Stranger

Death Valley Mystery #1

by Melissa M. Garcia

There is a dead body in room 110 of the Death Valley Motel, and the evidence points to murder. Managers Ric and Alex Delgado are siblings with police work in their blood; they chose this small Death Valley town specifically because it appeared to be a quiet place where Alex could heal from the violent traumas of her past. Now a killer has struck too close to Alex, opening old wounds and threatening the calmness and routine of her new life.
The situation gets more complicated when Detective Will Stellar trains his observant eye on the Delgados and ascertains they have something to hide. Murder seems to follow Alex Delgado, and Detective Stellar is certain that she is a dangerous woman. Racing against time and against each other, the Delgados and Detective Stellar risk their lives to uncover the truth, which is ever more complicated and dangerous than any of them could have ever imagined.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2010

About the author

Melissa M. Garcia has spent most of her life immersed in the vibrant and sometimes gritty landscape of Southern California. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in English/Literature, she channels her deep understanding of the region into her writing. Garcia is the acclaimed author of the Los Angeles crime series featuring Luc Actar, which includes Falling Angels, Chasing Demons, and Raising Hell. She also penned the Death Valley Mystery series, with titles such as Stranger and Next of Kin. Additionally, she has published an e-book collection, Faith Departed: Short Stories of Mystery, Crime, and Despair. Melissa lives in Southern California with her husband and son, where she continues to craft her thrilling tales.

Reviews

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ex-con Alex Delgado and her brother Ric have left California for a new start in a small town in Nevada, where they believe they will finally be safe from the ghosts of their pasts. Taking over operations (and ownership) of the Death Valley Motel, the siblings believe they will finally be able to start over.

So when the body found on the bloody floor of Room 110 of their motel turns out to be the murdered corpse an ex-gang-member, the Delgados are put just where they don't want to be, in the spotlight of a murder investigation.

Even more unfortunate for them is the Detective that gets the case. Detective Will Stellar takes one look at the pair, and realizes they have something to hide, something worth hindering his investigation over. But what? As all three race to solve the mystery in their own ways, they manage to uncover more then they bargained for, and too soon they learn that someone in the town of Lake City believes that some secrets are worth killing for.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

After reading the first few chapters of this novel, I debated on giving up on it. At first, it seemed too unrealistic. The first characters you meet are the Delgados' and its no secret that Alex is a recently released convict. So why would someone who has been on the inside of a jail cell not call the police to investigate a man's murder until she has personally seen the inside of the crime scene? Until she has personally removed something from the crime scene?

As the book moved on however, I was immediately drawn in by the characters, and then held by the ever twisting plot as it wound through the course of the book. There were so many different facets of investigation, so many characters interacting with each other, each offering their own truths (and lies), that the reader is left guessing up until the very shocking ending.

DISCLAIMER: I received an advanced copy of Stranger: A death valley mystery in exchange for my honest review. This has not reflected on my review in any way.

[Georgeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't easy to put down. It wasn't a 'nice' story, but it was a realistic, engrossing, and believable story. Alex is a damaged- and dangerous- woman. Her brother, Ric, blames himself. He gives up his career, moves her to a small, quiet town, and is doing everything he can to take care of her so she can heal. When a murder occurs in their sleepy little motel, their peaceful new lives are turned upside down. I will positively read more from this author. I received a free copy of this book for review.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert noir. Everyone in the novel Stranger has secrets, and the book slowly unfolds them. The characters are all shades of grey, believably so. Even the setting of a small desert town adds to the suspense. Melissa Garcia gives us a story that rings true, and her writing style makes it an easy read if not a light one. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

[Ed Boule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the characters, believable and I was able to connect with most. Except for the cop named Florio. He was like an empty suit. Otherwise a great book!

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first book of the "Death Valley Mystery" series. Will read Book #2 "Next of Kin" soon!

[Leenna Naidoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard to put this down. The strong setting and characters were thoroughly engaging. The action was well done and the pacing was excellent. You could almost smell the desert dust in this story.