Realtor Regan McHenry breaks her cardinal rule about always having home inspections when she and her husband buy a beach cottage and later discovers a surprise resident.
Murder gets personal when human remains are found in the beach cottage that real estate agents Regan McHenry and her husband, Tom Kiley, buy. The murder victim has been hidden away for sixteen years, and although the authorities quickly discover his identity, the trail to his killer is cold after so many years.
Regan has sworn off playing amateur detective, but when it becomes clear the police have to focus on more pressing crimes, she has to break her promise. As her friend police ombudsman Dave Everett says, “Your house, Regan, your murder.”
Professional Reviews
Buying Murder is a tale of Murder and Deception
Author Nancy Lynn Jarvis has used her 20+ years as a Realtor and a BA in behavioral science to craft a believable and entertaining mystery with a glimpse behind the scenes into the world of real estate. You might say that "Buying Murder" is a cautionary tale of what could happen if you buy a home and fail to have it inspected before settlement. All the television home shows stress the importance of that inspection and now we know why. All the characters in "Buying Murder" seem real and not forced. I can imagine sitting down to dinner with many of them but the major characters of Regan, Tom and Dave, seemed liked old friends by the time I finished the book. I particularly liked the way Ms. Jarvis tied up all the loose ends at the conclusion of the book so the reader is not left to wonder about some detail or other. Reading "Buying Murder" was a rare treat for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to others.
In "Buying Murder," the third novel in the series, McHenry finds herself the owner of a property where an undiscovered murder took place years before. When the home inspector uncovers the body, McHenry determines to solve the mystery that seems to be of little interest to the local police.
I found myself becoming fond of Regan and her husband, Tom Kiley. Their relationship is warm and loving, but subject to the pressures of business and personalities that mesh nicely, but don't match exactly. They aren't perfect, but they are very human. Jarvis has given them a depth of personality often overlooked in novels.
Their police officer friend, Dave Everett, brings a third perspective into the mix. His affection for the couple alternates with exasperation as Regan gets herself involved in potentially deadly situations.
As Regan pursues her unofficial investigation, she receives threats and has several near-misses. She meets several possible culprits for the murder along the way and uncovers secrets someone wants left hidden. The question becomes "Can Regan solve the crime before she becomes another victim?"
Jarvis puts real estate jargon in terms that any reader can understand. While the real estate profession provides the setting of the story, it doesn't overshadow the flow of a well planned narrative. While there is some violence in the book, "Buying Murder" is not a gory blood fest. The action fits and makes sense.
Although this is the third book in the series, you'll enjoy it even without having read the first two; but I think you'll want to go back and read them. If you enjoy stories of a crime fighter who isn't a professional investigator, you'll like "Buying Murder." If you like action seasoned with wit, get it immediately. You won't be sorry.
Good Read!
This is a well written, action mystery. Believable story with a nice mix of interesting characters. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery story without a lot of blood, guts, and sex muddying the plot.
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