Customer Reviews

The Gold Standard (Judy Winters Mysteries, No. 1)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reviewed by Elaine Marie Cooper, Author, "The Road to Deer Run"

I stayed up until 2 AM last night to finish this book! I felt like I was 11-years-old again, flashlight in hand, peering through the latest Nancy Drew mystery that I could NOT put down. What Fun!

In fact this Mystery/Romance by Lisa J. Lickel reminds me of a Nancy Drew mystery for adults. The heroine in this novel is Judy Winters. She is a young schoolteacher, beautiful, yet filled with self-doubt. She always feels like a klutz who opens her mouth at all the wrong moments. Now Judy is cast into emotional upheaval as her only remaining relative--Aunt Louise who raised the orphaned Judy when she was very young-has died. The cause of death? The coroner's report says it's poison. Has murder occurred to her sweet Aunt living on the family farm? Judy must go to the small country town in Wisconsin to find out.

A cast of interesting, salt-of-the-earth characters take Judy under their wing. But can she trust them? Can she feel safe in the old farmhouse when she does not know the source of her Aunt's demise? And then there's the young and handsome Hart--can he be trusted as he begins to be drawn towards Judy's heart?

It's a fun mystery as we are caught up in the world of a small town where arms reach out to Judy, yet danger lurks in dark corners. A fun read that will delay your bedtime. Make sure there's plenty of coffee ready for the next morning!

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Gold Standard", which is a sweet story that is also interesting and kept me guessing until the end.

The Gold Standard

Lisa J. Lickel

2009

Barbour Heartsong Presents

ISBN 978-1-59789-525-5

Genre: Fiction/Cozy Mystery

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Judy Winters is overwhelmed and sad, her aunt who raised her, has died suddenly, and it appears to be murder, instead of an accidental death. The sheriff is waiting for the toxicology report, to find out what poison has killed Aunt Louise. The reading of the will, reveal conditions, that seem baffling to Judy, conditions if unfulfilled will transfer the family land to a group called KOWPIE a grassroots organization that calls for the protection of natural areas.

The story unfolds as Judy, a school teacher, comes to the farm for the summer to make up her mind about what she wants to do about the farm and the conditions of the will. Strange occurrences begin happening as Judy hires out some minor remodeling, making her suspicious of everyone around her. Her faith sustains her and carries her past her suspicions and doubts. Add in a handsome neighbor and the set up for love is in the air, although there is a wrinkle with a casual boyfriend who suddenly thinks marriage is in the air and will not take no for an answer. Sudden appearances from the former boyfriend adds in complications to an already complicated mystery.

Romance, from years gone by, and hidden treasure, a "lost" bomb shelter, and a found letter from years and years ago, rekindle the romance between Judy's aunt's friends, leading to a late in life marriage.

This story was a wonderfully written cozy mystery, it caught my attention from the first page, to the final page. Ms Lickel wrote a wonderful story full of faith, love, and mysteries. This book truly deserves the 4 star rating I gave this book. 251 pages [...]

A sweet mystery with a handful of confllicts to keep you guessing the outcome of this mystery. The voice flowed effortlessly and gave multiple characters their own personality along with a satisfying ending, which left me happy with the successful solution to the mystery and romance.