- Title: Negative Reaction
- Author: Lori Roberts Herbst
- Series: Callie Cassidy Mysteries #5
- Genre: cozy mystery
- Takes Place: Rock Creek Village
- Main Character: Callie, Sam, Braden , Banner, Monika
- Other Characters: Desiree, Weston, Mrs Finney, My Purdy, Brian, Elyse, Trent, Ethan, Tonya, David, Raul, Lynn, Pamela,
- Pets: Woody and Carl
- Stars: 5
This is the 5th book in the Callie Cassidy Mystery series and I think it is my favorite. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
In this episode of the mystery series, we visit again with Callie, photographer/amateur sleuth, so you know there will be a mystery to solve and she will be right in middle of it.
The author really took us on a roller coaster ride with this book. It all starts with the long anticipated wedding of Tonya and David. Tonya, Callie’s best friend, is gorgeous in her gown and the groom is dashing as ever. Braden, one of the Ratliff twins, has his first job as a wedding photographer. He is nervous and excited but Callie has every confidence in him
Everything is going great until the twin’s (Braden & Banner) father, Brian Ratliff shows up with his current flavor of the month, Desiree. Brian appears to be drunk, he is obnoxious, stumbling and verbally abusive to everyone even his own sons. Callie has taken Braden & Banner under her wings and is sort of a surrogate mother to them so she doesn’t take too kindly to Brian being abusive towards them. Nobody likes Brian and they just want him to leave. Even his own sons don’t like him.
So when Brian ends up unresponsive and in the hospital from an apparent poisoning, the suspect list is long. When evidence shows up that points the finger at Braden, Callie teams up with a feisty new reporter, Monika to try to prove he didn’t poison their father. Callie sees something very disturbing, which gives us another possible suspect. Callie and Monika take the information to the cops and are convinced they know who did it but there just isn’t enough evidence and there is another twist to the story. She is convinced there has to be another explanation. But what could the explanation be?
This book takes you on a lot of twist and turns before reaching the climax. The only motive seems to be that no one liked Brian so that means the cast of suspects is long. I was totally involved in this story from beginning to end. This author has a way with words and just hooking you into her stories. It is definitely a book that you can’t put down. I have been a fan of this author since her very first book and this book did not disappoint.
Even with a dad in a coma and murder victim mystery, we get to visit with Callie’s parent’s at the Knotty Pine Lodge that they own. Then there is Callie’s boyfriend, Sam and her Golden Retriever, Woody & tabby cat Carl. There is even some comic relief.
If you love a whodunit with a lot of twists and turns & a little bit of humor thrown in, then you will definitely love this book.
Happy Reading
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