Final Exam

by Carol J. Perry

Kensington Books

Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 26 Feb 2019

Review

Once again Carol J Perry has provided readers with an intriguing mystery with just the right dash of paranormal flair. This time, things hit close to home when an antique sports car with human remains is pulled from the river. Aunt Ibby’s extreme emotional response on learning who could be in the car worries Lee. It appears that one of Aunt Ibby’s classmates had disappeared on prom night - one with a close personal connection to Ibby. Now it looks like his disappearance was something sinister - murder. Naturally, Lee is on the case, both for her aunt’s sake and for the sake of her job as an investigative reporter. Someone is willing to kill to hide old secrets - the question is who.

Part of what makes these books appeal to me is the likable nature of the central characters. You enjoy their company and care what happens. Perry has not fallen into the trap of using less characterization as the series progresses, which makes it easy for newcomers to jump right in. And of course O’Ryan is always a treat and has an important role to play - a bonus for cat lovers.

5 / 5

I received a copy of Final Exam from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

-- Crittermom

Description

A cold case update in Salem, Massachusetts . . .

Life at the house on Winter Street is abuzz with preparations for Aunt Ibby’s 45th high school reunion, and Lee Barrett is happy to pitch in, tracking down addresses and licking envelopes. But as a field reporter for Salem’s WICH-TV, her priority is to be on top of the town’s latest news before anyone else.

When the local police dredge up a vintage sports car containing human remains, Lee is thrilled to be the first reporter on the scene. Once she learns the car is connected to the cold case her boyfriend Pete happens to be working on, her powers of investigation are quickly alerted. But it’s her Aunt Ibby’s emotional reaction to Lee’s TV report that puts her on the case. With the help of O’Ryan, her psychic feline sidekick, she’ll have to unravel a tangled past of secrets and promises to stop a killer from making history again . . .