Conch Shell Murder keeps you guessing from start to finish. Marvelous characters jump right off the page. The author's great sense of place makes you feel you are there, pulling for Katie Hassworth to solve the murder of Alexa Chitting a colorful, controversial Key West figure. A suspenseful, fun read.

This is a fast-paced read with a real-life
main character. Former teacher-turned-detective
Katie Hasworth must overcome inexperience,
adversity, and even a romance! And what's
not to love about the glamorous backdrop of
Key West, Florida? Unlike too many of the
haunted, super-human sleuths of today's whodunnits,
Katie is someone we can all relate to -- and cheer for.

Though she has partnered with former Miami cop Mac McCartel for two years, former schoolteacher Katie Hasworth has been bonded and licensed as a private detective for a few months. Her confidence is limited so she is hesitant to take on a murder investigation especially with her mentor out of town even though her landlady and friend Diane Dade asks her to look into the death of her mother Alexa Chitting. Reluctantly Katie agrees to investigate the homicide ruled a robbery gone bad by the Key West police and concurred with by Mac.

Katie begins her inquiries at the scene of the crime, Alexa's office, where the culprit killed the victim using a conch shell that ironically symbolizes birth. Katie finds an obscure bullet that the cops overlooked and believes more than just a robbery occurred as Alexa was changing her will. However, she wonders who were the losers if Alexa had signed her revised will and would one of them kill to keep his or her inheritance? Katie learns the answer as she becomes a target when she gets too close.

This engaging private investigative tale hooks readers because the heroine lacks confidence yet courageously seeks to solve the homicide against staggering professional odds. The story line reads more like an amateur sleuth cozy as the violence is left off the pages and Katie is learning on the job. Katie is a delightful individual and the support cast enables the audience to understand her, especially her fears, much better even when they fail to cooperate. Fans will enjoy Dorothy Francis' straightforward Florida (no major whackos) mystery.

Harriet Klausner

This one's about a teenaged girl who discovers she has psychic powers - how will she use them? Excellent reading for young adults back in the 80's - this series and the "Dark Forces" series were my all-time favorites! For the collector, it should prove very difficult to collect all these books! I estimate that each series had about 40 books. Good luck finding this one!