Forecast of Evil
       
by Laura Bradford

A fun mystery read with twists and turns and a fun sassy sleuth

Laura Bradford's Forecast of Evil is a chilling fast-paced mystery filled with a serial killer, trapped guests, and past secrets waiting to be revealed. Lighter than the typical serial killer thriller, this mystery provides enough details and clues to keep readers on the edge but not too many to blunt the fun hunt for the perpetrator with too much gore and violence.

Pete Garner joined the men's outdoors group upon the advice of his doctor for his cardiac health. When he discovered the hobby of orienteering, however, his competitive nature took over. He had to win. Detective Mitch Burns and reporter Elise Jenkins have come to this winter wonderland hideaway to forget the past --- only the wonderland aspect is quickly becoming a nightmare when Pete's body is discovered. A blizzard is brewing on the remote Michigan island and suddenly a phone call --- a serial killer might be hiding on the island. All lines of communication and transportation are failing....somewhere among new and familiar faces, a psychopath is hiding and seeking out his prey.

Forecast of Evil had a few more thrills and a nice romance subplot than a typical mystery read. Readers will enjoy the information about orienteering, gaining a little knowledge of this hobby without resorting to a bulky dry book on the subject. The author gives a strong hint as to the identity of the perpetrator at one moment, on purpose I believe, because it actually heightened the thrills and the hunt --- even so, there were definitely some unexpected twists as well. Very nice!

One word of advice...this may not be the book to start in the wee hours of the night. Reading it with a book light increases the chilling effect for this reader. Of course, if you want to heighten the chilling effect of this book, read it with a book light or beside a fireplace in a darkened room.