{"product_id":"a-life-for-a-life-a-mystery-novel-9780997780802","title":"A Life for a Life: A Mystery Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Five Stars! The tale immediately drew me in, into the town, into the intriguing mystery, and into the people. A real treat to read.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003e Deb, Amazon Hall of Fame Top 100 Reviewer \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNOW AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT TOO! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLaurel Falls, N.C., 1985:  I was done with being a crime reporter in Washington, D.C., tired of all the violence. So I packed up and moved to the small town of Laurel Falls, N.C. It looked like heaven to me-ancient mountains brimming with tall trees and songbirds, peace and quiet. Until I found the body. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe sheriff took the easy path, calling it a suicide. No way. I'd found that young woman, and I just knew she hadn't taken her own life. I'd spent my whole career searching for the truth, and I wasn't about to stop now. Trouble was, without my usual sources, how much of a murder investigation could I pull off? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut a special kid lived next door. Abit Bradshaw, a teenager struggling to find his rightful place in the world. Hey, I knew all about that. I'd never fitted in either, but eventually I'd found something I was good at. I figured he just needed a chance too.\u003cbr\u003eAnd he got one when we teamed up to solve that crime. Along the way, we sure met some interesting characters-both bad and good. We had a plan, and we worked it hard to find that killer before we became the next victims. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLooking back, I should've known plans rarely pan out the way you think. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e Della Kincaid\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eYou'll enjoy this suspenseful story because who doesn't dream of second chances? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIf you love \u003cb\u003eElly Griffiths, Sue Grafton\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eCheryl Bradshaw\u003c\/b\u003e (no relation to Abit Bradshaw that we know of), you're sure to enjoy the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eGet it now-for the rich natural setting, colorful characters, and suspenseful investigations. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Life for a Life\u003c\/i\u003e is the first novel in the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterview with the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQ: What makes the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries Series so special?\u003cbr\u003eA: In addition to the suspense of a good mystery, each book includes people and stories from the years I spent on my \"back to the land\" farm in Appalachia. You'll meet a cantankerous laundromat owner who was just as weird as she's portrayed, a gentle giant of a beekeeper with an abiding love for his family, and Cleva Hall, who's based on a woman who taught me how to put food by. And especially Abit Bradshaw, who started in a supporting role, but I listened to my readers and gave him a starring role in the rest of the series. This book and the next two-\u003ci\u003eThe Roads to Damascus \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e Welcome the Little Children\u003c\/i\u003e-are coming-of-age stories for Abit. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eQ: Why should readers give these books a try?\u003cbr\u003eA: Readers who prefer suspense without over-the-top violence will enjoy this series. I write in the British style, where the dastardly deed is done off stage. I don't like mounting body bags, but I do enjoy the chase for justice. In addition to the crimes, readers will find vivid mountain settings, colorful characters, sharp wit, good food, and a touch of romance. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eQ: In what order were the books written?\u003cbr\u003eA: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Life for a Life\u003cbr\u003eThe Roads to Damascus\u003cbr\u003eWelcome the Little Children\u003cbr\u003eMurder Ballad Blues\u003cbr\u003eDeep in the Forest\u003cbr\u003eUp the Creek\u003cbr\u003eUnwrapped\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eWaiting for You \u003c\/i\u003e(free prequel) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat readers are saying: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"REMINDS ME OF \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e. You are a treasure as a writer.\" J. M. Grayson \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"THIS WAS MY FIRST BOOK BY LYNDA McDANIEL, WON'T BE MY LAST. Love a book that can hold my interest to the point I don't want it to end. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a book with humor and mystery.\" M. Ballard\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMcDaniel, Lynda:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - I love writing page-turners--both fiction and nonfiction. And I love helping others to do the same, living into their dreams of writing books. I believe my success comes down to a respect for my readers and clients. I know I'm easily bored, so I work hard to engage and inspire my readers. After all, we're all busy these days, and I want to deliver value--whether that's a gripping mystery filled with memorable characters or books on writing that give you the tools to write your own fiction and nonfiction. Both make me happy. I got my start as a writer in the most unlikely place--a town of 200 people in the mountains of North Carolina. But living there changed my life in so many positive ways. Decades later, I realized that everything I value today, I was introduced to there. My Appalachian Mountain Mysteries--A Life for a Life, The Roads to Damascus, Welcome the Little Children, and Murder Ballad Blues--pay homage to the people of Appalachia who taught me so much. Over the years, I've written more than 1,200 articles for major magazines, hundreds of newsletters and blogs. I'm proudest of the 18 books I've written. My nonfiction books include Words at Work, How Not to Sound Stupid When You Write, and How to Write Stories that Sell--all part of my Write Faster Series. Since I moved to California 10 years ago, I've also enjoyed coaching clients who want to write their own books.","brand":"Lynda McDaniel Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50331815379218,"sku":"9780997780802","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_6ad572e7-e408-4430-8a12-a331455d9527.jpg?v=1727826015","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/a-life-for-a-life-a-mystery-novel-9780997780802","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}