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Zoe Chambers Mysteries #2
Lost Legacy
On a sultry summer afternoon, Paramedic Zoe Chambers responds to a call and finds a farmer’s body hanging from the rafters of his hay barn. What first appears to be a suicide quickly becomes something sinister when Zoe links the victim to a pair of deaths forty-five years earlier. Her attempts to wheedle information from her mother and stepfather hit a brick wall of deception, one that brings into question everything Zoe knows about her late father, who died in a car crash when she was eight. Or did he?
Police Chief Pete Adams fears Zoe’s inquiries are setting her up for deeper heartbreak and putting her in danger. As Zoe and Pete inch closer to the truth, they discover that a missing gun links the crimes which span more than four decades. But the killer isn’t done. Two more Vance Township residents fall victim to the same gun, and when tragedy strikes too close to home, Zoe realizes her family is in the crosshairs.
Police Chief Pete Adams fears Zoe’s inquiries are setting her up for deeper heartbreak and putting her in danger. As Zoe and Pete inch closer to the truth, they discover that a missing gun links the crimes which span more than four decades. But the killer isn’t done. Two more Vance Township residents fall victim to the same gun, and when tragedy strikes too close to home, Zoe realizes her family is in the crosshairs.
292 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
228 people are currently reading
1109 people want to read
About the author
Annette Dashofy
28 books504 followersAnnette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of 12 novels in the multi Agatha Award nominated Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. In addition, her standalone, Death by Equine, about a veterinarian at a second-rate thoroughbred racetrack, won the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award. The second in her new Detective Honeywell Mystery series, Keep Your Family Close, was released in December 2023. Her upcoming What Comes Around (Zoe Chambers #13) is scheduled for release in May 2024. Annette and her husband live on ten acres of what was her grandfather’s dairy farm in southwestern Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
August 31, 2018
When paramedic Zoe Chambers arrives at the scene of an apparent suicide, she can’t help but draw parallels to the death of her great uncles several decades ago in the same barn. Meanwhile, Police Chief Pete Adams uncovers another tie to Zoe’s past in the investigation. Is the modern death a murder or a suicide? What is the connection to Zoe?
I’m sorry I waited so long to return to Zoe’s world, but it was fantastic to be back. Zoe and Pete really are co-leads in the series since they split time as our viewpoint characters. In this case, they both have sub-plots involving their parents, as well. The rest of the characters are just as fully developed as our leads. The plot is compelling, always pulling me in and making me reluctant to set the book down. The tone of the book is definitely more somber, and the smattering of language coupled with a few scenes on the edge of being graphic keep it on the traditional side of the spectrum. While not as light as many of the cozies I read, it is still wonderful reading.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’m sorry I waited so long to return to Zoe’s world, but it was fantastic to be back. Zoe and Pete really are co-leads in the series since they split time as our viewpoint characters. In this case, they both have sub-plots involving their parents, as well. The rest of the characters are just as fully developed as our leads. The plot is compelling, always pulling me in and making me reluctant to set the book down. The tone of the book is definitely more somber, and the smattering of language coupled with a few scenes on the edge of being graphic keep it on the traditional side of the spectrum. While not as light as many of the cozies I read, it is still wonderful reading.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 1, 2020
I have been listening to the audio version of this book and love the mystery and the narration of it. This is a fantastic series that has made it very quick to one of my all-time favourites.
January 17, 2018
A fast-paced cozy mystery with a touch of romance for a great read set in rural Pennsylvania. Zoe Chambers, paramedic answering an emergency call found the body of a farmer ha going his barn. Police Chief Pete Adams investigating discovers years ago there was a murder/suicide of the same born and they were Zoe's great uncles. Zoe learns that no one saw her father's body after death in an automobile accident. She begins to suspect the fact his death was faked. Zoe's Mother and stepfather arrived to visit her. She is living on the Knoll farm sharing the farmhouse. Pete's sister brings his Dad who has Alzheimer to visit. As the investigation continues other farmers are being targeted. Zoe's landlord is shot and in the hospital. Pete's Dad wanders off if not watch carefully.
The cold case appears to hold the answer, can Pete and Zoe solve the case before anyone is hurt. The ending will surprise you.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Henery Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
The cold case appears to hold the answer, can Pete and Zoe solve the case before anyone is hurt. The ending will surprise you.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Henery Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
September 17, 2015
Paramedic Zoe Chambers gets a call to attend the scene of a farm accident, but when she arrives she discovers a body hanging from the rafters of a barn. It quickly becomes apparent that more is going on than just a suicide and when she discovers a link to the death of her father two decades earlier, she can't help but investigate.
Cozy mysteries aren't rocket science. As a rule after a couple of books by an author they start to sound repetitive to me and I start looking for greener pastures. For what it is, it's pretty good ... it was entertaining fluff and the ending was great. I'll probably forget it in a week but I enjoyed reading it.
Cozy mysteries aren't rocket science. As a rule after a couple of books by an author they start to sound repetitive to me and I start looking for greener pastures. For what it is, it's pretty good ... it was entertaining fluff and the ending was great. I'll probably forget it in a week but I enjoyed reading it.
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March 17, 2025What. The. Fuck.
Me. I'm giving a five-star review. And for a sophomore book in a series, no less.
It's not because Annette's an old friend. If you've ever read my other reviews, you know I don't think about friendships when I sit down to write a review. I compartmentalize pretty well, and a book deserves to be reviewed on its own merits, not on friendships or politics or some stupid policy where authors should only give four and five-star reviews or else they're undermining each other.
Nope. This gets a five-star review because the book. Is. That. Good.
The tight plotting, the forward movement of the overall series arc and relationship between Pete and Zoe (okay, it does help that I know what's coming, but that's more because this series has been around a while and even someone as oblivious as me can't avoid spoilers), the wonderful and clear descriptions and brush strokes used to describe characters...
It's all here. This is SOLID.
And yeah, I can whine about being beyond tired that all main characters anymore have to have awful parents, but then we get a gem of a character like Harry, who infuses this novel with heart and soul and charm and pain -- and is a fabulous catalyst for character growth that I hope we see more of in future installments.
And I most definitely have to be angry at the clearly inexperienced copy editor who made Annette look bad. But given that it's so clearly an issue of someone incapable of doing the job, I can't hold it against Annette. And, too, it's not as bad as it was in Circle of Influence.
But those are really just whining about small stuff, in the scheme of things. Annette's firing on all cylinders in this one, showing why she's been nominated for awards and is a USA Today Bestselling author.
We need more books like this. We really do.
Me. I'm giving a five-star review. And for a sophomore book in a series, no less.
It's not because Annette's an old friend. If you've ever read my other reviews, you know I don't think about friendships when I sit down to write a review. I compartmentalize pretty well, and a book deserves to be reviewed on its own merits, not on friendships or politics or some stupid policy where authors should only give four and five-star reviews or else they're undermining each other.
Nope. This gets a five-star review because the book. Is. That. Good.
The tight plotting, the forward movement of the overall series arc and relationship between Pete and Zoe (okay, it does help that I know what's coming, but that's more because this series has been around a while and even someone as oblivious as me can't avoid spoilers), the wonderful and clear descriptions and brush strokes used to describe characters...
It's all here. This is SOLID.
And yeah, I can whine about being beyond tired that all main characters anymore have to have awful parents, but then we get a gem of a character like Harry, who infuses this novel with heart and soul and charm and pain -- and is a fabulous catalyst for character growth that I hope we see more of in future installments.
And I most definitely have to be angry at the clearly inexperienced copy editor who made Annette look bad. But given that it's so clearly an issue of someone incapable of doing the job, I can't hold it against Annette. And, too, it's not as bad as it was in Circle of Influence.
But those are really just whining about small stuff, in the scheme of things. Annette's firing on all cylinders in this one, showing why she's been nominated for awards and is a USA Today Bestselling author.
We need more books like this. We really do.
November 11, 2017
This was actually an audio book that I listened to but for some reason it doesn't come up on my read list when listed as audio. I enjoyed this audio book. When a body is found that could be tied in with past deaths you know that you are in for a story of plenty of twists. This had me guessing and second guessing myself, I really had no clue. My husband and I listened to this on a trip and he was like me, we had no clue. When you think you know where this story is going, get ready because it will take you in a different direction. I love the characters and especially the addition of Pete's father, I found him endearing. I will definitely continue on with this series.
Warning,there is some strong language in this book, not an over amount but there is some.
Warning,there is some strong language in this book, not an over amount but there is some.
September 18, 2014
I spent the day reading this book. It is one that you won't want to put down until it's finished. I had a lot of reasons to do that.
First, the story is set in a fictional county in PA, which sounds a lot like Washington County, PA, where I live. There are a lot of references to Pittsburgh in the book, and that makes me squee with delight. I love having a feeling of connection with places in the books I read, and I definitely got that with Lost Legacy.
But wait there's more. The story starts out with what looks like a suicide, but spirals into several murders, all stemming back from another incident in the same barn over 40 years ago. There are so may suspects, som are even hitting a little close to home for Zoe. In fact, for awhile, I was kinda worried that the killer might be someone really close to Zoe.
I loved all the characters in the book, but none so much as Pete's dad, Harry, who has Alzheimer's. I wanted to hug him, he was just so sweet. I also enjoyed how Pete and Zoe really worked together to solve the crime and even when it came to finding out answers about her father's death 20 + years ago.
Annette keeps you guessing on the killer to the very end, making this a really great read. The ending is very emotional and I have to say, this is the first time I found myself with a few tears at the end of a mystery!
Lost Legacy is the 2nd book in the Zoe Chambers series, and when you finish it you will be eagerly waiting for the next book!
First, the story is set in a fictional county in PA, which sounds a lot like Washington County, PA, where I live. There are a lot of references to Pittsburgh in the book, and that makes me squee with delight. I love having a feeling of connection with places in the books I read, and I definitely got that with Lost Legacy.
But wait there's more. The story starts out with what looks like a suicide, but spirals into several murders, all stemming back from another incident in the same barn over 40 years ago. There are so may suspects, som are even hitting a little close to home for Zoe. In fact, for awhile, I was kinda worried that the killer might be someone really close to Zoe.
I loved all the characters in the book, but none so much as Pete's dad, Harry, who has Alzheimer's. I wanted to hug him, he was just so sweet. I also enjoyed how Pete and Zoe really worked together to solve the crime and even when it came to finding out answers about her father's death 20 + years ago.
Annette keeps you guessing on the killer to the very end, making this a really great read. The ending is very emotional and I have to say, this is the first time I found myself with a few tears at the end of a mystery!
Lost Legacy is the 2nd book in the Zoe Chambers series, and when you finish it you will be eagerly waiting for the next book!
July 8, 2014
I was among the ones privileged to read an advance copy of this book.
I really enjoyed CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE, the first Zoe Chambers mystery. I think LOST LEGACY is possibly even better.
The historical death angle was intriguing and tied neatly to current events. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing almost to the very end, and one last twist that was both touching and heart-breaking at the same time.
But what really shines about these books are the characters. I love spending time with Zoe and Pete, and Dashofy really leaves me rooting for both of them. Pete's father Harry is a delightful character in his own right, and really brings out new depths to the existing characters. And while I'm sure Pete thinks Wayne Baronick is a pain in the butt, I love the wry, smart-aleck hotshot humor that he brings.
Another fantastic book in the Zoe Chambers Mystery series. I eagerly await the release of book 3!
I really enjoyed CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE, the first Zoe Chambers mystery. I think LOST LEGACY is possibly even better.
The historical death angle was intriguing and tied neatly to current events. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing almost to the very end, and one last twist that was both touching and heart-breaking at the same time.
But what really shines about these books are the characters. I love spending time with Zoe and Pete, and Dashofy really leaves me rooting for both of them. Pete's father Harry is a delightful character in his own right, and really brings out new depths to the existing characters. And while I'm sure Pete thinks Wayne Baronick is a pain in the butt, I love the wry, smart-aleck hotshot humor that he brings.
Another fantastic book in the Zoe Chambers Mystery series. I eagerly await the release of book 3!
September 19, 2014
Zoe Chambers is an EMT in a small town in Pennsylvania. In the very first scene Dashofy gets your attention with a suicide by hanging, and then just keeps the story rolling with strong characters and excellent plot complete with some beautifully written wrong paths for the reader to stumble down. I loved Zoe and Pete’s relationship, but I also loved the sheer selfishness of Zoe’s mother and the stubbornness of the local farmers. Murder? Who cares? We have hay to bring in from the fields! As the story unfolds, the reader finds this isn't the first hanging in this barn in Vance Township, and Zoe just happens to be connected to it. Great storytelling! Now I have to go back and read the first book in the series.
March 12, 2015
Very enjoyable mystery on many levels. Locale is fresh and the heroine, Zoe, is a paramedic. While she copes with a visit from her high maintenance and hard-to-please mother and beloved stepfather, a death with tentacles into the past threatens all she knows about her own father's death.
October 25, 2014
Another great mystery from Annette Dashofy - She is a very talented author who is now on my must read list. She brings great character development functioning in a very complex plot.
February 18, 2025
I really liked the first book in this series, so I was surprised to like this one even more. It's a little too... gritty? to be a cozy series, but it's not far removed from that genre.
I love (most of) the characters, especially Zoe, Pete and Sylvia, and loved the addition of Pete's dad Harry to this story. I was happy that other characters went away, and I hope they stay away for a good long time :) I really like the Pennsylvania connection, especially now that I know it's a fictional town in a fictional county. It feels so much like the small towns around Pittsburgh, it makes me feel at home.
What appears at first to be a suicide turns into a much more complicated death, tied to events from the past. There were several killings in the story, but there were plenty of twists in the story so it was hard to determine if they were separate crimes, crimes committed by a group of people, or crimes committed by just one individual. I kept changing my mind about who was responsible, and was only slightly surprised when the solution became clear.
I have most of the rest of this series in my audiobook library, and hope to listen to the next book before the end of the year.
I love (most of) the characters, especially Zoe, Pete and Sylvia, and loved the addition of Pete's dad Harry to this story. I was happy that other characters went away, and I hope they stay away for a good long time :) I really like the Pennsylvania connection, especially now that I know it's a fictional town in a fictional county. It feels so much like the small towns around Pittsburgh, it makes me feel at home.
What appears at first to be a suicide turns into a much more complicated death, tied to events from the past. There were several killings in the story, but there were plenty of twists in the story so it was hard to determine if they were separate crimes, crimes committed by a group of people, or crimes committed by just one individual. I kept changing my mind about who was responsible, and was only slightly surprised when the solution became clear.
I have most of the rest of this series in my audiobook library, and hope to listen to the next book before the end of the year.
April 5, 2025
Love this series!
June 24, 2020
Good read
Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Liked the characters and the writing. My first time to read Ms Dashofy. Will check out more in the series.
Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Liked the characters and the writing. My first time to read Ms Dashofy. Will check out more in the series.
May 20, 2021
Pretty good mystery I must say.
July 23, 2014
Lost Legacy by Annette Dashofy is such a great read. There is a little bit of everything here, friendship, mystery, romance and compassion.
Zoe Chambers is a paramedic who is called to a barn for an apparent suicide. The same barn where her great uncles died forty five years ago. The uncles deaths were ruled a homicide/suicide from a dispute over a woman. Zoe finds it too much of a coincidence that two hangings happened in the same barn. She is determined to get to the bottom of both hangings. And when a letter is found in the dead man’s house stating that Zoe’s father was not killed in a car crash many years ago, as she was lead to believe, Zoe has hope that maybe her father is still alive. She needs to find out the truth about her dad.
Pete Adams is the Police Chief in Vance Township. He also finds the two hangings to be very suspicious and knows he has to try to figure out what happened, both in the past and the present. When more residents turn up dead or injured, both Pete and Zoe have their hands full.
Not only is Pete dealing with the murders, he also is dealing with a foot injury. He cannot investigate like he wants to because of his injury. And to top all that off, Pete’s father, Harry, has been dropped of by Pete’s sister for an extended stay. Harry suffers from Alzheimer’s and his sister needed a break from caring for Harry. So Pete has an injured foot, a escape artist dad and homicides to deal with. Oh, and did I mention, Pete has feelings for Zoe? Pete and Zoe are caught in the “friend zone” and Pete does not know how to move the relationship forward.
The mysteries in this book are carried on throughout the book, and by the end of the book, there are a handful of mysteries to solve. There are many twists and turns and just when I thought I had it figured out, something happened that shot down my guess. From the very beginning with the dead body hanging in the barn until the very last pages, the action and suspense kept building.
But as good as the mystery and suspense are, the thing I like the best about the book are the characters and their relationships. All the characters are well developed, well round and three dimensional. I found myself really liking the characters and caring about what happened to them. Harry was one of my favorite and the portrayal of Alzheimer’s was very realistic. Most of the characters are very likable, but there is a villain amongst the characters. And I’m not talking about the murderer but about Zoe’s mother. She is a character that is very easy to hate and I wanted her to get what was coming to her.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoys a well written mystery. The characters and the mysteries are so well blended that I just found myself turning page after page and forgetting about what was going on in reality. That is what a good author is able to do and Annette Dashofy sure did it for me. I now have to get book one in the series so I can continue to get to know Zoe and Pete even better. I sure hope there is going to be a book three to read in the near future.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press Publishers for the opportunity to read such a fantastic book.
Zoe Chambers is a paramedic who is called to a barn for an apparent suicide. The same barn where her great uncles died forty five years ago. The uncles deaths were ruled a homicide/suicide from a dispute over a woman. Zoe finds it too much of a coincidence that two hangings happened in the same barn. She is determined to get to the bottom of both hangings. And when a letter is found in the dead man’s house stating that Zoe’s father was not killed in a car crash many years ago, as she was lead to believe, Zoe has hope that maybe her father is still alive. She needs to find out the truth about her dad.
Pete Adams is the Police Chief in Vance Township. He also finds the two hangings to be very suspicious and knows he has to try to figure out what happened, both in the past and the present. When more residents turn up dead or injured, both Pete and Zoe have their hands full.
Not only is Pete dealing with the murders, he also is dealing with a foot injury. He cannot investigate like he wants to because of his injury. And to top all that off, Pete’s father, Harry, has been dropped of by Pete’s sister for an extended stay. Harry suffers from Alzheimer’s and his sister needed a break from caring for Harry. So Pete has an injured foot, a escape artist dad and homicides to deal with. Oh, and did I mention, Pete has feelings for Zoe? Pete and Zoe are caught in the “friend zone” and Pete does not know how to move the relationship forward.
The mysteries in this book are carried on throughout the book, and by the end of the book, there are a handful of mysteries to solve. There are many twists and turns and just when I thought I had it figured out, something happened that shot down my guess. From the very beginning with the dead body hanging in the barn until the very last pages, the action and suspense kept building.
But as good as the mystery and suspense are, the thing I like the best about the book are the characters and their relationships. All the characters are well developed, well round and three dimensional. I found myself really liking the characters and caring about what happened to them. Harry was one of my favorite and the portrayal of Alzheimer’s was very realistic. Most of the characters are very likable, but there is a villain amongst the characters. And I’m not talking about the murderer but about Zoe’s mother. She is a character that is very easy to hate and I wanted her to get what was coming to her.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoys a well written mystery. The characters and the mysteries are so well blended that I just found myself turning page after page and forgetting about what was going on in reality. That is what a good author is able to do and Annette Dashofy sure did it for me. I now have to get book one in the series so I can continue to get to know Zoe and Pete even better. I sure hope there is going to be a book three to read in the near future.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press Publishers for the opportunity to read such a fantastic book.
September 25, 2014
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Another fabulous story from Annette Dashofy!!!
I really love Zoe Chambers. She is such a strong woman. We learned in Circle of Influence, the first book in this series, that her life has not been easy and we find out even more in this installment. I am so glad that her relationship with Chief Pete Adams is moving forward. It is not easy when they are both public servants but they are so good for each other and Zoe needs him in this story more than ever.
Zoe’s mother and stepfather play pivotal roles this time and I must say I have great sympathy for Zoe growing up with a mother like Kimberly. But the character that pulled by heartstrings and that was my favorite was Harry, Pete’s father. Harry has Alzheimer’s and Pete’s sister is his usual caregiver. His sister needed a break and brought Harry to stay with Pete unexpectedly. While it wasn’t easy Pete and Zoe and their friends all helped make Harry’s visit work. He also helps solve the mystery and you won’t believe how this all plays out. I do not want to spoil the story so will say no more than that I love Harry Adams and you will too.
Dashofy is such a great storyteller. Her writing is so descriptive and her characters are so fleshed out. She paints vivid pictures with her words. She also knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats. I thought my Kindle was going to burn up the pages were flying. The subplots were immersed into the main story line seamlessly. I was riveted to this book from the moment I picked it up until all the mysteries were solved and still didn’t want it to end.
This is definitely one of the best books I have read in 2014.
April 26, 2015
Lost Legacy is the story of hidden family secrets. Since everyone has a family of some sort, I think most people will find that intriguing. Zoe Chambers, EMT in Monongahela County PA, didn’t realize there were any family secrets in her family until a farmer turns up dead in a barn that her uncles use to own. When the investigation into the death begins, it gets very personal for Zoe very quickly. Her mom and stepdad coming to visit from Florida don’t help the situation.
This is the second mystery in the Zoe Chambers series and I am really enjoying them. In the first one, Circle of Influence, we met our characters, Zoe, Pete, Sylvia, the Krolls, and they became people we could relate to instantly. There wasn’t any of that first-book-in-a-series awkwardness. Now we meet Zoe’s mom and Pete’s dad. The characters become even more 3-dimensional. Annette Dashofy knows how to write realistic characters.
This is what I classify as a Contemporary Traditional Mystery. It’s not a cozy but it’s not gritty. The mystery is the focus and it’s well done. There are believable red herring and the answer makes sense with what we’ve read. I’m definitely ready to move on to the next one!
Book provided by Netgalley but my reviews are always honest and written for other readers like me.
This is the second mystery in the Zoe Chambers series and I am really enjoying them. In the first one, Circle of Influence, we met our characters, Zoe, Pete, Sylvia, the Krolls, and they became people we could relate to instantly. There wasn’t any of that first-book-in-a-series awkwardness. Now we meet Zoe’s mom and Pete’s dad. The characters become even more 3-dimensional. Annette Dashofy knows how to write realistic characters.
This is what I classify as a Contemporary Traditional Mystery. It’s not a cozy but it’s not gritty. The mystery is the focus and it’s well done. There are believable red herring and the answer makes sense with what we’ve read. I’m definitely ready to move on to the next one!
Book provided by Netgalley but my reviews are always honest and written for other readers like me.
March 28, 2018
Too pat. Too damsel in distress.
I like the characters and I like the overall plot—pretty twisty, even if no real surprises. A few issues I have: I could not get over Zoe being so whiney and allowing herself to be treated so poorly by her mother and then Zoe’s beloved stepfather’s behavior toward her by the end of the book. For heaven’s sake Zoe is thirty-five, not twenty. This is the second book of this series and Zoe once again nearly is killed in the end. Enough already with this.
I like the characters and I like the overall plot—pretty twisty, even if no real surprises. A few issues I have: I could not get over Zoe being so whiney and allowing herself to be treated so poorly by her mother and then Zoe’s beloved stepfather’s behavior toward her by the end of the book. For heaven’s sake Zoe is thirty-five, not twenty. This is the second book of this series and Zoe once again nearly is killed in the end. Enough already with this.
July 6, 2014
I received this book as a firsts reads win.Thank you for allowing me to read it. I could hardly put it down. Great story line--great believable characters.the author does a wonderful job creating suspense right up to the end. Lost Legacy is#2 in a series. I wish I had read # 1 "Circle of Influence" first. I'd like to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a well written mystery.Thank you again for allowing me to read it.
July 4, 2015
Good book. Good story line, and a little touch of how living with a parent with Alzheimers can be.
May 20, 2023
Paramedic Zoe Chambers is called to an apparent suicide by hanging in a rural hay shed. Oddly, the same event happened 45 years before in the same shed.
There are inconsistencies, chief among them being that the dead man had told everyone he was dying of cancer, the autopsy proves he wasn't.
There's a direct link to Zoe's family - the farm belonged to them until it was, oddly, willed to the dead man. And, as Zoe digs deeper it seems her father, who died in a car crash involving a drunk driver when she was a child, may still be alive.
Her mother and stepfather are paying a visit from Florida to Pennsylvania, their first in a decade, but refuse to talk in any meaningful way about the past.
Meanwhile Zoe and Pete, the local police chief, are both of a mind to move from long time friendship to something more - it just never seems to work out.
"Lost Legacy" is an engaging read with a solid plot, interesting characters and a nice touch when it comes to small town America.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
There are inconsistencies, chief among them being that the dead man had told everyone he was dying of cancer, the autopsy proves he wasn't.
There's a direct link to Zoe's family - the farm belonged to them until it was, oddly, willed to the dead man. And, as Zoe digs deeper it seems her father, who died in a car crash involving a drunk driver when she was a child, may still be alive.
Her mother and stepfather are paying a visit from Florida to Pennsylvania, their first in a decade, but refuse to talk in any meaningful way about the past.
Meanwhile Zoe and Pete, the local police chief, are both of a mind to move from long time friendship to something more - it just never seems to work out.
"Lost Legacy" is an engaging read with a solid plot, interesting characters and a nice touch when it comes to small town America.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
October 30, 2025
I know I am late to the party, but I am totally hooked on this series after only two books. I thought maybe book one was just a fluke, but I absolutely love Zoe, her world, and her people! In this book, Zoe shows up in her ambulance to find an apparent suicide with ties to her own family history. When she starts looking for answers, the road gets more treacherous, more people are losing their lives, and Zoe realizes that her visiting Mom and step-dad know more about the history here than they are admitting. With Pete slowed down with a bad ankle, her parents stonewalling her and her landlord a shooting victim, she refuses to back down! Was her Dad still alive, was the original victim murdered or did he commit suicide, who is trying to clean up after themselves 40 years later? This one is hard to put down, Zoe is determined to find answers no matter the cost. Come along for an emotionally draining wild ride! #LostLegacy #AZoeChambersMystery #AnnetteDashofy #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
August 6, 2020
In this second book in the Zoe Chambers Mysteries series we find out more about Zoe's background and family relationships. Zoe's mom Kimberly and her stepfather Tom are visiting Zoe from Florida. She hasn't seen them in several years and her mom hasn't been back to Pennsylvania since she moved. Just prior to their arrival Zoe and Earl are sent to a call at a farm. When they get there Zoe mentions that the farm used to belong to her mother's family and that a similar incident had happened in the barn over 40 years ago. This seems very coincidental to Chief Pete Adams, who doesn't like coincidences. As they dig farther into the case there are ties to another old incident that is close to Zoe. Also in this book we meet Pete's dad, Harry, who has Alzheimer's disease. He was a great addition to the story. There were many things going on in the story that kept things moving at a brisk pace and I couldn't put it down. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
October 25, 2021
I sort-of liked this. In many ways, I liked it very much--the lead character, her many friends and people in the small town she occupies, her occupation as an EMT and the adventure that goes along with it. So I think I'll read another one.
What I didn't like was related to a basic fear of mine--I am leery mysteries where the central plot is the lead character's origin story. After finding out the story of their father or their mother's death, where is there to go? It seems like this is akin to the kiss of death that ensues when the romantic rivals finally tie the knot--where does the story go from there? I've started (and quit on) several mystery series where the author wastes her shot in the first couple of books and then fails to make the transition into other plot lines. Will this be yet another?
Will let you know.
What I didn't like was related to a basic fear of mine--I am leery mysteries where the central plot is the lead character's origin story. After finding out the story of their father or their mother's death, where is there to go? It seems like this is akin to the kiss of death that ensues when the romantic rivals finally tie the knot--where does the story go from there? I've started (and quit on) several mystery series where the author wastes her shot in the first couple of books and then fails to make the transition into other plot lines. Will this be yet another?
Will let you know.
October 18, 2018
I rarely give 5 stars, especially to books in a series no matter how much I like the series. And while this is only the 2nd I’ve read in the series, I know I will read more. How could I not give 5 stars to a book that I got up early to read before I went to work, and picked up the minute I walked back in the door. Others have given a synopsis, so I won’t do that. But I will say I enjoyed the characters and their development from the first book. I enjoyed the storyline which has several connections to the title...a father with Alzheimer’s, a father who died young, a broken relationship with a mother and stepfather, and too many family secrets. I can’t wait to read the next one.
June 17, 2019
At first glance I didn't think I would like this series... seriously? An Ambulance EMT? Solving mysteries sounded far fetched and just another in a long line of cozy mysteries.
I had started to listen to the first book and actually stopped thinking it wasn't that great.
How I downloaded # 2 is a mystery but I am glad I did.
Zoe and the Police Chief Pete investigate a murder that spanned 40 years.
The funny thing about this was I spotted the bad guy the minute he was introduced into the story. I have either listened to far too many mysteries or Annette didn't hide him very well. Either way I enjoyed the story.
I had started to listen to the first book and actually stopped thinking it wasn't that great.
How I downloaded # 2 is a mystery but I am glad I did.
Zoe and the Police Chief Pete investigate a murder that spanned 40 years.
The funny thing about this was I spotted the bad guy the minute he was introduced into the story. I have either listened to far too many mysteries or Annette didn't hide him very well. Either way I enjoyed the story.
September 1, 2019
They murder mystery in this book really kept me guessing. I just knew I had it all figured out, and I was always wrong. Forty-five years ago, two brothers were found dead in their barn. Was it murder/suicide? Now, another man is found hanging in the same barn. Are they connected? Zoe and Pete, the police chief, try to find out what truly happened.
The "romance" between Zoe and Pete has been done so many times. I didn't find that part interesting. If you're attracted to each other, just get together. Don't do the pretending that one of you isn't interested.
Other than that, I thought the book was very good.
The "romance" between Zoe and Pete has been done so many times. I didn't find that part interesting. If you're attracted to each other, just get together. Don't do the pretending that one of you isn't interested.
Other than that, I thought the book was very good.
September 13, 2020
So many great characters in this one! Pete and his dad are a great storyline. It really gives you insight to who Pete is and what he struggles with. I feel so sorry for Zoe with her parents being the people they are. They really came off as bad people in this one. I want to read/ listen to another one and see if that relationship gets any better.
I love a plot that ties into an old mystery. This old mystery is really complicated and there are so many suspects! I had guessed about half of the solution, but the other half was a surprise. I love being pleasantly surprised by a solution.
This was a bit darker and more emotional than some cozies, but the characters are really compelling.
I love a plot that ties into an old mystery. This old mystery is really complicated and there are so many suspects! I had guessed about half of the solution, but the other half was a surprise. I love being pleasantly surprised by a solution.
This was a bit darker and more emotional than some cozies, but the characters are really compelling.
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