GHOST CAT

by Helen Currie Foster

Real estate's hot in once peaceful Coffee Creek, Texas--hotter than lawyer Alice MacDonald Greer has ever seen. An unscrupulous developer is muscling in, abusing undocumented workers and menacing his neighbors. Ignoring threats, Alice challenges him in court. When one of her clients is shot dead, and another is nearly suffocated in a wine vat, Alice has a target on her back. A devious mastermind is intent on stopping her--permanently. Is she snakebit? She'll need more than legal skills to foil a scheme that threatens her town, her clients, her life.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2020

About the author

Helen Currie Foster writes the Alice MacDonald Greer Mystery series, set in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin, with its quirky characters, hidden springs and spectacularly rough landscape.

Helen taught high school English and covered local politics for a weekly newspaper which gave her a ringside seat for battles over sewers, water mains, and development. She headed for law school and after thirty years practicing environmental and regulatory law and litigation, she found the character Alice and her stories had suddenly appeared in her life. From childhood Helen loved mysteries...and still does.

Married with two children, Helen lives north of Dripping Springs, Texas, supervised by three burros. She's deeply curious about human history and how, uninvited, the past keeps crashing the party. Current preoccupations include the impact of mass production of weapons in the Bronze Age, debates over altruism vs. competition in human nature, and the fascinating research on human prehistory.

Helen serves on the boards of Austin Shakespeare and the Heart of Texas Sisters in Crime.

Reviews

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why this won't let me pick another edition; I read Ghost Cat in paperback form, a lend from a friend who just retired from being a "business lawyer," much like our female protagonist. Albeit not in a bedroom community of Austin, Texas.

This was an enjoyable read, perfect for poolside. I really liked the geography-as-character approach. Was awfully put off by the actual formatting, though. And the chapter titles. But, having met me before today, I understand that I am super-picky when it comes to those sorts of things, and might -- just might! -- have strong thoughts about things that bother others naught.

If our library has others in the Alice MacDonald Greer series I will read them. In order.

[Waneen Spirduso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Cat is another of Helen Currie Foster’s delightful mystery stories that plays out in the Hill Country of Texas. For someone like myself who has grown up in central Texas and spent many summers in the hill country, everything about this book – the down-home Texas conversations, the descriptions of the ranches, the homes, the creeks, and the small towns rings true. Alice’s involvement in solving the two mysterious murders makes use of her skill and knowledge as a lawyer, and her professional relationships with the police authorities is fascinating to read. In addition, it’s fun to learn about the Coffee Creek Cowboys shooting contest, complete with Colt pistols and costumes! The book also shines a light on the ongoing wars between longtime ranchers and farmers with big developers who inevitably change the landscape physically, environmentally, and socially of the many small towns that lie in the wake of big city approaching waves. Ghost Cat is a page turner and will keep your attention to the very last page.

[Fred A. Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive plot development in Ghost Cat

The author weaved a satisfying storyline involving three putative unrelated events 1) the murder of a novice investigative journalist; 2) the murder of a very successful author who was about to receive a large payment for completing a contracted book deal; and 3) the attempted murder of a celebrated sports legend who was embarking on a new career in wine making. In addition, the author continued to provide readers the benefit of the character development of the main protagonist, Alice Greer, in regards to her personal and business relationships. Alice is a good person, but what will happen when business clashes with the personal - will Kinsear fully realize that marriage was not meant to be between he and Alice? 😉

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghost Cat was a decent crime novel. The author does a good job of capturing the Texas Hill Country character even if the characters are a bit simplistic and a bit cringingly WASPy at times. This was Book 6 and I have not read other books within the series... I don't feel that reading the preceding books would be necessary to an individual's enjoyment of the story. Some previous story was touched on or minorly discussed, but not in a critical way that would be a barrier to understanding. The hand-drawn map at the front of the book was somewhat helpful in keeping in mind where the action was taking place.

Overall: Not dynamite, but not bad.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Outstanding Page-Turner!!!

I love this series! Alice is a strong female protagonist. She’s a hardworking attorney who fights for her clients. She’s a great friend and most of all a wonderful example of a great mother. Her romance with Kinsear is loving and slow moving after the loss of her first husband who she mourns and misses. She sets a great example for how to handle being talked down to as a woman. Alice is someone I would love to be friends with!!!

[JoyceCharbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 52% wasn't sure

I could stand the suspense. The culprits were spread between a number of unlikable characters. Pretty sure who I thought was behind it all fairly early BUT the answers were more complicated ! A remarkable author!!! Thx

[Janie Pequeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Cat

Well she did it again! Love this series from Helen Currie Foster! Kept me on the edge the entire time. Each story line gets better. I can hardly wait to start the next book in her series. ❣️

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this author has just gotten better and better. As an Attorney in Texas in real life, she has become an amateur sleuth in her novels while practicing law on the side. I am enjoying her small town Hill Country adventures.

[Virginia Adi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and engaging!

[Jennine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading a local author! Even more fun feeling like the story is unfolding in your neighborhood! Nice easy read. Entertaining!