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Florida Panhandle Mysteries #3
Heat Lightning
Listening Length: 6 hours and 12 minutes
In all the years of their marriage, Clara Trent's husband failed to mention his involvement in a murder—and now he's not only dead himself, but accused of committing it. When St. Elmo sheriff's investigator Aaron Malone re-opens the forty-year-old cold case, Ronan Trent's named—posthumously—as the killer of his previous lover, a vivacious blonde with a jealous husband. Clara's discovery of sensuous drawings of the woman, unlike any of her husban's other work, reveals a carefully concealed obsession.
As she tries to reconcile her recently deceased husband with the facts of the brutal bludgeoning, she's led back to the scene of the crime, a shabby fifties-style motor court where, as befits a dedicated detective, she takes a room to investigate.
Aaron tries to warn her she may be stirring up a hornet's nest, but she proceeds to pursue the truth with the tenacious grip of a drowning swimmer on a lifeline. And the hornet's nest materializes—folks are definitely riled up; some of them are even turning up dead.
In all the years of their marriage, Clara Trent's husband failed to mention his involvement in a murder—and now he's not only dead himself, but accused of committing it. When St. Elmo sheriff's investigator Aaron Malone re-opens the forty-year-old cold case, Ronan Trent's named—posthumously—as the killer of his previous lover, a vivacious blonde with a jealous husband. Clara's discovery of sensuous drawings of the woman, unlike any of her husban's other work, reveals a carefully concealed obsession.
As she tries to reconcile her recently deceased husband with the facts of the brutal bludgeoning, she's led back to the scene of the crime, a shabby fifties-style motor court where, as befits a dedicated detective, she takes a room to investigate.
Aaron tries to warn her she may be stirring up a hornet's nest, but she proceeds to pursue the truth with the tenacious grip of a drowning swimmer on a lifeline. And the hornet's nest materializes—folks are definitely riled up; some of them are even turning up dead.
7 pages, MP3 CD
First published September 29, 2017
685 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Michaela Thompson
23 books59 followersI've written seven mystery-suspense novels, set in wide-ranging locales: Hurricane Season and Riptide explore the beaches and swamps of the Florida Panhandle, where I grew up; Paper Phoenix features a romance between a disillusioned divorcee and a younger crusading journalist in 70's San Francisco; a failure analyst chases private demons to India in Fault Tree; a group of friends plays a deadly game at the Venice Carnival in Venetian Mask; and Magic Mirror and A Temporary Ghost recount the dangerous adventures of freelance journalist Georgia Lee Maxwell, who moves to France with her cat and ends up solving murders in Paris and Provence.
I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.
I live in New York City, but spend time in the Florida Panhandle. My books were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.
I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.
I live in New York City, but spend time in the Florida Panhandle. My books were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 15, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
A forty year old murder is all everybody is talking 👄 about on the Florida panhandle. The a man drowns or is it murder? It all comes together when the killer attempts another murder leading to the arrest. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
A forty year old murder is all everybody is talking 👄 about on the Florida panhandle. The a man drowns or is it murder? It all comes together when the killer attempts another murder leading to the arrest. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
August 6, 2022
The pace on this one was much better than on the first but not quiet as good as the second in the series. The story however was amazing. Very well written, with a surprise ending. I often times can figure out the mystery well before the middle of the book... in this case i never did figure it out and it was a surprise :-) That always makes for an great read for me :-)
November 17, 2022
This is a new author for me and one i will be reading more of her books. This is the story of a cold case murder that a retiring detective is convinced he finally solved. When he tells the widow of the supposed murderer, she cant believe he did it. As she deals with this information, she uncovers some new information, but does it prove his guilt or innocence. With several twists and turns the mystery is finally solved and it has a surprise ending. if you love a story that keeps you guessing, then you will love this tory
September 16, 2017
Heat Lightning (Florida Panhandle Mystery) by Michaela Thompson Review
40 years later and the killer is found, or has it?
THIRTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE AND NOT ONE WORD ABOUT A CERTAIN LITTLE MURDER… In all the years of their marriage, Clara Trent’s husband failed to mention his involvement in a murder—and now he’s not only dead himself but accused of committing it. When St. Elmo sheriff’s investigator Aaron Malone re-opens the 40-year-old cold case, Ronan Trent’s named—posthumously—as the killer of his previous lover: a vivacious blonde with a jealous husband. Clara’s discovery of sensuous drawings of the woman, unlike any of her husband’s other work, reveals a carefully-concealed obsession. As she tries to reconcile her recently-deceased husband with the facts of the brutal bludgeoning, she’s led back to the scene of the crime, a shabby 50s-style motor court where, as befits a dedicated detective, she takes a room to investigate. Aaron tries to warn her she may be stirring up a hornet’s nest, but she proceeds to pursue the truth with the tenacious grip of a drowning swimmer on a lifeline. And the hornet’s nest materializes—folks are definitely riled up; some of them are even turning up dead.
What did I like? I have read all of Michaela Thompson’s books and this was great to return to the Florida Panhandle again. She has a very smooth writing style that is easy to read and is always exciting. Her characters are enduring and exquisite. The area is always interesting and with the current activity going on there it sort of connects you to it.
What will you like? The main character will capture your heart in that she is so lost. She knows what she has been told but it makes no sense to her after spending 30 years with a man that they are now telling her is a killer. She starts out just trying to understand and stirs up a hornet’s nest. The outcome you will not see coming! Strong characters, great storyline and an awesome read. I loved the ending it was just perfect for the book! Who would have thought when the sparks start flying that someone would fall in love, I mean this is a murder mystery! I received this from the publisher for an honest review with no other compensation.
40 years later and the killer is found, or has it?
THIRTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE AND NOT ONE WORD ABOUT A CERTAIN LITTLE MURDER… In all the years of their marriage, Clara Trent’s husband failed to mention his involvement in a murder—and now he’s not only dead himself but accused of committing it. When St. Elmo sheriff’s investigator Aaron Malone re-opens the 40-year-old cold case, Ronan Trent’s named—posthumously—as the killer of his previous lover: a vivacious blonde with a jealous husband. Clara’s discovery of sensuous drawings of the woman, unlike any of her husband’s other work, reveals a carefully-concealed obsession. As she tries to reconcile her recently-deceased husband with the facts of the brutal bludgeoning, she’s led back to the scene of the crime, a shabby 50s-style motor court where, as befits a dedicated detective, she takes a room to investigate. Aaron tries to warn her she may be stirring up a hornet’s nest, but she proceeds to pursue the truth with the tenacious grip of a drowning swimmer on a lifeline. And the hornet’s nest materializes—folks are definitely riled up; some of them are even turning up dead.
What did I like? I have read all of Michaela Thompson’s books and this was great to return to the Florida Panhandle again. She has a very smooth writing style that is easy to read and is always exciting. Her characters are enduring and exquisite. The area is always interesting and with the current activity going on there it sort of connects you to it.
What will you like? The main character will capture your heart in that she is so lost. She knows what she has been told but it makes no sense to her after spending 30 years with a man that they are now telling her is a killer. She starts out just trying to understand and stirs up a hornet’s nest. The outcome you will not see coming! Strong characters, great storyline and an awesome read. I loved the ending it was just perfect for the book! Who would have thought when the sparks start flying that someone would fall in love, I mean this is a murder mystery! I received this from the publisher for an honest review with no other compensation.
July 12, 2019
Another beautifully crafted mystery by Michaela Thompson. Thompson's gift for creating a sense of time and place is extraordinary and her characters are all too real and human. In Heat Lighting we are offered some older protagonists and a long, cold case set in a quiet Florida backwater, You can feel the difficulty of fighting heat and humidity as well as advancing years, but also the resolve that gets people through even the toughest challenges. You may not enjoy this book if you need action moving at a frenetic pace, but Thompson will draw you into this world if you let her and leave you, if yu're at all like me, wanting more.
April 12, 2023
This is the 3rd in the series. The main characters are Aaron Malone and Clara Trent. Aaron is a cop and opens a cold case file and decides that the killer of Alice, a young woman murdered 40 ago, is Ronan Trent. Clara has a problem dealing with that and sets out to try and understand just what went on before she met and married her husband. Clara showing up in town seems to get everyone stirred up. Before she can really figure things out someone else is murdered. It seems only one person feels that way but that one loud person is telling everyone. Clara decides to go home but someone follows her. Now she is finally beginning to understand what went on but it may be too late .
October 5, 2017
Another winner for me
Back to my favorite of her places, the FL panhandle, this one has a more serious mood than the earlier ones set there, but the same sense of space and easy timing. The characters are seemingly ordinary people, extremely believable, caught up in the aftermath of one of life's moments of madness, an ordinary murder. Recommended for people who love great writing.
Back to my favorite of her places, the FL panhandle, this one has a more serious mood than the earlier ones set there, but the same sense of space and easy timing. The characters are seemingly ordinary people, extremely believable, caught up in the aftermath of one of life's moments of madness, an ordinary murder. Recommended for people who love great writing.
June 10, 2019
Cold case leads to present day murder
Detective Aaron wants to retire by closing a 40 year old cold case. Reopening the case with the means now available of DNA seems like an open and shut case. But all is not as it seems and more than one suspect could now be the killer. Is the DNA right or is there someone out there with more to hide?
An enjoyable read with a different twist.
Detective Aaron wants to retire by closing a 40 year old cold case. Reopening the case with the means now available of DNA seems like an open and shut case. But all is not as it seems and more than one suspect could now be the killer. Is the DNA right or is there someone out there with more to hide?
An enjoyable read with a different twist.
January 4, 2019
Fairly predictable
I enjoyed reading this novel because at the time I was looking for a light read. The storyline however is predictable and although the author does try and throw in a twist with an unrelated suspect, that character reads more like an after thought than a true clue to the mystery. If you don't want to think too hard the book does make a nice weekend break.
I enjoyed reading this novel because at the time I was looking for a light read. The storyline however is predictable and although the author does try and throw in a twist with an unrelated suspect, that character reads more like an after thought than a true clue to the mystery. If you don't want to think too hard the book does make a nice weekend break.
June 17, 2019
Can one imagine being married to her artist husband and now the DNA from his hat saying he murdered a woman 40 years ago. Digging thru paintings she uncovers an Obsession he had with her. She goes to the place to get answers, folks are upset. The Detective is ready to retire and he wants case closed. A good Mystery
November 30, 2022
Heat Lightning a Page Turner
I couldn't put this book down. Interesting characters and scenery. Clara and Aaron are real people trying to solve the mystery of whether Clara's husband Ronan committed a crime 40 years before. Draws on your emotions and makes you feel part of the story.
I couldn't put this book down. Interesting characters and scenery. Clara and Aaron are real people trying to solve the mystery of whether Clara's husband Ronan committed a crime 40 years before. Draws on your emotions and makes you feel part of the story.
November 24, 2023
Some things are better off being undisclosed
Clara was dealing with the loss of her husband when a detective asked for her husband’s DNA. He came back later and said her husband had killed a woman back in 1975. Clara had to find the truth about the death of Alice.
The book was slow in some parts, but ended with a surprise.
Clara was dealing with the loss of her husband when a detective asked for her husband’s DNA. He came back later and said her husband had killed a woman back in 1975. Clara had to find the truth about the death of Alice.
The book was slow in some parts, but ended with a surprise.
June 5, 2024
It got better and better as it progressed.
There were times in the beginning that I debated on whether to continuing the story or stop. But I'm glad I didn't quit on it. As I read on, it got more intriguing. I ended bump enjoying it. I could not guess who the killer was till the end. Well done and well written.
There were times in the beginning that I debated on whether to continuing the story or stop. But I'm glad I didn't quit on it. As I read on, it got more intriguing. I ended bump enjoying it. I could not guess who the killer was till the end. Well done and well written.
July 25, 2019
I thought this was a wonderful book. It kept my interest throughout. I read it in one sitting. I love the characters and the plot. I will be reading more from this author. This is a great series for sure!
September 23, 2019
Relaxing
I found that this book was something that was very enjoyable to read . It is a very good light storyline that doesn't make you feel like you have to memorize every name and event. Kept me entertained and happy.
I found that this book was something that was very enjoyable to read . It is a very good light storyline that doesn't make you feel like you have to memorize every name and event. Kept me entertained and happy.
October 5, 2019
This one had a lot of twist and turns. I admit I didn't see the ending coming. That one threw me. I am a little disappointed in the ending between Vicky Ann and Coby. I hope she sees him for what he is.
June 18, 2022
First time read from this author
I love a mystery and this one had me from the beginning. I like to try to guess the had buy but could not. I could not put the book down until the end. Am now anxious to read more from this author.
I love a mystery and this one had me from the beginning. I like to try to guess the had buy but could not. I could not put the book down until the end. Am now anxious to read more from this author.
January 5, 2023
Cold case goes hot!
Clara was trying to recover from her husband's death. Then, everything turned crazy for her - did her husband really murder someone? When you think you have figured it out a huge twist happens! Enjoy.
Clara was trying to recover from her husband's death. Then, everything turned crazy for her - did her husband really murder someone? When you think you have figured it out a huge twist happens! Enjoy.
August 7, 2023
Good Mystery
Heat Lightning is a interesting and complicated story. The ending was a surprise, which is always appreciated. When the reader can't figure out thr end, the writer has done a good job. Thompson has a good command of words that make the story a pleasure to read.
Heat Lightning is a interesting and complicated story. The ending was a surprise, which is always appreciated. When the reader can't figure out thr end, the writer has done a good job. Thompson has a good command of words that make the story a pleasure to read.
October 5, 2023
Good story with a surprise ending
An old cold case murder is solved but the widow of the accused has doubts that he did it. Her search for answers takes her to where the murder took place. There are a number of twists in the story and the ending is a real surprise
An old cold case murder is solved but the widow of the accused has doubts that he did it. Her search for answers takes her to where the murder took place. There are a number of twists in the story and the ending is a real surprise
October 23, 2023
Good story
I enjoyed this story and the way it played out. Spoiler alert: The only problem I had was trying to understand why Swain decided to turn himself in. Didn't seem in character.
I enjoyed this story and the way it played out. Spoiler alert: The only problem I had was trying to understand why Swain decided to turn himself in. Didn't seem in character.
November 20, 2023
Not a cozy mystery and has foul language
This is a sad sad book not my type at all. So I can not recommend it. It also has foul language which I have no use for it's totally unnecessary.
This is a sad sad book not my type at all. So I can not recommend it. It also has foul language which I have no use for it's totally unnecessary.
March 28, 2024
Definitely a book to read
A small town, a forty year old unsolved murder that re-opens, and many unique characters make this a good book for a rainy weekend. Charming and convoluted, you have to keep turning the pages. Try it!!
A small town, a forty year old unsolved murder that re-opens, and many unique characters make this a good book for a rainy weekend. Charming and convoluted, you have to keep turning the pages. Try it!!
October 10, 2017
A fun cozy murder mystery set in my home state. Enjoyable with believable characters. Medium paced but keeps you guessing. An easy read for lazy days.
October 16, 2018
worth buying
good characters and great writing. keeps you turning the pages to find out what comes next. will buy more books by this author.
good characters and great writing. keeps you turning the pages to find out what comes next. will buy more books by this author.
January 4, 2019
First
This was my first book written by Michaela. The characters where amazing.The storyline was great.I felt that I was a part of the investigation the whole time. Thanks
This was my first book written by Michaela. The characters where amazing.The storyline was great.I felt that I was a part of the investigation the whole time. Thanks
April 2, 2019
I listened to this on Audible. It was just an easy mystery.
Read
May 18, 2021Really good book!
November 21, 2022
Who killed Alice Rhodes and why??? It all comes back to Ronan, doesn’t it??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
November 28, 2022
Good Read
This was great story. It had interesting characters. It had a lot of twists and turns. It's a great read for mystery fans. I also like that it wasn't too long.
This was great story. It had interesting characters. It had a lot of twists and turns. It's a great read for mystery fans. I also like that it wasn't too long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews