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In the piney woods of North Florida, the cantankerous matriarch of an extended clan has called a family reunion to celebrate her ninetieth birthday. Tempers flare among family members and, before long, one woman is dead, her husband is on life support and her sister has blood on her hands.

Criminal investigator Larry Macklin is called to the scene. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case: Paula Reece discovered her brother-in-law strangling his wife and she reacted with violence in an attempt to save her sister’s life.

As Larry interviews various family members, he begins to suspect that all is not as it seems. But with no concrete evidence of foul play, and with his lieutenant breathing down his neck to wrap up what appears to be a simple case, Larry is running out of time to prove his suspicions. Someone just might get away with murder.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2020

688 people are currently reading
39 people want to read

About the author

A.E. Howe

40 books160 followers
A. E. Howe lives and writes on a farm in the wilds of north Florida with his wife, horses and more cats than he can count. He received a degree in English Education from the University of Georgia and is a produced screenwriter and playwright. His first published book was Broken State; the Larry Macklin Mysteries is his first series and he has plans for more. Howe is also the co-host of the "Guns of Hollywood" podcast, part of the Firearms Radio Network. When not writing or podcasting, Howe enjoys riding, competitive shooting and working on the farm.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
627 (60%)
4 stars
296 (28%)
3 stars
88 (8%)
2 stars
21 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Releanna.
169 reviews10 followers
February 9, 2020
I really like Larry Macklin mysteries. In this one I especially enjoyed that the great danes had a part again.
I suspected the murderer rather early, but the exact outcome I didn't guess.
I only give 4 stars because the solution was a bit too far-fetched and the showdown was too quick for my taste.
Profile Image for Lynda Lock.
Author 31 books39 followers
February 15, 2020
Another winner. Every time A.E. Howe publishes a Larry Macklin Mystery, I promise myself to slow down and savour the story. Well, I didn't - I devoured the entire book in a matter of hours. I love the main characters, the assorted pets and the new players in each novel. Try it, you will get hooked on the series. Cheers Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mystery series).
1,116 reviews23 followers
February 4, 2020
Sheriff's deputy Larry Macklin has a job he loves, a girlfriend, Cara, who is counting down the days until their wedding, his father, the Sheriff and his father's crazy, loveable beast of a dog, Mauser. What more could he want? Another case to solve, perhaps?

This time Larry is assigned to look into an apparent murder suicide. It all seems pretty cut and dried . . . until it isnt. Larry finds almost everyone in the family has something to hide and, what he thought was an open and shut case, turns out to be another mystery for him to solve.

I love this series. My only complaint is that I wish there was no waiting period in between books. The characters are real, what-you-see-is-what-you-get people. Nothing seems phony about them. And I love Mauser. He's like this over-sized clumsy oaf who doesn't know a stranger and even tries to befriend Cara's cat. I'm always entertained by the author's work and hate when the book comes to its end. Definitely recommend!!!!!
Profile Image for Scott Kalas.
536 reviews10 followers
September 18, 2020
A boring one

Of the 14 this one was the most boring and ended with the silliest ending that I can recall. From the get go you know there is something that is going to make what appears an easy case do a 180. So, one than has to read about 3-4 hours of what basically is filler in my opinion. It didn’t help to have Pete all but missing from this one. Sadly Mauser isn’t absent. If your a fan, and I am, just not a happy one right now, I won’t say ignore it but don’t have high hopes

All that said, I’ll read the next and hope Howe redeems the Larry Macklin series.
Profile Image for Skye Taylor.
Author 23 books32 followers
March 7, 2020
Never saw that coming!

Another great Larry Macklin Mystery. I enjoy watching Macklin's life outside the Sheriffs office unfold as well as the detective work. This one ended with a twisti never expected. Looking forward now to whatever Fall holds for one of my favorite detectives and his bride.
Profile Image for Heather Ragan.
12 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2020
This was a normal Macklin tale and I find them entertaining and fun. This one, however, caused a lot of confusion for me with way too many characters put onto the reader all at once. I had difficulty remembering who was who for half the book. Otherwise, it was true to form and I do appreciate consistency.
Profile Image for Nancy Quatrano.
37 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2020
This is the second Larry Macklin Mystery for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So many characters, scenarios, and a matriarch you love to hate, I didn't see the result coming! As blindsided as Macklin, I highly recommend this book and the series - never a dull moment, and the main characters quickly become friends!
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
June 12, 2021
Formula story

Typical Macklin mystery. A body, another body, maybe a third. Many suspects, many clues. A wild 1-2 page conclusion, with the main culprit being someone that was pretty much off the radar. BUT... Howe manages to make each story somehow different, somehow interesting. And somehow, I just keep reading them!
58 reviews
June 12, 2021
Disappointed

Maybe it was my lack of intelligence but this one was very confusing to me to keep up with all the characters and I can't explain it but this one just didn't get a good flow to it .On a more positive note I have enjoyed all the other books in this series and gave all of them 5 stars
232 reviews
April 3, 2023
Family Dynasty Family Nasty

You have to sketch out the characters on a family tree to keep things straight. Tree does have a few nuts. Most of the chapters just add frustration to the thought that there is not enough evidence that there is really a crime. Then all the insanity breaks loose. Great ending!
Profile Image for Ruby D.
51 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2024
Too much and not enough

Way too many characters and not enough plot to keep me interested.

I'm tired of Cara going with Larry for work. It's unprofessional and annoying! The only way it will stop is if she gets hurt and the higher ups finally put a stop to it.

This series is losing its luster.
Profile Image for Cheryl Carmoega.
121 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2020
Great Series!!!

Another great story in the Larry Macklin mystery series!!! Great characters as always. Thoroughly enjoyed Cara's active role on this book! Can't wait for the next book!!!
Profile Image for Babs Wenk.
1,032 reviews5 followers
February 25, 2020
Starts slow but picks up near the end

All the books prior to Summers Rage we're page turners, where this one was very slow for almost 3⁄4 of the book before it picked up near the end.
16 reviews
March 2, 2020
I enjoy this series

While there is nothing "trendy" or incredibly different about this series, I have been enjoying it. The characters are relatable and the writing is well done. If you're looking for an ultra fast pace or gore, this probably won't do for you.
374 reviews
June 17, 2020
One of his best.

This author has gotten better and better. This mystery is driven by Larry's gut feeling that something is wrong. Everybody wants Larry to move on because other cases are piling up. Is he wrong? Maybe, maybe not.
141 reviews
June 6, 2021
WOW what an ending!

Although at 1st I was thinking that it was starting slow,I too had questions about the way the kids were acting and it just didn't seem quite normal the way they hung around.But I sure didn't expect the Plot twister at the end!
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,623 reviews8 followers
April 26, 2022
What a head-scratcher!

Multigenerational toxicity starting with a decades old murder covered up as a suicide because of the family patriarch’s influence births duplicity, homicides and despair unto the fourth generation.
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,630 reviews39 followers
June 21, 2022
I LOVE THIS SERIES (18-bks) I'VE READ ALL EXCEPT TWO. I SAVE & SAVOR THESE BOOKS THEY ARE MY TREAT. I HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE IN THE MACKLIN SERIES. READING THEM IS LIKE VISITING A FAVORITE VACA SPOT, I LOVE THE CHARACTERS HUMAN & ANIMAL. ;D
Profile Image for Tina.
781 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2023
Really, really good book.

Felt weird the first time my name showed up in a Larry Macklin mystery. I started to chuckle when I saw it again in Summer's Rage. I do love farm animals, but after watching episodes of Dr Pol, I know I'm not up to that job.
7 reviews
May 19, 2025
Great stories

These stories keep getting! The characters are so believable and the plots keep getting deeper. Although I hate for the story to end, I'm certain the next one will somehow be better!
451 reviews6 followers
February 14, 2020
A. E. Howe

Well, once again, Mr. Howe pulled it off! Excellent story and I did not solve it! I thoroughly enjoy his work and I highly recommend!
545 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2020
Summer's Rage

Pretty good read. I knew there was more to the story but was surprised at the outcome. I've read several Larry Macklin mysteries. All good.
Profile Image for Dave Hammett.
285 reviews1 follower
February 29, 2020
Good series

These are Good interesting don't want to put them down books. This one had me completely lost until the very end.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,620 reviews
March 1, 2020
really enjoyed the book, nice twist, can't wait to read the next...
13 reviews
March 10, 2020
Can't wait

I can't wait for the next book in this series and I am hoping there will be many more! Well written, intriguing story lines and great characters. Keep them coming!
44 reviews
March 24, 2020
Excellent

Love Larry Macklin books I have read 14 of them! I am looking for# 15. Thanks for good clean book.
Belinda Young Mississippi
4,374 reviews28 followers
April 22, 2020
Good

This book is one were a murder and the killing of the the person who killed the first person and more deaths happens
78 reviews
May 19, 2020
This was a good story to read while being shelter in place.
It has enough action and mystery to move this story along.
I was not impressed with this book. I have read several book in this series.
1 review
May 25, 2020
Likr

Like the storylines and the charAlaaaàllacter s,That is all I have to say also the dog is. ,so funny and cute
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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