I have read a lot of murder mysteries, some have been grisly, some have kept me sitting on the edge of my seat, some have bored me to tears, but this one was different. The author weaves the storyline around in a way that you very quickly feel you are a member of Sheriff Dalton's town. He does this by bringing in personal aspects of different town members lives, their hopes, dreams, fears and shortcomings. They no longer are just story characters in your minds eye, but through the author's words they are alive. The murder victim Jack, his sister and brother, the Mayor and even Dalton's wife become your neighbors and friends and you find yourself just as determined as the Sheriff is to find the culprit of this crime. The only problem is that it is your very friends and neighbors who become the prime suspects as two more bodies turn up, a newborn baby and Big Ed, the town drunk and possible witness, who may have been able to shed some light on the crime.How does the baby figure in all of this? You have to know.
Murder In Metropolis is not a fast paced read, but one that draws you into the lives of the suspects, allowing you to search them for motives and making you part of the crime investigation. I enjoyed that, it was a lot of fun trying to figure out, "Who done it!" The motives for the murders and the ending I promise will surprise you. Very well done. Who would have ever thought! A delightful reading experience.
Final analysis: A well thought out mystery drawing the reader into the very lives of the townspeople, the suspects and the victims themselves. Written in a way that allows you to participate in the investigation, but let me warn you, no matter how much you think you have it all figured out, the ending to this one will surprise you. Excellent read, highly recommended.
Shirley JohnsonSenior ReviewerMidWest Book Review
Why would anyone want to murder Jack Hatfield, an old friend of Joe's, and a man everyone in town liked? By the way the body and head were positioned, it seems someone has a real hatred for the victim.
Many interesting suspects keep the sheriff hopping and the reader in suspense. Ms. Cruse handles the police procedural and the cozy part of this novel with ease and skill.
Despite the rather grisly opening, this really could be called a cozy police procedural and should please readers of both. Violence takes place off-scene, but nonetheless the reader gets the full impact of the horror of violent death. Ms. Cruse is a skillful writer who's characters come alive on the pages.
A very enjoyable read!
