A Life for a Life
Appalachian Mountain Mysteries, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $22.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Julie Eccles
-
Craig Benson
About this listen
Laurel Falls, NC, 1985: I was done with being a crime reporter in Washington, DC, tired of all the violence. So I packed up and moved to the small town of Laurel Falls, NC. It looked like heaven to me—ancient mountains brimming with tall trees and songbirds, peace and quiet. Until I found the body.
The sheriff took the easy path, calling it a suicide. No way. I’d found that young woman, and I 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?
But 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.
And 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.
Looking back, I should’ve known plans rarely pan out the way you think.
~Della Kincaid
You'll love this suspenseful story, because who doesn't dream of second chances?
Find out why critics and fans are praising Lynda McDaniel's unique voice in mystery novels.
Get it now.
A Life for a Life is the first novel in the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel. If you like atmospheric settings, fascinating characters, and suspenseful investigations, you'll love this series.
Interview with Lynda McDaniel
Q: What makes the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries Series so special?
A: 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. But especially Abit Bradshaw, one of the amateur sleuths along with Della Kincaid, a former journalist. Abit started in a supporting role, but I listened to my fans and gave him a starring role in the rest of the series. This book and the next—The Roads to Damascus—are coming-of-age stories for Abit.
Q: Why should listeners give these books a try?
A: Listeners 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 (similar in that way to cozy mysteries). I don't like mounting body bags, but I do enjoy the chase for justice. In addition to the crimes, listeners will find vivid mountain settings, colorful characters, sharp wit, good food, and a touch of romance.
Q: In what order were the books written?
A:
A Life for a Life
The Roads to Damascus
Welcome the Little Children
Murder Ballad Blues
Deep in the Forest
Up the Creek
©2016 Lynda McDaniel (P)2022 Lynda McDanielCritic Reviews
"A real treat, highly recommended for its fine attention to both detail and the psyches of investigators who confront themselves as much as the threat at hand." (Midwest Book Review)
What listeners say about A Life for a Life
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dannisa
- 02-09-2023
Loved this
I really needed this story. I was getting too saturated with all the serial killer stories I had been listening to for a while. This book was such a welcome change. It was funny and sad at times. The story was well told and flowed well. The characters were believable and I loved the way Della treated Abit and helped him to realise his potential.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!