Murder at the Arlington

"Murder at the Arlington" is the first mystery in a series starring unique heroine Sydney Lockhart. Set in 1952, in a time when most women were homemakers, Sydney is an ambitious career woman... a travel writer with dreams of proving herself as a "hardcore" reporter. Her latest travel assignment sends her to the historic Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Upon arrival, she discovers the savagely murdered body of the hotel's bookkeeper. But the murder doesn't stop at one killing...he or she is leaving a trail of victims. Unfortunately Sydney, a magnet for trouble, is considered a suspect. What follows is a suspenseful story with many intriguing twists and turns. As I read, I found myself completely drawn into an engaging atmospheric mystery. Kathleen Kaska has brilliantly created an engaging, clever storyline with a captivating cast of characters. I really love her smart, feisty heroine Sydney, whose wit and hilarious wisecracks provided plenty of laughs throughout. Her detailed, evocative writing superbly brought each scene to life and wonderfully captured the ambiance of that time and place. I truly loved this engrossing historical mystery. It was a thoroughly entertaining page-turner and I highly recommend it! I look forward to reading the next installment of this series.

Kathleen Kaska's book is an amazingly entertaining and engaging read! I can't wait for the next novel to see what kind of devilry Sydney gets into next! Don't miss this one!!

I loved this book. Peopled with likable charactors, including a heroine who is feisty without being vulgar or hard-boiled, there are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep it interesting. The setting is charming and the writing lively. I felt as if I was there at the Arlington in 1950's Hot Springs. I can't wait for the next installment. Where will Sydney go next?

My biggest surprise when I first read this manuscript was getting hooked on the first page. Yes first time... I actually read this book three times. That is something that never happens to me when I read a book. Better still, the plot continued to pull me in even further as I progressed through the pages. Sydney Lockhart is an unwitting sleuth who just seems to walk into trouble and when the going gets tough, Sydney manages to find more trouble. The characters are people much like I would have as my own friends so it was easy to feel both their pain and joys. I caught myself laughing one minute and holding my breath for the next five minutes. The writing is excellent and played out visually like cinema in my head. Readers beware, only the mystery of the incidents are solved but the mystery of Sydney and her life continue. That is the good news. Sydney Lockhart is part of a much larger plan you feel from the beginning. I hear there are other volumes in the future, and the reader will definitely want to know Sydney better and see what incredible antics happen to her next. The escape factor of reading Murder at the Arlington equals one week in Hawaii. My fond memories continue.