One Murder More by Kris Calvin Review!

In Kris Calvin's debut mystery One Murder More, a beautiful legislative aide is found stabbed to death in California's Capitol building. Maren Kane, a lobbyist for a fledgling Sacramento-based toy company, is in the midst of a legislative fight that could make or break her career. She doesn’t have time for a coffee break let alone involvement in a murder investigation.

But when police arrest Maren's colleague for the crime, she's certain they have the wrong man. The cops suspect a crime of passion—love gone wrong. Maren knows that in the capital, money and power drive all things tragic and scandalous. Sex and love are little more than window-dressing.

But will she be able to prove her theory—and free her friend—before she becomes the next victim?

One Murder More is the first book in the Maren Kane Mystery series.  Stay tuned for A Timely Murder, Kris' second novel in the Maren Kane Mystery series.  Follow Kris on Goodreads

"Crisp and entertaining, One Murder More marks a solid debut for Kris Calvin, who sets herself apart as a writer to watch," —John Lescroart, Author of The Fall and 16 New York Times bestsellers

A former local elected official, Kris Calvin, author of debut novel One Murder More, knows politics from the inside out. She lives minutes from Sacramento, a capital city of California and has been honored by the State Assembly and the California Governor’s office for her leadership in political advocacy on behalf of children.  Educated at Stanford and UC Berkeley in psychology and economics, Kris has been employed as a college-level lecturer in economics and as the CEO of a 5000-member nonprofit association in children's health. 

Kris is a single parent of a daughter and two sons who make every day worthwhile, and the guardian (never owner) of  black cat Nigel  and cattle dog Lily, both strays who found their way to Kris and family and never left.

You're most likely to run into Kris at regional mystery writers, readers conferences, in the halls of the Capitol of Sacramento or at a sporting venue or sports bar watching her favorite teams: the Golden State Warriors, the San Francisco Giants and the SF Forty Niners.  

http://www.kriscalvin.com/
"In One Murder More, Kris Calvin gives us a front-row seat in California’s Capitol and exposes the underbelly of the state’s political machine. An irresistible political thriller that reminds me of House of Cards." —Robert Dugoni, author of Amazon and NY Times bestselling mystery/thrillers including My Sister's Grave

"One Murder More. Read it for Kris Calvin’s details on political life. Read it for the characters that all stand up in an emotionally rich and gripping novel that tracks through intrigue, missteps, and false leads to the credible solving of a brutal murder. And meet Maren Kane, and hope you get to see her in action again." —Kirk Russell, critically-acclaimed author of nine novels: the John Marquez Eco-crime Thrillers and Ben Raveneau Thrillers

"One Murder More is a fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable mystery. Kris Calvin brings politics and politicians to life in this action-packed story, told with both intellect and humor." —Jeff Gee, Mayor of Redwood City, California

"One Murder More is an exciting and absorbing story... I haven't had a round-trip to NY go faster since I left the cockpit." —Franklin (Pitch) Johnson, Founder, Asset Management Company, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, California

My Review

I love a good murder mystery and have not heard of this author, I am the type of reader that loves to read something new and refreshing from either a new author or one that I have never heard of. The story starts out with "Maren Kane could barely make out the yellow dividing line a few feet in front of her through the thick, gray valley fog." Ok, so that sentence had me thinking that something bad was going to happen. Sure enough Maren witnesses an accident on the dark road. She gets out to investigate and finds a car overturned in a drainage ditch full of water. She sees that there are two children in the backseat, upside down and the driver in front. Another person, turns up to help her rescue the children, however, nothing can be done for the woman who was the driver. 

Maren is a lobbyist for a California toy company and knows many people in the local government because of her role. She spends a lot of time in the Capitol and as such she knows a young woman, a legislative aide who is found murdered, by Maren actually, and finds herself involved in the murder investigation. A colleague of Maren's is eventually arrested for the murder as there is incriminating evidence against this young man. What ensues is a race against time as Maren tries to prove that her friend did not do the crime. To have two deaths that she came upon in one day is certainly weighing on Maren, and as time goes by the reader finds out that the two cases are connected.

Maren disagrees with the police in that the murder of the aide is a crime of passion, but Maren will do all in her power to see that her friend is released. She has a theory, but she needs to find evidence that the police will believe. This murder mystery is a fast-paced enjoyable read with a story that could very well be in the headlines, a believable tale about corrupt lawmakers who will do anything it takes to further themselves and their careers.

If you are looking for a good story, then give this one a try! This is the first book in what looks to be a great political series.

I received a copy of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for said review 

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