Journey to Die For

A “Something to Die For” Mystery

Radine Trees Nehring

ISBN 978-1-60364-020-6

Wolfmont Press

290 pages, trade paperback

$16.00

Reviewed by Marlene Pyle

Retired police officer Henry King and his new wife, Carrie, aren’t your usual sleuths. For one thing, they don’t live in a big city where crime is commonplace and murders happen every day. The Kings live in Arkansas, not usually considered a hot bed of criminal activity. The other thing that sets them apart from most crime novel’s main characters is that Henry and Carrie are senior citizens. It’s not often the over-sixty age group is represented in mainstream fiction. But this pair could teach all of us young whippersnappers a few things. They’re not sitting around doing jigsaw puzzles and knitting socks. When Carrie discovers a dead body, Henry’s first instinct is to stay out of the situation, but it soon becomes obvious that is not an option. Henry is reluctantly dragged into the investigation, and the two quickly become even more entangled.

The book (the sixth in the “Something to Die For” series) is well-researched and rich in historical detail, but even more important, the characters are well-drawn. In many cozy mysteries, the fast pace precludes much character description, but Nehring manages to combine an action-filled plot with insight into the hero and heroine, their backgrounds, motivations and fears. During his career in law enforcement, Henry was forced to kill in the line of duty, and the memory of that incident haunts him still. He knows he did what he had to, but has yet to reconcile himself with taking a life. Carrie comes to realize how much this weighs on Henry, and gains a deeper understanding of the man she married.

The affection between Carrie and Henry, while not graphic, (this is not, after all, a smut novel) is made clear. The two are very much in love. How refreshing to show that romance can be enjoyed by people who are members of AARP!

The realistic quality of Nehring’s Henry and Carrie bring the story to life and keeps the reader engaged throughout the novel, assuring that we will look forward to this couple’s next adventure.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:  I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep in consideration for preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.

Copyright Ⓒ 2010 Marlene Pyle