Show Me the Ashes

Show Me #4

by Carolyn Mulford

Former CIA covert operative Phoenix Smith establishes a foundation to serve crime victims in her small Missouri hometown. She receives a compelling request from a woman claiming that her daughter went to prison for murder and arson after giving a false confession. Phoenix agrees to consider the application even though the sheriff at the time was the late husband of her best friend, Acting Sheriff Annalynn Carr Keyser. Proving him wrong would be a blow to Annalynn.

Connie Diamante, a struggling musical Jill-of-all-trades, insists on helping Phoenix investigate in the hope they can disprove the claim and never have to tell Annalynn about it. Unfortunately, their investigation raises more and more questions.

At the same time, Annalynn enlists Phoenix and Achilles, her K-9 dropout, to pick up the trail of an increasingly vicious burglar. When someone tries to eliminate Achilles and then Phoenix, she can’t figure out which investigation is putting them in danger. Phoenix must smoke out the killer to save her own and others’ lives.

Genres: Mystery

319 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2015

About the author

Carolyn writes the award-winning Show Me mystery series featuring an ex-spy who applies her tradecraft honed in Eastern Europe to solving homicides in rural Missouri. Carolyn taught English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia, worked as a writer and editor in Vienna and Washington, D.C., and freelanced as a nonfiction writer and editor before focusing on mysteries and historical MG/YA fiction.

To read book excerpts and and blog posts, visit http://carolynmulford.com.

Reviews

[Robin-elizabeth Parsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one even more than Show Me The Gold but I did figure out who did it early on despite a few interesting red herrings. Anytime Achilles is on the case I'll be reading

[Kathy Ross]

Lots of twisted relationships and interesting characters in PI Pheonix small town in Missouri. Complications around friendships, loyalties and hardships create an interesting background for murder and robbery. Usually I can guess who the killer is. But, this time its a surprise. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Carolyn Mulford and Good Reads for the opportunity to read this mystery story. I really enjoyed it and read it straight through the night.

[Maureen Harvey]

Good book! Didn't put it down until I hit the end. Thank you, Carolyn Mulford for another page-turner!

[Marla Bradeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHOW ME THE ASHES is an intriguing read. With two mysteries unfolding simultaneously, the plot is rather fast-paced and the possibilities kept me guessing. I liked the heroine and her canine companion, and enjoyed following along with their adventures until the story's satisfying conclusion.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.

[Kym Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a thriller. Between murders and a mysterious fire that was not committed by the person who confessed to it and was convicted of the crimes, to some unsolved burglaries that left the town of Laycock afraid and bewildered this was one constant page-turner. Leave it to former covert operator Phoenix Smith and her trusty canine Achilles, to sniff out the true criminals guilty for these mysterious crimes while almost getting killed in the process. It's good to have a female heroine in a good storyline for a change.

[Johnna · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable characters and location!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I would read again. I really liked the way the characters interact.

[Taylor Williams]

Not long ago I read Show Me the Ashes and Show Me the Sinister Snowman by Carolyn Mulford. These books both grabbed me right from the start and kept me intrigued through the twists and turns. I really want to know more about the main character, by my library doesn’t have the first three books in the series. I have requested them. I hope everyone reads this wonderful series.

[Ida · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to revisit this group of three women friends and detectives. I love the occasional sly humor. For instance, pondering whether a woman could have had to strength to kill a large man...well, she did lift a toddler every day.

Full disclosure: I know the author.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dynamite. Same as all the others in this series. Love this author.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The investigator is such a strong curator that I keep picturing her as a man. I will be looking for more of her books.

[Ruth Koch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Harlequin Books]

Categories: Mystery & Detective

Miniseries: A Phoenix Smith Mystery