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The Scent Of Murder: A Robin Light Mystery

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Robin Light owns Noah's Ark, a pet store in Syracuse that recently has been frequented by a strange looking teen (oxymoron at least to us old farts, perhaps?). On her third visit to the store, the young girl asks the store owner to help her by flashing the name of Murphy, Robin's deceased spouse who almost landed Robin in jail for his murder. Before Robin can say no, the girl flees into the streets just ahead of the police. Robin knows that Murphy was aptly named and if she gets involved with anything that touches him, something catastrophic will happen. Still, she cannot resist assisting Murphy's fifteen year old daughter, Amy.

Robin arranges to meet Amy to learn what she can do to help the teen, Instead of finding Amy at their rendezvous spot, she finds the corpse of Amy's legal father. Robin searches for Amy and investigates into the relationship amidst her extended family members. Robin soon realizes that the animals are not in her shop, but are two legged and walking the streets. The adults prefer cheating and stealing to obtain a bit more materialistic items, while ignoring their children, who have turned to drugs for nurturing. As she uncovers the mystery of Amy and her ilk, Robin tries to flee back into the emotional haven of Noah's Ark, her last bastion of decency.

THE SCENT OF MURDER is a fabulous mystery that makes life in America feel like a living nightmare. Avarice and amoral behavior are the norm as society seems to fall apart. It may take a village to raise a child, but Barbara Block takes the audience around the block as she demonstrates that it all begins with a functioning family unit. This is a dark, but elaborate tale of depravity destroying everyone's lives except those fortunate enough to read this stimulating novel. Must reading for the politicos who jump on family values as a hypocritical slogan to save the world.

Harriet Klausner