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Flash Memory: A Lost Hat, Texas, Mystery
Nature photographer Penelope Trigg has landed the job of her dreams: documenting the transformation of over-grazed rangeland into an eco-dude ranch and spa, owned by her boyfriend Tyler Hawkins. Then a body is found on the ranch and Ty is arrested. The victim was an aggressive real estate developer with his greedy eyes on Ty's land and Ty's sister Diana, who is almost engaged to the senior deputy sheriff. Clues put her at the center of the puzzle.
Determined to prove Ty's innocence, Penny stirs up Diana's old flames, trying to shed enough light to develop an alternative suspect. She mainly learns how to lose friends and annoy people, until she realizes someone has been manipulating the evidence. But is Ty the framer or the framee? Penny uses her eye for detail and her camera's memory to put the picture together and reveal the killer.
Determined to prove Ty's innocence, Penny stirs up Diana's old flames, trying to shed enough light to develop an alternative suspect. She mainly learns how to lose friends and annoy people, until she realizes someone has been manipulating the evidence. But is Ty the framer or the framee? Penny uses her eye for detail and her camera's memory to put the picture together and reveal the killer.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
272 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2016
38 people are currently reading
692 people want to read
About the author
Anna Castle
37 books238 followersAnna Castle writes the Francis Bacon mysteries and the Professor & Mrs. Moriarty mysteries. She has earned a series of degrees -- BA in the Classics, MS in Computer Science, and a Ph.D in Linguistics -- and has had a corresponding series of careers -- waitressing, software engineering, grammar-writing, assistant professor, and archivist. Writing fiction combines her lifelong love of stories and learning. She physically resides in Austin, Texas and mentally counts herself a queen of infinite space.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 17, 2019
Photographing her boyfriend Ty’s ranch and future eco-spa, Penny Trigg climbs an old windmill and falls onto an oddly soft piece of ground. A fresh grave. The suspects for putting a pushy developer in that grave include Ty, his sister Diana—who’s gone missing—and some local officials Penny has been photographing for their campaign posters, including one who works in law enforcement. Since she ends up photographing a couple of crime scenes as well, her investigations occur so naturally I never once questioned an amateur’s involvement. She gets enthusiastic help from Ty’s cousin Perline, co-owner of a local diner. Perline and her husband Cracker are great additions to the Lost Hat cast, and their diner is so eccentric I wish it were real. Penny’s brother Nick is another lively new character, with a past that enables him to grasp a clue Penny wouldn’t have understood.
As in the other Lost Hat book, there are some elements that aren’t typically cozy—in this case, characters with a history of drug and alcohol problems and those who currently use drugs. This isn’t just backstory; it’s central to the story. And it’s a tightly crafted story, with the right balance of humor and suspense.
I again enjoyed Penny and Tillie’s friendship, and the way they work together in spite of the stresses it puts them through. Penny’s efforts to solve the crime run her into some uniquely local types of dangers, such as her encounter with a bull named Blackberry. Though there is one of those confrontation-and-confession scenes, it’s an original variation on that convention.
I hope there’ll be more books in this series so I can spend more time with the characters.
As in the other Lost Hat book, there are some elements that aren’t typically cozy—in this case, characters with a history of drug and alcohol problems and those who currently use drugs. This isn’t just backstory; it’s central to the story. And it’s a tightly crafted story, with the right balance of humor and suspense.
I again enjoyed Penny and Tillie’s friendship, and the way they work together in spite of the stresses it puts them through. Penny’s efforts to solve the crime run her into some uniquely local types of dangers, such as her encounter with a bull named Blackberry. Though there is one of those confrontation-and-confession scenes, it’s an original variation on that convention.
I hope there’ll be more books in this series so I can spend more time with the characters.
July 9, 2016
I won Flash Memory: A Lost Hat, Texas Mystery by Anna Castle from Goodreads.
A well-crafted whodunit, Flash Memory by Anna Castle is a must-read for fans of amateur sluthe mysteries. The protagonist, photographer Penny Trigg, wants to prove that her boyfriend, Ty, did not commit murder, but she soon has her own doubts. To make matters worse, she is recruited by the Sheriff to take photos of the crime scene!
Mystery fans will love the twists and turns of the novel's plot, and will keep guessing who committed the murder until realizing that their beloved heroine is headed straight for trouble.
Flash Memory has fun characters, a likeable protagonist, and a truly smart mystery.
A well-crafted whodunit, Flash Memory by Anna Castle is a must-read for fans of amateur sluthe mysteries. The protagonist, photographer Penny Trigg, wants to prove that her boyfriend, Ty, did not commit murder, but she soon has her own doubts. To make matters worse, she is recruited by the Sheriff to take photos of the crime scene!
Mystery fans will love the twists and turns of the novel's plot, and will keep guessing who committed the murder until realizing that their beloved heroine is headed straight for trouble.
Flash Memory has fun characters, a likeable protagonist, and a truly smart mystery.
October 22, 2017
This second book of the Lost Hat Texas series was another good mystery and story. This time Ty is in trouble and in the process of trying to prove his innocence, Penny harbors serious doubts. She finds more evidence that points towards Ty than away from him. In the process of investigation, she manages to tick off her employee and good friend, Tillie. Fortunately her brother Nick comes to check up on her and helps her refocus on the crime and possibilities other than Ty.
I loved the way the author brings the characters to life. I swear I could hear Nick's voice and picture him due to her excellent descriptions and realistic conversations. The details used in the descriptions and narratives are very realistic to the point of visualization of the locations as well as making this a fabulous book to read and escape totally into Lost Hat! I especially loved Jake and his antics.
A good mystery, interesting characters, and a main character who isn't afraid to do what has to be done! Read it!
I loved the way the author brings the characters to life. I swear I could hear Nick's voice and picture him due to her excellent descriptions and realistic conversations. The details used in the descriptions and narratives are very realistic to the point of visualization of the locations as well as making this a fabulous book to read and escape totally into Lost Hat! I especially loved Jake and his antics.
A good mystery, interesting characters, and a main character who isn't afraid to do what has to be done! Read it!
September 27, 2017
I enjoyed this book very much. It is in the same category as the hallmark mystery movies I like. Their heroines are a old book seller, a baker, a contractor, etc, so Penelope trigg'
photographer, fits right in. Penny, trying to find other suspects to present to the sheriff to shake his belief that the fella she loves is a killer. In her search she gets too close to the actual murderer, and becomes a target. Enough said, no spoiler am I! I won this book free on goodreads giveaways. Thanks, goodreads!
photographer, fits right in. Penny, trying to find other suspects to present to the sheriff to shake his belief that the fella she loves is a killer. In her search she gets too close to the actual murderer, and becomes a target. Enough said, no spoiler am I! I won this book free on goodreads giveaways. Thanks, goodreads!
February 15, 2019
It’s the wit that grabbed me
The mystery was decent, the flow was enough, but Ms. Castle’s way with words held me in my seat laughing and nodding and snickering (and eating snickers!) jk
I’m not always a mystery reader, but this story had it all in just the right amounts!
The mystery was decent, the flow was enough, but Ms. Castle’s way with words held me in my seat laughing and nodding and snickering (and eating snickers!) jk
I’m not always a mystery reader, but this story had it all in just the right amounts!
May 28, 2018
Anna Castle did not disappoint
Follow up to Black and White and Dead all over, Ms. Castle didn't skip a beat with Penny Trigg full time photographer and part time sleuth.
Follow up to Black and White and Dead all over, Ms. Castle didn't skip a beat with Penny Trigg full time photographer and part time sleuth.
May 31, 2018
Great read!
This story was fast paced and enjoyable from start to finish. I had a hard time putting this down to do what was needed in my life.
This story was fast paced and enjoyable from start to finish. I had a hard time putting this down to do what was needed in my life.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews