Kindred Spirits by Marilyn Meredith

Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: Mundania Press LLC (August 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594267359
ISBN-13: 978-1594267352



About the book:



Trouble in Deputy Crabtree’s marriage is soon forgotten when the body of a murder victim is found in the wake of a forest fire. Sent to Crescent City in search of information introduces Tempe to the victim’s Tolowa relatives and friends–along with two stalkers and Big Foot.Upon her return home, a pig’s heart on Tempe’s front porch serves as a warning. Detective Morrison becomes an unusual ally, and the victim’s spirit visits Tempe in the night. She and husband Hutch set off for Santa Barbara in an effort to flush out the murderer and once again she finds her own life threatened.

Kindred Spirits is part of the Tempe Crabtree Series. Tempe is a female deputy for Bear Creek, and not only does she face discrimination because she is a female, but also because she is part Native American. The story begins with a huge forest fire. Tempe is doing her job and making sure that the people are being evacuated from their homes. By the time she reaches the home of Vanessa Ainsworth it is too dangerous and the fire department stops her. If only she had made it there sooner, the tragedy that unfolds may not have happened.

Tempe heads back to town to check on her husband, Hutch Hutchinson, who is the minister of the local church. He is operating a temporary shelter for the people who have lost their homes, and Tempe is searching for Vanessa. She is called back to Vanessa's house, which has been consumed by the fire. They find a body and the body of a dog. They are both identified - it is Vanessa, and while it seems as though she has died in the fire, the medical examiner confirms that she and her dog were both shot before the fire reached the house.

The rest of the story focuses on Tempe, and her search for the truth...what really happened to Vanessa, and who was responsible for her death? Was it her ex-boyfriend, he did have a restraining order against him? Or was it her ex-husband? He does have an airtight alibi, but maybe something was missed. Or was it Lanny Hargrove, a boy turned man who stalked Vanessa for years and maybe hasn't given up. There are twists and turns right up until the end.

Tempe is a loveable character, and this book can easily be read on it's own even though it is part of a series. I have a friend who is an Oneida Indian and am always fascinated by their beliefs, and the history of their people. This was one of the things I found very enjoyable about this book. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good mystery that is easy to read.




About the author:



Marilyn Meredith is the author of award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series as well as over twenty published novels. The latest is, Kindred Spirits, from Mundania Press. Under the name of F. M. Meredith she writes the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, the latest, Smell of Death, from Tigress Press.She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, EPIC and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She was an instructor for Writer’s Digest School for ten years, served as an instructor at the Maui Writer’s Retreat and many other writer’s conferences. She makes her home in Springville, much like Bear Creek where Deputy Tempe Crabtree lives. Visit her at http://www.fictionforyou.com/.



KINDRED SPIRITS VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '08 will officially begin on October 1 and end on October 30. You can visit Marilyn's blog stops at www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.wordpress.com in October to find out more about her new book!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available. The winner(s) will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on October 30!