A Reunion to Die For: A Joshua Thornton Mystery

This book is responsible for many of the difficulties I have suffered through the last few days. In particular, lack of sleep and problems completing my work. For I have spent that time reading this book. It is a complex tale of murders old and new, and the new ones just keep happening. The first new one is varsity cheerleader Grace Henderson, shot in the heart from close range in a shed by the football field. One the surface, it is similar to one that took place 20 years earlier, where another varsity cheerleader was also shot in the heart. That death was ruled a suicide, unfortunately, it was never fully investigated. Joshua Thornton is the county prosecutor and a widow with 5 children. As he starts investigating the death of Grace, he soon discovers that her wholesome presentation is just a façade. Other deaths soon follow, leaving a convoluted trail of multiple deaths, with one also occurring decades earlier. Several other characters are thrown into the mix. A corrupt police detective, Joshua's female lawyer friend that is an ex-SEAL, a mentally disturbed investigative reporter who has stalked Joshua in the past, a mentally ill genius, a high school classmate of Joshua's who is facing multiple rape charges, a completely unscrupulous woman and her equally amoral daughter, a fellow female lawyer who is one step above a nymphomaniac and can't stay away from Joshua, a few other scumbags and an idealistic former alcoholic doctor. If there is a flaw in the book, it is that there are too many characters. At times, I had a hard time sorting through which was which. However, that is a minor flaw, the action is frequent and engaging, I was glad when I finished so I could catch up on my sleep and work.

If you love a good mystery, you'll love Lauren Carr. I thought her debut novel, A Small Case of Murder, was fantastic, but A Reunion to Die For is even better. When Lauren Carr is at the wheel, you'd better make sure your seat belt is securely buckled because she never slows down. All kinds of twists and turns keep you guessing all the way through, making for a rich and thoroughly enjoyable read. We first met Joshua Thornton in Carr's previous novel, A Small Case of Murder; having lost his wife, Joshua had returned to his home town of Chester to raise his five children in a peaceful environment. His hopes for peace and quiet proved to be short-lived, however, as he soon found himself in the role of special prosecutor going after a prominent family implicated in a whole slew of murders. Now he's the county district attorney, having to investigate the murder of a high school cheerleader. It's a case that bears several disturbing parallels to the "suicide" of Tricia Wheeler, one of Joshua's high school friends (and also a cheerleader), twenty years ago. Speculation that the two deaths may in fact be related in some way is intensified by the arrival of local girl Gail Reynolds, a well-known network journalist who has returned home to Chester to write a book about Tricia's mysterious death. Gail's presence doesn't make Joshua's job any easier, as she has always been something of a nemesis to him - going out of her way, ever since high school, to question his integrity and undermine his successes. She's not the only former classmate Joshua has to deal with, either; there's also Tori Brody, something of a wild child who now turns up as a defense lawyer, of all things. Before you know it, Joshua has a stable-full of women causing him potential trouble. His good friend Jan has already confessed her love for him, Tori makes no secret of her lust for him, and Gail's attitude toward him smells suspiciously of sexual tension. All the wild stories springing up around Joshua and these women not only complicate his life and his ability to do his job, they also convince the new (and unqualified) chief detective - who tends to jump to immediate conclusions - that Josh himself is the murderer. This isn't the kind of novel you'll want to read in fits and starts because Carr introduces you to a number of characters in the story - but in doing so, she makes you feel like a virtual citizen of Chester yourself. In fact, her story-telling prowess makes it hard to put the book down at all, and she has the amazing ability to bring even minor characters to memorable life. Most impressively of all, every aspect of the mystery makes sense in the end - Carr doesn't leave any rocks unturned or loose ends dangling after the fact - nor do any facets of the truth feel contrived in any way. You can't say that about many a mystery writer these days - as far as I'm concerned, Lauren Carr is one of the best out there right now.

The main character, Joshua Thornton is what I'd call an involuntary ladies man. He doesn't mean to be, but he's a chick magnet and it's fun to watch. I wanted to throw that in; I'm not going to do another summary of the story. You've probably read the other reviews and I don't want to repeat all of it. I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed reading the book. The author writes with a special warmth and humor and it contributes to making the book a great read.

Was the twenty year old death of a cheerleader suicide or murder? Gail Reynolds, a journalist and classmate of Joshua Thornton's comes to town to write a book proving the latter. Apparently not everyone is glad to see her. When another cheerleader is killed in a similar manner, interest in the old murder is renewed. But the killings don't stop there. Among those who become victims is Rex Rollins, after he's announced that he has written a tell-all book, and when Gail is found dead, Joshua may well have been the last to see her alive, other than her killer, but he becomes a strong suspect. As the newly elected county prosecutor, he now finds that he has to solve the mystery that's fallen over his town. Joshua has to combat the personalities in the police and detective department as well as the people he calls friends, and of course, those he for which he feels no affection, only contempt. Lauren Carr's mystery series featuring widower Joshua Thornton and his five children is a resounding success. I'll be watching for the next book. Review by Wanda C. Keesey

In 1984 in Chester, West Virginia, her mother coming home from work and discovered the murdered corpse of teenager Tricia Wheeler; the killer was never caught. Two decades later at the upcoming high school reunion, investigative reporter Gail Reynolds announces she will write a true crime book on the unsolved Wheeler case. Hancock County prosecutor widower Joshua Thornton is unhappy with the proclamation as he expects to be painted badly in spite of being a student at the time by Reynolds who seems to loathe him. However, the single father of four has no time to brood; besides raising his brood someone murdered a cheerleader Grace Henderson with the crime emulating the Wheeler homicide. Soon afterward, Gail is killed, but hot shot police detective Seth Cavanaugh believes Joshua killed the two females and probably Wheeler too. Other killings follow. This is an entertaining police procedural legal thriller with a terrific final twist that insures justice occurs. Joshua is a delightful protagonist who struggles with a difficult case already personal made even harder when he becomes the prime suspect. Although some of the resolution comes out of nowhere, mystery readers will want to attend A REUNION TO DIE FOR. Harriet Klausner