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Blood Relative: A Detective Lucy Gauthier Thriller
Who knows the lies you tell?
Who knows what you are capable of?
A body is found in an isolated field, propped in a lawn chair, wrists slashed.
Then a series of murders rock the Niagara region: An investigative journalist is found floating in the canal, a nurse in a dementia care home is brutally stabbed, and a corrupt police detective is poisoned in plain sight.
The case is DC Lucy Gauthier's chance to break out of pink collar policing, but the investigation leads irrevocably into her own dark past, threatening to obliterate her new life and expose her own bloody secrets.
Will she be strong enough to earn a place on the Homicide Unit and smart enough to outwit a calculated killer?
A thrilling debut with a twist you won't see coming...
Who knows what you are capable of?
A body is found in an isolated field, propped in a lawn chair, wrists slashed.
Then a series of murders rock the Niagara region: An investigative journalist is found floating in the canal, a nurse in a dementia care home is brutally stabbed, and a corrupt police detective is poisoned in plain sight.
The case is DC Lucy Gauthier's chance to break out of pink collar policing, but the investigation leads irrevocably into her own dark past, threatening to obliterate her new life and expose her own bloody secrets.
Will she be strong enough to earn a place on the Homicide Unit and smart enough to outwit a calculated killer?
A thrilling debut with a twist you won't see coming...
- GenresEbooks
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2021
47 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Liza Drozdov
11 books3 followersI was an Executive Producer of Holmes Makes it Right, one of the highest-rated shows on HGTV and DIY, and am former Vice President of The Holmes Group. I have over a decade of experience producing lifestyle television that’s successful across North America and internationally, on networks with audiences of over 100 million viewers.
Having completely renovated my century cottage I’ve learned more than I ever wanted to about renovations and can now call myself an expert in “what not to do during your renovation”. I’ve made all the classic mistakes, and a few original ones as well. I’m a passionate gardener, and I’m proud that my award-winning garden has been featured in magazines, books, on garden tours and on television.
Prior to joining The Holmes Group I worked in both studio and field production on many series for Fusion Television and Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting. I also has created, hosted and produced “A Minute in the Garden”, a syndicated radio feature for the CHUM Radio Network. I was a Professor at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, teaching in the Corporate Communications and English Faculties.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy from Trinity College, University of Toronto—which led me to a series of jobs as a waitress, bartender, garden designer, in several bookstores and in publishing. But I now see those seemingly random jobs all make some kind of sense, and they certainly give me a lot of material to write about.
I live and garden in Oakville, ON with my two cats.
Having completely renovated my century cottage I’ve learned more than I ever wanted to about renovations and can now call myself an expert in “what not to do during your renovation”. I’ve made all the classic mistakes, and a few original ones as well. I’m a passionate gardener, and I’m proud that my award-winning garden has been featured in magazines, books, on garden tours and on television.
Prior to joining The Holmes Group I worked in both studio and field production on many series for Fusion Television and Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting. I also has created, hosted and produced “A Minute in the Garden”, a syndicated radio feature for the CHUM Radio Network. I was a Professor at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, teaching in the Corporate Communications and English Faculties.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy from Trinity College, University of Toronto—which led me to a series of jobs as a waitress, bartender, garden designer, in several bookstores and in publishing. But I now see those seemingly random jobs all make some kind of sense, and they certainly give me a lot of material to write about.
I live and garden in Oakville, ON with my two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 2, 2021
As anyone knows that watches PBS, small towns are rife with murder. This is the case with Blood Relative, set in the small town of Niagara Falls, Ontario, where there are six murders over the short timeframe of the novel. However, this gritty backstage to a natural wonder may be more apt than the garden parties of Oxford. The region has served as a backdrop to other mystery series, including nearby Saint Catharines, the home of Howard Engel’s Cooperman series.
Detective Constable Lisa Gauthier is no Benny Cooperman, though; the protagonist of Liza Drozdov’s book is more in the line of Ian Rankin’s John Rebus. Like Rebus, she is flawed with a troubled background and moral relativism that prioritizes protecting the weak over adhering to protocol. In Blood Relative, Lisa’s personal background adds to the story’s complication and pulls us in to empathize with her struggle. And it is considerable; in a story that brings together medical cannabis, migrant workers, pharmaceuticals, and seniors’ care, Lisa’s secret past and revelations about her family create a compelling, page-turning experience.
Personally, I judge a mystery novel by its ability to keep me guessing. Too often, we see the presentation of a set piece with rote characters and a clear indication of the culprits and the rationale early on. This is not the case with Blood Relative. It is a complicated and layered story where we are surprised at each turn and left guessing as to what is driving the series of highly unfortunate incidents. The novel also paints a detailed picture of Lisa that has the substance to continue across several books.
I look forward to the next installment of the Lisa Gauthier series, and I hope she gets the promotion she deserves.
Detective Constable Lisa Gauthier is no Benny Cooperman, though; the protagonist of Liza Drozdov’s book is more in the line of Ian Rankin’s John Rebus. Like Rebus, she is flawed with a troubled background and moral relativism that prioritizes protecting the weak over adhering to protocol. In Blood Relative, Lisa’s personal background adds to the story’s complication and pulls us in to empathize with her struggle. And it is considerable; in a story that brings together medical cannabis, migrant workers, pharmaceuticals, and seniors’ care, Lisa’s secret past and revelations about her family create a compelling, page-turning experience.
Personally, I judge a mystery novel by its ability to keep me guessing. Too often, we see the presentation of a set piece with rote characters and a clear indication of the culprits and the rationale early on. This is not the case with Blood Relative. It is a complicated and layered story where we are surprised at each turn and left guessing as to what is driving the series of highly unfortunate incidents. The novel also paints a detailed picture of Lisa that has the substance to continue across several books.
I look forward to the next installment of the Lisa Gauthier series, and I hope she gets the promotion she deserves.
October 27, 2025
A pretty good story with interesting characters and a good plot.
The story was well told with interesting characters ,A good plot and told in a manner that kept you guessing until the end.
The story was well told with interesting characters ,A good plot and told in a manner that kept you guessing until the end.
April 2, 2023
Great book
April 9, 2023
A jolly good read
A quick read; tied up all the loose ends; set the location and background well.
A good start to the series.
A quick read; tied up all the loose ends; set the location and background well.
A good start to the series.
August 24, 2023
The Niagara area is a main character in this book. The author uses landmarks as touchstones and makes the setting more tangible. Lucy is depicted as a member of the police force with aspirations of being a homicide detective. She has a dark complicated past.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews