A Field Guide To Murder by Michelle L. Cullen

Widower Harry Lancaster is suffering from a fractured hip. Now in his 60’s, he knows his days as a globe-trotting anthropologist are over. He’s a bit on the cranky side, but who can blame him?

Now, binoculars in hand, he spends his days and nights scoping out his neighbors at their Lakeview Estates condos. Keeping tabs on everyone helps keep boredom at bay.

To his surprise, he’s seeing a fair amount of questionable and suspicious activity in the neighborhood. A car dropping off random packages. Neighbors being spooked and on edge. Suspicious night visits between neighbors. Another neighbor skulking around at night.

Harry also finds himself amused by his part-time caregiver, Emma. Emma is bound and determined to get Harry up and running without pain and without a cane! But what she doesn’t see coming is her new employer finding himself smack in the middle of a murder within their own community.

One of Harry’s neighbors calls him pleading for help. But when Harry and Emma go to their neighbor’s house, they find the woman dead.

Harry’s a good guy with a bad hip. Harry liked his neighbor. Harry wants answers and takes it upon himself to figure out who killed his neighbor.

Emma and Harry have developed a solid friendship. She takes her “caregiving” seriously. Where Harry goes (cane in hand), she goes. Before she even realizes it, she’s involved in helping Harry solve the case too!

But as Harry keeps watching, listening and digging, he’s finding out his neighbors have more secrets than he could ever have imagined. He also found out the murder victim was not the nice person he thought she was.

Detective Bradford warns Harry and Emma to step away from the case. But world-traveling Harry has studied people and their behavior, he’s a good amateur sleuth – and he’s not giving up. He’s uncovered zoning issues, a suspicious boating accident, embezzlement, affairs – just to name a few. His “friendly” neighbors sure have a lot going on! But one of those so-called “friendly” neighbors turns Harry’s world upside down with dire consequences.

A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen is seriously delightful in every way! Sixty plus Harry teaming up with Emma, a young caregiver soon to marry the love of her life, makes them a unique and interesting duo. There’s no shortage of suspects or motives. This engrossing mystery is sure to keep you on your toes, give your heart a tug and have you smiling as Emma tries to keep up with Harry!

It will also leave you asking yourself: How well do I really know my neighbors?

A copy of this book and cover photo were provided by Crooked Lane Books.