Broken Trust: A Laurel Highlands Mystery

Laurel Highlands Mystery #3

by Liz Milliron

When Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Duncan responds to a murder scene at a local mining company, the call hits close to home. The victim, Lonnie Butler, is a friend and neighbor who was just beginning to get back on his feet after a year of financial difficulties. Despite entertaining out-of-town family, Jim vows to stay involved in the case.

Meanwhile, Fayette County Assistant Public Defender Sally Castle faces an ethical dilemma. Her newest client, Ethan Haverton, may be deeply involved in Lonnie’s homicide. Technically, Sally could break privilege, but she chooses not to, a decision that put her at odds with Jim.

As the investigation continues, the rift in Jim and Sally’s friendship deepens. Can the battling couple patch the break and bring the killer to justice—or will their discord allow a friend’s killer to go free?

Genres: Mystery

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2020

About the author

Compassion, loyalty...and crime.

Liz Milliron is the Shamus award-nominated author of the Homefront Mysteries, set in Buffalo, NY during the early years of WWII, the Laurel Highlands Mysteries set in the scenic Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania, and the Jackson Davis Mysteries set in Niagara Falls, NY. Her short fiction has been published in multiple anthologies including Murder Most International, Murder Most Historical, and the Anthony award-winning Blood on the Bayou. Liz is a past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the current Secretary, as well as the Education Liaison for the National Board of Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of International Thriller Writers, Pennwriters and the Historical Novel Society. Liz lives in the Laurel Highlands with her husband and a very spoiled retired-racer greyhound.

https://www.facebook.com/LizMilliron/
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Reviews

[Marie McNary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this mystery series I have read and I enjoyed it. Jim and Sally are relatable and real protagonists. There is mild language and romance, but it did nothing to take away from the enjoyment of the story. I got caught up in the mystery and inhaled the book in a single day.

https://cozyexperience.com/broken-tru...

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim has been called to the scene of a murder in the office of a local mining company. The victim is Lonnie Butler, a friend of his – in fact he and Sally helped Lonnie get the job just a few months ago. Despite the fact that Jim’s sister and her two kids are coming for a visit, Jim can’t help but keep investigating. Unfortunately, one of Sally’s current clients has come up as a suspect in the case. She doesn’t feel she can share what she knows without crossing ethical lines, so she starts trying to figure out what really happened to Lonnie. Will the case come between them? Will they still be able to find Lonnie’s killer?

The mystery was good, with strong suspects that kept me engaged even when I began to suspect where the mystery was going. The wrap up was strong. The relationship issues were a very strong subplot. While one small aspect made me roll my eyes, the main issue was well done. I like that they both made mistakes and were both right, and their friends called them out for it. Meanwhile, I hadn’t realized how much Sally needed a friend until she got a new one here. If you haven’t read this book yet, you are in for a treat. Trust me.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.