Saturday, November 9, 2013

Hidden Heritage: A Lottie Albright Mystery-Charlotte Hinger

Hidden Heritage: A Lottie Albright Mystery

Charlotte Hinger

Poisoned Pen, Nov 5 2013, $24.95

ISBN 9781464200762



In the middle of the night in Carlton County, Kansas, a corpse floats in the “shit pit” at the feed yard. Someone murdered Victor Diaz, who apparently had no known reason for being at this locale especially at two in the morning.



Sheriff Sam Abbott assigns Undersheriff Lottie Albright undercover at the feed yard where she learns of felonious activities tied to her boss. While she hides her current assignment from her concerned family, Lottie also rejects the idea that Sam is corrupt. KBI Agent Frank Dimon thinks Sam’s going bad is plausible as he believes the homicide is more than just a local murder. Also a historian Lottie realizes that the victim is the great-grandson of still living Dona Francisca Diaz, who developed the western part of the state. Dona Francisca explains to Lottie the motive for Victor’s homicide can be found in historical documents she gives to the undersheriff.



The third Lottie Albright police procedural (see Deadly Descent and Lethal Lineage) is a leisurely paced whodunit that uses Jayhawk State history as the key element in the protagonist’s investigation. Although the overly included insight into the cattle industry detracts from the mystery, readers will enjoy Lottie seeking the homicidal Hidden Heritage.



Harriet Klausner

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