The Demise

Braxton Mystery Series, Book 1

Tiny Braxton, Tennessee, is a tight-knit community wrapped around an old town square just a stone's throw from Nashville. But when the town's most prominent citizen is found dead at the base of its water tower, news of Peter Lanham's apparent suicide roars through town like a massive tsunami. 

Peter, the handsome, beloved CEO of Lanham's Fine Foods, had taken a small, family-owned grocery store founded in 1927, and grew it into a successful national chain. With most of Braxton's residents employed by Lanham's corporate headquarters, word of Peter's demise left them searching for answers.

Julie Parker is convinced he didn't. As receptionist at Lanham's executive office suite, she's determined to find out what really happened to her boss. An aspiring actor who also stars as "The Lanham Girl" in the company's TV commercials, Julie prides herself on her perceptive observations and people-skills.

Matt Bryson, on assignment as a rookie Special Agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, isn't about to let the attractive receptionist intrude on his first case. She may be a hometown insider, but he's perfectly capable of solving the case without "Miss Marple" screwing up his investigation.

©2014 Diane Moody (P)2020 Tantor

great

When Braxton's wealthiest CEO is found dead at the base of a water tower, the entire town is abuzz. Aspiring actress Julie Parker, who acted in the company commercials, can't seen to help snooping around -- to the dismay of a certain TBI agent -- even when it gets dangerous. Turns out, the town has more secrets than anyone knew.
Great book! Love the small town mystery. Lots of suspects with potential motives. Huge twist at the end. Julie is a hoot. She has a personality that could easily cross into annoying, but doesn't. Love her relationships with her brother and Matt (though unequally yoked with Matt). And she's a good friend. She definitely could have compromised the investigation, though, if the court argued that snooped with the encouragement or approval from police. And they could have called a judge for a warrant instead of waiting until morning. Good narrator.

Great!

This was a great story except for all the Christian proselytizing. Narration was spot on. Nice twist at the end.