|
Something Most DeadlySOMETHING MOST DEADLY by Ann Self
Beginning of a mystery series available in full-sized, soft cover books, or E-readers for your laptop, iPAD or Kindle : SOMETHING MOST DEADLY, SOMETHING VERY GHOSTLY, SOMETHING MOST EVIL (SPRING 2011).
In the first book, SOMETHING MOST DEADLY, evil is fomenting in the upper stories of the huge gothic barn on Springhill Esgtate. Jane Husted, Dressage rider and trainer, is plagued with accidents and problems that point to an unseen enemy determined to snuff out her rising star, and maybe Jane herself. Wealthy denizens of Springhill litter the landscape of suspects, and Jane's emerging "sixth sense" becomes a clanging alarm to warn her when danger is closing in. A man from her past and a fierce hurricane complicate her life ever further, bringing the ordeal in the first book to a stunning reveal. Mystery and romance continue throughout the next two books, with the same New England setting and the same cast of characters.
Something Most Deadly website.
5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down 'til finished!, By M. Dorothy Bley "DotSon Publishing" (Chattanooga, TN)
Ann Self does a splendid job bringing the characters in this thriller to life. We get to know Jane Husted, the primary character, as she reminisced about her humiliating high school days and a crush she still carries for Brian Canady, her prince charming oblivious to her existence. 'Plain Jane' and her best friend, 'Fatty Maddie', were the object of snickers and cruel jokes. After high school, Madeline Fanning pursued a successful career as a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist while Jane re-invented herself into a long-legged beautiful brunette who experienced blue-ribbon performances in the show ring. Young affluent, Jane Husted, finds herself living in poverty with an uncaring aunt after the death of both her parents. She works as a show-rider and trainer for Springhill, a luxurious estate south of Boston, that breeds Trakehners. Owners of Springhill constantly remind the employees of their station in life creating animosity and providing numerous suspects for the bizarre happenings around the Springhill barn. Each of the secondary characters are given distinct personalities. You feel as if you know them personally from the in-depth descriptions and details Self gives to each as her story unfolds. Sam, the barn manager, who could be anyone's big brother; Reggie, the handyman, the oldest fixture of the group; Dylan, the carefree head stable boy; and Lars, the well know European trainer. Then the blue-blooded owners of Springhill Estate: Elliot Whitbeck, hungry for power and fame in the horse world; his wife, Cecily, who appears the misfit in this wealthy family; the mother-in-law,who lets no one forget her wealth and all that it commands; and finally, Lucinda, the daughter with no talent or skill with horses and jealous of anyone who has. This novel has all the elements you would expect to find in a best selling thriller. There is suspense, motive, murder, psychotic terror, suspects, and plenty of surprises. The main surprise being the ending. Not to be revealed here, but not until the final pages did I know the source of the terror at Springhill. Something Most Deadly, is sure to be the beginning of a marvelous career for Ann Self. This needs to be at the top of your must-read list
Ann Self lives on Riverbend Farm in northeast Alabama with her husband, two dogs and five cats.
|
