Witch Way

by Carol Ballard

When homicide detective William Stevens arrives in his hometown of Freeville, Nebraska, he figures he will straighten out his late parents' financial affairs and return home in a day or two. But when a young woman named Carlean is found murdered, William's friend, the local sheriff, persuades him to stay and help solve the crime. In his search to uncover the mysterious killer, William finds romance with the sheriff's dispatcher...and also is united with his brother Thomas, long presumed dead. He also discovers that Carlean is but one of many Freeville girls murdered over the past thirty years, including his own childhood sweetheart, as well as Thomas's girlfriend. In order to solve the case, William must confront his own painful past. But whi is killing these young women, and why? Could it be Betsy Cummings, who seems to know so much about the murders? Or is it Matt Gunther, William's former high-school rival? Is it Sam Collins, who is implicated in an attack on Thomas, or Joe Wade, the jealous school janitor? One thing is for You'll be led every which-way, through many devious twists and turns, before you find out the answer in this spellbinding whodunnit.

186 pages, Paperback

First published August 23, 2002

About the author

Carol Ballard is an author of more than 80 non-fiction books. Specializing in informational books for children and teens, her focus is toward the 7 to 14 year old group.

After graduating from Leeds University in plant sciences, Ballard did post-graduate research and was awarded a PhD in Immunology. She has many years experience as a science teacher and coordinator, and has written articles for teachers on various aspects of science teaching and teachers' materials for classroom use.

In addition to her writing, Carol works as a freelance consultant for publishers on educational and scientific matters. She also has her own business, Kite Books, which produces worksheets and teachers' resources.