Focused on Murder: A Spirit Lake Mystery

by Linda Townsdin

Britt Johansson is a former Pulitzer prize-winning LA Times photographer whose reckless behavior nearly ended her career. She gets a chance to redeem herself when she's working in Northern Minnesota and stumbles across an international crime ring that ultimately pits her and her brother against a psychopathic killer. Her hometown of Spirit Lake is a perfect location for all kinds of dirty deeds: easy entry points along the vast wilderness of the US/Canadian border, an Indian reservation that's off limits to most law enforcement, and a dangerously mistaken perception that nothing happens in small towns.

Genres: Mystery

286 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2014

About the author

Linda Townsdin writes the Spirit Lake Mystery series inspired by her childhood in northern Minnesota. Focused on Murder, Close Up on Murder, Blow Up on Murder, Longshot on Murder, and Time-lapse on Murder have been called “complex murder mysteries with bone-chilling thrills and a bit of romance.” Townsdin’s background as writer/editor for a national criminal justice consortium has been helpful in plotting her series, and her short fiction is published in several anthologies. She lives in California.

Reviews

[Gail Baugniet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focused on Murder: A Spirit Lake Mystery is definitely a thrilling read. This mystery by Linda Townsdin displays her impressive writing style. Her skills in moving an action-packed story forward with escalating tension held me captive as a reader.
It was easy to form a visual impression of each of Townsdin’s characters. Development is extensive, creating a believable cast. Protagonist Britt Johansson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune intrigued me, possibly because her abilities are so far removed from my own. Also, because Minnesota was my home for eighteen years, a mystery that opens in a small-town setting appealed to me.
A million acres of wilderness surrounded by a thousand lakes could be paradise, unless it is being used for “dirty deeds.” A murder has brought Britt Johansson back to her hometown and she quickly sets out to uncover clues, not realizing she could be walking into the lair of a psychopath. The escalating action made this a fun read. I also enjoyed the Ojibwe Indian history presented throughout the story and I look forward to a Brett Johansson sequel.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then, a newly discovered author makes you want to read one more chapter before you go to sleep. However, a really great debut author compels you to pick up that same book first thing in the morning before you get out of bed, because you have to find out what is going to happen next in the snowy tundra Minnesota region of Spirit Lake. Linda Townsdin's new novel, FOCUSED ON MURDER, grabs you immediately and introduces you to wonderfully flawed Britt Johansson, a photo-journalist with such grit and determination, you root for her as she investigates more than one murder. Townsdin spins a dark web of compelling, conflicted and compassionate characters. If you like complex murder mysteries, bone chilling thrills with a bit of romance, this should be the next book on your reading list. The plot is expertly crafted taking you on a journey of discovery you did not see coming.

[Julie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Townsdin has created a fast-paced mystery that grabbed me and didn't let go. As a stand-alone book, it's terrific. And it has everything I look for in a series opener -- a main character I want to get to know more deeply, interesting secondary characters, and a setting so beautifully developed I want to hang out there. The story is gripping, the action intense, and it's definitely a book I'll read more than once. Since I'm already reading it a second time, I guess I should say it's a book I'll read more than twice. I can't wait for the next Britt Johansson novel!

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast paced murder mystery which takes place in northern Minnesota. The plot twists were surprising with the photo journalist Britt Johansson investigating one murder and another death first ruled as a suicide. Both tragedies are within the same family. Then the plot moves to a seemingly unrelated issue of sex trafficking. Eventually, everything comes together. Britt is a fearless and tough woman but one who has her issues. The close of the book has a satisfactory and realistic closing which leaves the door open for more photo journalist adventures for the heroine.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! If you like tautly written, entertaining mysteries with heart, look no further. Super-driven news photographer Britt Johansson will stop at nothing to expose stories about crime or injustice. Her persistence and courage in the face of obstacles posed by friends and enemies alike make this book a page-turning read. Townsdin serves up a whole town of unforgettable, believable characters, including Britt's brother, a talented chef nicknamed Little, who expresses his emotions through his food, and sexy ranger ex-boyfriend Ben. I found this one hard to put down.

[L.D. Markham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up in a smallish town in Northern Minnesota, I appreciated the author's attention to detail with the culture, indigenous peoples, and realistic dialogue that rang true to my experiences. I enjoyed the flawed but stubborn main character who relies on her instincts. She doubts herself, steels herself and is not afraid to put her life at risk for a noble cause. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and engaging read. Enjoyed looking at the world through the main character’s photojournalist’s eyes. Her first instinct -even in mayhem - is to snap an image to tell what will be the eventual long story of her journey to solve crimes. An intriguing ploy by a strong writer. Would love to see the pace slow a tad and more character development unfold.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

kept me reading late - didn't suspect the ending!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Non stop action!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Britt Johansson is a Pulitzer Prize winner for her photography, but was fired because of her out of control drinking and behavior. She has divorced her husband who was involved in woman after woman. Britt is back in Spirit Lake where her brother, Little runs a restaurant with his husband Lars. Britt has finally stopped drinking and is hoping to reunite with Ben, a childhood friend whose heart she broke. Ben is working to catch a human smuggling ring. Britt gets involved when she stumbles across a group of girls from Vietnam, trapped in a cabin in the woods. She is trying to find out who killed a local girl Ben can't seem to forgive her. Her brother wants her to stay in Spirit Lake, but she has to decide if she will take the offer of a job as a photographer for the national news, instead of the small local paper.
There are many things I like in this book. Edward, the Native American who can see ghosts and dreams of things that are happening. I do not like that Britt is being beat up over and over. It is not possible to be hit that many times and is very unrealistic. I love Britt's drive and willingness to help others through her photos.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read mysteries often, but when the setting and main character grab me, I'm happily turning pages. Such was the case with Focused on Murder, set in northern Minnesota, with Britt Johansson, "a kickass photojournalist with a big heart and bad social skills," trying to solve a co-ed's murder in the Minnesota winter. The tension builds as layer after layer of criminal activity, including sex trafficking and drug sales, is exposed in what most would think an unlikely setting. Protagonist Britt's urge to help victims gets her into messy, scary and life-threatening situations and keeps the reader guessing. Author Townsdin captures the competitive spirit of journalists and photographers as well as the small town Midwestern/northern Minnesota culture including hotdishes, going "up North" and locals sipping bottomless cups of coffee while trading news in the diner. A well-written, entertaining read.

[Joyce Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite debut novels. I love Minnesota, especially its lakes, so I was attracted to a story set in that part of the country. I echo those reviews that cite appreciation for the strong but stubborn/flawed protagonist, Britt, and the novel's overall attention to character development. Linda Towsdin is the poster person for the author who has written her first novel based a lot of life experience, just stepping into the role as novelist and carrying it off with grace and gusto for her depth knowledge of life and people. I can't wait to read more of this (hurray!) continuing saga.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

always fun to read a mystery set in northern Minnesota. a good mystery too