Six years ago, Dana Cardwell found her mother's will in a cookbook and became sole owner of the Cardwell Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Now happily married, Dana is surprised when her siblings, Stacy and Jordan, show up on the ranch…and trouble isn't too far behind.
As danger draws closer to the ranch, deputy marshal Liza Turner quickly realizes that Jordan Cardwell isn't the man the town made him out to be.
Type: Mystery, Light Romance
Heat: 1 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5
Oh this was so "Mean Girls" meets Montana ranch life. And it was fabulous. The cover's pretty yummy too. Always a plus, right?
I'm liking Daniels more and more with each book of her's I read. One thing about her books is that the romances play a really, really secondary role in the storyline and the heat factor is basically nil but I think she makes up for it with enjoyable characters and well written mysteries that pull you in. They're really fun to watch unfold too. Right when you think you've got it all figured out she'll throw in a nice twist that'll get you. I just love that when I'm reading.
In real life I have a huge thing for cold cases or old one's being reopened so Justice at Cardwell Ranch was right up my alley. Decades earlier Jordan's friend committed suicide and he's come back to town for his High School reunion to look into the case only to find himself neck deep in a current murder investigation. Daniels kept me guessing and suspicious of everyone there for the reunion and wondering what really happened all those years ago. There's a solid "Mean Girls" vibe going on with the classmates that was fascinating to watch and added some nice drama to the mix.
I really enjoyed the main characters, Liza (the Deputy) and Jordan. They're interesting, well suited and likable. They had a nice chemistry going between them and some fun little interactions but really don't expect much more than a smooch. This one's totally grandma friendly.
Justice at Cardwell Ranch was just an entertaining little mystery you can easily get through in an afternoon. It moves along quickly and has a good bit of action, decent secondary storylines and a pretty satisfying ending. If you enjoy an easy mystery now and again, like me, this is one to check out.
Favorite Quote:
"But Shelby? I remember her from high school. People used to say she was the type who would eat her young."
"That could explain why she doesn't have any children," Lisa said.
I've got a copy of Book 1- Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch for yall today.
Open international until 10/15/12
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