Still Life In Blood: A Delaware State Police Homicide Unit Mystery

Still Life #1

by Crystal Heidel

Does seeing the future mean you may have a chance to change it? For Francesca Munro, a successful artist in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that is a question that plagues her daily thoughts. For years she's kept her psychic abilities a secret but when a murder she's dreamt of actually occurs—and then another—her struggle to cope with the deadly visions may be exposed. Francesca knows that there is a deeper meaning to the murders, one that may be connected to her—especially when she begins to receive bizarre and cryptic clues that send her catapulting into a search for the truth about her mother who committed suicide twelve years earlier. As Francesca tries to figure out how the past she barely remembers, yet is so desperate to forget, is connected to the killings, the body count rises. Delaware State Police Homicide Detective Jack Remington tries to unravel the intricate knot that ties the victims to Francesca. But can Jack solve the mystery before Francesca becomes the final piece in a twisted killer's one-man show?

Genres: Mystery

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2013

About the author

I’m a writer of suspense. I ramble. I like to kayak, but I like to SUP more. I love beignets and iced coffee with organic milk. And I believe that watermelon is the best summer lunch. And I absolutely adore dark chocolate.

I like staying up till 4 am reading a new book (any genre) then complaining that it was so good I didn’t get any sleep. I love writing. I love sitting in bed, working on my novel, sipping tea or coffee (depending on the mood), reading about forensics and serial killers and profiling. I love to laugh. I love great conversations and—equally—moments of silence.

Reviews

[LemonLinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an especially gruesome murder mystery. In fact, I tried to read it in the daytime and go to something else for nighttime reading. I do not usually have or at least do not remember bad dreams, but I thought this one, if read just before sleeping. could easily produce nightmares given the details of the murders.

That said, I engaged with the characters, especially Francesca (Frenzy). Her visions did not bother me as I often suspend belief when reading and how else would they have pulled it all together. The inclusion of art/paintings/art supplies in the mystery intrigued me.

I read it as I needed a book set in Delaware as I now have only one additional state and I will have read a book(s) set in all 50 states. This one worked well for that task and was actually better than I had first anticipated.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

50 states challenge-Delaware

[Mandy Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy cow I could not read this book before bed because it gave me the heebie jeebies!!!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and entertaining read. Suspenseful right to the end.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book despite the title and cover (I try to avoid gory stuff), because I needed a book set in Delaware for a reading challenge and I usually enjoy books featuring a psychic. At first I thought it would take me a while to read all those pages, but the book is fast-paced and suspenseful. I liked the non-suspect characters, especially Francesca and her niece. For cozy mystery lover, it is a bit too creepy and gruesome, especially for night-time read. There were still too many unanswered questions at the end for me to give the book 4 stars.

[Mariefred Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up because this wasn’t nearly as terrible as I thought it’d be. A friend’s neighbor wrote this Delaware beach town murder tale that actually has you hooked! The writing needs a lot of work but it was a whodunnit that actually had me guessing. I give her a lot of points for creativity

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had everything, thriller, romance, murder … great read!!!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm glad this book has gotten good reviews from other readers. I don't understand why, but I'm glad because I, personally, don't have a lot of positive things to say about it which is sad since I really don't like trashing books. However, I was misled by the high-star rating this book gets here and I want to make sure others know what they're getting into so they don't make the mistake (like I did) of purchasing a book they won't enjoy.

Let me confess, first of all, that books about psychics can be a really hard sell for me. I don't believe in all that woo-woo stuff, so this element has to be really convincing in order for me to suspend my disbelief. That didn't happen with STILL LIFE IN BLOOD. So, there's that. There's also the fact that the characters in this book are especially bland. None of them really have personalities, which made it difficult for me to feel like I knew any of them and thus tough to care about what happened to them. I'm especially confused as to why EVERY man Frenzy (an awful nickname by the way—it bugged me throughout the novel) knows is madly in love with her. WHY? She has no discernible personality. Also, she spends the vast majority of the story REacting instead of acting, which is one of my big literary pet peeves. A heroine should be making things happen instead of just watching from the sidelines or, worse, biding her time until someone bigger, stronger, and braver comes to her rescue. Ugh.

As far as plot goes, STILL LIFE IN BLOOD is fast-paced in some ways. In others, it drags along, with lots of unnecessary details and scenes. There are superfluous characters who show up for no apparent reason. There are also plot elements that go nowhere (like the fact that one of the victims and Frenzy's mother have the same last name—the connection is NEVER explored by any of the characters). Heidel's prose is also very tell-y and her book is riddled with typos. All these things considered, I found this book to be an overly long, poorly-edited novel filled with characters I didn't care about and an ending that feels unsatisfying. The killer is a surprise, yes, but only because there aren't any carefully-planted clues that lead to their identity.

I'll stop, but suffice it to say, I did not love this book. I didn't even like it and I definitely regret buying it. The only reason I kept reading it is because I needed a book set in Delaware for a reading challenge and those are really, REALLY hard to find.

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author to me and I really enjoyed this book. A very interesting mystery since this takes place at the Delaware shore where we have our annual autumn beach vacation. I loved reading about the places that we had visited in Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach and thinking "we were there!". The mystery was very creepy. The main character, Francesca "Frenzy" Munro, has a 'gift' where she sees and feels these murders in her mind and dreams at the time they are occurring and meanwhile the serial killer has made Frenzy one of his targets. It seemed a bit lengthy and drawn out at times with 120+ chapters. However, it was a creepy psychological thriller with a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. I hope the author writes the next book in the series soon.

[Darcie Duranceau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying that I normally finish a book within two or three days. It didn't happen with this book, by Crystal Heidel. Why? Because I have an overactive imagination as is, and I found myself so enthralled with the characters and the story line that my mind was playing tricks on me at night. Thus, I had to confine my reading time to the daylight hours. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The author, with an obvious love of all things artistic, created her very own masterpiece.

[Barbara Truppo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read! Lots of characters kept me busy to figure out 'who dun it'.... It should me made into a movie!

[Dave Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up in Rehoboth Beach, I was really curious to read this mystery novel that happens there and in nearby Lewes. The story sucked me into it, delivering plot twists and suspense. That suspense and the short chapters caused me to keep wanting to turn the pages and find out what happened next.

A heads-up: This book is not a “tea cozy” mystery. There are gory parts.

As a few women are found murdered, we go along with Detective Jack Remington and his partner Jonny Stillwater as they seek clues to track down the killer. And they try to figure out how Francesca Munro is somehow connected to the murders. Francesca does her own detective work to find out information with that same goal.

She goes by the curious nickname Frenzy. She’s an artist with a gallery in Rehoboth. But she’s more than that. She experiences visions and dreams that tell of future events — an ability that runs in her family, from Frenzy’s mother to Frenzy to possibly her niece. And her past has secrets. These add interesting aspects to the story that enrich the “whodunnit” plot line.

This is an entertaining book that combines the puzzles of the killer’s identity and Frenzy’s past with suspenseful moments. If you’re open to reading a mystery with coastal small town flavor, I recommend it.

[Alisonreadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted the book by the author. It took me a month to read it, as l am in the midst of struggling with grief (Mom died), and l am finding loss of concentration to be a huge issue. I enjoyed the characters, and locale very much. The gruesome things and the scary factor were a bit difficult for someone in my headspace. I will try again when l feel better able to sit down and read it without distraction. Normally this book would be right up my alley. It would be a book that l would send to my Mom, and then we would have a great discussion. Thank you Crystal.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally do not read murder mysteries, but a friend at work recommended this because she said it was well written and is locally based. It was truly tense and scary. I was a bit stressed readying it and probably won't read another murder mystery for a long time... (and it was so interesting because of the different sides of the story and how it was told... and all the local landmarks that were thrown in!)

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an engrossing book! This story grabs you and doesn't let go until you have finished it. It is set in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a tourist mecca and beach town that seems the wrong place for a serial killer to be operating, but that is what happens. You are left guessing who is trying to kill Francesca until the very end. It is definitely a good read.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgosh!! This was such a fabulous book! Loved that it was written by a local author, who provided all the surroundings, businesses, towns, and agencies in every inch of this book. I, truly, could NOT put this book down!! And now would love to read more exciting novels by Ms. Heidel. Hurry up, write more!

[patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 *** I would have rated higher except the romance part was shit! The writing was great, Delaware was like it's own character and I wasn't sure who the serial killer was. Everyone being in love with Frenzy was so over the top though, it pulled me right out of the story every time. I would definitely read something else from this author though.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly enjoyed the local flavor and picturing local places especially since I’ve worked in Rehoboth. It could have used a little more editing and some plot weaknesses that caused me to say, Seriously… near the end. But otherwise it was suspenseful, although a little more gruesome than I’m accustomed to.

[Christy Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was engaging and I got attached to the characters very early on. It took a few twists I wasn't expecting and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. Highly recommend!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Kept me on my toes. I could not stop reading. Can't wait for her next book. Patiently waiting.
Oh you think you know but I bet your wrong. Lmao.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Christine Greentaner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and since I’m from Delaware I loved the local chat.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

if your favorite candy is BOSTON BAKED BEANS you deserve to be targeted by a serial killer. eat a peanut m&m you joyless freak

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant, could not put this book down, trying to figure out all the clues....the ends was amazing....defo going to be in my top 10 books of the year x

[Michael DeStefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaware and its environs have not made much of a splash in mainstream fiction. That is until graphic artist and author Crystal Heidel had executed the literary equivalent of a back triple with four twists in her award winning debut!

In her Delaware Press Association Communications Award-winning entry, Heidel treats us to an account of unrelenting suspense worthy of Hitchcock. From the very first chapter, the author grabs you and refuses to let go. The ensuing original storyline, along with the killer’s hideously agonizing technique of dispatching his victims, compels the reader onto the next chapter.

Approachable, sympathetic, and disturbing characters, familiar southern Delaware locations (Lewes—pronounced Lewis—and Rehoboth) and meticulously researched activities of her artists, detectives, medical and forensic experts (and of course, the killer), brought this fictional tale to frightening reality.

Looking for a fast-paced, high tension thriller with a Delaware flair? Still Life in Blood should be on top of your list of must reads.

[Lcord · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIRST BOOK FROM A YOUNG WRITER. iT WAS A GOOD MYSTERY READ AND I THINK WE'LL BE HEARING FROM HER AGAIN.

[Gloria Hearne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits close to home!

Since I am a new member of the Lewes, DE community, live off of Gills Neck Rd., and have a 29 year old daughter, I found this story intriguing and believable.

[Louise Pfarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite good for the author's first book! It all takes place in the Rehoboth/Lewes area so it was interesting to identify different locations. I'm looking forward to her second novel!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and recommend it!
A real page turner!