I was intrigued by the premise of this book -- a young woman inheriting a mining ghost town from family she never knew she had. I like a good mystery and was interested to see how this one developed. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed almost from page 1 with a set-up that felt contrived and characters that felt more like caricatures.

As a former journalist who has worked as a reporter and an editor for 2 small town papers, I was put off by what I felt to be a completely unrealistic depict More...

I believe this is the second book featuring this protagonist, reporter Kendall O'Dell. (I haven't read the first one.) The story was good and I was definitely hooked on finding out "who dun it" but I have two complaints. First, the girl around whom the story revolves isn't very likeable. Yeah, she's 20/21 years old and has been ridiculously sheltered but she is so annoyingly immature that there were times I WANTED the killer to get her. And second, the ending is INSANE. The final plot twist (hav More...

This book was decent, a worthy read but not spectacular. Again, it was part of a series that wish I had read the first part of. Just because I'm a stickler for background information. I don't believe that this took away too much from the story however. The basic premise of the story was intriguing, and not the cookie-cutter type of mystery that seems to be floating around these days. Kendall is fairly easy to like and respect, but her new partner is infuriating at times IMO. The damsel in distre More...

The Devil's Cradle was a Free Fridays selection on my Nook a while back. It's a fairly standard mystery; the main character is a small-town investigative reporter with an improbably large expense account who agrees to help a young lady and quickly finds herself embroiled in a maze of tangled relationships in a small Arizona town.

The book rings true in its description of Arizona, but untrue in its description of small-town newspapers, epilepsy, and body dysmorphic disorder. And the last two aren' More...

I stumbled across this book at my branch library's bookstore and picked it up for 50 cents (a signed copy no less). I bought it because it was set in Arizona (and the author is from Phoenix, where I now live.) So I had to get it. Although it is the second book in the series and I normally read a book series in sequence I started The Devil's Cradle and basically couldn't put it down. I read two nights in a row till 5 a.m. I would consider this series a cozy mystery series and would recommend it t More...

I read the first in this series last year and enjoyed the storyline. This one continues with the main character, some of the supporting characters from the first book and a new storyline. As the main character is a reporter who chases "interesting" stories many things can happen to her. While the storyline is not highly realistic it is entertaining. In some ways this series reminds me of Nancy Drew, always a big mystery mixed with some dangerous situations and a surprising ending.

I enjoyed the s More...

I've found a new mystery writer that I just love! The characters are fun and interesting and the story line kept me going. A journalist with severe asthma leaves the East Coast and moves to a small town in Arizona for her health. There, she deals with being uprooted from her familiar environment as well as fitting into a small-town society. She also gets involved in a dangerous situation. Of course, there's also the romantic interest! In the tradition of Kinsey Millhone and Sharon McCone, the st More...

Contrary to what you may expect by the star rating, I rather enjoyed almost all of the book. I will admit to figuring out the essential "secret" of the plot long before the end of the book, but the setting was interesting, and this was entertainment reading. Then came the ending! Entirely unbelievable, irresponsible, and unethical! I know this is a spoiler, but really! Turning a serial killer loose in order not to hurt someone else's feelings? Forget it! This is a series that I will not bother w More...

Enjoyed the twists and turns of the story which mirrored the mountain roads that were part of the setting. Thought I had the solution figured out, but there was a surprising twist towards the end. Made it a good read. Only negative: the technology, or lack thereof, dated the book. Since it was copyrighted in 2000, it gave me a reality check of how far we have come in 12 years as well as how quickly those years have slipped away!

I really enjoyed this book I think mostly because the setting takes place around my home town and surrounding areas. That aside, I think it was well written and seemed to be well researched. There were times that I got a little tangled up in the relationships between all the townsfolk.

I like this author and will definitely look for her other books.

Ms. Nobel redeemed herself a little in this book. I certainly didn't see the ending coming until it happened. A great twist. The protagonists wide-eyed 'what, me get into danger' sentiment is a little over the top, though, knowing what she will definitely be facing by the end of the book. But overall a good read.

Really anticipated finding out whodunit. But Audrey drove me crazy! Hard to believe anyone in this day and age could be so paranoid about "her illness." And supposedly being raised by a loving mother, I couldn't believe a young woman could be so immature, depressed, and scared of her own shadow. To give the book it's due, the ending was unexpected.

The second in the Kendell O'Dell Mystery series. this time Kendell goes to a dying mining town with the naive young girl who has inherited the closed mine and much of the town. Nasty people, crazy environmentalists, family secrets and sex change all are part of the story.

I really liked this book. It has been awhile since I read the 1st book in the series and I forgot how good it was. This book was hard to put down. I could not figure it out. Every time I thought I had it I was wrong. Very good book. Will read the other 2 in the series. Hope she writes more.

Ugh! Too many characters, too many plot "twists", too much going on! Even once the mystery was solved, it still took until almost the very last page to explain all of the various plot lines that the author had thrown in. Pretty much had to force myself to finish this one...now on to something better!

This was an great book and the series is just getting better. It really puts life in perspective in that anything can happen. Kendall always charming and I can not wait to read the next book to see what Kendall get's herself into this time for the story of a life time!

Nobel tells a good story. Reporter gets exclusive on young lady who finds out she is an heir. However, attempts are made to murder both of them yet the intrepid reporter manages to figure it all out. I did not guess the ending. I will have to look for other books.

This was a great book. It kept me interested even though I thought I had figured it out about half way threw. Then got caught with a curve ball right at the end and was up reading till 3 am cause there was no way I could put it down. Great book!!!!

I always find stories where the lead is a journalist quite interesting, but this one was supurb. Sylvia Nobel's story telling includes twists and turns the reader would never expect with dialogue that would make an eaves-dropper follow the conversation into the next county. I was pleasently surprised by the depth and breadth of this novel. Great read for any fiction lover.

Kendall accompanies Angela to claim her inheritance of an almost abandoned mining town. Of course, someone doesn't want Angela there. Kendall investigates the family and surroundings. A bit predictable, though the villian's id has a bit of a twist.

I enjoyed this novel thoroughly from beginning to end. With red herrings galore, hints about the final outcome began to come into view midway through the novel, but the complexity of the final ending was still a horrifyingly delicious surprise.

Okay, this was a very interesting book. My interest was kept, however, it seemed like it would never end. Once I got to the end I was saying...huh? I got this as a free Nook book and let's just say that I'm glad it was free.

I enjoyed this book. Probably closer to a 3.5 stars. A lot of plot twists. Even more suspects both living and dead. I never saw the end coming. I didn't much care for the overly extended loose end wrap up. Audrey was an overly whiny kid. Didn't really care for her much. But would recommend this for a nice summer read.

It was great right up until the end, which was a major let down. Granted, it was not an ending you would expect. I'd be curious how John Grisham would have ended it. It would be worth four or five stars then...

Tried this out from the Nook free friday's selection. This is a very Agatha Christie like mystery, strange characters, spooky houses, ghosts and all. Overall it's a good story with some interesting twists.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I had never heard of Sylvia Nobel. I am anxious to read more of her books. The suspense and then the twisted ending is good work. I highly recommend this book.

Decent mystery - I figured out "who done it" about halfway through the book. Creepy dried up mining town in the middle of nowhere makes for some pretty imaginative scrapes and traps. Enjoyed it.

I didn't want to put this one down. There is tons of action and mystery all the way through. The author did a great job of keeping me interested and wanting to read even late into the night.

My second Sylvia Nobel novel, and it won't be my last. Really starting to enjoy her mysteries - haven't figured either one of them out on my own yet....not predictable...and I like that.