Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, Book 3)

While trying to recuperate from an emergency appendectomy, Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit is beyond dismayed when one of her deputies, Lila Dayne, finds a murdered girl in the woods… everything about the case seeming identical to an unsolved case from 25 years ago – when the sheriff’s best friend was killed. Elizabeth refuses to stay out of the case once she learns of the similarities. When people from the community begin to disappear without a trace, she can’t help but wonder if the corrupt ex-sheriff she’s been trying to nail has something to do with it. With seemingly no concrete clues to set them on the right path to solving this mystery, tensions run high throughout the department. There are more questions than answers, and no matter how good Benoit, Dayne, and all of her officers are, can they solve the convoluted crime before it’s too late?

As book three in this series, readers may feel somewhat out of their depth and a little confused when it comes to the obvious carryover threads for many of the characters, as this tale seemingly picks up very soon (if not immediately) after the last one ends. For this reason, reading the series in order would be greatly beneficial. As for the murder mystery this case focuses on, hold onto your hats, folks, because it’s a doozy! Readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats waiting to find out what’s going to happen next. The mystery is well done with a thoroughly satisfying ending. Kudos to Ms. Austin for writing such a gripping whodunit tale with the perfect amount of adrenaline-fueled tension!

Piper Valentine