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Painted Death: A Kira Logan Mystery
Painted Death by J.C. Andrew is a murder mystery with twists and turns at every corner. Artist Kira is commissioned to travel to Alaska and paint a mural honoring the captains and crew lost at sea. While many in town support the project, not everybody is so thrilled. It is rumored that the most recent captain’s death, Jason, is surrounded by not-so respectable circumstances. When it is decided that the project will continue as intended, deaths start popping up under suspicious conditions. Are they all connected somehow, and will the killer be caught before taking their fourth victim? Only time will tell, and it’s looking like removing Jason from the mural may be the only way to stop it.
I love that Kira seems to connect with people everywhere she goes. She has a likable personality and seems to get along with practically everybody that she meets. With that being said, she is not a pushover and knows how to stand up for herself. She’s a strong character with many admirable qualities. Two of these relationships were with Angela and Owen. Angela seemed like a sweet woman with determination about her. Kira and Owen had a flirtatious relationship that was on the brink of turning into more.
This truly was a murder mystery in that no one person stood out as the killer. Several times, I was sure of who it was, and none of them turned out to be correct. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering who would turn up dead and the person behind it. I enjoyed the storyline. I felt however that the style it was written in, almost like a movie manuscript, made it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level. This aside the plot was strong, it is well-paced, and the characters were believable.
Painted Death is a captivating cozy mystery with a strong female protagonist. This suspenseful novel is a great read with an exciting plot and unique twist that will keep readers guessing who the murderer is untill the end.
Pages: 230 | ASIN : B0792WZS8H
Final Critique: A Kira Logan Mystery
In this murder mystery, Final Critique by J C Andrew, Kira Logan is spending a week in the serene environment of the Hidden Canyon Art Center to teach open-air painting to a group of art students. On page two, and before Kira has even had an opportunity to set up the easel in her classroom, we find out that one of her students, a young man, Jason, has recently spent time in prison for killing someone while driving drunk. Those in town that are resentful have come together in Kira’s class, unbeknownst to her, to try and enact justice on their own terms. Before long, dangerous accidents start happening.
Andrew is very good at developing characterization in their novels. There are many people introduced into this complex story in a short space of time, and there are some quite complicated relationships between several of them. In spite of that, it’s reasonably easy to keep up with who’s who.
Setting the scene for the novel is one of Andrew’s strong points. She does a fantastic job of describing the setting so that you can really visualize the action. With much of the novel taking place outdoors, this is helpful to keep track of where the characters are moving around and how the accidents are occurring. However, I felt that the foreshadowing was sometimes too direct, giving away some parts of the puzzle too easily. I also felt the dialogue came across as unnatural at times, but this could have been part of the characterization of some of the students.
In terms of figuring out the mystery, Andrew does manage to keep you guessing to the end. However, this fast-paced novel has many plot twists, and readers will need to pay attention, or they may miss a critical clue.
Final Critique: A Kira Logan Mystery is a riveting crime mystery novel that will leave readers looking back and examining the clues the author goes for them. What starts off as a simple art class turns into an action-filled race to find the killer and not become the next victim.
Pages: 260 | ISBN : 1648032990
Portrait of Deceit
Portrait of Deceit: A Kira Logan Mystery by J.C. Andrew is a murder mystery in the style of a late ’80s and early 90’s tv drama. Set in Arizona, this intriguing story starts with Frank Thompson being poisoned. The author then focuses on Kira Logan, an artist, and amateur sleuth. A simple request from both the Thorton’s and Barlow’s to have their portraits done breaks down into an intricate web of deceit that is created around both families. For they are friends, business partners, and suspiciously more. From there, you are drawn along the twisted inner musings.
The central plot of the novel was enjoyable. The emotional arcs were interesting: as were the morally grey aspects of violence. Author J.C. Andrew’s writing continues to pull you in, propelling you forward into the characters’ lives. This thrilling book has a slow burn start that picks up, and the action takes over.
I felt the dialogue to be a little awkward, but I think that was intentional as the characters always seemed to have something to hide. The author skillfully described the scenery, making you feel as though you are alongside the main character. In addition, the author provides detailed information about each character allowing you to understand each person’s motives.
The last part of this exciting novel is filled with trauma and mystery, which I found fascinating. I found the character of Kira to be exciting and charming. She brought a fresh perspective to the drama between the two families. This murder mystery brings back a sense of nostalgia to the old style of mystery shows and novels. Kira’s character and personality will draw in a new generation of mystery lovers.
Portrait of Deceit: A Kira Logan Mystery is a captivating crime thriller that will give readers family drama and action as Kira tries to stay out of harm’s way.
Pages: 270 | ISBN : 1648032966
Homicide In Bronze: A Kira Logan Mystery
Homicide in Bronze by J.C. Andrew is a murder mystery set in Colinas Verde, New Mexico. When artist Kira is commissioned to sculpt two important doctors who founded the town’s hospital, she is eager to start. The project is exciting, and honoring the doctors in the best way feels essential. However, not everybody is behind the project. Roselyn, a young woman in the town, is determined to bring it to a halt, convinced that her family was wronged many years ago by the doctors being honored. Suddenly, strange things start happening, meant to scare Kira into leaving the project unfinished. But Kira refuses to let anything deter her from completing what she’s been brought to Colinas Verde to do. What starts as seeming pranks soon turn into incidents of injury and even death. How far is Roselyn willing to go to ensure the statues never get put up? How much is Kira willing to endure before deciding the project isn’t worth the trouble it has caused?
Andrew has mastered the mystery genre and writes in a way that grabs the reader’s attention. Without a doubt, I can say that I never quite knew what was coming next. From Roselyn’s plotting revenge to the people she pulled into the schemes with her, each new incident was unexpected and added tension. I thoroughly enjoyed how each chapter was from a different character’s point of view. The main character is Kira, the artist, whose story is told in the first person. Everyone else was told in the third-person perspective. I feel that this writing style helps get inside the minds of secondary characters and learn a little more about them without dominating the story. One relationship I enjoyed seeing evolve was that between Kira and Dee. Things started off kind of tense and almost awkward between the two. However, when Dee realizes she needs help, Kira is the person that Dee turns. That is a turning point for them, turning that relationship into one of respect and maybe even friendship.
The pacing of the story was smooth and consistent. The chapter-length made for an easy read without getting tied down trying to finish a long chapter. Each chapter was just long enough to get across what was needed perfectly without unneeded filler.
Homicide in Bronze is an engaging mystery novel that will take readers on an adventure filled with suspense and action. The characters will come alive with murder, family drama, and friendship and hold readers’ interest from the first page until the last.
Pages: 312 | ISBN : 1950101037
LITERARY TITAN 