Murder in Scorpio: A Mystery

Well crafted girl detective novel with a unique twist. Beautiful, sexy, former parapsychologist with extrasensory gifts and a private investigator's license is hired by, of all improbable people, a hunk of a California cop. Tom McGowan has a gut feeling that the death of a bright, young law student is not the tragic, but routine traffic accident it seems. PI Elizabeth Chase combines detective work with psychic insights to find out whodunit. Author Lawrence's talent is to make you care about her characters while holding your interest with plot twists. Certainly hope this is just the first of many Dr. Elizabeth Chase mysteries. P.S. If you find a first hardcover edition of this first Dr. Elizabeth Chase novel, hold on to it. It'll be worth big bucks soon.

Martha Lawrence has created a great read and is a wonderful addition to the mystery genre. Her characters are believable and the plot winds and twists to a memorable conclusion. But don't start this one until you have plenty of free time, you don't be able to put it down! She has handled the primary character, Dr. Elizabeth Chase, who has psychic premonitions, very well. It is done within a realistic and plausible plot. Well done, Martha!

Martha C. Lawrence's "Murder in Scorpio" is the best first novel I've read in years. The novel's heroine, Dr. Elizabeth Chase, Investigator/Parapsycholgist, is not only strong-willed and intelligent, but made vulnerable by having (legitimate) psychic abilities which allow her to sense and feel the sensations, emotions and motivation of both victims and perpetrators of crime. "Murder in Scorpio" is a very interesting read. (I stayed up all night and read the whole book without putting it down!) Since, I've really taken Ms. Lawrence's sleuth to heart and have read her next book:" Cold Heart of Capricorn" (chillingly good!). I'm now waiting for her third Elizabeth Chase tale to make its way to the printed page. Martha C. Lawrence (a Sister in Crime author) was nominated for the Agatha, Anthony Bouchercon and Edgar literary awards for "Murder in Scorpio" - winning the Edgar for Best First novel. Well deserved! For a cozy night in front of the fireplace curled up with a great book, "Murder in Scorpio" is a winner. Don't miss it!

Martha Lawrence has introduced a fascinating new female private detective in Elizabeth Chase, parapsychologist. Elizabeth is fresh, funny, and psychic. Although I was afraid, before starting the "Murder in Scorpio," that it would focus too heavily on New Age themes, the novel actually focused on good old-fashioned detective work, with parapsychology just one of the tools Elizabeth Chase uses to catch the bad guys. The book is witty and romantic without being cloying. As soon as I finished "Murder in Scorpio," I wanted to immediately start on the next book featuring Elizabeth Chase, "The Cold Heart of Capricorn."

Easy to see why this book has multiple award nominations. Here you have rollercoaster pacing and a protagonist to warm to. Don't be put off by the astrology and the auras. Parapsychologist Elizabeth Chase has visions, sees auras, gets hunches and feelings. But she's practical enough to know she doesn't get it right all the time. Chase is willing to use any talent and capability she had to solve the mystery brought to her by Tom McGowan, an experienced cop. Stymied, he's looking for any help he can get to put to rest his unease over the accidental death of a friend. Turns out the accident isn't. This one is taut, well-written, carefully edited, a fine first effort, whether you care about such phenomena or not. And the developing relationship between Chase and McGowan forms effective counterpoint to the screaming menace. Intricately plotted, this one will keep you guessing to the end. And the final scene is absolutely and perfectly right on