Mixed Signals by Jane Tesh, a Mysterious Review.

Review: When a local man is found murdered in his garage, PI David Randall — with the help of his friends — is determined to solve the case in Mixed Signals, the second mystery in this series by Jane Tesh.

David was taking his friend Camden to meet with the victim, Jared Hunter, when they discover the body. Camden, a psychic, is so overwhelmed by the scene that he only has visions of a sea of blood and can proffer no useful information. The local police assume responsibility for the investigation, but David — and Cam — want to do what they can to help. Meanwhile, David has been hired by a local jewelry store to look into a robbery, where some items — but not the most valuable — were taken. He has some competition for the job, though; the so-called Parkland Avenger, someone dressed in a super-hero costume, has mysteriously shown up to keep the peace in their small North Carolina town.

The murder mystery story in Mixed Signals is sort of lost amongst the activities of all the colorful characters. They are quirky, to be sure, but in a sort of natural manner. That is, they don't come across as strange or odd but simply good, decent, everyday people trying to do right by themselves, their family and friends. Probably the most unusual character (for a mystery) is police officer Jordan Finley, who not only is friends with David and doesn't shoo him away from the crime scene as typically happens when PIs show up to lend a hand, but who also believes in Cam's psychic abilities and considers them carefully. Comic relief — not that any is necessarily needed — arrives in the form of David's mother, Sophia. She's spending the holidays with Randall and wastes no time whatsoever getting involved in the personal lives of Randall's sphere of friends.

Mixed Signals moves along at its own small town speed, determined but not rushed. It's a pleasant mystery that demands little, offering a welcome change of pace for the reader.

Acknowledgment: Maryglenn McCombs Book Publicity provided a copy of Mixed Signals for this review.

A Little Learning
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), May 2009
ISBN-13: 9781590586501; ISBN-10: 1590586506

Mixed Signals

A David Randall, Grace Street Mystery by Jane Tesh