Genre: Mystery, Crime Solving, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Love and murder are in the air.
The rape and murder of a young woman in the park launches Lt. Ferrari and her team into high gear. Was a deadly predator stalking the city, or was it a crime of passion?
Then, Jenna’s long-lost first love Tori shows up unexpectedly, jarring Jenna’s emotions when she needs to focus on the case, and prompting her to determine who she truly loves.
Randi lays down the law when she witnesses a Facebook video of Jenna being shot at during a street chase after being told, “it was just a regular day.” However, her dog, Byron, may be the key to solving Jenna’s murder case.
Who killed the woman in the park and why? And what revelations will Valentine’s Day bring for Jenna, Tori, and Randi?
Continue to match wits with Detective Jenna Ferrari and the criminals she encounters while pursuing her romantic ventures with college professor Randi McLeod. Can a tough cop and a tender teacher weather the trial of an interfering ex? Don’t miss this episode of Edale Lane’s contemporary sapphic mystery series, Lessons in Murder.
The Review
Lt. Detective Jenna Ferrari and Detective Ron Owens of the Roanoke PD are doing an interview at a liquor store that was broken into. All at once, they hear the shout, and they find themselves on a foot chase. Owens can’t keep up, so Ferrari sprints around pedestrians and through traffic to catch the suspect.
Being a detective is always dangerous, and now she diving behind a dumpster as she’s being shot at several times as the chase continues. Finally backup arrives, and the the three strikes suspect is put in cuffs.
Jenna arrives at the college gym, where four karate schools are holding tournaments. Randi has been competing, and is more than excited to see Jenna in the crowd. The chase made Jenna late – she really wanted to see Randi compete – but she makes it in time for the trophy ceremony. Randi has won two, and Jenna couldn’t be more proud of this wonderful woman who she finds so appealing. As they discuss Jenna’s day – “just a regular day” – they make plans to meet later at Randi’s.
After Jenna gets home, there’s a knock at her door. She finds herself in a bad position with Lt Commander Tori Varon, her ex who has been out of her life for eight years. Tori doesn’t care that Jenna is seeing someone. She thinks they can just pick up where they left off.
After dealing with Tori, Jenna calls Randi to let her know she’s on her way over. Arriving at Randi’s, Jenna has a lot of explaining to do, but she’s lucky to have such an understanding girlfriend.
Dealing with the sensitive issues of her ex, her new relationship and her ever interfering job, Jenna, Randi and their dog Byron take walk in Wasena Park. But Byron becomes disgruntled with a stranger, and Jenna and Randi find themselves immersed in yet another a murder that only one very special witness may be able to solve.
Lane has penned another suspenseful crime investigation tale in Heart of Murder. Jenna and Randi have to deal with their own relationships issues – I love how Randi supports Jenna in so many ways. There are still those moments of doubt, and the decision when to say those three important words.
The two crimes in the story are interesting: an addict who has three strikes, and a crazed murderer. Jenna’s team is always there to lend their expertise: Officers Matt Murphy, Vicki Stone, Jamison, Bauman, Dr. Gupta, and Marcus. Dr. Jane Grayson, will also be called into consult as there are several attorneys in the mix.
We also learn a little more about Byron – his breed, bloodline and his good citizenship certificate.
I highly recommend Heart of Murder – another suspenseful, dangerous, fast-paced police procedural from Edale Lane which continues the wonderful relationship growing between Jenna and Randi. All the books in the “Lessons In Murder” series are cozy, easy reads that anyone can enjoy.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
