A Dark and Twisting Path

A Dark and Twisting Path by Julia Buckley takes us to Blue Lake, Indiana. Lena London along with her employer, Camilla Graham have returned from England to Graham House. Lena is thinking about her father’s upcoming visit when she gets a call from her friend, Allison Branch asking her to rush over. Allison has found mail carrier, Eddie Stack dead at the back of her property with Sam’s letter opener in his chest. It looks like the killer is trying to set up Sam to take the fall for Eddie’s murder. When they look at Sam’s surveillance footage to see how the guilty party obtained the letter opener, they see a figure in black break into Sam’s home. The individual took the unique letter opener along with a piece of paper. Lena along with Camilla delve into the case. But then Lena receives threatening notes and someone breaks into Camilla’s home. Lena is even more determined to identify the killer. What did Eddie see that got him killed? A Dark and Twisting Path cannot be read as a standalone. You need to read the book in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series in order. The mystery that has been in all three books is coming to a head in A Dark and Twisting Path. It involves Sam, his ex-wife (Victoria), Victoria’s missing daughter (Athena) and the ruthless Nikon Leandros Lazos. I was happy that to see that this particular thread is wrapped up. I thought the mystery was complex and multilayered. Information is revealed a little at a time as the story progresses. However, the mystery plays out in the background. Other issues seem to overshadow it (unfortunately). The writing is good, but the pace is a little slow. The pacing does pick up near the end. Lena is a developed character. She is smart, engaging, loyal and creative. Lena, along with the other characters, are relatable and likeable. There is quite a bit going on in A Dark and Twisting Path. There is the murder, threatening notes, the kidnapped child, burglary, Lena’s father visiting, Lena and Camilla working on a new book, lunches, romance, dinners, adorable animals, and some man with a beard keeps popping up. I felt A Dark and Twisting Path was the best book in this series. At the end of the book, there is a hint at the mystery to come in the next A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery. I am giving A Dark and Twisting Path 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I love these murder mysteries I feel as if I am part of there family.. I always wait in anticipation for the next adventure to come. Leanne McLean Australia..