Today I am reviewing Lowcountry Boneyard by Susan M. Boyer for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Where is Kent Heyward? The twenty-three year old heiress from one of Charleston’s oldest families vanished a month ago. When her father hires private investigator, Liz Talbot, Liz suspects that the most difficult part of her job will be convincing the patriarch his daughter tired of his overbearing nature and left town. That’s what the Charleston Police Department believes.
But behind the garden walls South of Broad, family secrets pop up like weeds in the azaleas. The neighbors recollect violent arguments between Kent and her parents. Eccentric twin uncles and a gaggle of cousins covet the family fortune. And the lingering spirit of a Civil War-era debutant may know something if Colleen, Liz’s dead best friend, can get her to talk.
Liz juggles her case, the partner she’s in love with, and the family she adores. But the closer she gets to what has become of Kent, the closer Liz dances to her own grave.
My review: I reviewed Lowcountry Bombshell by Boyer a couple of years ago. I enjoyed it. Then, as now, Boyer writes a tightly plotted mystery where Charleston and the island named Stella Maris, where Liz lives, are lovingly described in rich detail. This series is written by a Southerner who clearly loves her chosen home. I tip my hat to her – her words make Charleston and Stella Maris come to life.
Liz is a strong female protagonist, who balances her tough work as a private investigator with the demands of family, lover, and friends, with a running commentary on what designer handbag she’s carrying or outfit she’s wearing. In other words, this mystery series is a combination of the American version of a cozy mystery and Chick Lit. It’s very entertaining and a perfect summer read.
I love the other-worldly character of Colleen, Liz’s best friend who died too young. Only Liz can see her and she flits in and out of the story, all the while keeping her protective eye on Liz. It’s a lovely eccentric character detail in a series that honors and nurtures the eccentric.
But that leads me to something I must address. Liz’s family is portrayed as a group of endearing Southern eccentrics. There is one scene in which Liz goes to her parents’ house for dinner, a dinner where they are to meet her sister’s new boyfriend. I won’t go into detail, but the successful efforts of her father to rid the backyard of tunneling rodents with gasoline and bullets was too much for me. This reviewer, who cannot bear to see cruelty to animals – any animals – found it very hard to read. I have to admit that it put me off the book for quite a while. I love eccentricity as much as the next person, but there are lots of other ways to make that quality come to life on the page. I think this particular choice was an unfortunate one. I’m fully aware that many readers will not even blink an eye when reading this scene. Nevertheless, you’re reading my reviews in great part because they are honest and forthright, so I have to share my reaction with you.
That being said, I think Boyer is a very good writer. The Lowcountry series is richly Southern, with fascinating characters and compelling plots. There’s a nice dose of humor, as well. The plot has lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing while following along with Liz as she methodically sifts through clues, interviews suspects, and tries to figure out who is telling the truth and who is not.
About the author: Susan M. Boyer is the author of the USA Today bestselling Liz Talbot mystery series. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations. Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels.
Susan lives in Greenville, SC with her husband and an inordinate number of houseplants.
I’m giving away a copy of Lowcountry Boneyard. Just leave a comment here and I’ll pick the winner on Thursday evening.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Monday.
I would love to give this author a try!
Loved your pictures of Scout yesterday…..love the way that sweet baby girl tucks her front legs up while napping, so sweet!
Happy Monday!
Sounds like a perfect summer read to me, as my summer will be spent lazing in a hammock in the North while dreaming of my newest home in the South.
Sounds like a good summer read. Thanks for the opportunity Claudia!
Since it feels like summer thanks to the temperatures, I’m ready for a fun summer read. Hello spring, where did you go?
Oh my, I would so love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance. Have a good week!
Another author for me. Will have to check her out.
I enjoy reading good Southern novels but sometimes they fall into stereotypes I don’t enjoy. Still this sounds like a fun read and I would try this author for sure.
hugs,
Linda
I’m intrigued and would love to get a copy of this book!
Except for that one part, seems like a good read…always interested in new to me authors! ;)
I remember when you reviewed Lowcountry Bombshell and it was a very enjoyable read..I would love to read this new one!!
Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve already read and loved this book (I don’t need to be entered in the giveaway.)
I would enjoy giving this author a try.
Hi Claudia, this sounds like a great read, I am learning so much about new authors (for me) from you.
Aren’t the lilacs heavenly…and speaking about heaven, my idea of perfection is a bouquet of lilacs and a hot bubblebath! Xxoo
I am always looking for a good author and enjoy series using the same characters. So crossing my fingers I might be lucky! (Also keeping the author’s name so I can head to the library!).
I, too, can’t read about cruelty to animals, so that might put me off this particular book. Don’t count me in on the give-away. I will check my local library for this author.
An ideal book for a summer escape. Thanks.
I bet the part about the rodents was a childhood memory. I grew up in the country on a very small old farm. The farm house didn’t even have indoor plumbing. Luckily we only had chickens. Every Sunday we had chicken for dinner. I am sure you can imagine what happened on Saturday. Would love to win a copy of the book.
I would love to read another book besides War and Peace. I have been struggling with this book for about 3 years now if not longer. Parts of it are lovely to read and then they go into the part about war and I loose interest. I love mysteries so please pic me.
thanks,
Deanna
I love Southern mysteries and try to find as many cozies as I can at our local bookstore and online. I haven’t read any of her books yet but I am ordering Lowcountry Bombshell immediately after I finish this post.
I feel the same when animals small and large are portrayed as pests and attempts to force them from their homes is not kind or humane.
I’ve never heard of this author but I love a good Southern read so I will look at the library for her book(s).
Hope you are feeling better and enjoying these Spring days.
Loved your review. This book sounds wonderful, and I really enjoy reading stories that have family secrets. Thanks for having the giveaway.
This sounds like a good read to me. I always enjoy reading your recommended books. Please count me in for the give away. Thank you.
This sounds like a good Summer read……….We’re planning a vacation to South Carolina’s Low Country this Summer. Would love to pack this book in my beach bag. DEB
I’d love to read this book/author. Being a Southerner myself, I usually enjoy reading a well written mystery set in my home country (inside joke). If I don’t win, I’ll probably check with the public library so thanks for the heads up about the animal part. Cruelty to animals is a deal breaker for me and so is excessive profanity.
I feel the same about cruelty to any of God’s creatures. This author sounds interesting, must give her a try.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book for the tour.