A Life for a Life A Mystery Novel

“Five Stars! The tale immediately drew me in, into the town, into the intriguing mystery, and into the people. A real treat to read." ~Deb, Amazon Hall of Fame Top 100 Reviewer

Laurel Falls, N.C., 1985: My life was saved by a murder. At the time, of course, I didn’t understand that. I just knew I was having the best year of my life. Given all the terrible things that happened, I should be ashamed to say it, but that year was a blessing for me.

It all started with a wave. Della Kincaid and her dog, Jake, driving by, staring at the For Sale sign in front of Daddy’s store. Before long, she’d bought it. She explained she was done with being a crime reporter in Washington, D.C., tired of all the violence. So she packed up and moved to our small town of Laurel Falls, N.C. She told everybody it looked like heaven to her—ancient mountains brimming with tall trees and songbirds, peace and quiet. Until she found the body.

Our lazy old sheriff called it a suicide. No way. Della agreed. So we teamed up and traipsed all over the mountains of North Carolina to find what did happen. Along the way, we sure met some interesting characters—both good and bad. We made a plan, and we worked it hard to find that killer before we became the next victims. ~Abit Bradshaw

“TERRIFIC SERIES! The characters are awesome. I can't stop reading. I don't want these books to end!”

You'll enjoy this suspenseful story because who doesn't dream of second chances?

If you love Elly Griffiths, Sue Grafton, and Cheryl Bradshaw (no relation to Abit Bradshaw that we know of), you're sure to enjoy the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series.

Get it now—for the rich natural setting, colorful characters, and suspenseful investigations.

A Life for a Life is the first novel in the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel.

Interview with Lynda McDaniel

Q: What makes the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries Series so special?

A: In addition to the suspense of a good mystery, each book includes people and stories from the years I spent on my "back to the land" farm in Appalachia. You'll meet a cantankerous laundromat owner who was just as weird as she's portrayed, a gentle giant of a beekeeper with an abiding love for his family, and Cleva Hall, who's based on a woman who taught me how to put food by. But especially Abit Bradshaw, one of the amateur sleuths along with Della Kincaid, a former journalist. Abit started in a supporting role, but I listened to my readers and gave him a starring role in the rest of the series. This book and the next two—The Roads to Damascus and Welcome the Little Children—are coming-of-age stories for Abit.

Q: Why should readers give these books a try?

A: Readers who prefer suspense without over-the-top violence will enjoy this series. I write in the British style, where the dastardly deed is done off stage; (similar in that way to cozy mysteries). I don't like mounting body bags, but I do enjoy the chase for justice. In addition to the crimes, readers will find vivid mountain settings, colorful characters, sharp wit, good food, and a touch of romance.

Q: In what order were the books written?

A Life for a Life

The Roads to Damascus

Welcome the Little Children

Murder Ballad Blues

Deep in the Forest

Up the Creek

Unwrapped

After Dusk

Waiting for You (free prequel)

What readers are saying:

"EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT. Lynda McDaniel has the gift of putting the reader right there in her stories with characters that grab ahold of your heart strings and take you into their world page after page." ~L. Judd  

​​​​​​​"REMINDS ME OF To Kill a Mockingbird. You are a treasure of a writer." ~J. M. Grayson

"THIS WAS MY FIRST BOOK BY LYNDA McDANIEL, WON'T BE MY LAST. Love a book that can hold my interest to the point I don't want it to end." ~M. Ballard

"McDANIEL DELIVERS A PAIR OF UNFORGETTABLE CRIME-SOLVING CHARACTERS. She lured me into her story and kept me there." ~Virginia McCullough, award-winning author of Amber Light.