Book Review ~ "Checking Out" by Clair M. Poulson

Checking Out by Clair M. Poulson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Murder Mystery

Book Description:  Keene Tempest was born to be a cop. After years spent preparing for a career in law enforcement, hes finally working his dream job with the LAPD, and his criminal justice degree is almost within reach. The last thing he wants to do is return to his sleepy Wyoming hometown to run the family hotel after the death of his mother. But at the insistence of his older siblings that he honor his late mothers wishes, what choice does he have? When Keene arrives at the Tempest Hotel, it quickly becomes clear that all is not as it seems. He s shocked to learn that his mother s death was anything but natural foul play was almost certainly involved. As he becomes embroiled in the investigation and in his budding relationship with lovely local law enforcement Officer Chaille Donovan the body count rises: another murder victim is discovered, and there is no doubt that this bizarre string of crimes is somehow tied to the hotel and to him. Against a chilling backdrop of family feuds, shootings, and armed robbery, Keene must draw upon his years of training to unearth a killer. And in a town this small, no one is above suspicion.


My thoughts:  This is the first book I have read of Clair M. Poulson's. He has written quite a few but I haven't had a chance to read one before.

This book deals with a police detective, Keene Tempest. He has just lost his mother and is "forced" to take over the family hotel. His mother wished for him to run it, and his siblings agreed with her decision. He does it to respect and honor his mother.

The job held more than he could have ever imagined. His brother is murdered in the hotel, and he discovers that his mother may have also been a murder victim. The detective in him has to discover the truth and solve the case, regardless of his own safety.

He gets to work with a beautiful female cop, Chaille Donovan. Their attraction to each other is instantaneous. They also make a great team working together.

The book takes some interesting twists and turns. At one point I thought I had it all figured out, but soon realized that the plot was more complex than it seemed.

There were a few references to religion in the book, but it played a minor role. This book is a murder investigation with a little romance.

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