Inherited Murder

Deb Ralston #10

by Lee Martin

Detective Deb Ralston has promised her husband, Harry, that she'll happily forget work for three weeks and concentrate on relaxing, sightseeing, picknicking - they'll have a real family vacation (although taking a teenager, his girlfriend, a toddler, and a pit bull by van from Fort Worth, Texas, to Salt Lake City, Utah, can't be all that relaxing). The Ralstons settle into Georgina Grafton's bed-and-breakfast in Salt Lake City. But while sightseeing in Gilgal Sculpture Garden on the trip's second day, they find the body of Georgina's sister, Alexandra, who has been killed by a fist-sized rock aimed at the back of her head. Georgina tells them that Alexandra, a victim of multiple personality disorder, was a handful, but she was certainly not dangerous enough to murder. Or was she? While Deb may be out of her jurisdiction, she's not out of her league: Because their grieving hostess trusts them, she and Harry volunteer to help Salt Lake City Police Detective Charlie Sosa with the case. Promising not to get too involved, because she wouldn't want to put her family in jeopardy - and, anyway, she is supposed to be on vacation - Deb investigates Alexandra's life and her family's tragic past until she learns enough to make her a target for the killer. Following her most personal case in The Day That Dusty Died, Deb again works overtime to balance the demands placed on her by her dangerous job, her overflowing family, and murder - which she can't seem to leave behind.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

230 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Pseudonym of Ann Wingate

Anne Wingate, born in 1943 as Martha Anne Guice, is a mystery writer currently living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Most of her mysteries are set somewhere within Texas. She is an adult convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this sometimes shows in her works. She grew up in the Disciples of Christ Church.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series. Except for them keeping the dog outside all the time. Especially this time, with the dog sick & it being cold & rainy out. And why didn't she just ASK the vet if what the dog had could be passed to them?? Anyway, each book always has something new to learn about, although sometimes I'm undecided whether all the Mormon stuff is interesting or annoying. This time it was more Mormon stuff & Multiple Personality Disorder (which I'd never heard or seen called "MPD").

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fun to follow Detective Deb Ralston on vacation. She's like an old friend. Of course she finds a body and gets involved. Learned a little bit about the Mormons as the Ralston family dropped off the 19 year old son in Utah to start his missionary journey. Also learned about multiple personality disorders.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned more about Mormonism, and enjoyed this mystery.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Deb Ralston mysteries. Deb is a police detective in Fort Worth, Texas in special crimes unit and handles some murder cases. Deb and foster child Lori just recently joined the Mormon church. Her adopted son Hal has been a member for years and at 19 he is going on a mission. So his family his vacationing on the way to take him to the mission training center in Provo UT. His dad,Mom,Cameron 4 yr old brother and his girl friend Lori,also their pit bull dog
while they are visiting Salt Lake City they go to Gilgal a sculpter garden. ( I have lived with in a few minutes of the garden and never heard of it before and now want to go.) They discover Alexandra murdered body thier. She lives in the bed and breakfast that they are staying with her sister. Alexandra has multiple personalitys. Georgina the owner of Bed and Breakfast asked Deb to find out what happened too her sister by talking to her friends that she does not think will talk to police.
So while Deb is trying to find out which personality Alexandra was murdered. she finds more murders before solving the case.
It kept me reading to find out what happens next. Good plot, clean murder mystery that I enjoyed.