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Carol Ashton Mysteries #2
Fatal Reunion
After a tumultuous investigation that ended with a surprising and welcome new relationship, Detective Inspector Carol Ashton seems settled. Though she is in the closet to protect her career, life with Sybil is good—until the call that pulls Carol back to the woman who left her three years ago by returning to her husband.
But now Christine's husband is dead and she's desperate for Carol's help. Though not assigned to the case, Carol agrees. Quickly drawn into Christine's world of high spending and low values, she finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads—and any choice may be her last.
Second in the Carol Ashton Series
But now Christine's husband is dead and she's desperate for Carol's help. Though not assigned to the case, Carol agrees. Quickly drawn into Christine's world of high spending and low values, she finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads—and any choice may be her last.
Second in the Carol Ashton Series
175 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1989
14 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Claire McNab
48 books52 followersCLAIRE McNAB, 1940-2022
Claire McNab died on June 30, 2022, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She also wrote under her real name, Claire Carmichael, an outpouring of children's literature, textbooks, self-help books, and plays. She became (and remains to this day) a renowned author of children’s books in Australia.
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer. In her native Australia she is known for her self-help and children's books. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 after falling in love with an American woman, and now teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Writers' Extension Program. She is best known for three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She is the recipient of the 2006 Alice B. Medal.
From the publisher's website: Claire McNab has written over 50 books and is known in her native Australia for crime fiction, children's novels, picture books, self-help, and English textbooks. Her first mystery, Lessons in Murder, was published in the U.S. in 1988. Now a Los Angeles resident, she teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She is the author of three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She has served as the president of Sisters in Crime and is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Los Angeles and is working on the finale of the Carol Ashton series, Lethal Care.
Claire McNab died on June 30, 2022, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She also wrote under her real name, Claire Carmichael, an outpouring of children's literature, textbooks, self-help books, and plays. She became (and remains to this day) a renowned author of children’s books in Australia.
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer. In her native Australia she is known for her self-help and children's books. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 after falling in love with an American woman, and now teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Writers' Extension Program. She is best known for three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She is the recipient of the 2006 Alice B. Medal.
From the publisher's website: Claire McNab has written over 50 books and is known in her native Australia for crime fiction, children's novels, picture books, self-help, and English textbooks. Her first mystery, Lessons in Murder, was published in the U.S. in 1988. Now a Los Angeles resident, she teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She is the author of three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She has served as the president of Sisters in Crime and is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Los Angeles and is working on the finale of the Carol Ashton series, Lethal Care.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 9, 2023
I enjoyed Book 1 in the series, Lessons in Murder, but unfortunately book 2 fell flat. It was great to be reunited with Carol and Sybil, however I found the murder plot a bit lacklustre and Carol's decision making within her personal life was off-putting.
Book 2 ended with some unresolved questions so I'll be continuing on with this series and hoping Book 3 is better.
Book 2 ended with some unresolved questions so I'll be continuing on with this series and hoping Book 3 is better.
November 11, 2011
i see that i gave decent ratings to no.1 and no.3 in this series, so it's either that mcnab tanked on no.2 or that i am not in the mood for mediocre writing (which had seemed okay on previous occasions) and pedestrian plot. but our moods and our needs vary widely, and what is honey one day is tea brewed with a used bag another day.
June 22, 2022
DI Carol Ashton's past comes to haunt her
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: out of your comfort zone, established couple, non-US/UK setting, not a romance, sapphic classic, possibly other categories
Carol's ex, Christine, calls and asks the DI to get involved in a case with the death of her husband where she is also a suspect. As the story moved along, several characters become greater possible suspects. Carol, along with her partner that's assigned to the case, try to solve it so that she and Sybil can go on their planned vacation once the actual killer is found.
Readers shouldn't miss out on this classic series just because it's from a few decades ago. The contents and writing style have changed over time, and it's fun to remember how things used to be then. Go back to the past and read where sapphic fiction was still a fairly new offering.
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: out of your comfort zone, established couple, non-US/UK setting, not a romance, sapphic classic, possibly other categories
Carol's ex, Christine, calls and asks the DI to get involved in a case with the death of her husband where she is also a suspect. As the story moved along, several characters become greater possible suspects. Carol, along with her partner that's assigned to the case, try to solve it so that she and Sybil can go on their planned vacation once the actual killer is found.
Readers shouldn't miss out on this classic series just because it's from a few decades ago. The contents and writing style have changed over time, and it's fun to remember how things used to be then. Go back to the past and read where sapphic fiction was still a fairly new offering.
October 6, 2021
The first book in this series, 'Lessons In Murder' was one of the first lesbian romance/thrillers I read.
And one of the first times I fell in love with two characters.
So I'm a bit vulnerable when it comes to Sybil and Carol.
This story keeps the tension alive in their new romance and the angst is exquisite.
There's some painful territory to cover as well and..Carol does not always seem to have sound judgement when it comes to the ladies. Poor Sybil.
I just want them to be haaaappppyyyyy.
Oh yeah.. there's also a few murders.
And one of the first times I fell in love with two characters.
So I'm a bit vulnerable when it comes to Sybil and Carol.
This story keeps the tension alive in their new romance and the angst is exquisite.
There's some painful territory to cover as well and..Carol does not always seem to have sound judgement when it comes to the ladies. Poor Sybil.
I just want them to be haaaappppyyyyy.
Oh yeah.. there's also a few murders.
July 17, 2024
I was so excited to reunite with Carol and Sybil because book one left so many questions unanswered and my lesbian heart wants more of the unique relationship between Carol and Sybil and crave for happily-ever-after and no matter how many I get I just couldn't be satisfied so that's how I find myself chasing after pages of this book... what I concluded is Carol doesn't deserve Sybil though I'm willing to give her a second chance by picking the next book
The crime is quite boring though it kept me guessing till the final pages lol
The crime is quite boring though it kept me guessing till the final pages lol
January 31, 2025
Fatal Reunion by Clare McNab
First published in 1987, this is the second in McNab’s mystery series. Christine’s husband died and she is desperate for Detective Inspector Carol Ashton’s help.
McNab is such a good writer that those who do not have professional experience such as a detective, will simply enjoy the story rather than spot unrealistic events in the investigation.
A good mystery, an overly dramatic romance.
First published in 1987, this is the second in McNab’s mystery series. Christine’s husband died and she is desperate for Detective Inspector Carol Ashton’s help.
McNab is such a good writer that those who do not have professional experience such as a detective, will simply enjoy the story rather than spot unrealistic events in the investigation.
A good mystery, an overly dramatic romance.
January 25, 2019
Well written.
Good characters. Real suspense
Liked 1st one, this even better. On to three
Do read them in order - good character development
Good characters. Real suspense
Liked 1st one, this even better. On to three
Do read them in order - good character development
October 11, 2019
A good mystery, but in terms of the romance, it was a bit overdramatic.
May 15, 2021
I liked how it ended, but I was frustrated with the poor decisions she made in her personal life. They made me dislike her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2022
I discovered recently there were a few books in this series I hadn't read yet. It was an absolute pleasure to reacquaint myself with Carol Ashton.
September 19, 2023
I do not endorse this type of relationship with cheating arcs.. but it is the 80s.. so whatever.
March 20, 2024
Will it wow you, probably not. But it is cool to read a book set in Aus with a Lesbian detective? Hell yeah. A chill short read for a rainy day.
September 10, 2020
Everyone knows that Carol was romantically involved with the prime suspect, why is she offered inside information without so much as a call to a superior officer? Why is Mark laying out all his suspicions to her and why is she relaying them to the prime suspect like, hello?? This is illegal??
Also why is the prime suspect accusing Carol of treating her like a suspect when she was one who called for help in the first place? You called your ex-lover who is also a detective to help you in a case where you're afraid you've been framed and you are antagonistic towards her when she rightfully interrogates you? What is going on with these characters, why is nothing making sense anymore?
A third through and Mark is keeping her in the loop for everything, oh gosh why. He left her an envelope with photocopies of his personal notes on the case and ballistics and autopsy reports? That is illegal. Just how much disbelief am I supposed to suspend here, is this series part of the fantasy genre now?
Halfway through and Mark asks Carol to go with him for an umpteenth round of interrogation. This is getting more and more ridiculous. Why is Mark asking Carol to actively join him in the investigation now? He is supposed to be the lead detective, where is his partner? Why is he flying solo for a case which court trial will likely be highly publicised, something that has been foreshadowed multiple times, even by Mark himself? The text talks about Carol treading lightly because she doesn't want to intrude MArk's territory but it is such a flimsy excuse and it comes after Carol repeatedly rebuked Mark's suppositions about the case, which she absolutely should not do because she is emotionally compromised. What a mess.
Also why is the prime suspect accusing Carol of treating her like a suspect when she was one who called for help in the first place? You called your ex-lover who is also a detective to help you in a case where you're afraid you've been framed and you are antagonistic towards her when she rightfully interrogates you? What is going on with these characters, why is nothing making sense anymore?
A third through and Mark is keeping her in the loop for everything, oh gosh why. He left her an envelope with photocopies of his personal notes on the case and ballistics and autopsy reports? That is illegal. Just how much disbelief am I supposed to suspend here, is this series part of the fantasy genre now?
Halfway through and Mark asks Carol to go with him for an umpteenth round of interrogation. This is getting more and more ridiculous. Why is Mark asking Carol to actively join him in the investigation now? He is supposed to be the lead detective, where is his partner? Why is he flying solo for a case which court trial will likely be highly publicised, something that has been foreshadowed multiple times, even by Mark himself? The text talks about Carol treading lightly because she doesn't want to intrude MArk's territory but it is such a flimsy excuse and it comes after Carol repeatedly rebuked Mark's suppositions about the case, which she absolutely should not do because she is emotionally compromised. What a mess.
October 3, 2011
The second in the Detective Inspector Carol Ashton Mystery series. This time we find that Carol and Sybil have been in a relationship for about 8 months and have moved in together and are planning on leaving for a holiday overseas. That is until Carol receives a phone call from someone she hasn't heard from in three years... Christine, the woman that Carol gave up her life for only to be rejected and kicked to the curb. Carol goes running to Christine in spite of the new relationship she has with Sybil, but Chris needs help because someone has killed Mitchell her husband, the same man that she refused to leave for Carol, and Chris is the prime suspect having been one of the people that found the body. The other person was Brett, Mitchell's younger less successful brother who just happens to be in love with Chris. While Carol is unofficially involved in the case she can't help having suspicions of all the people involved, all that is except Chris herself. Chris has an alibi from Fiona, the wife of a business financier of her husband. Every wednesday they would play tennis together but this particular day they decided to stay at Fiona's house. Brett has a shaky alibi that is turning out to be hard to confirm. Who else would have the motive? Fiona's husband, were Fiona and Chris just a little too close? Were the business dealings between Mitchell and John above board? What about Mitchell's business partners, Kurt and Gloria, once lovers themselves torn apart by Mitchell's interest in Gloria herself. Too many suspects, not enough alibis but can Carol see past her own ego and love for Chris that she can see the truth and find the killer? Or will Chris slip into her bed as easily as she did before, so much simpler now that Carol didn't have a husband and family just a new girlfriend. Will Carol realize too late that love and lust are two very different things or will Chris's actions cause her to lose Sybil forever? Another great outing from Claire McNab!!!
October 21, 2012
1989, #2 DI Carol Ashton, Sydney, Australia; professional working as an amateur sleuth.
Love and death get personal, as Carol finds herself trying to find out just what did happen when the woman she gave everything up for - and lost - calls her for help when her husband is found stabbed. Carol is “too close” to the case to work on it, but is kept completely in the loop by the lead investigator, and that’s the weakest aspect here - all the information just comes to her oh-so-easily, it’s totally unbelievable.
Characterizations are pretty good, and while the setting is negligible, the plot is a decent one - quite traditional even if some of the characters aren’t. The net result is a solid but curiously lukewarm tale that needed a tightening of focus to really make it “work” - several strong plot points are just thrown away, and the chance to make one of the characters a strong femme fatale simply fizzles.
Carol is a potentially interesting, and a very likable, woman, but she seems to be simply blown around in this story, with no direction and no focus. Possibly this was intentional, but it limits the reader’s attachment to both the woman and the plot, and makes this a far less involving story than it might have been.
Love and death get personal, as Carol finds herself trying to find out just what did happen when the woman she gave everything up for - and lost - calls her for help when her husband is found stabbed. Carol is “too close” to the case to work on it, but is kept completely in the loop by the lead investigator, and that’s the weakest aspect here - all the information just comes to her oh-so-easily, it’s totally unbelievable.
Characterizations are pretty good, and while the setting is negligible, the plot is a decent one - quite traditional even if some of the characters aren’t. The net result is a solid but curiously lukewarm tale that needed a tightening of focus to really make it “work” - several strong plot points are just thrown away, and the chance to make one of the characters a strong femme fatale simply fizzles.
Carol is a potentially interesting, and a very likable, woman, but she seems to be simply blown around in this story, with no direction and no focus. Possibly this was intentional, but it limits the reader’s attachment to both the woman and the plot, and makes this a far less involving story than it might have been.
October 5, 2024
Not as good as book one but still a quality read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews