Clouds: Iron Horse Mystery #4

by C.J. Shane

Residents of Casa Pacifica apartments are enjoying their Sunday potluck when newly-arrived Xochi Navarro discovers that her apartment has been ransacked. David Li Liang comes to her aid and quickly finds himself in the middle of a mystery. Who is harassing Xochi and why? Her half-brother who wants to force her return to Mexico? Or some some unidentified culprit? And what can Li do about these unexpected protective feelings he has for Xochi? Li is aided by Logan Reid, manager of Casa Pacifica, in a struggle to keep Xochi safe. Clouds is a stand-alone cozy mystery with a romantic element, and #4 in the Iron Horse Mysteries series set in Tucson.

Readers say about the Iron Horse

entertaining for mystery, action, and love

incredible fast-paced mystery with engaging characters

intrigue, danger, romance, in a well-crafted mystery

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2024

About the author

I'm an artist and a writer, and I alternate between writing and painting. My paintings are abstract landscapes in oil, and I also do mixed-media work. I write mystery-suspense: Letty Valdez Mysteries (4 in series), Cat Miranda Mysteries (3 in series), and Iron Horse Mysteries (5 so far).
Learn more and see my art here: http://www.cjshane.com/
I publish a monthly newsletter that covers Art, Books, and the Natural World. Sign up here: https://www.cjshane.com/contactnewsle...
And follow me on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/people/CJSha...

Reviews

[Diane Cowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author CJ Shane knows how to weave a story!
By cleverly reintroducing us to the Casa Pacifica residents from books 1-3 in this series, it makes it possible for "Clouds" to read as a stand alone book. Early on, each apartment dweller is clearly described by relating their background and personality. They are now your friends!
This good character development draws you in. The several plots running throughout interweave with the main characters, namely Li and Xochi, with their fellow neighbors. Cozy mystery and romance intermingle.
As with the previous books in this series, the reader has an honest insight of the culture and makeup of Tucson. Also, CJ Shane brings in her knowledge of art - Xochi's art book making class. (I had to find out more, so here is a quick link with pictures, if interested.....Smithsonian Library https://library.si.edu/collection/art.... Add to that, Li's interest in guitar jazz, makes this an interesting book.
"Clouds" is a quick read that keeps you engaged to the end.
I was given this book as part of ARC. This is my honest review.

[Lisa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fourth visit to the Tucson apartment complex where everyone is family. Very quick and upbeat read. I enjoyed the budding romance between Li and Xochi, as well as the continued growth of the families in the complex. Just enough of a mystery to keep with the cozy theme. Looking forward to the next book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fourth book in the series; I'm a big fan of the series in general, and always enjoy each new story. As always, I like how the author has continued the cast of characters from earlier books, but added in new characters who take the lead in this book. No worries for those starting the series with this book; everyone is introduced quickly and succinctly, and you can pick right up on this story focused on Xochi and Li.

This time around there is plenty of action, as the residents of a Tuscon apartment complex come together for fun, adventure, and crime solving. The focus this time in on why someone is targeting Xochi; her apartment is ransacked, and there's some concern for her safety. The book is fairly fast paced, and the local police and even the FBI play a role.

The plot is great. Detailed but still logical. I enjoyed trying to figure everything out along with the characters. I also liked how the official investigators are portrayed as competent and respectful. I highly recommend this author and series!

Thank you to The Review Crew and the author for providing me with a review copy.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Iron Horse Mysteries by CJ Shane. I like that the each book is a standalone but I would read them in order to see the character growth of the recurring characters. Each book has a mystery and a little love interspersed.

This is a fast-paced story book with amateur sleuths solving most of it. It treats law enforcement respectfully. I enjoyed the fast pace, the suspense, and the assistance of the FBI and local police in resolving all the illegal issues presented.

The other enjoyable part of Ms. Shane’s stories is the culture she shares. I learned more about art, the Apache Indians and their dedication to our country. Ms.Shane does not shrink from discussing current cultural issues in Tucson and also our country. She doesn’t preach but allows her characters to present their positions. There are links to art books at the end of the book.

I highly recommend this story and the series.
I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this series; I’ve read and very much enjoyed the previous three books in the series, but this book could stand alone well. The setting is great— Tucson, Arizona, where a lot of residents live in a unique apartment building called Casa Pacifica, which is a huge older mansion that’s been divided into smaller apartments. The tenants differ greatly in backgrounds, but they socialize a lot and get along well. During one of their weekly Sunday night potlucks, they hear a clatter coming from artist and new resident Xochi’s apartment; they discover that while the rest of her apartment is untouched, her art area and supplies are totally destroyed. Another resident, Li, is a chef and guitarist who is interested in Xochi romantically and wants to help her investigate who has broken in and why. The mystery is very interesting and well-written and I can definitely recommend this book, as well as the series; I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.

[Donna Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Potlucks are fun and all of the people at Casa Pacifica are lucky enough to have one every Sunday. Sounds like a place I would like to live. There is an eclectic group that lives there, there is the Chinese Chef (and guitar player), the Philosophy teacher and a Book Art teacher, a 6-year-old and a Greyhound to name a few. The art teacher, Xochi, is the latest addition to the family. While at her first Casa Pacifica Potluck she hears someone in her apartment upstairs and everyone must run up to see what is happening and the mystery begins. The writer will take deep into the family background of some of the characters that you will quickly enjoy learning about. By the time the mystery is solved you will have learned to like for each of them and for the next one joining the family, Detective Alvarez. This is the 4th in the Iron Horse series and while it is a standalone book I think everyone will enjoy reading all of the books in the series.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery in this series. While having their weekly potluck, the residents of Casa Pacifica hear someone in Xochi's apartment. Someone has trashed her work room. Afraid to stay by herself, she sleeps on Li's couch. Who broke in and what are they after? As Li helps Xochi figure out who broke in, they grow closer. Xochi's half-brother is also trying to kidnap her and take her to Mexico. Good thing Li knows self-defense. Can Li save Xochi? Will they have a chance to be together?

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed very minute of this book with interesting characters who are so realistic and relatable you feel like you know them and a can't put down story surrounding the residents of the Casa Pacifica Apartments in Tucson. Ms. Shane has given us another must-read in her Iron Horse Mystery series and I can't wait to see what happens next with Logan and the rest of the "family".