Today I will be reviewing Scream Blue Murder book 4 in the True Blue Mystery series by Susan Page Davis
Blurb
An old photo, a twister, and a friend being stalked …
A tornado rips through town, and Campbell McBride and her dad take shelter. Afterward, they try to help others who were hard hit, and a body is discovered in the debris of a cottage near their friends’ home. Was the man dead before the twister struck? The owners of the ruined cottage hire True Blue Investigations to help identify the victim and find out how he got on their property. Meanwhile, among the volunteers, Campbell meets her mother’s old school friend, Jackie. It seems Jackie married her mom’s former boyfriend—and now she has eyes on Campbell’s widowed father.
My Review
This is the 4th book in this series and doesn’t disappoint. You can read my review of the first book here
We start the book with Campbell in her room preparing to study for her detective exam. She is looking at a photo from her mother when she went to her prom. There is Her mother and her date, her friend Jackie and her date. But she doesn’t know why it was in her stuff and not in the album. At this time the tornado siren goes off and she and her dad take shelter in the basement. When the all clear is given they find they have no power and water but no major issues for them. Other parts didn’t fair as well.
Keith the Police detective’s parents are not as lucky they house has been hit and other others nearby flattened. This is where a victim if found. This is the start of yet another mystery to solve. In the meantime Jackie is now looking for a house to be closer to her daughter and there are some questions for Campbell.
It was interesting the way the tornado hit and how they have a basement kitted out with emergency rations. Living where we don’t normally have tornados its interesting reading what is needed to be prepared. It makes me appreciate power and water. I also love the banter between Nick and Campbell and can see some of the teasing comes from Nick wondering what will happen if Campbell passes the exam. I was kept guessing to the end. There are a few mysteries happening and the fact its not straight forward makes it so much better. I love how there are different theories and different trails to chase down.
I Love Susan’s detective mysteries and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. If you enjoy detective mysteries this one won’t disappoint.
Hi Jenny, I do like detective mysteries and this one sounds like a great read. Do the books in this series standalone, and work if they’re read out of order? I know some mystery series are fine, but others will have an overarching series mystery that’s best read in order. Thanks for sharing your review. 😊
It’s would be best to read them in order although you would pick it up. (Ironically book 4 is about 3 – 4 months from when the first book was happening.)
Book one is mentioned someone went missing.
book two its more the house and neighbours houses that are mentioned
book 4 we meet the neighbours and the cat that went missing. and a few things eluded too
And of course you meet Campbell, her father Bill, Nick (who is the other one working there) Keith the Police detective and his parents.
But if you didn’t read them you would still be able to follow on just maybe not know some insider info. The cases are all new ones. Now if you want to do what you do best read out of order then you may have an issue. Just on a few things like why they are in the house they are now in. Book one they were in an office.
The cases are unique to each one. just the charcters mentioned have continuing story lines. Like Murdock Mysteries each story is different but there are continuing stories for the main characters, (There is a subtle romance between Keith and Campbell but its a slow progressing one).