Death Rang the Bell - A Review

 Review

 

DEATH RANG THE BELL by Carol Pouliot
The Third Blackwell & Watson Mystery

Olivia Watson is excited to spend her first Halloween in 1934. It's fun for the 21st century woman to see the differences as well as the similarities in the way people celebrate the holiday. Her friend, 20th century Detective Steven Blackwell, though happy to attend a Halloween party with her in his time, is waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him, something bad always happens on Halloween. Sure enough, while they are in his house, the duo hear a gunshot. The man across the street has been shot dead in his doorway and Olivia saw the whole thing from the upstairs window. The hunt is now on for the slender man Olivia saw. The question is, did he see her? The biggest fear for both Steven and Olivia, however, is that with Olivia as a material witness, will their time traveling secret be exposed?

This third Blackwell & Watson Mystery finds Olivia spending more time in 1934. No longer a quiet bystander she's making friends and even writing news articles. Lines are becoming blurred and I'm curious as to the ramifications of her actions.

I like that Olivia doesn't actively investigate the murder. She's a sounding board for Steven and even accompanies him and assists with some interviews, but the pursuit of a killer is left to law enforcement. The mystery is deftly crafted with plenty of misdirection and multiple timelines laid out the story, giving both background and motive.

DEATH RANG THE BELL is a Halloween treat with a devil for a villain as a victim, disguises, and a spark of romance.