Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Choir Loft Murder by Karen Randau

CHOIR LOFT MURDER
SERIES: Frankie Shep Suspense Novella #3
GENRE: Mystery / Thriller
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2021
PAGES: 150

Her fiance a murderer? As she digs for the truth, she must fight to survive a plot to frame the man she loves.

Frankie Shep has endured too many tragedies in her life. When she finally dares to love again, a revengeful plot threatens to cancel her wedding plans and send her fiance to death row. But this feisty modern-day rancher won’t stand for it.

A member of the church choir dies from a blowgun dart to a vital artery, and the murder weapon implicates Quint. Frankie is shocked to discover Quint was a champion blowgun competitor but quit the sport after a family disaster. And now he’s refusing to talk about his fate.

So she takes it on herself to track down the killer before Quint accepts a life-altering plea deal. She’s devastated when she unearths his motive for the crime. But someone else lurks in the shadows, and that’s who she’s determined to find. Little does she know the killer follows her every move, ready to strike her down when she gets too close.

Can she unravel the vindictive plot before she becomes a crazed killer’s next victim?

Choir Loft Murder is the riveting third book in the Frankie Shep Suspense Novellas series. If you like engaging heroines, twisty plots, and eerie settings, then you’ll love Karen Randau’s pulse-pounding thriller.

Other Books In This Series

Choir Loft Murder is my first read by Karen Randau, but it definitely won’t be my last. I was immediately drawn into the story, and I couldn’t put it down. It might be a shorter length than a full novel, but it doesn’t sacrifice any layers to keep the page count down. The characters are nicely developed and compelling, and the suspense plot is full of some stunning twists and turns. Danger lurks around every turn for poor Frankie, as she desperately tries to clear her fiance Quint’s name, and you may forget to breathe during certain moments of high suspense. The blowgun element to the murder is unique and intriguing – who knew there were blowgun shooting competitions?!? I also really liked Frankie, her good heart and resolve for truth, as well as her courage even in the face of fear. She’s the kind of character I’d want to hang out with in real life, as are the people she’s surrounded herself with – including Pastor Quint (her fiance), the sheriff, Isabella & Cole and Mrs. Williams.

Bottom Line: Choir Loft Murder may only be a novella, but there’s a lot of story packed in the smaller page count. The characters are layered and engaging with interesting backstories, and the plot keeps you turning the pages. Frankie is genuinely likable, and the writing voice is too. A great choice for fans of Christy Barritt & Susan Sleeman!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!

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Karen Randau authors fast-paced mystery, suspense, and thriller books featuring intricate plots, told from the point of view of strong female protagonists. In addition to the Frankie Shep Suspense series set on a fictional ranch in Wyoming, her Rim Country Mystery Series are set in the quaint fictional mountain town of Rim Vista, Arizona. She is also one of seven authors of novellas in the Tawnee Mountain Mystery Series. She lives in the mountains of Arizona with her multigenerational family.

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Other Books by Karen Randau

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