Murder Bytes

Peri Minneopa Mystery #5

by Gayle Carline

In this fifth and final installment of the Peri Minneopa Mysteries, Peri has had enough. She’s closing her business, marrying her detective boyfriend, and settling down to a life of ease–until her brother shows up, accused of a murder he swears he didn’t commit. Now she’s back in the thick of things, investigating the death of an engineer who may have been stealing techno-secrets from other companies. Her relationship with her brother is an icy one, at best, and she struggles with her ambivalence, as well as her desire to leave investigative work behind. Digging around in people’s lives is reasonably easy, but when the bullets start flying, will Peri be able to keep her promise?

349 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2020

About the author

Gayle (G.S.) Carline has been an artist, a software engineer, and an author, mostly because she believes in reincarnation while you're still alive to learn a lesson or two. She loves to write mysteries, fantasies, and humor--and sometimes all together.
Currently, she lives in sunny southern California with her husband and a sassy Corgi. She also has a son and two horses, all of whom she enjoys even if they don't live with her.

Reviews

[Amanja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review coming soon

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peri Minneopa is on the verge of moving into a new house with her soon to be husband Skip, when she gets a call from her long lost brother Dev. Dev wakes up in a room with a dead woman and cannot recall why. Peri is struggling with the aftermath of her last case and has hung up her PI business but she soon finds herself trying to prove her brother is innocent.

I thought this was quite entertaining, I liked all the side characters and thought the way Peri goes about investigating was fascinating. I had not read the others in the series but would definitely check them out. Intriguing story.

[Samuel BookBeam · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this electrifying conclusion to the Peri Minneopa Mysteries, the author delivers a masterful blend of intrigue, emotion, and high-stakes drama that left me utterly captivated. This book doesn’t just tie up loose ends; it weaves them into a rich, compelling tapestry that honors the beloved characters while keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Peri’s journey in this installment is nothing short of remarkable. As she navigates the razor-thin line between family loyalty and self-preservation, the author takes us deep into Peri's psyche, revealing vulnerabilities and strength in equal measure. The tension between Peri and her brother adds layers of complexity that feel raw and real, while the murder investigation itself is a brilliant puzzle that kept me guessing until the very end.

The writing shines with sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a pace that’s relentless yet perfectly balanced. I found myself fully immersed in Peri's world, holding my breath during the action-packed sequences and tearing up during the quiet, emotional moments. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the story delivers twists that are both shocking and deeply satisfying.

This is more than just a mystery—it’s a story about family, forgiveness, and the courage to face one’s own limitations. As a longtime fan of the series, I couldn’t have asked for a better send-off. If you’re new to Peri Minneopa, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning—you’re in for an unforgettable ride.

To the author: Bravo on crafting a conclusion that’s both thrilling and deeply meaningful. This book is a testament to your talent, and I have no doubt it will leave readers, like me, awestruck and eagerly recommending it to everyone we know. You’ve given Peri the ending she deserves—and one we’ll never forget.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book in this series so I can’t compare it to prior books, but I liked the character of Peri a lot. She’s more real than a lot of fictional detectives. She has plenty of doubts, both personal and professional, but they aren’t so bad as to prevent her from doing a good job of detecting. This story has a bit of a tech thriller kind of story line that’s intertwined with the main mystery, the murder of an engineer. Add to that a complication and additional story line due to Peri’s long-absent brother being in the middle of this mess. I want to call him her estranged brother, which might be a fair description, or maybe not. The strange part of “estranged” definitely fits their relationship though, which only complicates things more. Throw in Peri’s close relationships with law enforcement, including her fiancé, other police officers and her friend, the coroner, and she’s able to get information a typical PI wouldn’t be able to. All in all, a fun, intense read with a lot of unique aspects I don’t typically see in a detective story.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Energy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peri’s brother Dev has landed himself in hot water. While she isn’t close to him, she wants to investigate the death of the engineer and clear his name. Her fiance Skip is still at home recovering from a gunshot wound, and he wants her to take fewer risks. Especially because she’s suffering from PTSD, but she won’t let that stand in her way. With the help of her assistant Benny, she gets right in the thick of things in this mystery with a healthy dose of comedy thrown in.

I hadn’t read the previous books in this series, but while there were a few things that you probably needed to know, this can be read as a standalone. I liked Peri’s spunkiness; that she was always landing herself in hot water, but always got herself out. I liked Benny’s calm personality, how he liked to have things just so, and I thought he was a good assistant for Peri and a great character. This was well written, with some great characters and a fun storyline. I definitely want to go back and start with book 1 so I can get more of Peri and company. Nicely done.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read any others in the series, but the plot of this was a page-turner. The story moved in a few unexpected ways and I enjoyed it.