I liked the forensic handwriting aspect of this cozy. A bit too much about the love life of the protagonist but that seems to be the norm these days... I did manage to figure out who the culprit was about three-quarters of the way through but the true motive escaped me completely. ( )

OH BOY, WAS I FOOLED!! This is my first time reading Ms. Lowe and I was captivated with the first page. I could see why Lindsay was dead and I loved Claudia and her career choice. I loved her independent nature. and I just loved Detective Joel Jovanic! ( )

Review of eBook

Claudia Rose, Kelly Brennan, and Lindsey Alexander shared a sort of love/hate relationship, based primarily on Lindsey’s propensity for mean-spiritedness. But their iffy relationship doesn’t stop them from questioning why Lindsey would commit suicide.

Lindsey managed to set up and run, with her partner, Ivan Novak, a business representing an A-list clientele. Ivan, her friend, her business associate. The one who is certain that Lindsey did not kill herself.

Ivan convinces Claudia to look into the matter; leaving Claudia to gather samples of Lindsey’s handwriting to compare with the suicide note. Ivan had several reasons for believing the suicide note was not genuine; Claudia recognized several of his reasons as facts she knew about Lindsey as well.

But as Claudia tries to find answers . . . often clashing with Los Angeles Police Detective Joel Jovanic . . . she becomes the target of break-ins and attacks. And Ivan is murdered.

Was Lindsey a suicide or was her untimely death an accident? Why was Ivan murdered? Could Lindsey's death be murder as well?

Will Claudia find the answers or will she become the next victim?

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First in a new series, this compulsive tale of secrets, lies, and murder pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. With well-defined characters, a captivating plot, and the relentless pace of the investigation, the narrative keeps the suspense building and the tension high as the unfolding story takes some surprising twists and turns on its way to a satisfactory denouement.

Claudia’s work as a forensic handwriting examiner gives a unique aspect to the intense, gritty whodunit that draws readers in and keeps those pages turning.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Write Choice Ink, The Book Whisperer and NetGalley
#PoisonPen #NetGalley ( )

Forensic handwriting expert Claudia Rose is hired to determine whether the suicide note of her friend, Lindsey Alexander, is genuine. With someone with so many enemies would that be possible. ( )

Something a little different - a handwriting expert. Not quite a cozy, and I liked it well enough to buy the next two.

Note: first read October 2009. Rereading May 2014 since two more books are available in the series...

Second time through I might lower the rating to 3, honestly... ( )