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Dead Copy

A Cauley MacKinnon Mystery by Kit Frazier

Dead Copy by Kit Frazier

Review: Dead Copy is the second mystery by Kit Frazier to feature spirited obituary writer Cauley MacKinnon who's looking for any chance to prove she can be a credible journalist.

An opportunity to do just that comes by way of FBI agent Tom Logan who asks her to write an obituary for an informant who is still alive. They want him to disappear until the trial at which time he can give his testimony regarding two mob gangs, one in Austin and one just south of the border in Mexico. The day of the trial, and before he can testify, the "dead" man is gunned down between two US marshals on the steps of the courthouse. Cauley witnesses the murder and sees the shooters leave. Knowing she identify the killers, she is sent a canary stabbed to death with one of her own knives. The note in the box makes it perfectly clear what would happen to her if she sings. Someone out there wants Cauley to know they are watching and stay away from this case. Cauley, being the impetuous person she is, decides to press forward to find the person or persons who want her dead. At her side is her adopted search-and-rescue dog, Marlowe.

Frazier does a terrific job of allowing the reader to connect with Cauley MacKinnon. She is not a wonder woman and knows her own limitations. When there's a job to be done, she ponders over it for a few minutes then seeks out the most suitable friends or co-workers to help her. Dead Copy is written with a light touch, melding several touching scenes with others that include lively banter between Cauley and her friends and enemies. It's a good mystery wrapped around an exciting love story. Or maybe the other way around.

And then there's Marlowe. What a sweet, talented dog he is!

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Dead Copy.

Acknowledgment: Midnight Ink provided a copy of Dead Copy for this review.

Review Copyright © 2007 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved

Selected reviews of other mysteries by this author …

Mystery Book Review: Scoop by Kit FrazierScoop
Midnight Ink (Trade Paperback), September 2006
ISBN-13: 9780738709154; ISBN-10: 0738709158

Location(s) referenced in Dead Copy: Austin, Texas Hill Country

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Dead Copy by Kit Frazier

Dead Copy by A Cauley MacKinnon Mystery

Publisher: Midnight Ink
Format: Trade Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0-7387-0959-8
Publication Date:
List Price: $13.95

Buy the Book (purchase options)

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Page Author: Lance Wright
Site Publisher: Mysterious Reviews

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