Genre: Mystery, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Fifty million motives for murder; one determined detective. Book three in the Lessons in Murder series by Edale Lane
Detective Jenna Ferrari just wanted to spend New Year’s Eve with her new sweetheart; was that too much to ask? Whoever decided he or she had to shoot multi-millionaire Mitchell Lockwood at half-past midnight thought so.
Despite prepping the curriculum for her upcoming spring semester classes, Randi makes her new girlfriend her top priority. But when she perceives the widow of the murder victim making advances toward Jenna, her cool, patient demeanour gets tested.
Was it a robbery interrupted? Or maybe his business partner, a competitor, a family member, or someone else? With fifty million reasons to want Lockwood dead, anyone could be the killer, and he or she may be ready to kill again.
Under the microscope of a high-profile investigation, will Jenna prove who the murderer is without winding up a casualty herself?
Follow Detective Jenna Ferrari as she investigates a high-profile murder. 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 create a fool-proof course for a winning relationship while under the pressure of a prominent case? Don’t miss this episode of Edale Lane’s contemporary sapphic mystery series.
The Review
New Year in Murder is the third novel in the “Lessons in Murder” series. Lane has crafted two amazing lesbian characters: Lt. Detective Jenna Ferrari and Dr. Miranda “Randi” McLeod, on their third mystery together here.
New Year’s Eve holds much promise for Jenna and Randi. They’re finally on a real date, and there’s anticipation of what’s to come later in the evening. No matter how Jenna sees Randi on the outside, inside she is so proud to have someone like Randi as a friend, and hopefully more. Especially once Randi brings up the term “girlfriend.”
At the Park Dance Club, they’re meeting with Randi’s friend Jo Rodriquez, and Jo’s date, Madison Monroe. With some interesting conversation and the excitement of the evening, Jenna and Randi even get a chance to dance together. But then Jenna’s job as a detective cuts the evening short.
Jenna gets called in on a high profile homicide at the Poages Mile Estates. Even Captain Myers is there, along with several other men, dressed to the nines. The murder will bring pressure from both the Mayor and the press, and Jenna will have to put all her faith in her team to do a top-notch job. The New Year’s Eve celebration was cut short not only for Jenna and her team, but alsom for the victim, multi-millionaire businessman Mitchell Lockwood, age fifty-nine.
Jenna is glad to see Officer Matt Murphy already on the scene, and knows he will do an exceptional job. Other members of Jenna’s team start to show up too: Trisha Jamison, Dr. Valentine, Det. Ron Owens, and CSI Destiny Wilcox. The team will investigate a variety of suspects, from Lockwood’s current wife Audra, daughter Brett, business partner Charles Branson, and two thieves.
As the rest of the team start to dig deeper into the evidence, will the crime be resolved? Randi will also get caught up in the homicide, as she battles with her conscience to make a split-second decision.
Lane creates another twisted, detailed mystery in her “Lessons In Murder” series. The mystery is very well plotted, and brings out the precision of the teams investigation skills in each of their areas of expertise.
The author also builds on the relationship between Jenna and Randi – both have doubts and insecurities that they deal with in this new thing between them. Randi is hopeful and worried about a first time relationship, and Jenna was in a bad relationship before and has her own baggage.
There’s are also differences in how Jenna and Randi feel about their up-bringings, families and religion. The tragic death of Kiley Johnson still haunts Jenna, and she has made a decision to join Dr. Jane Grayson’s therapy group, where she finds that there are many others suffering with emotional issues.
Jenna takes great pride in her team. She is very understanding of Ron Owens, on not wanting to participate in a particular interview. He’s worried about how he feels and mistakes he could make. She gives him good advice about sensitivity training.
She also gives more responsibility to Officer Murphy. Trish Jamison is pretty sharp on this case too. She knows fashion, and Lane gives detailed descriptions of the clothing that the women in the story wear. Jenna in particular is set apart, since she’s always in uniform and tries to make some adjustments.
Lane also explores Randi’s character in greater depth – she is more than just a doctor/instructor in her field. She has surprising skills in other areas too. She’s planning her upcoming college teaching schedule in English Lit, Novels and Shakespeare, and recites a beautifully written poem to Jenna.
Lastly, I have to mention Bandit and Byron, who always bring moments of joy to both Jenna and Randi.
I highly suggest reading the first two novels as well – Meeting Over Murder and Skimming Around Murder, not only for the mystery but many interesting characters.
I’m really impressed with Lane as she continues the “Lessons In Murder” series. The stories are very entertaining – anyone can enjoy them. I’m ready for the next book!
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.
