Monday, May 19, 2008

Murder in Scorpio by Martha C. Lawrence



Murder in Scorpio is the first appearance of psychic private investigator Dr. Elizabeth Chase, who is gifted with paranormal abilities. She uses these powers to solve mysteries and is called upon by a detective with the San Diego Police Department, unofficially of course, to investigate the death of a friend.

All indications are that Janice Freeman died in a tragic car accident. Tom McGowan is convinced that there is more to this ‘accident’ than meets the eye. He describes a paranormal experience that led him to Elizabeth Chase.

Her powers tell her that Tom is correct and begins to investigate Janice’s death. The trails take Elizabeth from the halls of a multi-million dollar real estate corporation to the broken-down shack inhabited by potheads to a secluded house in the desert, sitting in a sea of junk.

One thing that becomes clear to Elizabeth is her growing attraction to her benefactor, the handsome Tom McGowan. When an attempt on her life luckily fails, Elizabeth is forced to take refuge in Tom’s house, a situation that neither finds uncomfortable.

The key to the whole mystery comes from the murdered Janice, herself. She appears to Elizabeth in a dream and shows her the location of this ‘key’. Elizabeth discovers real estate fraud and a meth lab but at the peril of her life.

I found myself turning the pages rapidly at the end of the book as Elizabeth gets trapped by the responsible party and barely escapes with a young girl in tow, rescued by Tom her knight in shining armor.

The fast pace doesn’t help the reader much as Elizabeth unravels the mystery. Lawrence piles on the facts and those of us without a basic knowledge of real estate ownership and business ownership details are left re-reading Elizabeth’s logic to keep up.

There are places where a section feels as if it were inserted only for the sake of lengthening the novel with no added value to the story. For example, an interview with a waitress, who claims to be an eyewitness to the crash, is ominous and appears to hold a vital clue. However, after the scene, no more mention is made of the waitress or her story.

None of these detract significantly from the novel with is an enjoyable and easy read. The story is interlaced with intriguing paranormal events but never gets bogged down or burdens the reader with the feeling of a science fiction or fantasy tale. Lawrence keeps the novel believable and exciting. The reader will fall in love with the divine Dr. Chase.
(originally published on ezinearticles.com)

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