Fireworks

by
Jill Wellington

and

Edna Mae Holm

Stargate Press, February 2003, 290 pp.
ISBN: 0-9721783-0-9

Genre: Mystery
Subgenres: Detective / Spirit Guide
Reviewed: 10/8/2003

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

"I'd like to offer you a polygraph test."

"Do you mean a lie detector?" Pierre's eyes widened. "Whatever for? You don't think I killed my own flesh and blood?"

"The polygraph will help us eliminate you as a suspect. It's totally up to you, but I would suggest you take it to prove your innocence."

"Absolutely not!" Pierre stood up, swaying for balance. "Unless you're going to arrest me, I want you to leave. My wife is ill and I don't want her to know why you're here. You had no right to barge in like this before I had time to contact my lawyer."

Webb started toward the door. Samuel was already there. "I'll be in touch, Mr. Lazare." He let himself out.

In the car, he exhaled deeply. "So, the dream was right on target. The murder weapon was in that cherry wood cabinet, and damn if it wasn't in Pierre Lazare's house."

"Good instincts, Bud," Samuel said. "What's your next question?"

"Motive."

Buoyed by the latest discovery, Webb returned to the courthouse. "I need another search warrant. One for Lazare Fireworks. I want to see every insurance policy that company has on the family members."

Synopsis

Meanwhile, after the fireworks show was over, a body was found laying next to one of the big tubes with part of his head blown off. Upon further investigation, a bullet is found lodged in his head. Webb gets assigned the case, but does not want his new partner, who seems to be good at collecting data, but has no instincts on how to solve a case. The body is found to be Mark Lazare, the boss of the Lazare Fireworks empire.

With the evidence found for murder, Webb, along with Samuel, begin a painstaking long look into the Lazare Fireworks Company and the entire Lazare family. Who benefits most from Mark's death? His wife who does not seem to morn her loss? His brother who only ever wanted to run the company? His brother's wife who only wants more and more money? His father who can't let go of his old company? The other lazy brother who doesn't seem to care abut the company? Or and employee who has perfected making a purple firework and won't share the formula? Only with Samuel's help does Webb finally start to shed some light on this mysterious case.

Fireworks is a supernatural murder mystery book by Jill Wellington and Edna Mae Holm, a daughter / mother writing team. The book also introduces the concept of a spirit guide, a being that all people have who lends a guiding hand.

Review

As a murder mystery, Fireworks is a works well and is a top-notch book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story as Webb slowly put the pieces together. Don't take that to mean that the book is slow. Far from it. The climax begins building about halfway through the book and builds to an incredible frenzied crescendo. I had a hard time putting this book down at night.

Fireworks also talks about the concept of a spirit guide. According to the authors, a spirit guide is a being that all of us possess, its just that we have not opened out minds enough to notice them.

Samuel is interesting in that he occasionally helps Webb out by giving him small clues, or heading him in the right direction. The only thing I didn't like about Samuel was his use of the the word, "Bud." That is what he called Webb. I have never trusted people who call me "Bud." That name is used a lot by people trying to get something out of you, and they generally are not your buddy. It's kinda like being called "Pal."

Overall, Fireworks by Jill Wellington and Edna Mae Holm is a darned good murder mystery that I would highly recommend. It will open your eyes, and possibly your mind.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.