Review – Carolina Reckoning

Lisa Carter in her new book, Carolina Reckoning” published by Abingdon Press takes us into the life of Alison Monaghan.

From the back cover:  Alison wanted her husband gone, not dead…

When 30-something housewife, Alison Monaghan discovers proof of her husband’s infidelity in a photograph with a mysterious woman, she must decide how to confront Frank when he returns home from work. Despite the influence of her best friend Valerie, a strong Christian, Alison remains aloof from God and is determined to handle this crisis her own way. But Alison may not get that chance. Frank never makes it home. Soon his body is found on a lonely back-country road in antebellum Weathersby Historic Park where Frank served on the board of directors and where Alison, with a degree in landscape design, was a volunteer garden docent.

Homicide detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately puts Alison at the top of his suspect list. He finds himself drawn to her—and not just because she had motive for the crime. As an army veteran, Mike usually keeps his emotional walls high. And as a detective, he knows not to get involved with murder suspects. So why he is so attracted to Alison? Can he fight his feelings for her—and find the killer before Alison becomes the next target?

Marital infidelity.  Alison has all the evidence to prove her husband’s womanizing and plans to confront him with it.  All she wants is to get rid of him and be on with her life.  She never gets the chance.  Someone kills him.  And all the evidence points to her as the killer.  Now what?  Well the same way she got the evidence to prove his infidelity she sets out to find the murderer.  Mike Barefoot is the cop assigned to the case.  He’s got his hands full.  Not only is he attracted to Alison he also has to keep her alive long enough to find the real killer and stop him.  Get ready for a mystery that is going to keep you flipping pages a mile a minute as you try to find out what will happen next.  Red herrings, murder attempts and romance this book has it all.  I really don’t think you will guess who the murderer is before the reveal and you will be pleasantly surprised.  Ms. Carter does an outstanding job of bringing her characters to life and you really want their romance to succeed.  I am already looking forward to more from this talented author.