Lydia Krause's elderly neighbor is found dead soon after the remains of a teenaged boy are discovered on the newly acquired Twin Lakes property. Did one of Daniel Korman's greedy relatives kill him, or does his murder have something to do with a tragedy that took place 70 years earlier?
Shortly after the remains of a teenaged boy are unearthed on newly acquired Twin Lakes property, Lydia Krause has a worrisome conversation with her elderly neighbor. Daniel Korman hints at having known the dead boy and wonders if, after all this time, he should let sleeping dogs lie. Then Daniel dies under suspicious circumstances, and Lydia suspects that his two surviving childhood friends are responsible for both deaths. Or did one of Daniel’s money-hungry relatives decide to end his life? As the murders and assaults mount, Lydia is drawn further and further into Daniel Korman’s world. And, as if things weren't bad enough, her budding relationship with Detective Sol Molina is seriously compromised as she seeks answers in what Sol considers his professional arena. Can Lydia keep her relationship intact while uncovering the true killer?
Excerpt
The autopsy on the remains showed that the boy was between fourteen and sixteen years of age when he’d died, and he’d been dead for seventy-five years. But a week later, his identity still remained a mystery. Driving home from Carrington House, Lydia found herself wondering who he was. Had he lived in the house? In the neighborhood? Why hadn’t anyone reported his disappearance? But even if they had, who would have considered investigating root cellars?
Still musing over her unanswered questions, Lydia drove into the garage and stepped out of her car. She was about to press the button that shut the automatic door, when someone called her name. She turned to find Daniel Korman, who lived across the street, standing in the entrance.
“Daniel, I didn’t see you! My God, I almost closed the garage door on you!”
Daniel chuckled. “You can’t imagine I’m too decrepit to move out of the way. You’re speaking to last summer’s winner of the over-seventy-five singles’ tennis tournament.”
“So I’ve been told.” Lydia nodded approvingly at his erect six-foot frame. “Not to mention, you’re the most handsome eighty-five year-old I know.”
“Much appreciated, my dear, though my birthday’s not till Tuesday.”
“We’re all looking forward to celebrating with you tomorrow night. Evelyn stopped by before to go over some last minute details. You’re going to have the best party Carrington House has to offer. You’ve my word on that.”
“Thanks, Lydia. I appreciate your special efforts on our behalf.” Daniel’s smile wreathed his face. He was handsome, with his strong chin, classical nose, and high forehead. And a full head of white hair. “I’m not one for a big fuss and dressing up, but Evelyn's insisted on the works to celebrate my birthday. And who am I to say no? She’s the light of my life.”
“You picked one terrific lady,” Lydia agreed. “Evelyn has more energy than most women half her age.”
“I don’t know how I managed to live eighty-one years without her,” he murmured, retrieving two candies wrapped in gold foil from his shirt pocket. Daniel’s other passion--Bertran’s Best--was probably the most expensive Belgian chocolate on the market.
He extended his hand. Lydia smiled and shook her head. Daniel unwrapped both dark chocolates and popped them in his mouth.
She was about to make a wisecrack about finding romantic love in one’s Golden Years, but refrained. Despite his joviality a minute ago, Daniel’s expression had turned somber. His shoulders slumped as though weighed down by unseen burdens.
“Is something wrong, Daniel?”
He shrugged. “Could be. If you don’t mind, I’d like to run something by you--get your input, so to speak.”
His manner set off warning bells in her head. “Sure. Come inside and we’ll talk about it.”
He refused her offer of coffee with a quick shake of his head. The gesture struck her as decisive rather than rude. It reminded her that, until a few years ago, Daniel had been a powerful corporate wheeler-dealer. He’d taken over several companies on the verge of bankruptcy, and breathed life into them via bold innovations. She managed not to trip over a hungry Reggie weaving in and out of her legs, and led Daniel into the living room.
“Have a seat. I’ll be with you as soon as I feed the feline.”
A minute later, she perched on the sofa opposite him and offered her full attention. “What is it, Daniel?”
He studied her for a minute as though wondering how she might receive his words, then cleared his throat.
“All my working life I’ve made important decisions, decisions affecting hundreds if not thousands of employees. But this is something else entirely.” He frowned. “Normally I’d discuss it with Evelyn, but she’s up to her ears in plans for my birthday festivities. Since my son, Arnold, and his crew are staying over, she insists on hosting a Sunday brunch at our place.”
Seconds passed. Lydia pressed her lips together to keep from urging him to continue. Daniel would divulge what he had to say in his own good time. When she could bear it no longer and opened her mouth to encourage him, he asked,
“What would you do if you learned that a crime you suspected of occurring many years ago actually had taken place? In which case, you knew who’d committed this crime, but had no way of proving it.”
Lydia immediately thought of the dead body discovered ten days ago. Surely, Daniel wasn’t referring to that! It was too preposterous. The corpse had been found behind Twin Lakes.
“I’m not sure what action I’d take,” she answered as calmly as she could manage. “It would depend on the severity of the crime. How certain I was of the person’s guilt.”
“A friend of mine disappeared, Lydia. Now I’m sure he was murdered.”
“Are you talking about the body the excavators unearthed? Was that your friend?”
Instead of answering, he stared at her intently. “I’ve no proof, but now it all adds up. The question is, do I let sleeping dogs lie after all these years, or do I make the guilty pay for the crime?”
The guilty. “Are you saying there’s more than one person responsible? I think you should tell the police.”
“Tell them what exactly? They investigated years ago and came up with zilch.”
“But these days the police have DNA and other tests they can use.”
“It’s too late for tests,” he said, then added more softly, “And Evelyn invited them to my party.”
Lydia stared at him. “You still talk to them?”
Daniel stood and patted her hand to soften his dismissal. “My dear, I’m not sure of what I’m saying. You’ve been very kind, letting an old man ramble on.”
“But Daniel,” she protested. “If this has something to do with the body they found, you need to tell the police what you know.”
He kissed her cheek “I’ll take what you say under advisement. Meanwhile, I trust I can count on your discretion not to breathe a word of this to anyone, including your friend, Lieutenant Molina.”
Dumbly she nodded, feeling she’d been sworn to a lawyer-client or doctor-patient oath of silence, and walked him to the door.
Professional Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars: Lydia is a Super Sleuth!
Review: Three reasons why "Murder In The Air" rocks!
1) Lydia Krause is my favorite super sleuth.
There are many things that I love about Lydia Krause. At 59 years old, Lydia has many experiences under her belt. She has experienced the loss of her husband, has ran a successful business, and has received greater responsibility at her current part-time position at Carrington House. Lydia has two daughters, grandchildren, friends, and a little romance in her life.
Lydia has a way of dealing with every person and situation with grace, even when she's angry. I think that has a lot to do with the wisdom that comes with her age and life experiences. She's welcoming, charming and these characteristics draw people to her, naturally giving out a trustworthy vibe, which is her most valuable asset when trying to solve a murder.
But Lydia isn't perfect. In this novel, she struggles with balancing the independent, decisive businesswoman in herself with her romantic relationship with Detective Sol Molina. When a Twin Lakes resident or family member confides in her about the recent murders, Lydia immediately follows the lead, even through she knows Sol won't be happy about it. Lydia has a strong sense of community and responsibility, and that's a very refreshing quality.
2) I want to live in Twin Lakes.
Marilyn created a fabulous community full of active residents who each have their own distinct personality. Lydia is open, warm, and charming. Daniel Korman is nice yet very secretive. Sol Molina is a dedicated detective, a protector and a romantic. Barbara is the reliable best friend who never lets Lydia down. Each character is so developed, they come to life, and many times while I was reading, I forgot that Twin Lakes lives only in the novel.
Twin Lakes is such a closely knit community because the residents spend time out of their home, participating in a committee, swimming laps at the pool, at dinner parties, taking in a movie or play, or eating at a restaurant. Besides a cell phone (and not the smart phone kind either), the residents don't interact with the Internet or social media and I love that. Yes, I like technology, but I like face to face interaction even more.
Twin Lakes, even though it's a community for older people, is full of drama. Not only do each of the residents have their own personal drama, but because they are older, the family drama spills over, making everything that much more exciting. The best part about this novel is that both murders revolve around Daniel Korman, and no one knows if someone from Daniel's dysfunctional family or personal past has an itch for murder.
3) Let there be more.
A Murderer Among Us, Marilyn's first Twin Lakes mystery, was selected as a Best Indie of 2011 by Suspense Magazine (Check out page 49), and I was thrilled to learn that a sequel was in the works. With many of the residents in their golden years, death is either inevitable or sought after by someone who has something to gain. I hope Marilyn turns Twin Lakes into a long mystery series. I want to know what happens next between Lydia and Sol. I want to know if Barbara's relationship will bloom. How will the residents like the new putting green? I want to know more! Marilyn Levinson's writing is impeccable, the plot always leaves me guessing, every chapter is full of developing relationships and juicy drama. Murder In The Air is a phenomenal sequel and a must read.
5 star review: Excellent book!
Amateur Sleuth Lydia Krause is at it again. In Murder in the Air, Marilyn Levinson's sequel to A Murderer Among Us, widow Lydia Krause is immersed in yet another murder mystery.
The thriller begins with Lydia innocently viewing the demolition of an old house, when all of sudden the excavation is called to a halt. Human bones are discovered and immediately, Lydia sets out to determine who the unfortunate person was who was left to die in a root cellar many years ago. Her neighbor Daniel Korman pays her a visit, intimates that he knows who the person was as well as who the murderers are, but leaves before spilling the beans. Shortly after, he also turns up dead. Was it by natural causes or was he murdered? Another mystery for Lydia to solve.
Lydia's warmth, humor and kindness draws people to her and she eventually becomes the holder of secrets and confidences as once again, she risks her life to dig deep for explanations. Teaming up with Ron and Mick, two very colorful, likeable characters who may be the murderers themselves, she tries to root out the killer before he or she strikes again. This, of course, puts her in extreme conflict with local heart throb Detective Sol Molino who wants her to stay away from anything dangerous, especially as their romantic relationship heats up.
Murder in the Air is a delightful romp. Levinson's insight into Twin Lakes, an over fifty complex where Lydia lives, is fun and right on. Here we meet a vibrant senior community with elderly people in the prime of their life, fit, healthy and very active.
Lydia herself is juggling work, being a grandma and a good friend to others. As her romance grows with the charming Detective, conflicting with her search for the truth, she finds herself in the midst of drama of the deadly kind where she fights to save her own life.
I highly recommend this book and I look forward to more books by Marilyn Levinson.
5 star review: An Exciting Read
This is a Lydia Krause mystery in which an elderly neighbor asks her for advice after the remains of a body are found in an excavation. The neighbor is murdered and Lydia sets out to discover if the remains had anything to do with his death. There are unexpected twists that give this novel unique appeal and the climactic ending was told with terrifying suspense.
Do you love a Mystery? How about a Ghost Story? Grab some pure entertainment! Enter the world of “Nancy Drew Meets CSI”. Follow the new girl detective, Annie Tillery, as she navigates her way through intriguing plots with good forensic science, narro
