Fatal Flaw: A Cal Claxton Mystery

by Warren C. Easley

It's winter in the Oregon wine country, and small-town lawyer Cal Claxton deserves a respite after his last grueling case. But just as the world learns about a threatening new virus variant, a woman named Willow Daniels shows up at his office, asking Cal to represent her in the settlement of her uncle's estate. The uncle's death was ruled a suicide, but Willow isn't buying it. Getting involved is against Cal's better judgment, but how can he resist this single mother who tows her young daughter in a trailer behind her bike, takes gorgeous photos of Portland's bridges, and serves delicious French cuisine from her Portland food cart?




Cal soon learns that the uncle, a brilliant scientist, recently came up with an innovative device to detect viruses. The expected payoff is huge, and the list of those who stand to gain from his death gets longer and longer. Cal finds himself immersed in one of the most complex and dangerous cases he's ever investigated.




When a key witness is brutally murdered, and the woman Cal loves falls ill, he realizes he's up against two killers-a ruthless murderer and a deadly virus.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

Formerly a research scientist and international business executive, Easley lives in Oregon where he writes fiction, hikes, skis, and fly fishes. As the author of the Cal Claxton Mysteries, he received a Kay Snow national award for fiction and was named the Northwest's Up and Coming Author by Willamette Writers. His fifth book in the series, Blood for Wine, was short-listed for the coveted Nero Wolfe Award and his eighth book, No Witness, won the Spotted Owl Award for the best mystery written by an author living in the greater Northwest, including Canada.

Reviews

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of listening to Easley and Book Carnival and couldn't resist buying his book. It was a good mystery about a gal who approaches Cal to investigate the death of her research scientist uncle whose demise is ruled as a suicide, but she suspects it was murder. Soon people are run off the road, die or just killed. Interestingly the story takes place during the COVID pandemic with Cal's significant other hospitalized with the disease. This was an easy, enjoyable read and has a nice ending and leaves the reader in doubt as to who the murderer is.

[Diane Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

my first book by Warren Easley. Good book, makes me want to good check out Oregon now.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cal Claxon never fails to entertain - and, as a Portlander, it's always fun for me to see all the local references (very accurately depicted!) I've been following the series and was pleased to hear Easley do a reading a few months ago - and to finally get my hands on this book, which I devoured in less than 24 hours! Highly recommended! BTW, it works as a standalone but I'd recommend starting with #1 to get full enjoyment from the series!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

9.9/10. Easy read…moves right along! Part of a mystery series set in the PDX metro area and in Dundee about an attorney who solves murders. This book includes the beginning of the Covid pandemic when Portlanders’ begin to realize that health may become endangered.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Cal Claxton mystery! As I've said before; nice guy lawyer lives in Dundee, OR, does pro bono work in Portland, cooks, loves wine, has a good dog, treats his wonderful friends right, gets in over his head but wins in the end. Probably bad grammer there in my review, sorry! One clue in the mystery involves grammar and Cal is a stickler, but Mr. Easley you might want to check yours and/or turn off autofill! Not complaining, loved the novel.

[Ardie Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warren Easley Never Disappoints!

Fatal Flaw is another page-turner, which keeps the reader riveted to the plot. The author captures the chilling realities of the 2019-2020 pandemic as well as the political scene, and weaves them skillfully into the twists and turns of a mesmerizing mystery. What a great read!

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The onset of covid 19, as the virus gains strength and finds its victims as the government responds to contain the impact. All of that is very well done.

Dialog is good and both PNW and character physical descriptions very well done. Characters are somewhat one dimensional.

[Kathleen Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series. Easy reading. Good descriptions of the beautiful Williamette Valley. Good stories.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big mystery lover, but I enjoyed this. Such fun to hear familiar place names.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in the series so far. Good story line, mystery and conclusion. I just wish my mother was alive, she would have loved the grammar clue. 🥰

[Michelle Conniff · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This was a good one, set right at the start of the pandemic and focused on proving a man was murder for his inheritance.

[Jethro J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cal rocks!

Another case in the books! Clever storytelling, character development and plot shifts made this a challenging case to unwind. Fun read, highly recommended…

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars