Review: A Case of Hometown Blues by W.S. Gager

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Dark Oak Mysteries (July 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1610090179
• ISBN-13: 978-1610090179

Product Description

 

When Pulitzer-winning reporter Mitch Malone's editor presses him for a favor, Malone breaks his vow to never return to his hometown. It seemed simple enough--lead a seminar for Flatville, MI's newspaper, keep a low profile and get back to the city post haste. But memories of his parents' death swarm him, and, to avoid solitude, he stops for a beer. In the crowded bar, Mitch is dismayed to see many of his former classmates--including the still-lovely Homecoming Queen, Trudy. Once the object of his teenage crush, Trudy joins Mitch. He quickly realizes she is upset and inebriated. Always the gentleman, Mitch sees her safely home, and returns to his B&B, still trying to shake memories of his parents' sad demise. The next day, he is stunned to learn Trudy was murdered and he is the prime suspect. The locals treat the murder charge as a slam dunk, and Mitch realizes he must track down the real killer to keep his butt out of jail. As he investigates, facts he thought he knew about his family unravel, and danger ratchets up. Can Mitch discover the truth that will allow his parents to rest in peace, or will he be resting with them? 

 

From the Author

 

W.S. GAGER has lived in Michigan for most of her life except when she was interviewing race car drivers or professional women golfers. She enjoyed the fast-paced life of a newspaper reporter until deciding to settle down and realized babies didn't adapt well to running down story details on deadline. Since then she honed her skills on other forms of writing before deciding to do what she always wanted with her life and that was to write mystery novels. Her main character in the award-winning Mitch Malone Mysteries is an edgy crime-beat reporter always on the hunt for the next Pulitzer.

My Review

A Case of Hometown Blues is my introduction to the works of W.S. Gager.  This volume is the third in a series featuring reporter Mitch Malone. It is not necessary to have read the two previous editions.  W.S. Gager's background is of a newspaper reporter and her expertise in this area shines through in her depiction of the newspaper world.

Mitch Malone had vowed to never return to his hometown.  He had buried the hurts of his past including the death of a childhood friend and the death of his parents far into an unreachable part of his memory.  He knew it was a mistake to return to his hometown.  He had begun his life anew away from Flatville.  He was a Pulitzer nominated news writer.  And he likes to keep to himself.  Being back in Flatville for a favor to his editor brings all the memories flooding back.  He is accused of murdering former high school beauty queen Trudy within a day of being back in town.  His old nemesis from his childhood is in his face constantly.  He knew he should have followed his heart and stayed away...

Good story with a great surprise ending.  Do we really know the people closest to us...or do we form images of them in our mind of what we think they should be...  I am looking forward to the next adventure of Mitch Malone.