FM for Murder

Author: Patricia Rockwell
ISBN: 978-0984479542
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press
Purchase Link: FM For Murder
Source: Author for Review on a Cozy Reader's Corner
Contributing Reviewer: Angie Holtz

Synopsis

Who shot the disk jockey while he was on air? No one saw the killer, but many heard the murder on the radio. Local police are mystified and ask Psychology professor and acoustics expert Pamela Barnes to assist them in investigating the crime. Can she determine who shot the deejay just by listening to the radio station's audio recording of the killing? And how does this crime connect to the impending death of a wealthy carpet manufacturer hundreds of miles away? And the driven behavior of his conscientious son who hides a very important secret? Unknown to Pamela, another thread of this strange mystery is about to unravel. Will she be able to solve it before another victim is claimed? In FM FOR MURDER, the second in Patricia Rockwell's acoustic mystery series, we follow feisty amateur sleuth Pamela Barnes who doesn't let academic duties prevent her from fighting crime. And Pamela fights crime with the tools she knows best-sound waves.

Review

As you read in the interview with Patricia Rockwell, she has 2 plot lines in this story. One follows Daniel Bridgewater, son of Charles Bridgewater – carpet tycoon. The other plot line follows our amateur detective, Patricia Rockwell and her family (husband Rocky, daughter Angela). So late Saturday night, or early Sunday, The Black Vulture (aka Ted Ballard) was murdered on air during his alternative music show. Patricia is asked in to help solve the case because of her background in acoustics. I like that she asks everyone around her to help and tell her what they hear and think, including her students. Her husband Rocky is less than impressed, because he doesn’t want her working in mystery.

The timeline jumps back and forth with each plot line. Daniel’s story starts earlier in the week on Monday. Patricia’s story starts on Sunday morning after the murder. At first I was distracted by the back and forth, but there is such a smooth flow that you easily catch on and it makes for an enjoyable ride.

There wasn’t an over amount of detail given to the setting, which I personally like. You get enough to follow the story without getting stuck in it. Mostly you are either on campus or in Patricia’s home or with Daniel at the office or at Amy’s workplace. This allows the story to move smoothly.

The pace was fairly fast and smooth. I really enjoyed the twists throw in. Half way through the book I thought I had it all figured out, but I was so wrong. Then I was proven wrong again! It was great! If you don’t win the free book, go get a copy. If you enjoy mysteries you will enjoy this book.

The only complaint I have in the story is the use of proper English in the dialogue. I find that distracting because I would read something that say Patricia says to someone else and all I can think is “no one talks like that…” I would suggest relaxing the writing style just where people are talking, make it more like real time conversations.

I am going to give this book 3 ½ stars. The dialogue really put me off, but overall the story was really good.
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-- Angie Holtz is a contributing reviewer of A Cozy Reader's Corner. In addition to reviewing titles here she also has her own blog! Visit Angie at http://lilacwolfandstuff.blogspot.com/.

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3.5 out of 5