Getting Lucky by D. C. Brod, a Mysterious Review.

Review: When a young reporter is killed in a hit-and-run accident, freelance writer Robyn Guthrie is asked to take over her assignment, only to uncover reasons why her colleague's death may not have been all that it appears to be in Getting Lucky, the second mystery in this series by D. C. Brod.

The Chicago suburban community of Fowler has just begun a "green" housing development in the district of a congressman who opposed it, believing an outlet mall would be of more economic benefit to the community. Robyn's job is to do a cover story on the development, which she quickly finds is moving forward quite slowly. Only one duplex of the planned complex has been completed, and only one of the two units has actually been sold. In going over the dead reporter's notes, Robyn discovers evidence that two environmental reports had been prepared: one before construction had begun and another quite recently. But why? To get an answer, she begins to interview the parties involved — the builder, the architect, even the family moving in — only to attract the attention of others, who apparently have something to hide … something they might have a reason to kill for.

Getting Lucky includes a lot of information about the often not-so-transparent business of land development and the large number of people, pro and con, involved, and whose collective interests are rarely aligned. The narrative is weighed down a bit by this, but Robyn Guthrie's character shines throughout. Not that her life is any less complicated, what with her mother and boyfriend putting pressure on her for their own well-intentioned reasons on the personal side, and the job itself on the professional side. About the only real comfort she has in her life is her dog, who loves her unconditionally. Not necessarily a fast-paced book, this is a good mystery nonetheless, with a creative storyline and well-developed characters.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Getting Lucky.

Getting Lucky

A Robyn Guthrie Mystery by D. C. Brod