Murder In Black and White

The High Country Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Loretta Jackson, Vickie Britton

Narrated by: Michael Bowen

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Sheriff Jeff McQuede becomes suspicious when a robber breaks into the Coal County Museum and steals only one item - a black-and-white class photograph. Under the name Jerome Slade the photographer had printed two ominous words: never graduated.

When a body is unearthed beneath the newly demolished school, McQuede realizes Slade had not left Black Mountain the night of the spring dance. McQuede soon uncovers hidden rivalries between Slade and his classmates. When he discovers that Heather Kenwell and the woman of his dreams, Loris Conner, were rivals for Slade's affection, McQuede fears finding out the truth.

Theft, blackmail, and another brutal killing lead back to photographs taken by Black Mountain's eccentric photographer, Bruce Fenton. While others see an innocent collection, McQuede sees murder in black and white.

©2012 Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton (P)2020 Books in Motion

Great Start to an Entertaining Mystery Series

I enjoyed this first audio in the High Country Mystery Series. Jeff McQuede is a fair and likable sheriff trying to keep law and order in his corner of Wyoming in this cozy series. I especially enjoyed the side characters and setting of fictional Coal County, Wyoming. The narrator adds a special touch to this engaging tale. Highly recommended for those seeking an entertaining story with just the right blend of seriousness and humor. Recommended!

If you love mysteries, you'll love this one!

Summary –

An old photograph leads to blackmail, heated rivals, and murder but is the killer closer than Sheriff Jeff realizes? Someone steals a black and white class photograph and writes ‘never graduated’ below where the photograph was displayed. Mighty suspicious, in Sheriff Jeff’s opinion. Who would steal this photograph and why? Things get murkier when a dead body is found underneath a school recently demolished. The body is identified as Slade, who everyone assumed left after graduation. Sheriff Jeff tackles this murder with gusto. What he discovers is shocking and leaves him baffled. Old high school rivalries, blackmail, and another murder point the sheriff to the town’s famous photographer and the woman he cares for. What is the connection? False clues and suspects have Sheriff Jeff spinning his wheels until he receives a black and white photograph in the mail. Will Sheriff Jeff catch the murderer before it’s too late?


Narrator’s overall voice –

Michael Bowen is one of the finest narrators I’ve ever listened to. His voice is perfect for mysteries like this one, full of suspense and intrigue. I started listening to this story and couldn’t stop listening. Bowen’s timbre is exhilarating to listen to and it’s obvious he’s a talented narrator.


Does the narrator fit the characters?

Yes, Michael Bowen is the perfect voice to make this story come to life. Since there are a lot of characters, I wondered how the narrator would pull it off. He uses different inflections for each character and the result is a stunning listening experience.


Narrator’s reading style –

Michael Bowen is a talented narrator who knows how to draw the audience in. His cadence is the perfect level of trickery and suspense.


Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

Michael Bowen makes Murder in Black and White a five-plus star listen. I can’t say enough good things about his impact. I got sucked into the story from the beginning and when I was finished, I wanted to listen to it all over again.


Narrator’s pacing –

Michael Bowen takes his pacing very seriously, like the talented actor he is. He knows what to do to draw the reader in and paces the story with just the right amount of drama, suspense, emotion, and tension to make it an irresistible listen.


Audiobook flow –

The audiobook flows perfectly, and I found myself wanting to listen to it over and over again.


What makes this audiobook unique –

Michael Bowen is what makes this audiobook unique. His take on this mystery is magnificent and mystery readers everywhere will enjoy this one.


Would I recommend this audiobook –

YES! I recommend this to suspense and mystery listeners. I also recommend this to anyone who needs to be swept away into an evocative mystery.


My Rating: 5+ stars

Mediocre at Best

Nothing to recommend this story. Uninteresting main character with no apparent qualifications for Sheriff.
No real felling of place or time. Hints of ideas or areas that may have added depth or interest were not pursued.