3 out of 4 stars
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Still Shot by N.L. Quatrano is the second book in the Point and Shoot Mystery series. Private Investigator Antonia (A.J.) Buchanan and her husband Travis anticipate a relaxing vacation when they travel to New Orleans for her cousin Merline’s wedding. As per A.J.’s late grandmother’s will, all of the cousins have to agree to the sale of her grandmother’s property. Things take a dangerous turn when one cousin dies under suspicious circumstances, another cousin is poisoned, and the bride-to-be disappears. The father of the groom, Judge Addison, certainly seems anxious for the wedding to go forward. What does he have to gain from this coupling?
I thoroughly enjoyed this rollicking mystery. The story moves forward at a steady pace with a nice mix of suspense and family drama. Although it is the second installment in a series, I had no trouble reading the book as a standalone. I quickly became attached to all of the characters, who are well drawn with clear backstories. In particular, the dysfunctional New Orleans relatives have intriguing past and present interconnections. The absorbing plot takes center stage with twists and turns that made it difficult for me to put the book down.
The story is creatively written with a compelling mystery and vivid descriptions of New Orleans. The author’s excellent use of imagery whisked me away to this steamy bayou town and its eccentric inhabitants. The setting doesn’t overwhelm the plot; instead, it adds sparkle and depth to an already interesting story.
I did find it a bit unrealistic that A.J. would bond so quickly with relatives she just met. Within a day or so, the bride and her mother Merle rely so much on A.J. and her husband. It’s a bit too much instant closeness, although they do have a shared family history.
The book could use an extra round or two of editing. There are at least twelve errors scattered through the story. A character’s name is incorrectly written (Mariana instead of Marietta) and, in another instance, the wrong character’s name is used (Merle instead of Merline). Other errors include missing words, extra words that don’t belong, missing or incorrect punctuation, and incorrect terms/words (el fresco instead of al fresco, scared instead of sacred).
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The errors prevent me from giving a higher rating to an otherwise wonderful story. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mysteries with a strong plot and atmospheric setting. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
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Still Shot
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