximately the same location as her husband Amos was shot.

As the investigation proceeds Carrie who is executrix of JoAnne’s estate finds out a secret that JoAnne has kept for years. Carrie also finds herself in danger and soon she begins to believe that the murderer wants something from her or thinks she has something he wants. When Carrie decides to investigate on her own she finds herself in big trouble.

Radine Trees Nehring gives beautiful descriptions of the Ozark area and after reading her descriptions it is easy to understand why so many people decide to move to that area and get away from city life.

Pat Reid - RAM

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