Murder at the Courthouse

Michael Keane’s stressful days as a Columbus police officer are done. He’s ready to relax into his new position as deputy sheriff in his sleepy hometown. Nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky, and that’s just fine with Michael. Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. As Michael works to solve the case, it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questing everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs. Bringing wither her a knack for creating settings you want to visit and an uncanny ability to bring characters to life, A. H. Gabhart pens a whodunit that will keep you guessing. (Back Cover of Murder at the Courthouse )

To be honest, I didn’t expect very much from Murder at the Courthouse. I didn’t expect it to be bad, of course, but I didn’t think I would love it. I expected another light read that I would finish and then never give it another thought. But that is not what I got with this book! In fact, I don’t know when I read a mystery I enjoyed more. Ms. Gabhart has created a beautiful, intriguing mystery that keeps you coming back again and again! So many mysteries have no real “clues” or a solution that was impossible to predict or figure out on your own. In other types of novels this might be a good thing, but not in a mystery. We should be given every clue the protagonist is given, and we should come to the same conclusion they do. Many fictional sleuths leave me in the dust because of their poorly written mysteries, but Murder at the Courthouse has a plot that is built slowly and carefully; and that shows a great amount of skill.

In addition to the mysterious elements of the book, there were many psychological elements woven into the story. The characters experienced real growth, and we were able to see it. As a reader, that is a very exciting thing. There were conflicts (besides the murder) that were resolved, and I enjoyed learning more and more about the characters. I was told a wonderful story, and I experienced a great adventure. That is what every novel and mystery is supposed to do. I would count Murder at the Courthouse a great success, and I look forward to the next installment in Ms. Gabhart’s newest series, The Hidden Springs Mysteries.

*I received a free copy of this book in order to review it.