Murder in Scorpio

Elizabeth Chase #1

by Martha C. Lawrence

Licensed Private Investigator Elizabeth Chase is used to skeptical glares and sarcastic comments when she's working on a case. Her unorthodox methods tend to surprise Dr. Chase is also a double-Ph.D. parapsychologist who uses her understanding of the paranormal in her investigations. Certainly some of her techniques do stand out a bit from those of the average P. I., such as her ability to see auras around witnesses or pluck important clues from her own dreams. So naturally, Escondido Police Department Sergeant Tom McGowan has some internal doubts about consulting Elizabeth on a case involving the so-called accidental death of his old high-school friend Janice Freeman. As her investiga­tions cast an increasingly suspicious light on Janice's death, Tom quickly gains more than a little respect (and affection) for Elizabeth. But the closer she gets to the truth, the less either Tom's protection or the intervention of the stars and planets may be able to keep Elizabeth out of harm's way. In this delightful series debut, Martha Lawrence captures the sunny, offbeat appeal—as well as the danger—of Southern California and introduces an original detec­tive who promises to enchant readers for many cases to come. "One of the most engaging mysteries I've ever read. There's no tougher critic than a Virgo, and this Virgo says Murder in Scorpio is flawless. —Nancy Pickard, author of Confession

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Paranormal Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Crime

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Martha C. Lawrence has worked as a book editor, a professional astrologer, and a business writer. She is the creator of 'Dr. Elizabeth Chase', P.I. and parapsychologist in San Diego, California.

Reviews

[Lioness702 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute little murder mystery. In just over 200 pages it perfectly puts together an entertaining mystery as well as showing us likeable characters. I felt like the mc was very relatable and I found myself chuckling at her antics most times. The only gripe is that it wasn't longer. I feel like some things move pretty fast, but they have to with as few pages as we have to work with here. Thank goodness this is a series, this style had me immediately intrigued and I'm not ready to give it up yet

[Cherry Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another underrepresented series on Kindle omitting the best books naturally. Protagonist Elizabeth Chase, private eye and parapsycholist, helps police with unsolved crimes. Medium meets Sue Grafton, leavened with Victoria Laurie and accented by Tony Hillerman's mystical elements. These books are hard hitting, sometimes horrific without being graphic, superbly well written, with wonderful touches of the human heart, sad and satisfying by turns.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yea! I read this in less than four hours. It's silly and mysterious and wonderfully light. In other words, just what I needed!

This is series mystery fiction at it's best. The investigator in this series is Elizabeth Chase, a psychic working with the police to figure out if a double car accident in San Diego county was actually a planned event. She's the usual spunky girl detective a la Kinsey Millhone, only less thoroughly fleshed out as a character. Then again, Kinsey's been around for almost 20 books; she was pretty sketchy in the first book as well.

The only down side is that I've read so many mysteries now that I suspect literally EVERYone in the book, so even the clearly good characters were getting a lot of my suspicious attentions.

Fun. I have the rest of the series here as well, so prepare to hear a lot about Dr. Chase in the next few days.

[Marion Kipiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of the series, got me irretrievably hooked on the mix of crime and parapsychology. PI (psychic investigator) Elizabeth Chase uncovers the dark goings-on behind a seemingly fatal car accident. Gripping!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to read Murder in Scorpio. Honestly, I choose this book because it fit a reading challenge requirement this year. I was worried that it wasn't going to be very good or slow paced, but I was pleasantly surprised.

As someone who reads enough murder mystery novels, I couldn't give Murder in Scorpio more than three stars. While it isn't a terrible book, it seems like too much of a knockoff of One for the Money or Sue Grafton's Alphabet novels. The paranormal part was different, but not compelling enough to make the novel any different from other female-led murder mysteries.

On the plus side, I liked her interactions with the detective and it was a pretty fast read.

Overall, it's not something I would recommend, especially since there are better options out there.

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A car, driving late at night on a winding coastal road....hit head on by a drunk driver. Tragic, yes. A mystery, no. So why does the cop continue to insist that something is not right about this young woman's death? Enter Elizabeth Chase, a licensed private investigator with a little something extra - psychic visions. Flashes of insight lead Elizabeth down unexpected paths, including getting shot at in front of her home - something no one could have predicted.

An enjoyable mystery. I enjoyed the Southern California scenery, and particularly appreciated that the "psychic bit" was treated straightforwardly, as just one more tool in Elizabeth's kit.

[Ymm3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the pacing of this, it wasn't drawn out nor was it too sparse. The mystery kept me guessing but at the same time didn't leave me starved for clues. I loved the way that her abilities didn't give all the answers but pointed in her in certain directions. She also didn't rely too much on her paranormal gifts but used it as a tool to guide her.

[Stargazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read but i was very disappointed there was so little astrology. There was birth data of a suspect, which is great, but there was little used to explain the chart or to do detective work with it in any way if you're into astrology. I'd probably read more in the series, and hope that astrology plays a bigger part.

[Francine Gory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a little over 24 hours. This never happens. I really enjoyed how this book kept moving. Quick read, really enjoyed.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps your interest. Fascinating character.

[Kristine R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy and fun read- the main character is super likable and I can see myself wanting to get to know her throughout the series.

[Lauren Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popsugar Prompt: a book with a constellation on the cover or in the title

[Viccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Chase, psychic investigator, meets Tom and solves a murder

[Regine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing needs polishing, feeling oddly perfunctory at times, but the characters have possibilities. A light, pleasant read.

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun discovery! I’ve seen Martha C. Lawrence’s novels and feel rewarded by how good this is. We have a grown lady of thirty-five, a cat for whom she shows great care, and she touches on the mystical in a believable fashion. I enjoy full-blown paranormal fare but this heroine’s demonstrations; gut feelings and astute readings, are logical and tame enough to reflect their real life workings. Astrology only appears near the end and is not a subject I know but I’ve read that it is thousands of years old and analyzed very scientifically.

The gist is: a likeable, compassionate person is personally hired by an officer to clarify the death of a high school friend. He can’t investigate through the police force because they shoddily closed the case but he can look up anything she wishes and assist. I liked encountering a mystery investigated in tandem with the law, instead of sneaking around this potential ally and resource. The officer, Tom isn’t sceptical in a stereotyped manner but open to enlightenment. There is an array of suspects who keep us guessing all through the story: a stepmother, a boss, an ex-boyfriend, and druggie hoodlums associated with a second collision victim.

This author painted a very nice background of a zigzagged career and loving, quirky parents. She is skilled at maintaining a momentum with the key subject matter of her plot. There was breathing room with which to convey weather, scenery, gripping emotions, and even humour. I didn’t bestow five stars due to cat casualties (not her Whitman) and poor decisions! Elizabeth should have taken a pregnant cat home when she saw neglectful living conditions. In another instance, she was in position to shoot a woman’s assailant. Aside from disagreeing with those situations, reading this book was compelling.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series years ago when they were relatively new. I really enjoyed all of the series. Once I started one I couldn't put it down. Once in a while I have looked to see if she continued writing more books, but it appears that was the end of it. At some point I will go back and reread them to see if they still have the same appeal to me.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this series were better known. Introducing psychic abilities into the PI genre is very risky, and the author pulls it off with aplomb. The protagonist, a sometimes psychic Ph.D, is likable and surprisingly down-to-earth.

[Bevjirwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

stupid book. just silly ,a romance thrown in for no good reason. the murder plot and guilty were obvious-just a waste of time. there are good cozy writers.i like to read one every now and then for a break from more heavy authors. lawrence doesn't fall into that group

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I can enjoy some paranormal stuff but this didn't grab me. The astrology and the detective's enthusiasm for guns decidedly turned me off. It was a decent story nonetheless but I won't be reading any more in this series.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, this was my fourth time reading it. I've enjoyed every one in the series, most are fantastic. Main character has some psychic abilities, but it's not a woo-woo book, clever weaving of regular PI work with intuitive flashes. First in a series of 5.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a decent psychic detective story. I liked the two main characters and the psychic bit was well done, without being over done. Will pick up more of the series.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it an enjoyable change as the hero/detective is psychic and a regular person her gifts don't come on demand but when they are ready and she is fallible so a nice change

[Sharon Beckas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy her style - light reading. Quick reads.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating 4.5 stars =)

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great mystery..I loved the characters. This was a quick read and I think I am going to try the next book in the series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second reading of this book - this first was years ago. I enjoyed it enough to look for another installment.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

stumbled on this series in the mystery section at the library, love the characters and can't wait to read the series!

[Evie Woolmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sorry she stopped writing these, because I liked the psychic angle very much and thought she handled it well. Good crime fiction, well-constructed, with a clever twist.

[Cat Zornes · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is a wonderful mystery writer

[Judym · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good series.