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The Sydney Lockhart Mysteries #2

Murder at The Driskill

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Arts and Death in Austin, Texas

Changes are happening fast and furious for reporter Sydney Lockhart and her detective boyfriend Ralph Dixon. No sooner do they open their new detective agency, a high-profile case walks through the door. Stringer Maynard, an influential Austin businessman, wants business partner/brother-in-law Leland Tatum investigated before Tatum’s campaign for governor begins. Tatum has been keeping company with an avante garde crowd whose activities might jeopardize his chances of winning the election.

Maynard invites Sydney and Dixon to the famous Driskill Hotel for Tatum’s formal campaign announcement. Before they can meet the candidate, a gunshot sends them hurrying into the next suite where they discover Tatum shot dead. Suddenly, their professional services turn into a murder investigation. As the suspect list grows, Sydney acquires an unwanted partner; Lydia LaBeau, the twelve-year-old daughter of one of the potential murderers. To assist Sydney in clearing her father’s name, Lydia dresses up like Sherlock Holmes and begins to collect her own bag of evidence. Much to Sydney’s annoyance, Lydia proves to be the smarter detective.

“Sydney Lockhart is one of the feistiest, funniest P.I.’s in Texas—or anywhere else! ’50s pop culture and a crowd of quirky characters make Kaska’s latest mystery a killer read.”

—Sheila Webster Boneham, author of Catwalk and the other Animals in Focus mysteries

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2014

18 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

Kathleen Kaska

37 books77 followers
Growing up in West, Texas during the 1950s, my average-American parents and the nuns at St. Mary’s School instilled in me“good girl” values, leaving an indelible stamp on my character. For respite from this engrainment, I began writing my Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series—set in historic hotels during the fifties, of course—to say and do things I would “never try at home.”

I write the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series, which is available in bookstores, on Amazon, and Barnes and Noble online.

I also write the Classic Triviography Mystery Series. My Alfred Hitchcock and Sherlock Holmes trivia books were finalists for the 2013 EPIC Award in nonfiction.

When not writing, I spend much of my time with my “pilot,” traveling the country’s back roads and byways; bird-watching; and looking for new locales for my mysteries. It was my passion for birds that led to The Man Who Saved the Whooping Crane: The Robert Porter Allen Story (University Press of Florida 2012).

When too road weary, I split time between my two favorite places, the Pacific Northwest and the Texas Coast. It’s tough though, having been born with the original sin of wanderlust. Nonetheless, my laptop is nicely stowed in my bag, and a bird reference book and binoculars are always on the front seat.

After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in physical anthropology, I taught middle-school science for 25 years. I was a staff writer for AustinFit magazine from 1997-2002. My articles have appeared in Cape Cod Life, Marco Polo, Agatha Christie Chronicle, Texas Now, and Home Cooking Magazine. I am an occasional contributor to Texas Highways magazine.

On a different note, while working as the marketing director for Cave Art Press, my 5-Minute Writings Tips blog posts were published in book form called Do You Have a Catharsis Handy: Five-Minute Writing Tips?

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Geza Tatrallyay.
Author 22 books291 followers
January 21, 2022
Ms. Kaska has written another tour de force of a novel: set in Austin Texas in 1953, Murder at the Driskill is the next episode in the exploits of Sydney Lockhart, reporter cum detective, who in this brilliant series, is confronted with murders in the magnificent elite hotels of the Southwest. Sydney’s handsome partner in their new detective agency, Ralph Dixon, invites her to a classy party at the Driskill, and they are confronted there by the sound of gunshots in an adjacent room: Leland Tatum, a candidate for governor has been murdered. Sydney and Ralph, joined by junior partner Billy and flamboyant cousin Ruth, struggle to solve this murder, and more along the way, themselves coming under fire a number of times. The mystery becomes complicated with several possible suspects, all of whom are to say the least, interesting characters. The author leaves no detail unattended to—even Sydney’s eccentric pets, Monroe and Mealworm are players in their own right.

Ms. Kaska concocts a delicious plot with crisp dialogue spiced with humor and well-shaped but very human characters. A novel that is a delight to read!
Profile Image for BonnieM☂️.
310 reviews
Read
February 13, 2022
Murder at the Driskill was a hard book to get into. I am sorry to say that I could not finish this book I had a hard time following the story from the first page.

Thank you Anamcara Press and Netgalley.
Profile Image for Lisa Stewart.
64 reviews3 followers
July 27, 2023
Having lived near Austin in the 80s, I was looking forward to revisiting old haunts and this book did not disappoint. Excellent story with Sydney Lockhart juggling careers with both the newspaper and working as a private eye. This was a fast paced plot with an enjoyable cast of characters. Now I am going to go back and get the rest of the series to see how it all began. Highly recommend for an enjoyable mystery.
24 reviews
July 22, 2024
Sydney Lockhart is a driven young woman who is trying to juggle being a newspaper reporter and a private investigator in an agency that she and her boyfriend Dixon have just started. After being invited to a party announcing a new gubernatorial candidate, and having him be shot before the party even gets started, Sydney finds herself more than ever trying to find the killer. The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting and lots of great characters. I particularly loved cousin Ruth and their often sarcastic repartee. This was the first book in the series that I've read but it made me want to go back and start the series from the beginning.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
9 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2022
Intriguing! Some stories just draw you in right away. Murder at the Driskill is one of those stories and it did not disappoint right up to the end! The characters and their banter with each other were interesting and fun along with the locations. The story is set in the 1950's in Austin, Texas. The Driskill hotel where the murder takes place has its own backstory including a possible resident ghost. The story moves along at a good pace as characters are introduced and the stage is set for murder. The main character, Sydney is a reporter who has just opened a detective agency with her boyfriend and another partner. There is a party at the Driskill where Sydney's agency is hired to investigate some suspicious behavior but they instead end up investigating a murder. At the party is a small group that belongs to the theater crowd and another group of high society members. Neither is mixing well. Then a shot is heard. The man who is the tie between these two groups together has been shot. The murder investigation begins or does it? The victims wife confesses to the murder. Well, Sydney and her agency were hired to find out about the victim's suspicious behavior prior to his death so while they are at it they might as well try to prove the confession to murder to be true or false. The investigation is very unpredictable and eventful! Just when you think you have it figured out, things head in another direction. Just as any good investigator would, Sydney brings us on a sometimes dangerous but intriguing and fun journey to solve the mystery!
Profile Image for Linda.
782 reviews15 followers
July 14, 2022
Reporter Sydney Lockhart is moonlighting in her role as a private detective at their agency, shared with partners Dixon and Billy. Businessman Jackson (Stringer) Maynard is looking for them to investigate his partner/brother-in-law, Leland Tatum, a potential candidate in the gubernatorial race, to make sure that there are no surprises in his background. But at the initial announcement gala, Tatum is shot and killed, apparently by his wife, Eleanor. Stringer convinces Dixon to continue the investigation. I enjoyed this story and the main characters. The relationship between Sydney and Dixon was great, and her cousin, Ruth, was a hoot. Sydney is a wonderfully strong female character, frankly speaking her mind whether it is appropriate or not, and not afraid to go off on her own to investigate (sometimes to her own detriment). The mystery only deepens when a second murder occurs, but the team persists in tracking down the culprit. This was the second book in the series, and even though I did not read the first one, the author made sure to keep the reader informed of any relevant previous information, so they would better understand the characters and relationships. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Sasha.
430 reviews4 followers
July 11, 2022
Sydney Lockhart is a reporter who also is a partner in a new detective agency, working with her boyfriend, a detective named Ralph Dixon. Having just opened their doors, they soon find themselves immersed in a case involving some high profile individuals. A powerful businessman named Stringer Maynard wants his brother-in-law and business partner, Leland Tatum, investigated prior to his campaign for governor. Before they can even begin things take a turn and Sydney and Ralph find themselves deep in a case that is ever-changing.

Murder at the Driskill is a fun mystery with a noir and Agatha Christie feel to it. Sydney is an extremely likable character. It was nice to read a novel centered around a strong female set during the 1950s, a time when women weren’t really working in such male-driven professions. I also enjoyed the first-person narration; I could really dive into Sydney’s life and the mysteries she is trying to unravel. I liked the interconnectedness of the mysteries and past events. They are woven together well without being confusing. 

I recommend Murder at the Driskill to any fan of noir and mysteries. Thank you to Cozy Mystery Review Crew for gifting to me a copy of Murder at the Driskill, given in exchagne for an honest review; all opinions are my own. 
Profile Image for Angela.
20 reviews2 followers
July 14, 2022
Well researched cozy!
Set in the Fifties, and so well researched. I love that it kept true to the time period from the way the characters spoke, to the real places, to the way you had to solve cozy mystery! Easy read. Can’t wait for the next one!
455 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2022
Murder at the Driskell is a fun romp through time. Sydney is a joy. Pushing boundaries and getting into trouble with her is fun. Austin in the 50's sounds like a great place to be. The characters are people you would like to meet and their interactions with each other are described perfectly. With enough snark to keep you laughing Sydney and Dixon's adventures will keep you entertained!
Profile Image for Bill Kelly.
140 reviews11 followers
July 27, 2017
Sydney Lockhart is a young female P. I. partnering with two men in a fledgling 1950s Austin, Texas detective agency. Murder at the Driskill is the fourth outing for Sydney, all the books featuring Texas hotel titles and settings.
Sydney and her partners, one of whom is her boyfriend Ralph Dixon, have been hired to investigate a local businessman with political aspirations who is soon murdered at the Hotel Driskill. His wife confesses to the murder, but complications ensue. The agency has been hired by the victim’s brother, a nasty piece of work who quickly emerges as one of several suspects.
Kathleen Kaska keeps the action moving and the tension high. Each suspect in the story seems a plausible candidate. The mystery’s resolution is fairly clued and skillfully plotted so that the actual culprit was always in doubt for me.
This book has several strengths, not the least of which is the humor interlacing the murder plot. This humor is derived from both character and situation and never seems forced such that the humor is a transparent effort to “lighten things up”.
All the female characters are especially well drawn, particularly twelve-year old theater impresario Lydia LaBeau, who steals the show, or tries to, whenever she appears. Kaska neatly captures a character who is twelve years old going on thirty. Lydia is funny / sad, but her portrayal is never slapstick or maudlin.
1950s Texas culture provides a flavoring, once again subtle, to the story setting. The reader is not burdened by pages of history providing chunks of cholesterol in the arteries of story flow. Following the mystery, the author provides some comments regarding historical accuracy and updates to the fate of the featured locales.
I appreciated the fact the book was tightly paced, with none of the protracted “character development” digressions so popular today. Sydney has her conflicts, but the reader is not forced to wallow in them. We see character development emerge subtly throughout the book and note the seeds planted for future development in the series. Sydney Lockhart is no less important and vital for lack of these angst burdens and I welcomed reading a contemporary mystery where the character is not “damaged”.
In sum, a no nonsense, tightly crafted page turner with several laugh-out-loud moments for me. In addition to creating a period piece, Kathleen Kaska has succeeded in echoing the paperback mystery writers of the 1950s who wrote “straight-goods” novels designed to entertain people who liked reading mystery novels. This is the first title I have read in the series and I am looking forward to reading the previous three.
Profile Image for Kimberlee.
247 reviews53 followers
July 14, 2022
"Murder at the Driskill" is truly an excellent cozy mystery. This is the second book in the series, and the second one I have had the pleasure to read. (Hopefully I'll get around to reading the first book before the fourth comes out.) It worked fine as a stand-alone; I was easily able to figure out all the important characters and their relationships to each other. Some references are made to earlier events, but this only made me more eager to go back and read the first book!

I really enjoyed main character Sydney and her relationship with boyfriend/investigating partner Ralph. Sydney is a smart, brave woman. In the other book I read, we didn't see much of Ralph, so I was happy to get this chance to learn more about their story. Less-prominent characters added a lot to the story, especially Lydia, a junior sleuth who is either getting in Sydney's way, or being quite helpful. Of note for cozy lovers: Sydney also has two pets, a cat and a dog. I was both entertained and amused when they made an appearance in the story.

Perhaps what I liked best about this book was the setting in 1950s Austin, Texas. The author was spot-on with her period details, both in descriptions of places and clothing and the way the characters behaved. I loved visiting the area, and seeing what life was like there during that period in time.

The mystery itself was very well written. Sydney is a reporter, so she was able to logically follow the clues to try to figure out what was going on. I enjoyed her investigative process, and appreciated her methodical approach.

Definitely 5 out of 5 chunks of yummy sharp cheddar!
Profile Image for Amanda Hash.
295 reviews14 followers
July 28, 2024
This book was an absolute delight to read! Sydney has so much personality that it just oozes off the pages— I love her, almost as much as I loved the introduction of Lydia (please tell me she’s around in future books! That kid is amazing)

The throwback to 1950s Texas is tons of fun in and of itself, regardless of whatever mystery is present. Kaska does an incredible job transporting me back in time and I love the escape from the modern world ($20 was a substantial tip😂) Since I had read the first book in this series, I was happy to return— and while I enjoyed seeing some familiar characters (especially Ruth), it has been so long since I’ve read the first one that it was probably a good thing this worked as a standalone.

The mystery was well thought out and well presented, but I still believe the characters would be fun to follow around even if they weren’t investigating a murder or two. I was curious as to whodunnit but I was MUCH, much more curious as to what antics Ruth would be up to next and exactly how close Sydney and Dixon were getting. I could have easily read the whole thing in one sitting if life hadn’t gotten in the way, and can’t wait for the next installment!
Profile Image for Emily.
296 reviews16 followers
July 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! Even though I haven't read the first one in the series, I had no trouble following this one. My favorite part was the main character, Sydney, a private investigator. She has a fun attitude, smarts, a sense of humor, and a knack for finding trouble.

One thing that made this book stand out in the cozy genre was that it's set in the 1950s, in Austin, Texas. I enjoyed reading all the period details, and felt like I learned some new things. I don't think I've ever read a cozy set in that time period before this series!

The mystery was very good. There were a lot of clues and possible suspects. I enjoyed reading as Sydney and Ralph followed the leads to figure everything out. Their sometimes crazy hijinks along the way made the book even more enjoyable. The ending was satisfying, wrapping up the mystery while teasing an interesting next book.

5 stars!
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,846 reviews9 followers
January 11, 2024
This is the first Kathleen Kaska book I have read. This is second book in the series, The Sydney Lockhart Mysteries. It is set in Austin, Texas in the 1950s. I was drawn in by the description and thought I would have a good time reading about Austin during the fifties.

The story was well written and had just the right amount of humor. The characters are developed. There were plenty of suspects, red herrings, and mis-directions.
I like the characters of Sydney Lockhart, Ralph Dixon, and Billy Ludlow. The mystery begins at a swanky announcement party at The Driskill when the prime candidate is shot. So, who’s lying or withholding the truth and why? I enjoyed the ride to the end.

I’ll be looking for the first book and those that follow. I recommend this book if you like strong characters. I read the 2021 version published by Anamcara Press, LLC.
Profile Image for Sandy Duhon.
2 reviews
July 25, 2025
Murder, Mayhem & A Dead Man at the Ball Yes, Please!

Sydney Lockhart is the kind of heroine I didn’t know I needed sharp-tongued, quick-witted, and wildly out of place in a jail cell on New Year’s Eve. Murder at the Luther blends classic mystery charm with 1950s atmosphere and a dash of delightful chaos. Kathleen Kaska nails the period voice without ever losing the pace.

From dancing with a corpse to dodging a Cajun with a deadly job, the twists keep coming but it’s Sydney’s voice that carries the novel. Clever, gutsy, and relentlessly curious, she makes you want to pour a drink and dig into every clue right alongside her.

If you love mysteries with strong female leads, vivid settings, and a touch of screwball comedy, Murder at the Luther belongs on your list.

Looking forward to diving into the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Kara Marks.
454 reviews80 followers
July 15, 2022
According to the way Amazon lists series, this is the second book in the Sydney Lockhart series, but apparently there are also two more? Anyway, I’ve read and liked Murder at the Galvez, which is listed here as the first book in the series. This book stands alone very well, though; I like that it takes place in Austin, TX, where I have family. The book is set in 1953, and the author seems to have made things very authentic for both the setting and the time. The writing is good and the dialogue especially clever. The mystery itself is fun to solve, but what I enjoy most is the character of Sydney. I can definitely recommend this book and series; I was provided a copy of the book, but these opinions are my own.
187 reviews7 followers
July 8, 2017
Ready for the next one

I love these books! I wasn't very familiar with the history of these places, Hot Springs Arkansas or Austin Tx. Nor Galveston Tx. I like how she brings those areas' mid-19th century histories to life and show how Avant-garde women (and girls) of that time dealt with those issues. And shows us what it meant to be a single, working woman. The mysteries are fun, and this one pretty hard to solve. I'm supposed to visit Austin next weekend and go thru Galveston on a cruise next September.... Now i also know a little bit more about those towns. I hope to get to hot springs before i return back East. Before, i only knew San Antonio and Dallas.
4,374 reviews28 followers
July 11, 2017
Good

this young woman who decided to become a private detective and was into women rights back in the days when women were actually needing rights
Profile Image for Martin Singer.
Author 3 books4 followers
August 23, 2024
Sydney does it again to solve a mystery she finds herself entwined in. I enjoy how Kathleen sets the scene in the early 50's. Sydney is a laugh at times when she gets into trouble, always finding a way out. I look forward to reading more of Miss Lockharts adventures in solving the crime.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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