Prospect for Murder: A Natalie Seachrist Mystery

Written by Jeanne Burrows-Johnson

Narrated by Jeanne Burrows-Johnson

Retired travel writer Natalie Seachrist has had visions all of her life. But her world changes forever when her twin Nathan confirms that the body she envisioned draped over a vintage Mustang was his granddaughter. During subsequent research for friend and private investigator Keoni Hewitt, Natalie experiences another unsettling vision. So as the police launch their customary investigation of the unexplained death, Natalie moves to the Honolulu foothills apartments where Ariel died.

With Keoni’s cautionary advice, she explores the premises and personalities of the complex with her feline companion Miss Una. There she discovers the fascinating story of the Shàngh?i origins of the affluent apartment owners Pearl Wong and her sister Jade Bishop. She also finds more than a little discord between Pearl Wong’s nephew and the handyman who owns the Mustang on which Ariel died. Unfortunately, Natalie’s on-site sleuthing produces few concrete leads. But just as she questions the purpose of her mission, she experiences a vision from the perspective of her grandniece, she is forced to reveal her escalating visions.

At Natalie’s invitation, Keoni joins Nathan and her for meetings with the coroner and the Honolulu police detective who was once his partner. Despite items missing from Ariel’s effects, a lack of physical evidence means the open case is being examined as an accident or suicide. But why would a young girl approaching the end of a successful college career kill herself?

Natalie remains determined to solve the mystery before the police close their investigation without an arrest. But has she put herself in the way of a killer who’s willing to murder again to hide their secret?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Big Happy Family
• Release date: Jul 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781932926484

Jeanne Burrows-Johnson

Author Jeanne Burrows-Johnson embraces years in the performing arts, education, and marketing. Academically, she became a member of Phi Beta Kappa while finishing a Bachelor of Arts degree in history at the University of Hawai`i. During graduate studies and a teaching assistantship, she joined Phi Alpha Theta. She’s also a member of the National Writers Union, Sisters in Crime, Arizona Mystery Writers, and the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, Highland Division. Having lived in Hawai`i for 20 years, it’s no surprise her readers sample its lush environs while examining puzzling deaths, snippets of pan-Pacific history, and her heroine’s haunting visions. Project descriptions, Island recipes, and a link to a writing and marketing blog are at JeanneBurrows-Johnson.com.

Reviews for Prospect for Murder

[c.j.shane · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Author Jeanne Burrows-Johnson sets out a daunting task for herself as she opens her new Natalie Seachrist series of mystery novels with Prospect for Murder (2016). In her notes, Burrows-Johnson says “I look forward to introducing historical characters and incidents with in the genre of a mystery novel.” I view this as daunting because most mystery readers have a pretty clear idea of what they want from a mystery novel, and they are not always happy if they don’t find what they expect in the first pages. Maybe they look for a Miss Marple-like polite and subdued British mystery heavy on clues, a police procedural with an abundance of forensic evidence, the private eye or noir mystery, or maybe they are looking for an action-packed hero like Jack Reacher who encounters constant danger on almost every page. The historical mystery is a genre of its own. However it is unusual to attempt to bring historical events into a contemporary setting, and still maintain that mystery aura. Burrows-Johnson introduces us to semi-retired writer and researcher Natalie Seachrist, resident of Hawaii, who is unhappily thrust into a close-to-home mystery as she investigates the suspicious death of her great-niece, Ariel. The story unfolds slowly as Seachrist transforms herself into an amateur sleuth. Along the way, Natalie encounters characters that take her into historical events of both pre-Maoist China, and of Hawaii’s history as a nation state. Familial relations are big part of Natalie’s story, as is an emerging romance with an ex-cop. If you are looking for a multi-faceted story that is less plot-driven but historically rich, you will enjoy this new offering best described as the cozy style. Prospect for Murder is the first in a series, so we can anticipate Natalie Seachrist challenging herself with new mysteries in the near future.

[judygibson-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very solid on historical research and techniques, but not much of a mystery. Besides, the protagonist getting valuable clues by having visions is not very interesting.