Finding the Souce by Joan Livingston

Every now and again you find an author whose work just sings to you. I found this in the books by Erin Kelly, Peter Robinson and Joan Livingston. I particularly enjoy Livingston's Isabel Long series of thrillers which follow the life of editor-in-chief who, after losing her husband and her job in the same year, sets up a new life as a private detective with her nonagenarian mother as her assistant!

This is a charming series of books and I have read every single one. Imagine my joy when I noticed a new novel in the series, Finding the Source, had been released. I gave my TBR pile a good shuffle and guess what? Finding the Source by Joan Livingston was at the top. What a surprise!

The Blurb

A homeless man. His murdered mother. A book could be the clue.

Isabel Long’s next case begins during a chance encounter with a homeless man, who says he was 12 when he found his mother murdered in their home.

Abby McKenzie was a well-liked seller of vintage books who owned a store in the hilltown of Dillard. That was 43 years ago and the case was never solved.

One obstacle is that several of the suspects are dead, including an avid book collector, a former town official who stalked her, and the man who last saw her alive. Another is that, once again, Isabel must deal with Dillard’s police chief, who ran interference in her other cases.

But that doesn’t deter Isabel nor her mother Maria, her partner in solving crime. She just needs to find the source who will unlock this case

The Review

From the outset I would say that while many series can be read in any order, Livingston's Isabel Long novels are definitely better read in order. Finding the Source begins with several references to previous novels, their stories and characters. There are also throwaway mentions of Isabel's beau, Jack and his bar the Rooster that are not explained to the uninitiated. However, if you haven't read the previous books then use these references to allow the author to set the scene and establish her characters quickly.

The author also writes succinct but vivid descriptions of the scenery and small towns around Western Massachusetts where the story is set. That is how the subject of this story, a homeless man named Tom Mackenzie is introduced when he blurts out his story to Isabel and her mother, Maria.

Tom is shocked to learn that Isabel is an investigator and immediately asks if she's ever taken on cold cases. When she admits she has and gives Tom her card, but when Isabel learns the murder took place in Dillard, she has concerns for her safety because of a previous case.

Nevertheless, Isabel and Tom work out a deal and she takes on the case to discover who and what was responsible for killing his mother over forty years ago.

I don't do spoilers, but Finding the Source is a gripping story with twists and turns where we meet some familiar characters from former stories and new ones introduced in this novel. Isabel does not give up, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers she encounters. It is an exciting book that kept me intrigued from beginning to end.

I highly recommend the whole Isabel Long series, but Livingston's writing just keeps getting better and better. If you enjoy a well crafted crime thriller, Finding the Source is a fine novel to add to your TBR list.

The Author

Joan Livingston is the author of novels for adults and young readers.

She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.

An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.

After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.