Book Review — Murder on West Main: A South Shore Mystery by I. M. Foster

Murder on West Main: A South Shore Mystery
By I. M. Foster

Publication Date: 20th December 2023
Publisher: Inez M. Foster
Page Length: 385 Pages
Genre: Historical Mysteries

When Colin Brissedon arrives at work one summer morning to find his new boss murdered, all eyes turn to him. After all, the man had threatened to fire him just a few days before, and his colleagues are more than happy to tell the tale. Kathleen admits her brother is no angel, but she can’t believe he would sink this low. Fortunately for them, neither does Daniel O’Halleran, the village’s new coroner’s assistant. Of course, he needs more than his gut feeling to prove it.

But that’s not going to be an easy task, considering the victim does not appear to have been held in high regard. In fact, Daniel is hard-pressed to find anyone who did like him, though there are more than a few who had reason to wish the man dead. To make matters worse, Kathleen is intent on conducting her own investigation despite his wishes, and he fears the consequences could be deadly.

And yet, with the pieces of the puzzle laid before him, he can’t shake the feeling that something is missing, an integral clue that will tie everything else together. Will Daniel be able to find the elusive detail and discover the reason behind the gruesome murder of the prominent attorney? Or will the guilty party live to kill again?

There are two types of men - those who are liked, and those who are not. Ezekiel Brice could not have cared less about how other people perceived him. But now he was dead, murdered. The only evidence linking him to his killer is a handkerchief with the initials C.B. embroidered onto it, which was discovered down Brice’s throat.

Colin Brissedon was aware that his excessive drinking was starting to impact his job performance. Just a few days ago, he had a heated argument with his boss, Brice, about his appearance and work efficiency. Determined to cut back on the drink and get his life in order, Colin arrives at work a little earlier than normal, to try and prove to his boss that he was putting in the effort – he hadn’t expected to find his boss dead. Nor was he expecting to become the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Kathleen, his sister, firmly believes in his innocence and is determined to prove it with the assistance of Doctor Daniel O’Halleran.

Murder on West Main: A South Shore Mystery by I. M. Foster is a thrilling novel that will keep the reader guessing who the murderer is right up until the end.

To Daniel, it seems to be more productive to try and figure out who isn’t guilty, rather than who might be. Foster has cleverly created a novel where there are multiple suspects – Colin is not the only one whose initials are C.B. In his pursuit of the killer, Daniel employs a meticulous process of elimination. By determining the time of death, he can try to establish alibis for the suspects, yet every step he takes seems to bring forth additional obstacles. Certain individuals lack alibis but appear outwardly innocent, while others with strong motives for murdering Brice have alibis. The compelling mystery woven into the narrative has been cleverly crafted. The captivating suspense technique employed by Foster ensures that the reader is constantly guessing alongside Daniel.

Kathleen, although technically not allowed to do so, is determined to prove herself useful and refuses to allow Daniel to dictate what she is and is not allowed to do. She is unwavering in her mission to prove her brother’s innocence, while simultaneously striving to gain Daniel’s trust in her investigative abilities. Due to her drive and intellect, Kathleen is in a crucial position to greatly assist with Daniel’s investigation. Kathleen’s resolute commitment played a pivotal role in advancing the plot of this tale. Her steadfastness adds to her overall charm and likeability. However, Daniel worries about her safety. Even with Kathleen’s unwavering support, Daniel remains mindful of the murderer’s presence and the potential for further violence and he wants to protect Kathleen at all costs.

Although the main emphasis of this book is on the murder and the proceeding investigation, there is an underlying romantic subplot between two of the protagonists. Daniel and Kathleen share a subtle, simmering connection that adds a layer of romance to the murder investigation, even though the circumstances are not conducive to a relationship. Kathleen is still reeling from major life changes, and Daniel has long-kept secrets that he is not sure he is quite ready to share yet. The depiction of Daniel and Kathleen’s relationship was not only beautiful, but also credible. It certainly brought a gentler element to the narrative.

Trying to uncover the identity of the killer becomes nearly impossible as Daniel and Kathleen follow conflicting clues, and the truth remains hidden until Ms. Foster deems it appropriate to disclose. By attempting to solve the mystery as you read, the book becomes an exhilarating race against time, compelling you to read faster and uncover more clues to discover what truly occurred. Once you start reading this novel, it becomes nearly impossible to put down. When you do step away from it, you are still thinking about it, pondering over the facts and the suspects, attempting to solve the mystery yourself until you can pick it back up and begin reading again. 

It can be a little difficult at the beginning to keep track of all the different people, especially when they all share the same initials. As the story progresses, the reader becomes better acquainted with the characters and it becomes easier to differentiate between them.

Through meticulous attention to historical detail, Foster brings the setting of her book to life, creating an entertaining historical thriller/mystery. The dedication put into this novel’s research deserves recognition. Foster has truly breathed life into this era, making it the ideal backdrop for her story.

There is no doubt that Murder on West Main: A South Shore Mystery by I. M. Foster is a fabulously captivating novel. The story is fast-paced and full of energy, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. This novel can be read independently, but its storyline will undoubtedly compel you to continue with the rest of the series. I highly recommend this novel.

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Murder on West Main

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I. M. Foster 

I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist. 

Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

You can keep track of her upcoming releases and tidbits about her books on the following sites:

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