Killer Cocktail (Emily Winter mystery #3) by David M. Hamlin

 

Killer Cocktail

(Emily Winter mystery #3)

by David M. Hamlin

Published February 2021 by Open Books Press

Goodreads synopsis: 

Chicago TV reporter Emily Winter is drawn into a complicated and challenging investigation when a women's health clinic is destroyed and a cherished member of the clinic's staff is killed. While her skill, talent and contacts lead her to many likely suspects -- anti-abortion activists, a wealthy donor to that cause, a disgruntled former clinic employee, a real estate broker -- she also encounters stone walls and silence. As her investigation moves slowly forward, Emily relies on her husband Ben and Ben's street-savvy Uncle Max, her news staff colleagues and a group of women, all of whom have shattered glass ceilings. When two sniper attacks threaten her life, Emily grows even more determined to solve the crime until -- over-coming multiple obstacles including a sexist police information officer -- she solves the murder and brings the killers to justice.

***

4.75 stars

This is the third book in the Emily Winter Ace Reporter Mystery series by David M. Hamlin.

This book really grabs you. I wouldn’t exactly call it a cozy mystery but it does have many things in common with it. This is an investigative reporter type of mystery along the lines of what I think of as detective fiction or police procedural.

This takes place in the past, 1975-ish time period. That explains why the reporter calls from a pay phone at some point in the book. I was like… are those even around any more. I guess at that point in my reading of the novel I was unaware of the period of the piece. This reads like a novel from today. I guess reporting the story doesn’t really change over time and a lot of the tv cameras haven’t changed much over the years either.

I wouldn’t exactly call this writing hard-nosed but it seems a bit tougher than your normal cozy type mystery, more real feeling. I really enjoyed the read. I look forward to reading the previous two books in this series. The mystery her was spot on and the characters both minor and major were a thing of beauty. Loved it a lot.

I highly recommend this series so much.

If you like reporter type of mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.