Editorial Content for Cracks Beneath the Surface: A Jhonni Laurent Mystery
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
It’s April 2019 in the rural farming community of Field’s Crossing, Indiana. Following Mary Ann Miller’s series debut, BONES UNDER THE ICE, in which snow plows had piled ice covering Stephanie Gattison’s body six weeks ago, Webster’s Park sports an emerald cloak of grass.
Lisa DuVal, the owner of Big Al’s Diner, dyed 100 dozen eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt and returned the catering van to the diner hours ago. Lisa’s daughter, Aubrey Holmes, is furious that her mom hasn’t returned for a family gathering. Sheriff Jhonni Laurent finds an unresponsive Lisa sitting in the van at the diner. Thinking possible heart attack, Laurent discovers blood pouring from Lisa’s abdomen while performing CPR. Eggs weren’t all that "dyed."
"Were it not for the gory murders, CRACKS BENEATH THE SURFACE could be a cozy mystery. Miller’s glib style engages the reader with subtle nuances of small-town life."
Specifications in Lisa’s will disavow family members from inheriting a sizeable portfolio, especially her estranged husband, Keith. Eyebrows are raised when Aubrey, who worked at the diner, is to receive nothing but her mother’s recipes. Laurent and her favorite deputy, Dak Aikens, assemble a list of suspects and realize that they’ve “got nothing but liars, cheaters and gamblers.” It seems that everyone they interview has one goal: “To move out of this dumpy little town.”
Miller misses the mystery mark by putting the reader in the mind of a killer during another homicide. Laurent must link the two victims, friends who had worked together. Two random murders in a small town are doubtful. The law enforcement officers gather evidence to narrow the spectrum of suspects.
Laurent juggles two homicide cases while still receiving physical therapy from a gunshot wound to her shoulder while investigating the Gattison murder six weeks before. Trouble comes in threes. The daughter she gave up for adoption three decades ago has contacted her and insists on knowing the identity of the biological father. Laurent’s heart hurts more than her shoulder.
Were it not for the gory murders, CRACKS BENEATH THE SURFACE could be a cozy mystery. Miller’s glib style engages the reader with subtle nuances of small-town life. Police procedures, evidence gathering and slight contradictions in statements made by persons of interest are like jigsaw puzzle pieces that Sheriff Laurent assembles in her mind.
Teaser
Spring has sprung, and Easter festivities are underway in Field’s Crossing, Indiana. The annual egg hunt is a huge success, thanks in no small part to Lisa DuVal, the owner of Big Al’s Diner, who dyed all of the eggs. But when Sheriff Jhonni Laurent discovers Lisa’s body in her catering van later that day, the happy holiday quickly sours, and Laurent begins a murder investigation. All are shocked at the reading of the will when it’s revealed that the diner will be inherited by Lisa’s best friend --- not by her daughter, which raises Laurent’s suspicions. While working to find the killer, Laurent uncovers some unsightly secrets that Lisa’s family had been concealing. Could they be involved in something shady? When another body is discovered, Laurent must work quickly to determine how the two crimes connect --- and who could be behind it all.
Promo
Spring has sprung, and Easter festivities are underway in Field’s Crossing, Indiana. The annual egg hunt is a huge success, thanks in no small part to Lisa DuVal, the owner of Big Al’s Diner, who dyed all of the eggs. But when Sheriff Jhonni Laurent discovers Lisa’s body in her catering van later that day, the happy holiday quickly sours, and Laurent begins a murder investigation. All are shocked at the reading of the will when it’s revealed that the diner will be inherited by Lisa’s best friend --- not by her daughter, which raises Laurent’s suspicions. While working to find the killer, Laurent uncovers some unsightly secrets that Lisa’s family had been concealing. Could they be involved in something shady? When another body is discovered, Laurent must work quickly to determine how the two crimes connect --- and who could be behind it all.
About the Book
The ice is melting --- but what will it reveal?
Spring has sprung, and Easter festivities are underway in Field’s Crossing, Indiana. The annual egg hunt is a huge success, thanks in no small part to Lisa DuVal, the owner of Big Al’s Diner who dyed all of the eggs. But when Sheriff Jhonni Laurent discovers Lisa’s body in her catering van later that day, the happy holiday quickly sours, and Laurent begins a murder investigation.
All are shocked at the reading of the will when it’s revealed that the diner will be inherited by Lisa’s best friend --- not by her daughter, which raises Laurent’s suspicions. While working to find the killer, Laurent uncovers some unsightly secrets that Lisa’s family had been concealing. Could they be involved in something shady?
As the investigation begins to take shape, it seems that the melting ice will reveal more than the first buds of spring. And when another body is discovered, Laurent must work quickly to determine how the two crimes connect --- and who could be behind it all.
