Reason to Doubt - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Reason to Doubt (Carol Childs Mystery #5) by Nancy Cole Silverman

Rating: Good

Source: Author

Description:  Carol Childs is in the middle of one of the biggest stories of her life. Her daughter Cate has returned from college with a boyfriend in tow. A photographer who police suspect to be The Model Slayer, responsible for the murder of three young women.

Not since the Hillside Strangler has Los Angeles been so on edge.

And when the police arrest Cate’s boyfriend, Carol’s personal life and professional worlds collide. A tattooed cocktail waitress calls the radio station and asks to speak with Carol off the record. She knows the true identity of the real Model Slayer because she says she killed him.

Tensions mount as the clock ticks. The police are convinced they have the right man. Mother and daughter aren’t talking. Carol can’t reveal to investigators all she knows, and unless Carol can find the real killer before the trial begins, an innocent man may spend the rest of his life in prison or be executed for a crime he didn’t commit.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed the previous books in the series and couldn't pass up a chance to see what Carol is up to now.

My Impression:  This is one of the most un-cozy cozies that I've read in awhile and I mean that in the best way possible.  Carol is an amateur detective but she's also a very solid journalist with a long career behind her.  I really enjoy that the author pulls real life dilemmas and blends them into the story - in this case it's how far do you go to protect a source and at what point are you too personally involved with a case.  She's ambitious, a hard worker, and doesn't hesitate to do everything she can to sniff out just what is really happening around her.

This mystery flew by.  I really enjoy a serial killer mystery but they can frequently get a little too disturbing for me.  This had everything I like but never got to graphic or disturbing.  It was definitely best of both words - cozy and thriller - for me!  Normally, I spend some time trying to guess the who and the why but here I was just so much enjoying Carol's investigation that I felt like I didn't want to get ahead of her!  I was also happy to see Chase and Misty back as well as more fun with Carol's boss Tyler.  He can be such a weasel but can also come through in a tight spot just when you need him.  My main issue was that Carol's daughter drove me crazy!  I get that she's in an uncomfortable situation and is very angry but the lashing out at Carol seemed almost immature at times.  This is the kind of behavior I would expect from a 14 year old - not a college student.  However, that's just through my own experience and it never impacted my enjoyment of the mystery.

If you enjoy page turning not so cozy cozies this is a series that you must not miss!  This just might be my favorite yet! 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to seeing more about Carol Childs' adventures.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely!  This is a fun read with a solid mystery.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *