A Hanged Man's Noose

Investigative freelance writer Emily Garland is thrilled to be given a regular assignment to edit a new magazine called Inside the Landing. It requires her to move to a place called Lount's Landing a small town outside of Toronto. In Hanged Man's Noose by Judy Penz Sheluk, Emily's sweet deal includes a renovated Victorian home and a real paycheck. The one caveat is she has to dig into what mega-developer Garrett Stonehaven is up to in the town.

It's a great plan because she has long hated Garrett Stonehaven and believed he was responsible for her mother's untimely death. Off she goes to Lount's Landing and lands in the middle of some long-dead secrets and lies.

Why would the residents of Lount's Landing name their town after an alleged traitor? This story parallels the Hanged Man's Noose plot in that it is complicated and not what it seems. An apt metaphor.

Her first assignment is to meet Johnny Porter, owner of It's a Colorful Life and chair of the Main Street Merchants Association. She meets him and begins to learn about the other busines owners in town. At a town meeting, Stonehaven presents his plan to renovate an old school building and seems to have community support when he suddenly announces the addition of a Superstore to the plans. This throws everyone into a tailspin. Teaming up with Arabella, the owner of The Glass Dolphin antiques shop, Emily learns many interesting things about her new hometown and the residents. When someone is found murdered, they decide to investigate. 

An intriguing game of cross and double cross takes place and Emily weaves her way through the intrigue. The Hanged Man's Noose is an interesting first book in the series and I look forward to more adventures of Emily and Arabella. 

The next book A Hole in One is available now.