Acts of Murder

Karl Alberg #9

by L.R. Wright

The ninth and final book in the Karl Alberg series makes a wonderfully elegant end to the saga of the tiny town on Canada’s “Sunshine Coast,” the policeman who tries to catch the town’s baddies, and the sensual, smart-mouthed librarian he loves. Alberg and Cassandra are at long last getting married—in fact, they’re hitched by the end of the book—and Alberg has a new sergeant, a beautiful and enigmatic woman who seems destined, clearly, for her own series. But don’t be fooled by all the sunshine: Sechelt harbors more dead bodies than any small town outside of Cabot Cove, and the serial killer who’s busy knocking off the residents—and their children!—is one of the darkest characters in the Alberg canon. It’s always hard to say goodbye, but this series ends on a brilliant and supremely satisfying note.

Genres: Mystery, Canada, Crime, Fiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 1997

About the author

L.R. Wright was born Laurali Rose Appleby on 5 June 1939 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Known as Bunny, Wright grew up in Saskatoon and in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She worked as a reporter in Calgary before becoming a full-time writer in 1977. After publishing her fourth book, Wright returned to school, receiving an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Simon Fraser University. She taught writing at the University of British Columbia and wrote adaptations for several of her books for radio, film, and television. L.R. Wright died of breast cancer on 25 February 2001.

Series:
* Karl Alberg
* Eddie Henderson

Awards
Arthur Ellis Award: Novel
* 1991 – A Chill Rain in January – Winner
* 1996 – Mother Love – Winner

Reviews

[Kristie Saumure · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this little mystery series set in Sechelt, BC. I suspect this is partially because these books are so easy to devour, but also because the characters are very well constructed (from villains to heroes). And hey, doesn't hurt that one of the "good guys" is a librarian.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great ending to a wonderful series! The books have ruined me for the TV series but I will continue to watch them anyway. The actor who plays the Chief of Police is pretty hot :)

[Stacy Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoy the stories and the writing.

[alayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was a book. i think i would really enjoy this series more if it weren't for the fact that i can't stand alberg. story itself was alright. fast read.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Karl Ahlberg series, which is set in Sechelt and Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast of B.C.

Once I started this series, it was hard to stop. The main characters are RCMP Karl Ahlberg, and Cassandra, the town librarian, who come to life and make us care about their insecurities, disappointments, and dreams.

These mysteries also delve into the mind and soul of murderers, often people with uncontrollable obsessions. The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful, yet sometimes bleak backdrop against which terror and bliss, despair and hope, and murder and justice play out.

[Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in the Staff Sgt Karl Alberg mysteries....he finally does marry Cassandra and they leave Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast of BC to start up a Private Eye business in Vancouver.

But there are several mysteries to solve....someone is killing the 'sinners' in the area...who has a deadline to meet.

A very good story....really enjoyed these novels.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

More than a crime novel , this is an. amazing compilation of individual case studies of each character. It is masterly plotted, with wit, descriptions of the lovely milieu and romance. The whole series is highly addictive. Recommend!

[Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final Alberg novel was clearly intended as such--as a sendoff. Indeed, Alberg is almost less important to the novel than his new sergeant, Edwina Henderson, the protagonist of subsequent novels. As usual, Wright is interested in the vagaries and complexities of the mind, flowing in and out of the consciousness of several characters, and resolutely insisting to show everyone as flawed. Indeed, Alberg is rather a dick, both in how we see him inside his own mind, and in how we see others react to him. Also as is often the case with Wright, the killer as not a typical murderer. Though she is a serial killer, Mrs. O'Hara is a cleaning led into said life by a philandering husband and by an evidently burgeoning mental illness (see sees herself as a punisher of sin, whether pedophilia or just being an obnoxious mother-in-law). Wright also makes clear that becoming a murderer can happen, or not happen, based on some degree of chance--that is, everyone has some degree of internal darkness or imperfection that can lead them astray. Wright's writing is lyrical and smooth, so her work is a stylistic joy as well. Thoughtful murder mysteries are always a pleasure

[Cathi Cantrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather strange book that was quirky enough for me to attempt (sometimes unsuccessfully) to follow all the many characters and their individual rapid demise. Not a huge fan. Will go back and return to the more standard edge-of-seat suspense writers that I know and love! If you're looking for off-the-wall, you'll find it in this book!

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Told from an interesting angle that I appreciated. Also was pleased to see the new Sgt is the character in the next mystery series. Series even though it is only two books. I like her. She is cool. Look forward to reading more about her. Not as sad as I thought I would be to see Karl and Cassandra go because of it.

[JayeL]

I thought this was an easy one to solve, but was mistaken as the author gave it a gentle twist that confused the ending. This story redeemed the author for me after a couple of the installments didn't make the grade. It is the last in the series and I'd love it if another author would take up the banner.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh no- is this the last book in the series? Say it isn’t true! I have enjoyed these characters and clever plot twists. This one has a serial cleaner that is a house cleaner. She is punishing people for their sins.

[Michele Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Series

I love this series. The characters are described well. There is always more than one thing going on to keep your interests up.
PLEASE WRITE MORE L.R. WRIGHT. I love you stuff.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as some of her others in this series.

[Sharon Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

my thoughts on the series.

I liked these books. Characters are interesting and the plots unexpected, and original at least to me! I hope the author is still writing.

[Kristen Amen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice conclusion to the series, one of the better books in the series

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth Reading

This is , I think the last of a 9book series.
All of the book were very enjoyable. The series was very thought providing. An interesting series.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too bad it's the last one

I will miss Solberg and the Sunshine Coast stories. This one was complete but so very sad, not enough good stuff happening to dispel the melancholy.

[Billie Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

Took a little time to read this one. Did not want it to end. Knowing it was the last one!

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery and Eddie is a great new sergeant (replacing the retired Sid).
Last book in the series and I still don't understand or even like Karl or Cassandra.

[Leslie P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the series!

[Bill Lents · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable time spent.....

Easy to read, and a joy. The laid-back pace, makes for a pleasant time spent reading. Looking for the next.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Teen girl disappears
Body found in woods clearing
And then another

Final series book
Alberg has epiphany
Fitting series end

[BookAddict · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such hopes for this series and kept reading every book, although by the 4th I was skimming. I now know why I generally prefer British mysteries.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last of Wright's Sunshine Coast books and a thoughtful character study of an unlikely serial killer. I have always enjoyed these books for the contrast betwen the idyllic small coastal town setting and the darkness that lurks within some of the seemingly mundane inhabitants. And it's nice to see Karl and Cassandra married at last.

[Niece]

#9 in series--Set in Sechelt British Columbia-RCMP Karl Alberg and Librarian Cassandra Mitchell work on solving a light murder mysteries-likable characters


I was very sad when I heard this author passed away/several of us at work read her series and one co-worker actually visited the area in which her series was set.

[Ellen Ulken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine Mystery story with lots of twists, quirky characters, and unexpected eventualities. I'm going to read more of Lorelie Wright's books. She's good.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really liked this I was slightly disapointed with the ending but that was literally 2 pgs. It takes place in British Columbia,and features a small town where murders are occuring that do not seem to be connected and I did not want to put it down.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read; I read until 5 am to finish the last third of the book. I especially liked seeing Karl and Cassandra further along in their relationship, and meeting Edwina Henderson. However ambivalent I am about the murderer's motives, I liked the character better than Olive Kitteridge.

[Dannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Very well written, good buildup. Kind of a let down at the end however that left me feeling disappointed.