Cozy Mystery Review: The Killer Outdoors, by Jodi Linton

 

The Killer Outdoors (A Southwest Exposure Mystery) by Jodi Linton

About The Killer Outdoors

The Killer Outdoors (A Southwest Exposure Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series  

Independently Published (October 5, 2020)  

Digital ASIN : B08C72CMSV 

 

Welcome to Bushwhack, New Mexico: home to tourists, the great outdoors, and murder...

Tourist season has hit Bushwhack and Andie Sullivan--owner of Sullivan's Adventure Company--is ready for her town to fill up with city slickers, snotty teens, and the dollars she needs to keep her business afloat after her messy divorce from Bucky Gunn--local celebrity rafting guide and Sullivan's main competition. With all her guided tours booked, it finally seems lady luck is on her side. 

But then Bucky is found dead. Not great.

And she's the prime murder suspect. Double not great.

Being framed for murder sucks worse than a rabid chipmunk bite. Andie's determined to clear her name, and this time her survival training skills won't be used to fetch an ice pack. But how long can she stay one step ahead of a killer before she becomes the final victim?

My Review:

Jodi Linton's new series opens with a plausible murder and an engaging heroine. Andie is reasonably strong and independent, without being perfect. I found her book a quick and pleasant read, with a decently-plotted mystery (though I admit I pegged the killer well before the end). At only 115 pages (according to my Kindle), it's definitely on the short-and-quick side, and doesn't have a lot of room t develop complexity.

Nonetheless, the story was enjoyable, and the setting was interesting, a bit out of the usual run of mysteries! The denouement had plenty of drama, if perhaps still leaving a bit too much to be explained after the dust (or whitewater) had settled. 

I thought the romance-to-mystery balance was good, with room left for a love story to develop in future books but a heroine who is focused first on her own life and her business, not on swooning over men. In the end, my main criticism was not with the story, which was enjoyable, but with a need for a little more careful editing, as there were word-choices that grated some on this word-nerd. Doubt most readers will be bothered!

My Recommendation:

A good vacation read, for times when you want a bit of distraction and not too much tension.

About Jodi Linton

  

 Hey Y’all, I’m just a girl from Texas, minus the big hair…and oh, yeah, a horse. My crew consists of two kiddos, one which inherited my makeup addiction, and a husband still living out his garage band dreams, but in our closet next to my shoe collection. I love to hang out with my readers, discussing books, recipes and just everyday shenanigans. I got started in the romance community, which you might know a few of my books from there. Now, I’m all about the cozies…and the coffee. Yeah, can’t forget that. I’d love for you to come join my reader group, Jodi’s Book Corner, or come like me on Facebook to discover my books. And chat. Naturally.  

Author Links  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JodiLintonBooks/
Website: http://jodilinton.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodiLinton1
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodi-linton
Youtube: https://youtu.be/Y91K-Z2yhTM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_linton_author/?hl=en
Jodi's Book Corner: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JodiBookCorner/
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/s2j2k6 

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FTC Disclosure: I received an ARC of Killer Outdoors from Great Escapes Free Book Tours, and received nothing further from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."