A unique 'who done it'!
591305
Refreshingly different characters, in a mystery "who done it" mode with flawed heros bringing past and present themes together. Highly enjoyable!
1713927
Great story, unique story line that keeps you guessing
4942350
If you enjoy reading English who-done-its, this book is for you.  It had many twists and turns plus a host of possible suspects.  Pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!
3411899
Who can predict what will happen when Silvia Jensen, a social worker disillusioned with her agency, joins up with investigative journalist J.B. Harrell, to solve the mystery of a young native American boy who died tragically while in foster care? An avid reader of mysteries, this one had me stumped to the very end. Dorothy Van Soest has created a highly unusual sleuth in the (complex) character of Silvia Jensen. At the Center interweaves past and present in a skillful counterpoint that exposes the flaws in foster parent institutions and policies while at the same time presenting the reader with a real moral dilemma. Author Van Soest choses not to come down on one side or the other of this dilemma, leaving intact the heartbreaking richness of the situation. Seldom do page-turners like this also provide enlightenment about current-day issues. At the Center was a suspenseful read that invited me to think about a social problem about which I was not familiar. A tour de force! I hope that Dorothy Van Soest continues to engage Sylvia and J.B. in investigations that revolve around social issues of importance today. I can hardly wait for the next one! Five stars!
1632462
Amazing mystery! I bought this book over a year ago, and I just somehow missed reading it! And recently,  I saw the title in a list of must-read-mysteries, and I'm glad that I found this marvelous thriller among my overlooked books.  This one was truly a unique and tantalizing treat!

I think that the title misleads the reader a bit--like a bit of a red herring. And I am all for that.  In fact, this book really fools and surprises the reader quite often, but you won't anticipate any of those twists and turns.  This is just a very cleverly done story!

I don't want to go into the plot - there are so many reviews giving plot summaries, and I don't need to add another. And I certainly don't want to risk giving out any "spoilers" by accident.  Instead, I will say that the writing was excellent, the pacing was perfect, and the plot was surprising and (as I said before) filled with amazing twists-and-turns.  So please don't set this one aside by thinking it is "obvious" or "similar to other disappearing baby stories."  You will soon find out how different and unique this one really is!  Bravo to the author!

Yes - I am glad I pulled this one down from the cloud, and I am GLAD I didn't miss it!  FIVE STARS PLus for "The Couple Next Door."
3258874
Somebody Killed the Cart Girl is an exciting read.  So many possible suspects that your mind goes from possible person to another; each could have done it.  This book was especially intriguing to me since I have a friend who is a cart girl at a local golf course!  Detective Abby Sanders did all her investigation and was able to determine the surprising killer!  A must read!
2896255
it kept your interest throughout the whole book. "Who done it" was not evident until the very end. Very well written!
3081284
This book will keep you guessing as who did it and why.  A read that you can not put down.
3763445
The twists & turns of each case & the often surprise ending...these are a real "who done it" conundrum'
4602841
More of a case of who didn't do it, rather than a who dunnit. Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable tale, written in a style that lifts it above the norm. I look forward to more Brian McDone stories, I believe Ryan Casey is onto a winner!
2807985
It was so nice to read a mystery that you didn't know "who done it" until the very end.
I highly recommend this book.
4423843
I enjoyed this woman! I can relate to her and enjoyed this unusual mystery. I wondered for the longest time why the daughter wasn't named until the surprise ending! What a great idea for a series of books. It leaves you hanging and wanting more!
2796526
I don't usually write review on books Ive read unless they are outstanding (and Im an obsessive serial reader) and this is one of the good ones!!  I started it this morning and finished this evening and enjoyed every moment of it! The author wrote this with exceptional skill and kept you guessing with every turn of the page...if you like twisty, suspenseful who-done-it books, youll enjoy this book!  I absolutely recommend it! You never really know your neighbors, do you!!
549813
A suspenseful book that pulls you along an interesting and unique storyline.  The story is well written, picking up each characters point of view and thoughts right to the end!  I found it interesting the killer's view in the story, while remaining anonymous throughout, played a big part n creating the suspenseful atmosphere of the story
2558068
Wow, I really enjoyed reading this, and I finished it in only two or three sittings!

The author manages to capture, and hold your attention, extremely well throughout.

What really adds to this book are the beautifully crafted illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.

A unique tale that is full of suspense! Definitely worth reading!
1488048
A super book. Never did know "who done it" till the very end. One of many good one in the series.
2579349
I really enjoyed this book; what a novel approach to the murder mystery world!  Something definitely different in the often over-worked detective mystery genre.  The characters were engaging, and likable - with quirky, amusing personalities.  My husband is an ex-criminal attorney, and he once represented a man accused of murder.  There were 14 witnesses to the crime - and there were 14 wildly varying accounts of what happened.  Not what we see on TV, with neatly tied up storylines!  The author takes it to a new level within the spirit world - and how their witness accounts, and personal feelings, play into the facts of the case.  Who and how did the crime really happen?  If I were to offer constructive criticism of the book, I wish the book had been fleshed out a bit more so I could have enjoyed longer!  It was a great first work by a new author, and I look forward to further installments.  It would also make a great TV series!