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Murder's Legacy:
Secrets that defy time!An inconceivable disaster strikes, bringing Tori Winters’ plans to turn her historic house into a bed and breakfast inn to a traumatic standstill. A section of the escape tunnel built by her great-grandfather, a notorious Dallas gangster, collapses. Within the rubble, there is a gruesome discovery. A skeleton with a bullet hole in the skull.
The shocking cave-in sparks more than a police response. Accusations that the tunnel is dangerous triggers an ominous scheme to condemn her property.
Tori soon discovers more than the destruction of her beloved house is on the line. It seems she can’t escape the past. It keeps clawing its way into her life with deadly consequences.
Someone wants to permanently shut her down.
The shocking cave-in sparks more than a police response. Accusations that the tunnel is dangerous triggers an ominous scheme to condemn her property.
Tori soon discovers more than the destruction of her beloved house is on the line. It seems she can’t escape the past. It keeps clawing its way into her life with deadly consequences.
Someone wants to permanently shut her down.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2023
5 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Anita Dickason
13 books246 followersI write about what I know, cops and crime. After twenty-two years with the Dallas Police Department, I have an unending source of inspiration for my plots. Many incidents and characters are based on my experiences. My characters are what is truly fun about writing. I never know where they will take me. There is always something out of the ordinary in my stories.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 18, 2023
This series has all the things I love - mystery, murder, set in Texas, history, and casinos. Ok, maybe I don't really love murders, but I think you know where I'm going with this.
We met Tori in the first book when she inherited a home from a family member she didn't know she had in Granbury, Texas. If you aren't familiar with this smaller town, it has a historic square with shops, restaurants, and a theater. If you happen to live close enough to this town, go check it out. While the book references some of the downtown areas, it is not the main focal point. I thought it was an excellent suggestion for you to go visit!
The mysteries are set in the home she inherits, which is in the process of being turned into an inn. We learn about a secret tunnel in the first book that her grandfather used for his gambling as an escape route for players, or for a way for them to bring in illegal hooch, or whatever situation arose. In this novel, a skeleton is discovered when part of the tunnel collapses. There are few clues to determine who it belongs to, but that doesn't stop Tori from investigating. However, some people don't want that identity to come out, and Tori finds herself in danger multiple times over the course of the book. Luckily, she has great friends surrounding her that help her uncover the mystery and even save her life a time or two.
I was pulled into this book from the beginning, and it did not let me go until the end. I even stayed up into the wee hours so I could finish this book. I always try and decipher the clues to unmask the killer, but I wasn't even close in this book. I don't mind because it was an amazing journey, and I chuckled when certain people were put into their place. Tori's dream to create the inn is still going to run into some issues in future books because of a particular individual that wants the property to develop. But in this book, she has to deal with the city canceling permits and more based on one person's input. This is not how government is supposed to work, but it is a good ol' boy network out there, especially in smaller towns. I love that Tori is not giving in to the pressures and creating a space for visitors to the town. She has also brought in four women that help her run different aspects of the inn, which is clever of her. Why try and do everything yourself when others have better skill sets?
I enjoyed the history of casino chips that is a part of this story. Who knew that a lot of this could be uncovered? We also continue to learn more about Tori's family and their ties to casinos and other illegal events.
I look forward to the next installment in this series and how the inn is progressing. And perhaps the sparks of romance between Tori and David will ignite further.
We give this book 5 paws up!
We met Tori in the first book when she inherited a home from a family member she didn't know she had in Granbury, Texas. If you aren't familiar with this smaller town, it has a historic square with shops, restaurants, and a theater. If you happen to live close enough to this town, go check it out. While the book references some of the downtown areas, it is not the main focal point. I thought it was an excellent suggestion for you to go visit!
The mysteries are set in the home she inherits, which is in the process of being turned into an inn. We learn about a secret tunnel in the first book that her grandfather used for his gambling as an escape route for players, or for a way for them to bring in illegal hooch, or whatever situation arose. In this novel, a skeleton is discovered when part of the tunnel collapses. There are few clues to determine who it belongs to, but that doesn't stop Tori from investigating. However, some people don't want that identity to come out, and Tori finds herself in danger multiple times over the course of the book. Luckily, she has great friends surrounding her that help her uncover the mystery and even save her life a time or two.
I was pulled into this book from the beginning, and it did not let me go until the end. I even stayed up into the wee hours so I could finish this book. I always try and decipher the clues to unmask the killer, but I wasn't even close in this book. I don't mind because it was an amazing journey, and I chuckled when certain people were put into their place. Tori's dream to create the inn is still going to run into some issues in future books because of a particular individual that wants the property to develop. But in this book, she has to deal with the city canceling permits and more based on one person's input. This is not how government is supposed to work, but it is a good ol' boy network out there, especially in smaller towns. I love that Tori is not giving in to the pressures and creating a space for visitors to the town. She has also brought in four women that help her run different aspects of the inn, which is clever of her. Why try and do everything yourself when others have better skill sets?
I enjoyed the history of casino chips that is a part of this story. Who knew that a lot of this could be uncovered? We also continue to learn more about Tori's family and their ties to casinos and other illegal events.
I look forward to the next installment in this series and how the inn is progressing. And perhaps the sparks of romance between Tori and David will ignite further.
We give this book 5 paws up!
March 17, 2023
An awareness, a sense something was amiss trickled through Tori Winters.
First off, I love the cover. It surely hints at the story inside Murder’s Legacy. The clock is ticking on Tori Winter’s plan to convert the mansion she inherited after her grandmother’s murder to a B&B. There are those who wish to stop the renovation and condemn the property. The reason? Secrets are about to be exposed.
A mystery is afoot and it will take Tori and all of her friends to solve it. I have come to love this group of women who have come together, not only as friends, but as business partners. Each has something special to offer, and Tori is constantly amazed at how they have become a cohesive unit, the ladies going above and beyond anything she could have anticipated. They are fun, determined, and I am so happy to be with them again.
The danger is insidious, the villain, or villains, not immediately apparent. Power corrupts, twisted to serve those who have ulterior motives. The villains did not anticipate all those who would come to her aid. Those who will protect her and expose them.
Red Door Inn is officially a business. Tori is the owner, Mia the General Manager, Heidi is Director of Operations, Cammis is the Culinary Director and Tina is the Advertising Director. Tori is the wealthy owner, but believes in sharing her wealth. They will become partners.
Do I see romance on the horizon?
Anita Dickason’s bio helps show why she is able to make it look so easy to write a fabulous mystery. She is able to develop complex characters who come to life through the written word. I like to try and place myself into character’s situations and wonder what I would do.
First off, I love the cover. It surely hints at the story inside Murder’s Legacy. The clock is ticking on Tori Winter’s plan to convert the mansion she inherited after her grandmother’s murder to a B&B. There are those who wish to stop the renovation and condemn the property. The reason? Secrets are about to be exposed.
A mystery is afoot and it will take Tori and all of her friends to solve it. I have come to love this group of women who have come together, not only as friends, but as business partners. Each has something special to offer, and Tori is constantly amazed at how they have become a cohesive unit, the ladies going above and beyond anything she could have anticipated. They are fun, determined, and I am so happy to be with them again.
The danger is insidious, the villain, or villains, not immediately apparent. Power corrupts, twisted to serve those who have ulterior motives. The villains did not anticipate all those who would come to her aid. Those who will protect her and expose them.
Red Door Inn is officially a business. Tori is the owner, Mia the General Manager, Heidi is Director of Operations, Cammis is the Culinary Director and Tina is the Advertising Director. Tori is the wealthy owner, but believes in sharing her wealth. They will become partners.
Do I see romance on the horizon?
Anita Dickason’s bio helps show why she is able to make it look so easy to write a fabulous mystery. She is able to develop complex characters who come to life through the written word. I like to try and place myself into character’s situations and wonder what I would do.
March 21, 2023
Author Anita Dickason has done it again! She continues her perfection of the keep-looking-over-your-shoulder trope with Murder’s Legacy, the second book in the Tori Winters Mystery series. After reading Deadly Keepsakes, the first book in the series, I didn’t think Dickason could keep that edge-of-your-seat pace going. I was wrong! Oh my, was I ever wrong! Actually, I guess you could say that I was gleefully wrong!
This new story continues the plight of Tori Winters as she settles into her new home in Granbury, Texas, and begins the process of turning her inherited historic home into a Bed and Breakfast. An accident during the remodeling process turns into the discovery of a skeleton with a bullet hole in the back of the skull. As Tori tries to find the identity of the skeleton, other “accidents” begin to happen to some of her friends and members of the construction crew. Tori finally realizes that someone is trying to stop her from identifying the remains. The question is, how far will that person actually go to stop her?
When I first started reading this story and the characters began to emerge, I felt like I was in the midst of old friends that I hadn’t heard from in a while. But then the accidents began to happen, and I started to read a bit faster and my breaks became fewer and shorter. I read the last half of the book in a single session, unable to put it down. I had to find out what was going to happen to these friends of mine. Would they be okay? I just had to know!
A writer just can’t get that kind of response from a reader without good pacing. Anita Dickason, in both of these books, has demonstrated her mastery of pacing. It’s really off the charts! It’s among the best I’ve ever read.
This second book in the series can easily stand on its own, but I was delighted with the way the author covered the events of the first book. She covered about two-thirds of the first story in a single, succinct paragraph. How nice! The remainder of the backstory was interspersed in little tidbits where appropriate, as they applied to the current story.
The structure of the story is also excellent. Most chapters cover a single day, and at the end of the chapters, as Tori is getting ready for bed, she sums up the main events of the day and sometimes hints at what will happen the following day. I really liked this methodology. It worked out very well.
Aside from the aforementioned marvelous pacing, the characters also drew me deeper into the story. I already knew most of the characters, but there were a few new ones. Some of these characters, such as Tori and Mia—Tori’s assistant—are just so well constructed and down-to-earth that I really consider them friends: fictional friends.
Author Dickason also includes some lighthearted mini-subplots to allow the reader to come up for air. I think these subplots mainly set the stage for possible romance in a future story, but there was also an ongoing debate about the perfect beverage: is it coffee or Texas sweet tea? The opinions were very strong, I can tell you.
Most authors who are good at description typically concentrate on the senses of sight, sound and smell. Dickason takes this a step further. Here’s a little snippet of reaction upon tasting a pasta dish that a character concocted: “When she forked up a bite, the creamy taste of basil, with a hint of lemon, burst in her mouth. Tori groaned with pleasure. She waved the fork in the air. ‘Oh! This recipe is a keeper.’”
I love epilogues. They usually tell the reader what happens to the characters after the story is over. Murder’s Legacy
I am a huge Anita Dickason fan! I loved both of the Tori Winters books immensely. This author knows her stuff! I highly recommend you read both of the books in this series.
This new story continues the plight of Tori Winters as she settles into her new home in Granbury, Texas, and begins the process of turning her inherited historic home into a Bed and Breakfast. An accident during the remodeling process turns into the discovery of a skeleton with a bullet hole in the back of the skull. As Tori tries to find the identity of the skeleton, other “accidents” begin to happen to some of her friends and members of the construction crew. Tori finally realizes that someone is trying to stop her from identifying the remains. The question is, how far will that person actually go to stop her?
When I first started reading this story and the characters began to emerge, I felt like I was in the midst of old friends that I hadn’t heard from in a while. But then the accidents began to happen, and I started to read a bit faster and my breaks became fewer and shorter. I read the last half of the book in a single session, unable to put it down. I had to find out what was going to happen to these friends of mine. Would they be okay? I just had to know!
A writer just can’t get that kind of response from a reader without good pacing. Anita Dickason, in both of these books, has demonstrated her mastery of pacing. It’s really off the charts! It’s among the best I’ve ever read.
This second book in the series can easily stand on its own, but I was delighted with the way the author covered the events of the first book. She covered about two-thirds of the first story in a single, succinct paragraph. How nice! The remainder of the backstory was interspersed in little tidbits where appropriate, as they applied to the current story.
The structure of the story is also excellent. Most chapters cover a single day, and at the end of the chapters, as Tori is getting ready for bed, she sums up the main events of the day and sometimes hints at what will happen the following day. I really liked this methodology. It worked out very well.
Aside from the aforementioned marvelous pacing, the characters also drew me deeper into the story. I already knew most of the characters, but there were a few new ones. Some of these characters, such as Tori and Mia—Tori’s assistant—are just so well constructed and down-to-earth that I really consider them friends: fictional friends.
Author Dickason also includes some lighthearted mini-subplots to allow the reader to come up for air. I think these subplots mainly set the stage for possible romance in a future story, but there was also an ongoing debate about the perfect beverage: is it coffee or Texas sweet tea? The opinions were very strong, I can tell you.
Most authors who are good at description typically concentrate on the senses of sight, sound and smell. Dickason takes this a step further. Here’s a little snippet of reaction upon tasting a pasta dish that a character concocted: “When she forked up a bite, the creamy taste of basil, with a hint of lemon, burst in her mouth. Tori groaned with pleasure. She waved the fork in the air. ‘Oh! This recipe is a keeper.’”
I love epilogues. They usually tell the reader what happens to the characters after the story is over. Murder’s Legacy
I am a huge Anita Dickason fan! I loved both of the Tori Winters books immensely. This author knows her stuff! I highly recommend you read both of the books in this series.
March 23, 2023
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. If trouble is on the way, it will get here without you reaching out to grab it.”
Murder’s Legacy by Anita Dickason is book 2 in the Tori Winters Mystery series and is a captivating continuation of Tori’s adventures in Granbury, Texas. While each book in this series could feasibly stand alone, the overall enjoyment comes from following Tori from Missouri to Texas and into an absolutely intriguing mansion with plenty of antiques; an infamous past; and, most recently, a skeleton in a tunnel. Book 2 does reference characters and events from book 1, so that is another great reason to read the entire series in order. If you still need a good reason, then rest assured that Anita Dickason’s writing skills, characterization, and fascinating plot lines will definitely delight and keep you wanting more.
Tori finds herself once again in the crosshairs because finding the skeleton in the tunnel and scant clues is apparently quite worrisome for someone who will go to great lengths to stop Tori from identifying the bones and unearthing some rather shocking revelations.
Anita Dickason certainly knows how to mix the mundane with the riveting in Murder’s Legacy as she lulls you with multiple cups of coffee and wallpaper samples one minute and then conjures up threats, attacks, and bombs the next. No one is safe, especially Tori, as she uses her snooping and sleuthing skills to unravel the secrets that the dead man in the tunnel has kept for the last 80 years. Prepare for some stellar teamwork and a spectacular takedown at the end of this magnificent cozy mystery.
A wonderful element in this series, which grows mightily in Murder’s Legacy, is friendship. In book 1, Deadly Keepsakes, Tori inherits her grandmother’s mansion in Texas and subsequently meets Mia and the rest of the housecleaning crew: Heidi, Cammie, and Trina. A rock-solid friendship between Tori and these strong, intelligent women takes root and blossoms, quickly morphing into a business partnership as they tirelessly work together to turn Tori's family home into a bed and breakfast called the Red Door Inn. While Tori has gained a few enemies because of her inheritance from her grandmother, she has easily gained many friends in Granbury as time goes on, firmly cementing her foothold in the community and in her family’s legacy. A personal favorite character is Parker Hayes, former homicide detective and then private investigator, who is now Tori's head of security and proves to be invaluable and a lifesaver time after time. If you are wondering if any love is in the air at all, a hint of romance between Tori and David Tucker, whom we met in book 1, add just enough enchantment amidst the danger, home/business renovations, and attempted trickery to oust Tori from her property. Looks like Tori Winters will definitely be staying in Texas, even if she refuses to forgo her beloved coffee for one minute and at least try a delicious glass of super sweet iced tea. When in Texas...
The Epilogue revs the mystery engine for the next book, yay! But what comes after that is just as exciting. Anita Dickason tells "The Story Behind the Fiction: The Chip Detective," and this inspiration for this series is truly compelling, so make sure you do not breeze by it or skip it altogether. Dickason's research and obvious love of storytelling add yet another enthralling layer to Murder's Legacy and the entire Tori Winters Mystery series.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Murder’s Legacy by Anita Dickason is book 2 in the Tori Winters Mystery series and is a captivating continuation of Tori’s adventures in Granbury, Texas. While each book in this series could feasibly stand alone, the overall enjoyment comes from following Tori from Missouri to Texas and into an absolutely intriguing mansion with plenty of antiques; an infamous past; and, most recently, a skeleton in a tunnel. Book 2 does reference characters and events from book 1, so that is another great reason to read the entire series in order. If you still need a good reason, then rest assured that Anita Dickason’s writing skills, characterization, and fascinating plot lines will definitely delight and keep you wanting more.
Tori finds herself once again in the crosshairs because finding the skeleton in the tunnel and scant clues is apparently quite worrisome for someone who will go to great lengths to stop Tori from identifying the bones and unearthing some rather shocking revelations.
Anita Dickason certainly knows how to mix the mundane with the riveting in Murder’s Legacy as she lulls you with multiple cups of coffee and wallpaper samples one minute and then conjures up threats, attacks, and bombs the next. No one is safe, especially Tori, as she uses her snooping and sleuthing skills to unravel the secrets that the dead man in the tunnel has kept for the last 80 years. Prepare for some stellar teamwork and a spectacular takedown at the end of this magnificent cozy mystery.
A wonderful element in this series, which grows mightily in Murder’s Legacy, is friendship. In book 1, Deadly Keepsakes, Tori inherits her grandmother’s mansion in Texas and subsequently meets Mia and the rest of the housecleaning crew: Heidi, Cammie, and Trina. A rock-solid friendship between Tori and these strong, intelligent women takes root and blossoms, quickly morphing into a business partnership as they tirelessly work together to turn Tori's family home into a bed and breakfast called the Red Door Inn. While Tori has gained a few enemies because of her inheritance from her grandmother, she has easily gained many friends in Granbury as time goes on, firmly cementing her foothold in the community and in her family’s legacy. A personal favorite character is Parker Hayes, former homicide detective and then private investigator, who is now Tori's head of security and proves to be invaluable and a lifesaver time after time. If you are wondering if any love is in the air at all, a hint of romance between Tori and David Tucker, whom we met in book 1, add just enough enchantment amidst the danger, home/business renovations, and attempted trickery to oust Tori from her property. Looks like Tori Winters will definitely be staying in Texas, even if she refuses to forgo her beloved coffee for one minute and at least try a delicious glass of super sweet iced tea. When in Texas...
The Epilogue revs the mystery engine for the next book, yay! But what comes after that is just as exciting. Anita Dickason tells "The Story Behind the Fiction: The Chip Detective," and this inspiration for this series is truly compelling, so make sure you do not breeze by it or skip it altogether. Dickason's research and obvious love of storytelling add yet another enthralling layer to Murder's Legacy and the entire Tori Winters Mystery series.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2023
The delightful heroine, Tori Winters, returns, and it is non-stop excitement from the start.
Murder's Legacy is the second book in author Anita Dickason's super Tori Winters Mystery series, and it is an exciting follow-up to the debut, Deadly Keepsakes. With its engaging main character and her growing group of friends and "found" family, I had been looking forward to her continued adventures since the last page of the previous book; I was not disappointed.
Tori Winters, although hailing from Missouri originally, is a bit of a steel magnolia. Her early life and career, first as a nurse in an ER setting and later in hospice, have perfectly honed those tendencies. When she gets her dander up, get out of her way or suffer the tongue-lashing you will most certainly have deserved.I've really enjoyed her home renovations with the descriptions of the old and the upgrades, and I liked how she defers decisions to the friends who have thrown in with her to make the Red Door Inn a success and their future. Her relationships have grown immensely over the two books of the series, not only with her women friends and partners but with David as well.
The fictional characters of the very real town of Granbury run the gamut of personalities, and much like any small town, they all know each other and their business. Mia is the one to go to for critical information and to understand the historically pivotal relationships; she's got her finger on the town's pulse, not to mention being completely in tune with Tori herself. They have developed a great partnership, and the five women together are a great team.The story's action starts immediately and never lets up. Once again, the house yields another long-held secret that drives the story's events. Recurring characters and new keep things moving ahead, and I never knew who was behind what was happening. I liked that the plot incorporates some of the realities of getting a new business up and running, along with permitting and working with a city. Hopefully, the actual Granbury isn't anything like what Tori is dealing with. Surely not. Myra continued to try to stir up ill will, and I laughed about the mayor's wife's visit and her failure to buy in to Myra's negativity. In the end, I was very happy with the outcome and am, again, left waiting with great anticipation for the next chapter in Tori's continuing story.
With its delightful heroine, great small-town supporting characters, and exciting non-stop plot, I recommend MURDER'S LEGACY to cozy mystery readers who like strong female protagonists, storylines tied to factual events, and fans of the author's previous work, especially the previous novel in this series.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
February 22, 2023
‘The tunnel caved in’ - and a superb mystery series advances!
Texas author Anita Dickason is a retired police officer with twenty-seven years of experience, twenty-two with the Dallas Police Department having served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics officer, advanced accident investigator, tactical officer and the first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT Team. She is a Past President of Texas Women in Law Enforcement, and Past Treasurer for the International Association of Women in Police. She has published nine suspense thriller novels to date. Continuing her popular Tori Winters Mysteries Series, Anita adds MURDER’S LEGACY - Book 2.
Having created a sustainable character in Tori Winters, Anita invites the reader into the further adventures with a taste of her picaresque prose from the opening lines: ‘An awareness, a sense something was amiss trickled through Tori Winters. The house was eerily silent. Since daylight, a rumble of trucks wand machinery, shouts, and loud reverberations had echoed. The first stage of converting the historic house she’d inherited into the Red Door Inn was finally underway…’ and Presto! the mystery begins, summarized as follows ‘An inconceivable disaster strikes, bringing Tori Winters’ plans to turn her historic house into a bed and breakfast inn to a traumatic standstill. A section of the escape tunnel built by her great-grandfather, a notorious Dallas gangster, collapses. Within the rubble, there is a gruesome discovery. A skeleton with a bullet hole in the skull. The shocking cave-in sparks more than a police response. Accusations that the tunnel is dangerous triggers an ominous scheme to condemn her property. Tori soon discovers more than the destruction of her beloved house is on the line. It seems she can’t escape the past. It keeps clawing its way into her life with deadly consequences. Someone wants to permanently shut her down.’
Following her tradition, Anita adds significant history at book’s end on the town of Granbury, Texas, the Ghost Tours, vineyards, and bookstore incorporated into this novel. Anita Dickason is an author of authority and great talent. More please! Very Highly Recommended
Texas author Anita Dickason is a retired police officer with twenty-seven years of experience, twenty-two with the Dallas Police Department having served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics officer, advanced accident investigator, tactical officer and the first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT Team. She is a Past President of Texas Women in Law Enforcement, and Past Treasurer for the International Association of Women in Police. She has published nine suspense thriller novels to date. Continuing her popular Tori Winters Mysteries Series, Anita adds MURDER’S LEGACY - Book 2.
Having created a sustainable character in Tori Winters, Anita invites the reader into the further adventures with a taste of her picaresque prose from the opening lines: ‘An awareness, a sense something was amiss trickled through Tori Winters. The house was eerily silent. Since daylight, a rumble of trucks wand machinery, shouts, and loud reverberations had echoed. The first stage of converting the historic house she’d inherited into the Red Door Inn was finally underway…’ and Presto! the mystery begins, summarized as follows ‘An inconceivable disaster strikes, bringing Tori Winters’ plans to turn her historic house into a bed and breakfast inn to a traumatic standstill. A section of the escape tunnel built by her great-grandfather, a notorious Dallas gangster, collapses. Within the rubble, there is a gruesome discovery. A skeleton with a bullet hole in the skull. The shocking cave-in sparks more than a police response. Accusations that the tunnel is dangerous triggers an ominous scheme to condemn her property. Tori soon discovers more than the destruction of her beloved house is on the line. It seems she can’t escape the past. It keeps clawing its way into her life with deadly consequences. Someone wants to permanently shut her down.’
Following her tradition, Anita adds significant history at book’s end on the town of Granbury, Texas, the Ghost Tours, vineyards, and bookstore incorporated into this novel. Anita Dickason is an author of authority and great talent. More please! Very Highly Recommended
March 18, 2023
Having read the first Tori Winters book, I knew I had to have this one, and I was not disappointed. This author has a real knack for writing mysteries in such a way that the reader truly doesn't know who the bad guy is until the end.
In this book, Tori is knee-deep in renovations, turning the historic mansion she inherited from a grandmother she never knew, into The Red Door Inn bed and breakfast in the small town of Granbury, Texas.
Things take a twist when a tunnel caves in. Then the plot thickens when the reason for the cave-in is discovered. A hole in the tunnel wall holds the skeletal remains of someone and, from the looks of it, has been there for a very long time. A little backstory. Tori's great-grandfather, Frankie Leichter, was a crime boss and used the house for his illegal activity. So it makes sense that Frankie might have killed the man and buried him in the tunnel.
It's a fun journey to ride along with Tori as she unravels this mystery. The fallout from the discovery threatens the very existence of the Red Door Inn, as well as Tori's life.
I'd be remiss not to mention the secondary characters in this story. Since Tori had never been to this small Texas town, she arrived knowing no one. But she's established some deep-abiding friendships that made me want to jump into the pages of the story and interact with these people. First of all, her team, Mia, Cammie, Heidi, and Tina (whom we met in book one), are now fully incorporated into the operation of the Red Door Inn. These four girls really added depth to the story. Then, the construction foremen, Colt and Ben, brought another layer of goodness. There's a budding romance with David that I enjoyed. But Parker, the private investigator, is the icing on the cake. He would give his life for Tori. They are all dedicated to helping Tori not only unravel this mystery but also to convert the mansion into a B&B.
There is so much going on in this book. It's a page-turner, for sure. If you love a well-written mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, this is the book for you. I can highly recommend it!
In this book, Tori is knee-deep in renovations, turning the historic mansion she inherited from a grandmother she never knew, into The Red Door Inn bed and breakfast in the small town of Granbury, Texas.
Things take a twist when a tunnel caves in. Then the plot thickens when the reason for the cave-in is discovered. A hole in the tunnel wall holds the skeletal remains of someone and, from the looks of it, has been there for a very long time. A little backstory. Tori's great-grandfather, Frankie Leichter, was a crime boss and used the house for his illegal activity. So it makes sense that Frankie might have killed the man and buried him in the tunnel.
It's a fun journey to ride along with Tori as she unravels this mystery. The fallout from the discovery threatens the very existence of the Red Door Inn, as well as Tori's life.
I'd be remiss not to mention the secondary characters in this story. Since Tori had never been to this small Texas town, she arrived knowing no one. But she's established some deep-abiding friendships that made me want to jump into the pages of the story and interact with these people. First of all, her team, Mia, Cammie, Heidi, and Tina (whom we met in book one), are now fully incorporated into the operation of the Red Door Inn. These four girls really added depth to the story. Then, the construction foremen, Colt and Ben, brought another layer of goodness. There's a budding romance with David that I enjoyed. But Parker, the private investigator, is the icing on the cake. He would give his life for Tori. They are all dedicated to helping Tori not only unravel this mystery but also to convert the mansion into a B&B.
There is so much going on in this book. It's a page-turner, for sure. If you love a well-written mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, this is the book for you. I can highly recommend it!
March 24, 2023
I was super enthused to read Anita Dickenson’s next book in her Tori Winters series, Murder’s Legacy. Since discovering Anita, I have grown to have a profound likeability of her writing and stories.
Murder’s Legacy drew me immediately into danger that evolves into a dynamite encounter. Then there is the unearthing of a buried body. Thrown into the mix are obstacles from a city, guys getting hurt to a little old woman getting injured. All wrapped around a mystery of who and why someone is wanting to destroy Tori and her dream of opening a B&B.
This was my first introduction to the Tori Winters character. What I came to love the most is how Anita developed Tori in standing up for herself, thinking on her feet with common sense along with some incredible dialogue coming from Tori.
As with all small towns or even in this world, you find out that it is a small world and that connections run deep into your own family history. And I love Tori’s research style of using online newspapers to discover the ID of the body.
I did not read the first book in this series. That said yes, you need to read the first book to fill in the backstory that is talked about in this book. If you love mysteries set around strong women, that have amazing dialogue then the Tori Winters mysteries are going to be right up your alley.
A couple of side notes… This book cover is righteous. What is in those sandwiches? I just keep wanting a sandwich now. Anita needs to include recipes next time.
A remark on the back matter of this story. OMG! It is really a small world. When I read how this story came about I yelled out, “No, way!!!” This story concept was modeled on a real-life Texas guy, Benny Binion. Without knowing some Texas history, you think car and mailbox bombs only occurred in foreign lands or that New York and Chicago were the only places early-day gangster activity took place. That’s not the case. The Dallas and Fort Worth area experienced this in the 1920s to 1950s. I know this because Benny and his associates came up in my own research for my own book. Murder’s Legacy is now more endearing to me because of this connection.
Murder’s Legacy drew me immediately into danger that evolves into a dynamite encounter. Then there is the unearthing of a buried body. Thrown into the mix are obstacles from a city, guys getting hurt to a little old woman getting injured. All wrapped around a mystery of who and why someone is wanting to destroy Tori and her dream of opening a B&B.
This was my first introduction to the Tori Winters character. What I came to love the most is how Anita developed Tori in standing up for herself, thinking on her feet with common sense along with some incredible dialogue coming from Tori.
As with all small towns or even in this world, you find out that it is a small world and that connections run deep into your own family history. And I love Tori’s research style of using online newspapers to discover the ID of the body.
I did not read the first book in this series. That said yes, you need to read the first book to fill in the backstory that is talked about in this book. If you love mysteries set around strong women, that have amazing dialogue then the Tori Winters mysteries are going to be right up your alley.
A couple of side notes… This book cover is righteous. What is in those sandwiches? I just keep wanting a sandwich now. Anita needs to include recipes next time.
A remark on the back matter of this story. OMG! It is really a small world. When I read how this story came about I yelled out, “No, way!!!” This story concept was modeled on a real-life Texas guy, Benny Binion. Without knowing some Texas history, you think car and mailbox bombs only occurred in foreign lands or that New York and Chicago were the only places early-day gangster activity took place. That’s not the case. The Dallas and Fort Worth area experienced this in the 1920s to 1950s. I know this because Benny and his associates came up in my own research for my own book. Murder’s Legacy is now more endearing to me because of this connection.
March 28, 2023
I so enjoyed diving back into the Tori Winters world, and there are SO many directions this series could still go given the ominous final line of the novel! I am just happy that it's wide open for the next book -- because there MUST BE a next book.
Set in the very-real Granbury, Texas, MURDER'S LEGACY will tug on you to make a road trip there. Author Anita Dickason drops mentions of several very-real local businesses, too, even including websites to them in the extra notes at the end of the book. The Granbury Visitor's Bureau should send her a thank you card (and keep copies of this series on hand). Now, if they'd build a real Red Door Inn! I'm game.
This second volume in the series is a little different from the first with a majority of the action happening in & around Tori's mansion. The fabulously fleshed-out core characters return, and the group wonderfully expands with the addition of a few more. These are definitely people I'd want to share a cuppa with (Team COFFEE, not sweet tea).
Each day of the story's progression starts and finishes in much the same manner, but readers should pay attention to what may seem mundane. Dickason includes small details that lead to ah-ha moments later for a most satisfying resolution to almost all the loose ends (remember that ominous last line I mentioned?).
Main character Tori is really coming into her element as a capable businesswoman who won't be pushed around, but also as an amateur sleuth, which given history of her home, is sure to keep coming in handy. I've got a new category for Anita Dickason's series: Mystorical Fiction. (But for lovers of cozy mysteries, this one's getting cozier with more than one couple sending off sparks.) Much to look forward to! Can't wait.
Set in the very-real Granbury, Texas, MURDER'S LEGACY will tug on you to make a road trip there. Author Anita Dickason drops mentions of several very-real local businesses, too, even including websites to them in the extra notes at the end of the book. The Granbury Visitor's Bureau should send her a thank you card (and keep copies of this series on hand). Now, if they'd build a real Red Door Inn! I'm game.
This second volume in the series is a little different from the first with a majority of the action happening in & around Tori's mansion. The fabulously fleshed-out core characters return, and the group wonderfully expands with the addition of a few more. These are definitely people I'd want to share a cuppa with (Team COFFEE, not sweet tea).
Each day of the story's progression starts and finishes in much the same manner, but readers should pay attention to what may seem mundane. Dickason includes small details that lead to ah-ha moments later for a most satisfying resolution to almost all the loose ends (remember that ominous last line I mentioned?).
Main character Tori is really coming into her element as a capable businesswoman who won't be pushed around, but also as an amateur sleuth, which given history of her home, is sure to keep coming in handy. I've got a new category for Anita Dickason's series: Mystorical Fiction. (But for lovers of cozy mysteries, this one's getting cozier with more than one couple sending off sparks.) Much to look forward to! Can't wait.
February 18, 2023
The story of Tori Winters continues with a wonderful mystery.
If it wasn't for her friends (who are also her employees), and others who help her, she would have been either dead by now or her Victorian mansion demolished by her enemies. It doesn't hurt to have a love interest to distract her from the murders and treacherous individuals. In this small town in Texas, her luck seems tenuous.
Tori's great-grandfather ran a gambling house. When the story opens, she finds the remains of another gambler who died there. Did her great-grandfather kill him?
Anita Dickason's writing is smooth as moonshine, and just as strong. It puts the reader in Tori's shoes as she and her team unravel what is going on. The characterizations are spot on, and it is hard to decide which of them you can't live without---if the author decides one of them has to be killed off.
As the plot progresses, a notable city official is taken down a few steps. Maybe the others will not be so eager to interfere with Tori's plans to get her bed and breakfast off the ground. Yet, there is still a murderer who wants the secrets kept. Highly recommended!
If it wasn't for her friends (who are also her employees), and others who help her, she would have been either dead by now or her Victorian mansion demolished by her enemies. It doesn't hurt to have a love interest to distract her from the murders and treacherous individuals. In this small town in Texas, her luck seems tenuous.
Tori's great-grandfather ran a gambling house. When the story opens, she finds the remains of another gambler who died there. Did her great-grandfather kill him?
Anita Dickason's writing is smooth as moonshine, and just as strong. It puts the reader in Tori's shoes as she and her team unravel what is going on. The characterizations are spot on, and it is hard to decide which of them you can't live without---if the author decides one of them has to be killed off.
As the plot progresses, a notable city official is taken down a few steps. Maybe the others will not be so eager to interfere with Tori's plans to get her bed and breakfast off the ground. Yet, there is still a murderer who wants the secrets kept. Highly recommended!
April 6, 2023
Trying to complete a Bingo challenge and needing a cover that included a timepiece, this allowed me to fill a square. Having read Dickason books before, I was pretty sure what it would offer, and was not disappointed. If you enjoy clean, light, cozy mysteries, this hits that spot easily and well. It offers likeable characters and a slowly unraveling mystery that puts people in danger, ramping up the tension as you move through the pages, connecting all the loose threads by the last pages. If some mysteries and tensions are often too much for you, this kind of gentle mystery is more like cotton candy....sweet, melts in your mouth, and leaves you feeling happy.
March 7, 2023
A brief introduction for those who haven't read the first book featuring Tori. She is a hospice nurse who receives a surprise inheritance of an historic home and property, as well as a healthy bank account. When she decides to stay in Granbury, Texas and convert her grandmother's home into a B&B, Tori winds up with a major to-do list. There is demolition, renovation, remodeling, ordering new wallpaper and drapes...the list seems to grow rather than diminish. And when a skeleton is discovered during the demolition, can she find out who it was and how they came to be buried on her property before the city permanently derails her plans?
Tori has made good friends since she came to town and she must call upon all their skills to help with the transformation of her property and finding the solution to the mystery. She names them as directors in charge of operations (Heidi), advertising (Tina), culinary offerings (Cammie), and manager (Mia). Her male friends are also integral - David's engineering firm and Colt's construction crew work on updating the property while Parker's men provide security services. One would think that everything would be under control with such good help, but no such luck.
The small town setting, the family history going back generations, the uncertainty of where the threats are coming from (greedy real estate developers, city hall, family enemies?), and the underlying mystery of the skeleton's identity all come together in a potent mix. Add in some suspicious "accidents," a few break-ins, a little arson in the neighborhood and it could be the end of the Red Door Inn and Tori Winters.
A great read for cozy mystery fans, as well as for those who enjoy small town settings, the thrill of a group of female friends opening their own business, and digging into details such as the history of poker chips. Pick up a copy and enjoy!
Tori has made good friends since she came to town and she must call upon all their skills to help with the transformation of her property and finding the solution to the mystery. She names them as directors in charge of operations (Heidi), advertising (Tina), culinary offerings (Cammie), and manager (Mia). Her male friends are also integral - David's engineering firm and Colt's construction crew work on updating the property while Parker's men provide security services. One would think that everything would be under control with such good help, but no such luck.
The small town setting, the family history going back generations, the uncertainty of where the threats are coming from (greedy real estate developers, city hall, family enemies?), and the underlying mystery of the skeleton's identity all come together in a potent mix. Add in some suspicious "accidents," a few break-ins, a little arson in the neighborhood and it could be the end of the Red Door Inn and Tori Winters.
A great read for cozy mystery fans, as well as for those who enjoy small town settings, the thrill of a group of female friends opening their own business, and digging into details such as the history of poker chips. Pick up a copy and enjoy!
April 7, 2023
Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.85.
March 24, 2023
What a terrific read!
Anita Dickason has really hit her writing stride with this new series. The first book, Deadly Keepsakes, introduced Tori Winters who inherited a mansion and a significant amount of money from a grandmother she never met. Tori falls in love with the property and, using the money to pay for renovations, decides to turn it into a B&B, even though some powerful people in town put the pressure on her to sell and move on.
Some of those people are land developers who want to use the property for their own projects, and Myra Swanson, who thinks she is the queen of the local social set, is connected to one of those families. She’s tried to intimidate and insult Tori in the previous story and continues that effort in this one, too. This time Tori doesn’t back down and there’s a great scene where she really gives it to Myra with both barrels, figuratively speaking of course.
In this book, the work of renovating the old mansion is halted when a skeleton is found and an official investigation is started. Of course, Tori can’t help but jump in the middle of trying to figure out who this person was and what his connection to her gangster great-grandfather might have been. Was her great grandfather the one who shot the man? One clue she has to work with is an old poker chip, and the process of her research on old chips and the gambling scene in the Dallas area in the 1920s was quite fascinating. It’s evident that Dickason did a lot of careful research to lay that all out so well. That supposition on my part was proven right when I got to the end of the book and read the historical information that she’d uncovered. That extra is a real bonus for anyone else who loves to dive into historical facts.
Before getting to that, however, the reader is treated to a real thrill-ride of a story. Tensions rise when city officials start canceling permits and a rumor is started that the property is going to be condemned. When a pesky reporter gets wind of that and publishes an article revealing the condemnation in the newspaper, it could be the end of the line for the Red Door Inn, which is what Tori and her crew have decided to call the new B&B.
The crew, comprised of Mia, Cammie, Tina, and Heidi, doesn’t just work for Tori, the women are her friends – good friends. Their mutual respect and affection shines through every scene that they share, whether they’re talking about business or the mystery, and they’re all willing to go the extra mile to help Tori on both counts.
Very quickly in the story it becomes clear that the remains found in the tunnel were never supposed to be exposed, but now that the skeleton was found, Tori deals with more than permit cancellations and rumors. Mysterious things start happening; unusual sounds in the night in the old house, threats to Tori and everyone connected to her and the old house, and an assault on her grandmothers former housekeeper – the one person who might have information to help unravel this mystery of who got shot in the tunnel those many years ago and why.
The drama unfolds with mounting tension and I had a hard time closing the book when I needed to stop reading and maybe go to sleep. 🙂
This is a terrific novel with wonderful characters, starting with Tori. She is a strong, multi-layered person, and I’d love to have her for a friend. Then there are her gal-pals. Each one is unique and well-drawn, and their dialogue is natural and often fun. David, who started out as a potential adversary in the first book, is now a friend. Or more than a friend? There is just a hint of romance between them, and I look forward to seeing if that goes beyond a hint in future books.
Every element of the story is handled with great care and the book is a delight to read. If you like a cozy mystery with a strong plot, great people, and terrific dialogue, you’ve come to the right place. It isn’t necessary to read the first book in the series, Deadly Keepsakes, before this one, but why not? It’s well worth your time and helps set up some of the storyline you’ll find in Murder’s Legacy.
Anita Dickason has really hit her writing stride with this new series. The first book, Deadly Keepsakes, introduced Tori Winters who inherited a mansion and a significant amount of money from a grandmother she never met. Tori falls in love with the property and, using the money to pay for renovations, decides to turn it into a B&B, even though some powerful people in town put the pressure on her to sell and move on.
Some of those people are land developers who want to use the property for their own projects, and Myra Swanson, who thinks she is the queen of the local social set, is connected to one of those families. She’s tried to intimidate and insult Tori in the previous story and continues that effort in this one, too. This time Tori doesn’t back down and there’s a great scene where she really gives it to Myra with both barrels, figuratively speaking of course.
In this book, the work of renovating the old mansion is halted when a skeleton is found and an official investigation is started. Of course, Tori can’t help but jump in the middle of trying to figure out who this person was and what his connection to her gangster great-grandfather might have been. Was her great grandfather the one who shot the man? One clue she has to work with is an old poker chip, and the process of her research on old chips and the gambling scene in the Dallas area in the 1920s was quite fascinating. It’s evident that Dickason did a lot of careful research to lay that all out so well. That supposition on my part was proven right when I got to the end of the book and read the historical information that she’d uncovered. That extra is a real bonus for anyone else who loves to dive into historical facts.
Before getting to that, however, the reader is treated to a real thrill-ride of a story. Tensions rise when city officials start canceling permits and a rumor is started that the property is going to be condemned. When a pesky reporter gets wind of that and publishes an article revealing the condemnation in the newspaper, it could be the end of the line for the Red Door Inn, which is what Tori and her crew have decided to call the new B&B.
The crew, comprised of Mia, Cammie, Tina, and Heidi, doesn’t just work for Tori, the women are her friends – good friends. Their mutual respect and affection shines through every scene that they share, whether they’re talking about business or the mystery, and they’re all willing to go the extra mile to help Tori on both counts.
Very quickly in the story it becomes clear that the remains found in the tunnel were never supposed to be exposed, but now that the skeleton was found, Tori deals with more than permit cancellations and rumors. Mysterious things start happening; unusual sounds in the night in the old house, threats to Tori and everyone connected to her and the old house, and an assault on her grandmothers former housekeeper – the one person who might have information to help unravel this mystery of who got shot in the tunnel those many years ago and why.
The drama unfolds with mounting tension and I had a hard time closing the book when I needed to stop reading and maybe go to sleep. 🙂
This is a terrific novel with wonderful characters, starting with Tori. She is a strong, multi-layered person, and I’d love to have her for a friend. Then there are her gal-pals. Each one is unique and well-drawn, and their dialogue is natural and often fun. David, who started out as a potential adversary in the first book, is now a friend. Or more than a friend? There is just a hint of romance between them, and I look forward to seeing if that goes beyond a hint in future books.
Every element of the story is handled with great care and the book is a delight to read. If you like a cozy mystery with a strong plot, great people, and terrific dialogue, you’ve come to the right place. It isn’t necessary to read the first book in the series, Deadly Keepsakes, before this one, but why not? It’s well worth your time and helps set up some of the storyline you’ll find in Murder’s Legacy.
March 17, 2023
Anita Dickason has done it again. She’s written a book that keeps me scrolling through the pages well past my bedtime.
We met Tori Winters in Deadly Keepsakes, and I fell in love with her. Tori has unexpectedly inherited a mansion and a pile of cash from the grandmother she never met. Now she’s working to turn the mansion into a bed and breakfast, whose name, the Red Door Inn, is a nod to the house’s history. Murder’s Legacy opens with the renovations grinding to a halt when the secret tunnel collapses, revealing a long-dead body. Some items with the body may offer clues to his identity and who killed him.
Before Tori has a chance to figure out what happened, she’s getting hit with cancellations of permits, surprise inspections, and talk from the city that they may condemn the property. (That escalated quickly.) And the local newspaper publishes articles that seem almost prescient, like maybe the reporter has some inside information (where are they getting that, hmm?). Tori knows her property isn’t a hazard. She’s got the engineering analyses to prove it. And she knows she’s got to get to the bottom of this, and fast, or she stands to lose her home and the new business that she and her four friends are working hard to launch.
This is a non-stop thrill ride of a book. Every step Tori takes to unravel the mystery, the killer has the jump on her. Not only is she in harm’s way, but the killer won’t hesitate to hurt others if it serves their purpose. This really ramps up the tension of the story.
We see Tori tee it up with her nemesis, social queen bee wannabe Myra Swanson. I LOVE that Tori gets the chance to put Myra in her place! You’ll have to read the book to find out how and why, but man, I cheered. Myra is a pill and richly deserved the smackdown.
And once again, we see how Tori has surrounded herself with good people. Mia, Cammie, Tina, and Heidi aren’t just employees. They’re Tori’s Girl Gang. Her friends. They have her back, all the time. Mia in particular seems to have a sixth sense about when Tori is chasing herself in mental circles and can help get her back on track. I want a group of friends like them!
There’s a hint of potential romance between Tori and David. Will we see their relationship blossom in future books? I hope so!
The historical information at the end of the book is a delight. I learn so much from Dickason’s notes. I thought poker chips were poker chips were poker chips. I had no idea they were a whole area of research! Now I want to learn more about them and more about the history that inspired the Tori Winters series.
Anita Dickason has taken the cozy mystery genre and put her own unique spin on it. Murder’s Legacy is a fantastic second book in what I hope is a long-running series. Tori and the people in her life already feel like folks I’ve known a while, and I’m rather fond of them! Action, suspense, legal maneuvering, the power of friendship, a little romance, a little Texas history, this book has it all.
If you’re a mystery lover, start with Deadly Keepsakes and then jump right on in to Murder’s Legacy. You’ll be glad you did!
We met Tori Winters in Deadly Keepsakes, and I fell in love with her. Tori has unexpectedly inherited a mansion and a pile of cash from the grandmother she never met. Now she’s working to turn the mansion into a bed and breakfast, whose name, the Red Door Inn, is a nod to the house’s history. Murder’s Legacy opens with the renovations grinding to a halt when the secret tunnel collapses, revealing a long-dead body. Some items with the body may offer clues to his identity and who killed him.
Before Tori has a chance to figure out what happened, she’s getting hit with cancellations of permits, surprise inspections, and talk from the city that they may condemn the property. (That escalated quickly.) And the local newspaper publishes articles that seem almost prescient, like maybe the reporter has some inside information (where are they getting that, hmm?). Tori knows her property isn’t a hazard. She’s got the engineering analyses to prove it. And she knows she’s got to get to the bottom of this, and fast, or she stands to lose her home and the new business that she and her four friends are working hard to launch.
This is a non-stop thrill ride of a book. Every step Tori takes to unravel the mystery, the killer has the jump on her. Not only is she in harm’s way, but the killer won’t hesitate to hurt others if it serves their purpose. This really ramps up the tension of the story.
We see Tori tee it up with her nemesis, social queen bee wannabe Myra Swanson. I LOVE that Tori gets the chance to put Myra in her place! You’ll have to read the book to find out how and why, but man, I cheered. Myra is a pill and richly deserved the smackdown.
And once again, we see how Tori has surrounded herself with good people. Mia, Cammie, Tina, and Heidi aren’t just employees. They’re Tori’s Girl Gang. Her friends. They have her back, all the time. Mia in particular seems to have a sixth sense about when Tori is chasing herself in mental circles and can help get her back on track. I want a group of friends like them!
There’s a hint of potential romance between Tori and David. Will we see their relationship blossom in future books? I hope so!
The historical information at the end of the book is a delight. I learn so much from Dickason’s notes. I thought poker chips were poker chips were poker chips. I had no idea they were a whole area of research! Now I want to learn more about them and more about the history that inspired the Tori Winters series.
Anita Dickason has taken the cozy mystery genre and put her own unique spin on it. Murder’s Legacy is a fantastic second book in what I hope is a long-running series. Tori and the people in her life already feel like folks I’ve known a while, and I’m rather fond of them! Action, suspense, legal maneuvering, the power of friendship, a little romance, a little Texas history, this book has it all.
If you’re a mystery lover, start with Deadly Keepsakes and then jump right on in to Murder’s Legacy. You’ll be glad you did!
April 8, 2023
Murders Legacy is the second book of Anita Dickason’s Tori Winters Mystery series. I thought the first book was good. The second one was even better.
Tori Winters has settled into her new life in Granbury, Texas. She has plans to renovate the historic mansion she inherited from her grandmother and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Tori’s great-grandfather, who built the mansion, was a notorious gangster who also held private gambling parties in the house. In addition to the house, there is also a tunnel leading from it to the outside, possibly allowing anyone attending the illegal gambling sessions to escape.
The story opens with construction workers using a backhoe to demolish a run-down guest house when part of the tunnel caves in. Upon inspection, Tori and the contractor discover a skeleton with a gunshot wound to the head. It’s estimated to have been buried for around eighty years.
They notify the police and soon reporters are on the scene. The following day, a city inspector pulls her construction permit until it can be determined if the property is safe. Things go from bad to worse when a tabloid publishes a story stating the house is unsafe and should be demolished. The city attorney announces he plans to conduct an inspection of the property with the intent to condemn it.
In the meantime, Tori is set on discovering the skeleton’s identity and who was responsible for his murder. Her inquires lead to several mysterious events—the former housekeeper was attacked in her home after Tori makes plans to visit her and inquire about the skeleton. One construction worker is involved in a hit-and-run accident, and another’s house was set on fire.
Who is behind all this and why? It’s obvious someone with a lot of clout is pushing for the demolition of the home.
Dickason has a knack for keeping the reader guessing until the end. Her characters—especially Tori—are well-developed. I enjoyed the small-town setting as well. I hope there will be more books in this series, and the last line of the book hints there will be.
Tori Winters has settled into her new life in Granbury, Texas. She has plans to renovate the historic mansion she inherited from her grandmother and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Tori’s great-grandfather, who built the mansion, was a notorious gangster who also held private gambling parties in the house. In addition to the house, there is also a tunnel leading from it to the outside, possibly allowing anyone attending the illegal gambling sessions to escape.
The story opens with construction workers using a backhoe to demolish a run-down guest house when part of the tunnel caves in. Upon inspection, Tori and the contractor discover a skeleton with a gunshot wound to the head. It’s estimated to have been buried for around eighty years.
They notify the police and soon reporters are on the scene. The following day, a city inspector pulls her construction permit until it can be determined if the property is safe. Things go from bad to worse when a tabloid publishes a story stating the house is unsafe and should be demolished. The city attorney announces he plans to conduct an inspection of the property with the intent to condemn it.
In the meantime, Tori is set on discovering the skeleton’s identity and who was responsible for his murder. Her inquires lead to several mysterious events—the former housekeeper was attacked in her home after Tori makes plans to visit her and inquire about the skeleton. One construction worker is involved in a hit-and-run accident, and another’s house was set on fire.
Who is behind all this and why? It’s obvious someone with a lot of clout is pushing for the demolition of the home.
Dickason has a knack for keeping the reader guessing until the end. Her characters—especially Tori—are well-developed. I enjoyed the small-town setting as well. I hope there will be more books in this series, and the last line of the book hints there will be.
March 24, 2023
Ms. Anita Dickason deftly creates a framework for this non-stop mystery. Tori Winters envisions her inherited home becoming the Red Door Inn. The name originated from her great-grandfather’s casino. Tori is a determined yet unpretentious spitfire with the money to make her dream a reality. Her four friends, Mia, Heidi, Cammie, and Tina, support Tori’s efforts and earn positions on the Inn’s staff. Each woman brings skills to enhance the plans from culinary delight, retaining the antiques, marketing, and internet presence.
The story threads extend over eighty years that started with gamblers, specialized poker chips, and greed. Details surrounding these memorable characters get teased out as the story unfolds. Indeed, the abrupt work shutdown when a portion of the tunnel collapses, resulting in a skeleton revealed, makes readers flip the pages starting in chapter one. It is the first of many barriers Tori discovers as the mystery unfolds. The Red Door Inn offers a perfect recipe to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Finding the cards stacked against her, Tori re-deals the hand, leaning on friends she can trust. The interactions between the work crews, security staff, and Tori’s team provide good banter, celebrations for minor victories, and a hint of romance. The people between the pages are friends one can visit next time they’re around Granbury, Texas.
Anita Dickason knows how to use words to pique all the booklover’s senses. The descriptions of the house, tastes of menu creations, the music Tori teases from the keys to the piano, and soothing bathing in a classic claw foot tub engage readers. This fast-paced cozy includes many twists and turns to uncover years of lies, murder, and relationships. I highly recommend you consider this excellent stand-alone storytelling, but the entire series is a tense, nail-biting, exciting read.
The story threads extend over eighty years that started with gamblers, specialized poker chips, and greed. Details surrounding these memorable characters get teased out as the story unfolds. Indeed, the abrupt work shutdown when a portion of the tunnel collapses, resulting in a skeleton revealed, makes readers flip the pages starting in chapter one. It is the first of many barriers Tori discovers as the mystery unfolds. The Red Door Inn offers a perfect recipe to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Finding the cards stacked against her, Tori re-deals the hand, leaning on friends she can trust. The interactions between the work crews, security staff, and Tori’s team provide good banter, celebrations for minor victories, and a hint of romance. The people between the pages are friends one can visit next time they’re around Granbury, Texas.
Anita Dickason knows how to use words to pique all the booklover’s senses. The descriptions of the house, tastes of menu creations, the music Tori teases from the keys to the piano, and soothing bathing in a classic claw foot tub engage readers. This fast-paced cozy includes many twists and turns to uncover years of lies, murder, and relationships. I highly recommend you consider this excellent stand-alone storytelling, but the entire series is a tense, nail-biting, exciting read.
March 14, 2023
Tori Winters: A Women Not To Be Underestimated – A One-Woman Wrecking Crew!
Tori Winters is a force of nature. When the tunnel on her property collapses during demolition prior to the construction of an outbuilding, a skeleton is found. A few items with the remains spark an interest from Tori regarding her family’s history. However, the tunnel situation sparked more than an interest from an unknown party who has an unhealthy interest in the tunnel, the skeleton, the house…and everyone connected to it. Can Tori and her crew figure out who’s behind it before it’s too late? It’s a cat and mouse game with deadly consequences.
Anita Dickason did it again! The Tori Winters Mystery Series is a home run! In A Murder’s Legacy, Dickason keeps you on the edge of your seat, slowly crossing off names, and then putting them back on the list to figure out who is behind the criminal activity. This time, not only is Tori threatened, but also the livelihoods of all attached to the Red Door Inn. Tori is fighting for everyone to keep the doors from closing. If that were the only cost…
Dickason is an amazing author. Being a history buff, I am thrilled at how she pulls historical facts into the fictional storyline. The characters and storyline, combined with the historical significance of the town, meld together to create a novel that will keep you turning the pages! You won’t want to put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed the first Tori Winters Mystery – Deadly Keepsakes, and this one did not disappoint either! If you love a good action-packed mystery, these are a must read!
Tori Winters is a force of nature. When the tunnel on her property collapses during demolition prior to the construction of an outbuilding, a skeleton is found. A few items with the remains spark an interest from Tori regarding her family’s history. However, the tunnel situation sparked more than an interest from an unknown party who has an unhealthy interest in the tunnel, the skeleton, the house…and everyone connected to it. Can Tori and her crew figure out who’s behind it before it’s too late? It’s a cat and mouse game with deadly consequences.
Anita Dickason did it again! The Tori Winters Mystery Series is a home run! In A Murder’s Legacy, Dickason keeps you on the edge of your seat, slowly crossing off names, and then putting them back on the list to figure out who is behind the criminal activity. This time, not only is Tori threatened, but also the livelihoods of all attached to the Red Door Inn. Tori is fighting for everyone to keep the doors from closing. If that were the only cost…
Dickason is an amazing author. Being a history buff, I am thrilled at how she pulls historical facts into the fictional storyline. The characters and storyline, combined with the historical significance of the town, meld together to create a novel that will keep you turning the pages! You won’t want to put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed the first Tori Winters Mystery – Deadly Keepsakes, and this one did not disappoint either! If you love a good action-packed mystery, these are a must read!
March 22, 2023
Thank you to LSBBT and author Anita Dickason for a copy of Murder’s Legacy. This is the second Tori Winter Mystery I’ve read.
Tori, who inherited a mansion from a grandmother she never knew, is determined to convert the beautiful old house into a graceful inn, but once again, trouble comes calling. A tunnel built by her gambler grandfather, caves in during reconstruction and a body, long dead is found. To make matters worse, someone is determined to shut down her plans and have the property condemned. But Tori is made of tougher stuff and fights to save her dream.
Murder’s Legacy is a fun, fast read with a great set of characters, especially Tori, a kind woman with a penchant for collecting friends. She may seem soft on the outside, but she has an inner core of steel and woe be to those who underestimate her. The dual mysteries are well plotted with a surprise ending.
I really enjoyed this second instalment of the Tori Winter Mysteries series and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a good mystery story. Although it can stand alone, I advise readers to begin with book one for a full understanding of the plot.
I give this book 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tori, who inherited a mansion from a grandmother she never knew, is determined to convert the beautiful old house into a graceful inn, but once again, trouble comes calling. A tunnel built by her gambler grandfather, caves in during reconstruction and a body, long dead is found. To make matters worse, someone is determined to shut down her plans and have the property condemned. But Tori is made of tougher stuff and fights to save her dream.
Murder’s Legacy is a fun, fast read with a great set of characters, especially Tori, a kind woman with a penchant for collecting friends. She may seem soft on the outside, but she has an inner core of steel and woe be to those who underestimate her. The dual mysteries are well plotted with a surprise ending.
I really enjoyed this second instalment of the Tori Winter Mysteries series and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a good mystery story. Although it can stand alone, I advise readers to begin with book one for a full understanding of the plot.
I give this book 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 4, 2023
I approach second books in a series with a bit of hesitancy. Will it have the same punch as the first one? With the characters that were so well developed and real in the first book be able to happen again? Well the answer to all my questions was a resounding YES!
Tori Winters is coming into her own and getting a handle on the home, dream, and life that she has discovered in Granbury, TX. With plans for the Bed and Breakfast creation in full swing, things are moving just too smoothly when there is a glitch – well more like a dead body, buried long ago in the secret tunnel. If that’s not enough, suddenly the ripple effects of this body lead to all reconstruction being stopped by the town. Secrets and scheming seem to be around every corner. Add in all my favorite characters from the first book, and Tori’s strong team is up for the challenge! Gosh I want to work with Tori & Mia!
If you thought the story couldn’t get better – pick up this book and read that it does!
Tori Winters is coming into her own and getting a handle on the home, dream, and life that she has discovered in Granbury, TX. With plans for the Bed and Breakfast creation in full swing, things are moving just too smoothly when there is a glitch – well more like a dead body, buried long ago in the secret tunnel. If that’s not enough, suddenly the ripple effects of this body lead to all reconstruction being stopped by the town. Secrets and scheming seem to be around every corner. Add in all my favorite characters from the first book, and Tori’s strong team is up for the challenge! Gosh I want to work with Tori & Mia!
If you thought the story couldn’t get better – pick up this book and read that it does!
April 11, 2023
While this is a mystery, it isn't a typical one. In many ways, it actually reminds me of a play in terms of its setup and main action. A lot of the story takes place within Tori's home/future business. Much of the progression occurs through the meetings she has with her companions about construction progress, hold-ups and reactions from the locals via newspaper or visits to her property. The story IS a novel, in standard prose format, but the setting itself is almost its own character since so much happens in this one multi-room location.
Another way this mystery is a little less typical from the ones that I usually read is that it isn't one that you up and solve ahead of time. The clues are dropped in spaced out enough to keep the mystery going until almost the end. That was really refreshing for me, personally.
If you're looking for more books published by Texans, this is a good one to try!
Another way this mystery is a little less typical from the ones that I usually read is that it isn't one that you up and solve ahead of time. The clues are dropped in spaced out enough to keep the mystery going until almost the end. That was really refreshing for me, personally.
If you're looking for more books published by Texans, this is a good one to try!
July 20, 2023
Sensational story!
“Murder’s Legacy” is an exceedingly entertaining novel that keeps the reader engaged from the very first page. Although there are a plethora of characters, Ms. Dickason skillfully creates them so each one of them is unforgettable. Tori Winters is a dynamic woman with a big dream who will not be thwarted, no matter who tries to get in her way. The plot is convoluted and keeps the reader on their toes, guessing who the skeleton is and who is out to end Tori. The descriptions add depth to the story, creating a visual for the reader. An incredible tale, it is the second novel in a series. It makes one anxious to read the next in the series. A real winner in the genre!
“Murder’s Legacy” is an exceedingly entertaining novel that keeps the reader engaged from the very first page. Although there are a plethora of characters, Ms. Dickason skillfully creates them so each one of them is unforgettable. Tori Winters is a dynamic woman with a big dream who will not be thwarted, no matter who tries to get in her way. The plot is convoluted and keeps the reader on their toes, guessing who the skeleton is and who is out to end Tori. The descriptions add depth to the story, creating a visual for the reader. An incredible tale, it is the second novel in a series. It makes one anxious to read the next in the series. A real winner in the genre!
February 27, 2023
Excellent read - loved it!
October 27, 2025
See my review for book 1
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