Customer Reviews

Signs in the Blood

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vicki Lane's thrilling tale of Elizabeth Goodweather's "true-life" adventure still lingers in my thoughts more than a week after finishing the book. The story became real to me and the characters reminded me somehow of relatives I must have living somewhere in the mountains of Appalachia. My wife didn't complete her reading for a couple of days and I enjoyed teasing her, telling her repeatedly that I knew who done it, so to speak. This was much more than just an entertaining read for both my wife and I. The eloquence of character and scene development drew us into the storyline. Vicariously participating in the drama as we read, Signs in the Blood became an experience a mystery we, as readers, solved right along with the loveable Elizabeth. Although it doesn't seem to make much sense to read again a mystery - because I know the ending - I think I'll sit down with Signs in the Blood again, just for a visit with Elizabeth, Laura, and Ben. At least I know now that nobody else will get killed.

A charming trip into the mountains of North Carolina and the strange people one might find there...not to mention a murder mystery par excellence! The leading character, Elizabeth, is so life-like that we get to know her and like her immediately. Let's hope she is only beginning her adventures in the mountains. Placing the story in this environment lends itself to a much different tone than the hard-boiled types you find in most such novels, thus the title for this review. IF you find yourself attracted to this idea I say buy it without question!

Vicki Lane is a master storyteller who paints a stunningly vivid picture of the people and of the amazing geography that is Appalachia. Prepare to be amazed, because Vicki Lane's hauntingly fluid novel does exactly that and much more.

Cozy mystery readers should not be put off by the title; this is not a gory story, but rather an engaging trip deep into Appalachia. Vicki Lane has created a genuinely likeable, down-to-earth protaganist, and a host of interesting suspects in this yarn. I'm ready for her next one.

I love the blue ridge mountains, and I love a good mystery. Vicki Lane's book didn't disappoint me in either area. She kept up the tension, the story was compelling, and her ability to set the reader right there in the mountains was delightful. I can't wait to read her next book!
Chrissy K. McVay
Little Switzerland, NC

Rich imagery evocative of the people and the places in Appalachia. Wonderful balance of the tensions and the sympathies between the long time inhabitants and the educated newcomers. It catches you and hurls you along. Hope to see more.

This book so accurately describes the area, people, and way of life. I've lived in this area all my life and it's so comforting to find a book written about the Appalachian people that doesn't describe us in the sterotypical way of most "southern" novels. The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars is a personal preference. I feel like the author is a little harsh and over the top on the religion emphasis. Even though there are snakehandlers in this region it's very rare. Also, not all "believers" in the mountains are as fanatical as they appear in the book. Again, that's a personal thing. I will continue the series and am delighted to have found a local author who is trustworthy with the pen. If you want an accurate portrayal of the mountain people and land (while enjoying a good mystery) I suggest you rush right out and buy this one!

I decided to start this series, I have recently moved to this area, and I thought it may be fun to read about my new home. It was!

I liked the characters very much, and the author is great at describing the people and the feel of the area. Also the author is right on describing the beauty of this wonderful part of America.

I gave it a four rather than a five only because I felt the end was rushed, the stories that I were wading through trying to figure out the mystery, just kind of fell into place a little to neatly and a little to quick. However, I look forward to reading her other books, I really did enjoy this one enough to push me to read her others. If you are looking for a good mystery, with a different setting, this is for you. Again, she really does give the read a feel for this area.

This book was written very uniquely, honestly and with a twist. I live in Asheville, NC and related to all the places mentioned in the book. I think I enjoyed reading something with romance, suspense, and every other emotion you can think of in one book and still not wanting to put it down waiting for the conclusion (and believe me it was a surprise)!!!

Over two decades ago, Elizabeth and Sam Goodweather moved to Ridley, Branch in the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains. Five years ago, Sam died, but Elizabeth had their two daughters to raise so had no time to mourn her loss though she missed her partner. Now Rosemary lives and works in Chapel Hill and Laurel in Ashville so the empty nest widow, in spite of her herb and flower shop and her nephew nearby, feels lonely especially with the recent death of her best friend who adopted her and Sam when they first arrived.

A concerned Miss Birdie asks Elizabeth for help because she feels something bad has happened to her adult child Cletus Gentry since his pup came home alone with his bag. The sheriff ignores the concerns of the two women insisting that Cletus with the mind of a child has wandered off for days before even reaching the Tennessee line. While Elizabeth tracks Cletus' path, Miss Birdie's fears prove correct when a kayaker finds Cletus' corpse. However, Elizabeth's search places her in jeopardy by a soulless avenger who cleanses transgressions of others by dispatching them to the afterlife.

SIGNS IN THE BLOOD is a terrific regional amateur sleuth mystery starring an interesting protagonist who keeps the plot focused and several eccentric secondary characters who provide an anchor to the area. The story line insures that the mountains and the heroine are fully developed before turning into a serial killing cozy (strange combo). Vicki Lane writes a top quality woman in peril tale that fans will like and want more treks up the Appalachia.

Harriet Klausner