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Gillian Jones Mystery #1
The Fatal Heir
Librarian Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B004ZRFLTO.
Gillian Jones is a thirty-three-year-old probation officer. A few years previous, she survived a car accident that shattered her ankle and her first marriage. Now she’s remarried and walking again and life would be perfect—if only she could get pregnant.
Fortunately, Gillian’s mother-in-law and one of the Jackson County commissioners from Bend Brook, Nebraska, hatch a plan that will enable Gillian and her husband Clint to afford the next step in fertility treatment: they ask her to become an investigator for the county. Her first assignment is to find the biological parents of the commissioner’s adopted daughter, Caroline. With only one concrete fact to go on—Caroline was left at a Colorado monastery in 1967—Gillian heads for Aspen. Unfortunately, no one at the monastery remembers any such event—or so they say. When one monk goes missing and a woman who’s sleeping in the bed reserved for Gillian is murdered, Gillian has second thoughts. She can’t turn back, though, since most of Bend Brook has taken bets on whether she’ll be able to solve the case.
As she uncovers past events that lead to the discovery of Caroline’s true identity, Gillian realizes that sometimes the perfect family might be the one you already have …
Gillian Jones is a thirty-three-year-old probation officer. A few years previous, she survived a car accident that shattered her ankle and her first marriage. Now she’s remarried and walking again and life would be perfect—if only she could get pregnant.
Fortunately, Gillian’s mother-in-law and one of the Jackson County commissioners from Bend Brook, Nebraska, hatch a plan that will enable Gillian and her husband Clint to afford the next step in fertility treatment: they ask her to become an investigator for the county. Her first assignment is to find the biological parents of the commissioner’s adopted daughter, Caroline. With only one concrete fact to go on—Caroline was left at a Colorado monastery in 1967—Gillian heads for Aspen. Unfortunately, no one at the monastery remembers any such event—or so they say. When one monk goes missing and a woman who’s sleeping in the bed reserved for Gillian is murdered, Gillian has second thoughts. She can’t turn back, though, since most of Bend Brook has taken bets on whether she’ll be able to solve the case.
As she uncovers past events that lead to the discovery of Caroline’s true identity, Gillian realizes that sometimes the perfect family might be the one you already have …
- GenresMystery
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2006
About the author
Lois Lewandowski
6 books11 followersLois Lewandowski is the author of the Gillian Jones Mystery Series. The novels are character-driven Midwestern murder mysteries which incorporate social issues and humor, and examine how the past plays a part in the present.
Prior to her career as a full-time author, she worked for a social service agency, a newspaper, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and for a short time at the Nebraska State Patrol.
Raised on a farm in northeast Nebraska, she now resides in Lincoln. She enjoys reading, cooking, non-competitive hiking, and spending time with her family.
Prior to her career as a full-time author, she worked for a social service agency, a newspaper, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and for a short time at the Nebraska State Patrol.
Raised on a farm in northeast Nebraska, she now resides in Lincoln. She enjoys reading, cooking, non-competitive hiking, and spending time with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 16, 2009
I avoided reviewing this book because of a conflict of interest (spelled out below). But I just got done reading it for the 4th or 5th time and don't see why I should let a conflict of interest keep me from alerting mystery fans and other readers to a good read (you judge). so here goes...
Lewandowski draws detailed characters with lots of humor and careful writing. Literary types will appreciate the graceful handling of English. Gillian Jones's investigation proceeds at a quick pace with turns and twists leading up to the suspenseful climax. Mystery types won't be disappointed. In addition, Lewandowski's rural Nebraska setting serves as another character the way the Southwest setting works in Tony Hillerman's mysteries. You can work at collecting clues and racing Gillian to solve the mystery, OR you can relax and be entertained by this sly, smooth, humorous writer.
As promised, here is the conflict of interest statement: I am a friend of the author, I read the book in draft, and I am named in the acknowledgements. Does that bias my opinion of this book? I hope I know good from snot, but you decide.
Lewandowski draws detailed characters with lots of humor and careful writing. Literary types will appreciate the graceful handling of English. Gillian Jones's investigation proceeds at a quick pace with turns and twists leading up to the suspenseful climax. Mystery types won't be disappointed. In addition, Lewandowski's rural Nebraska setting serves as another character the way the Southwest setting works in Tony Hillerman's mysteries. You can work at collecting clues and racing Gillian to solve the mystery, OR you can relax and be entertained by this sly, smooth, humorous writer.
As promised, here is the conflict of interest statement: I am a friend of the author, I read the book in draft, and I am named in the acknowledgements. Does that bias my opinion of this book? I hope I know good from snot, but you decide.
August 21, 2018
Great surprise ending
The only issue I had was sometimes following the characters, sometimes had to stop and think about the various character's name otherwise I enjoyed that it was NOT predictable until the end. W
The only issue I had was sometimes following the characters, sometimes had to stop and think about the various character's name otherwise I enjoyed that it was NOT predictable until the end. W
December 26, 2017
God book
A very good book. Gillian gets into all kinds of trouble investigating a child who wants to know who her biological parents are.
A very good book. Gillian gets into all kinds of trouble investigating a child who wants to know who her biological parents are.
December 30, 2017
The fatal heir
A good story well sorted out,interesting more than page turning.However a word to the author.....(spoiler alert) the title was just the dead giveaway
A good story well sorted out,interesting more than page turning.However a word to the author.....(spoiler alert) the title was just the dead giveaway
February 8, 2018
3.5 star
Good solid cozy. She was a bit reckless and I thought a bit slow comprehending whodunnit, but overall decent. .
Good solid cozy. She was a bit reckless and I thought a bit slow comprehending whodunnit, but overall decent. .
August 20, 2018
Not bad, as mysteries go. It was a bit bogged down in the middle.
August 28, 2018
Solid, enjoyable story with good characters and a storyline that keeps you involved.
Twisty journey provides readers a satisfying and recommendable read.
4 stars
Twisty journey provides readers a satisfying and recommendable read.
4 stars
February 28, 2019
This book was okay. It started out rough. The writing was choppy and had an unfinished feel to it, but as the book progressed, the writing evened out. The dialogue and pacing were good, but I had some problems with key elements of the plot that didn't seem believable. Some were minor things, like a zippered binder coming open and scattering papers everywhere after it was dropped. No big deal, but also, not likely. Some were more major things, like the villain confessing all, which I also find highly unlikely. I didn't enjoy all the fertility stuff, but that's may not bother other readers as much as it did me. Finally, I found numerous typos, words missing or repeated, and sentences that looked like something was missing. Very distracting.
All and all, not a bad book. I think of this as a beach read -- the type of book you'd grab to read while spending the day on the beach.
All and all, not a bad book. I think of this as a beach read -- the type of book you'd grab to read while spending the day on the beach.
May 8, 2019
This was a pretty good little mystery. I'm not in a huge hurry to run out and get the next one in the series, but certainly would consider reading it a little later.
This book has the dubious distinction of the most errors and typos I have ever seen in a book. Ever. By far. To the point of distraction. Many were duplicate phrases of words that said the same thing, like the author couldn't decide whether to say it one way or the other, so she put both, then forgot to go back and remove one of the phrases. Strange! Sloppy work!
This book has the dubious distinction of the most errors and typos I have ever seen in a book. Ever. By far. To the point of distraction. Many were duplicate phrases of words that said the same thing, like the author couldn't decide whether to say it one way or the other, so she put both, then forgot to go back and remove one of the phrases. Strange! Sloppy work!
December 31, 2018
Finding family
For those of you who are interested in stories about adoption and finding biological roots, this is an interesting tale. Although the plot meanders at times, It maintains one’s interest to the end. The characters were believable and many were engaging. were less engaging and therein lies the tale!
For those of you who are interested in stories about adoption and finding biological roots, this is an interesting tale. Although the plot meanders at times, It maintains one’s interest to the end. The characters were believable and many were engaging. were less engaging and therein lies the tale!
August 15, 2024
The Fatal Heir is a captivating cocktail of mystery and mayhem, with Gillian Jones serving as the sharp, savvy sleuth you never knew you needed. Lois Lewandowski crafts a tale where family secrets are more deadly than skeletons in the closet, and every twist leaves you hungry for more. If you're looking for a mystery with a dash of humor and a whole lot of intrigue, this one’s a killer read!
January 1, 2019
Why do people hide the truth?
Fast moving and doesn't get slowed down with details. Interesting characters with Gillian as the primary person figuring out more than she needed. I liked that she listened to the police instead of arguing and hiding information from them.
Fast moving and doesn't get slowed down with details. Interesting characters with Gillian as the primary person figuring out more than she needed. I liked that she listened to the police instead of arguing and hiding information from them.
December 4, 2018
Interest-keeping plot, terrific cast, loved this first in series. Clean, some prayer light references (good!). Some grammatical errors. But the ending is a pleasant surprise. Recommended.
February 17, 2020
The Fatal Heir
This was a great story. There were lots of unexpected surprises and action throughout the story, but not too much violence. Looking forward to the next one.
This was a great story. There were lots of unexpected surprises and action throughout the story, but not too much violence. Looking forward to the next one.
May 26, 2020
Great mystery
This book was really interesting. It kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the main character. She was really persistent. Loved all the twist and turns..
This book was really interesting. It kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the main character. She was really persistent. Loved all the twist and turns..
September 19, 2026
It was a great story but there were so many grammatical errors.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews