Customer Reviews

Last Writes: A Forensic Handwriting Mystery

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To me, graphology, better known as handwriting analysis is intriguing. Sheila Lowe is a professional graphologist in addition to being a skillful mystery writer. Her protagonist Claudia Rose puts graphology to work to solve compelling mysteries. I found this latest in the series especially fascinating as the inner workings along with the well-kept secrets of a cult are unraveled to solve some dark goings on. Fast paced and fun.
Lynn K. Jones
[...]

Handwriting expert Claudia Rose is ready to take it slow for a while. Her cop boyfriend, Joel, is recovering from an internal infection and needs some TLC, and she has a lecture to get ready for a college. But that all takes the backseat when her best friend Kelly calls her in to help with a family crisis.

Claudia's friend Kelly learns that she's an aunt when her estranged half-sister, Erin, shows up in desperate need of help. Erin and her husband have been living as members of The Temple of Brighter Light in an isolated religious compound. Now Erin's husband and child have disappeared, leaving behind a cryptic note. Using her skills as a forensic handwriting expert, Claudia gains entry to the compound. She has only days to uncover the truth about Kelly's missing niece before a child's life is written off for good.

In order to gain more insight on where Erin's husband and daughter might be hiding, Claudia and Kelly attend a rally for the Temple of Brighter Light. Once there, not only do they witness some interesting things, but Claudia is asked to actually come stay at the compound known as the ARK to help Senior Pastor Steadman gain insight on his members through their handwriting. With Erin's daughter's life in jeopardy, Claudia agrees, and Kelly comes along, posing as a seeker interested in finding the truth and being saved. What they discover is that things aren't what they seem and that they aren't the only people investigating the Temple of Brighter Light.

I find Lowe's premise for Last Writes completely believable. In today's world, we see many different forms of organized religion, and some are more extreme in their beliefs. We have seen several different cult-like groups make news headlines in recent years, and though many are just devout in their beliefs, there are some that take it to a different and dangerous degree. Lowe really captured the intensity of the situation and made the TBL congregation sympathetic and yet clearly misguided.

I really enjoyed this installment in Sheila Lowe's Forensic Handwriting Mysteries. Lowe has a knack for character building that is reminiscent of Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden mysteries and driving realistic plots that make readers want to comeback for more. With interesting themes, and characters with intriguing talents, like Claudia Rose...what's not to like?

I definitely recommend this series to mystery lovers that like light, quick reads. I found them ideal for travel reads and will definitely pick up any new books by Sheila Lowe!

I love these type of story lines. Fun and easy to read. I'd like to see more from this author.

Claudia Rose (#3) is asked by her friend Kelly to assist Kelly's half-sister Erin find her husband and toddler. Erin and her husband had been living with a cult (Temple of Brighter Light) in California. Kelly and Claudia enter the cult compound to snoop around for clues to Rodney's location. It is a very informative book about cults. Claudia uses her graphology skills in researching several of the cult members.

Sheila Lowe has created yet another wonderful adventure for my favorite literary heroine, Claudia Rose. Claudia is someone that all of us grown-up women can identify with -- a real person whose curiosity and desire to help her friends gets her into interesting and sometimes dangerous situations. She is not a super-woman but a smart one and she knows when to haul in reinforcements (that's why she's smart).

In her latest book, Sheila Lowe explores the darker side of religion with intelligence, honesty, and a subtle wit that will resonate with those who have had personal experience with a cult. For those who haven't, it's a change to learn while being thoroughly entertained.

An enjoyable installment in the series, though so many characters does make it a bit confusing at times. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Once you're a member of the Temple of Brighter Light, you've accepted a life full of old-fashioned ideals and sacrifice. Sheila Lowe seizes readers in this page-turning mystery about love, family and the secrets of faith that will leave you questioning life's motives.
Handwriting expert, Claudia Rose goes on an exhilarating case deep within the walls of The Ark to uncover the truth of what it means to be a member of a cult. When Claudia is approached by Erin Powers to find her missing daughter, Claudia goes directly into the case and enters the world where salvation seems to only be achieved by the catastrophe of the apocalypse.
As the mystery of the religious group unravels before Claudia's eyes, she realizes that there is more than just one life that's at stake and it is up to her and her best friend, Kelly, to end the devastation that faces the members of TBL before it's too late.
Readers will be fully engrossed as this handwriting mystery proves to be a book that you won't want to put down.
Reviewed by Dianne Nalapo for Suspense Magazine

If you haven't made the acquaintance of graphologist and amateur detective Claudia Rose, you've missed a wonderful opportunity to acquaint yourself with one of the most endearing and interesting characters in modern mystery fiction. With LAST WRITES Sheila Lowe has surpassed herself in creating an absorbing, spine-tingling novel that will keep you in suspense until the last page. It is a masterful creation that incorporates the fascinationg field of graphology with an intriguing mystery story that exposes the smarmy underbelly of today's religious cults. Ms. Lowe, herself, is one of the country's foremost graphologists and infuses her outstanding novel with her vast knowledge of this field. Don't be deceived by the rather bland, non-specifc cover on this book. LAST RITES is first in its class. No cozy, it is one of the best all out mysteries I have read in a long time. Ms Lowe's three preceeding Claudia Rose novels, POISON PEN, WRITTEN IN BLOOD and DEAD WRITE, are superb, but LAST WRITES is every bit their equal.

I have really enjoyed the entire Claudia Rose series. The characters and stories are both very interesting, and each one has left me wanting more. I hope we see another book in the series very soon!

This story takes you from the worrisome of the missing family, to the happenings at the compound to the final score of family. This was a fast-paced thrill a minute ride that I definitely had to stay on until the last page.