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.

[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!

[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.

[Mary-alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable but the plot was not as interesting as the prior books in the series. Also some nasty sexual assault details that I skipped over.

[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

[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.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had not read anything by this author. The semi-low rating of three stars is not because this is a genre book (they can be wonderful for what they are) but instead because of this tic: in 278 pages, there were 55 named characters.

How do I know? I was initially overwhelmed by the onslaught of names, and when I had read 1/4 of the book, I started taking notes, just to straighten out and aid recall of all these names. Then, out of curiosity, I just kept going.

The school receptionist, the bartender, the brother of a victim, boss of the husband of a victim... important characters, unimportant characters, those with a lot of lines, those mentioned only once...

There were *at least* 55 named characters: I might have missed some, so it could be a higher count. There were two Franks and two Joeys.

In addition to this distracting and irritating habit, there was another sin committed by this author: extraneous detail. The color of bath towels. The fact that there was, in a small apartment, the "living room" sofa (as opposed to "the sofa"). There were, a couple of times, thorough descriptions of someone cleaning house. I do not want to read about someone cleaning house, inconsequentially, in such detail (this wasn't a Lady MacBeth cleaning of hands). I read books, in part, to avoid cleaning my own house, and to avoid thinking about it.

So what was good about this book? The interior lives of several characters, described convincingly and in interesting ways. An excellent premise. Good pacing. Some arresting (haha, it's a police procedural, though the police seem over-staffed and the small town overflowing with corpses) - descriptions of nature.

I just realized that this is the ninth and final in the series. So, maybe all of these 55 people (and a few not named - a mechanic, a school principal) played important parts in the other books? Likely not.

[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.

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planned revenge

How often have we as humans have wanted revenge when we have been hurt. This story says it all. I am glad book nine was better than seven and eight. Well done story which keeps your interest.

[Alice Tharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this series and really liked most of the books. I like stories that take place outside the US. These books are not all alike; sometimes there are actual murders and you know who did it, and some are very subtle and not so obvious.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad that this is the last in the series. Enjoyed the book nonetheless, but did find the ending very abrupt and rushed. Almost as though the author wanted to tie up all the loose ends quickly. Left me shaking my head.

[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.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the TV show ... and love the books even more. Just a fascinating way of writing. Part of the mystery is figuring out where L.R. Wright is going. Looking forward to the entire series.