What do you think?
Rate this book
Carol Ashton Mysteries #12
Under Suspicion
When a law enforcement officer dies under highly suspicious circumstances, it sounds like a perfect case for Australian Detective Carol Ashton. Too bad she's the suspect. Attending a rigorous FBI training course in the United States, Aussie top cop Carol Ashton feels a little out of her element � but is she out of her league as well?
After a bitter argument with an instructor, Carol is shocked to find herself accused of murder. Framed, friendless and far from home, Carol soon discovers that her only ally is a female FBI agent with a not-so-hidden agenda. But will there be time to find the real killer as the evidence against Carol mounts and the clock ticks down on her career, her freedom and her life?
After a bitter argument with an instructor, Carol is shocked to find herself accused of murder. Framed, friendless and far from home, Carol soon discovers that her only ally is a female FBI agent with a not-so-hidden agenda. But will there be time to find the real killer as the evidence against Carol mounts and the clock ticks down on her career, her freedom and her life?
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Claire McNab
47 books52 followersCLAIRE McNAB, 1940-2022
Claire McNab died on June 30, 2022, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She also wrote under her real name, Claire Carmichael, an outpouring of children's literature, textbooks, self-help books, and plays. She became (and remains to this day) a renowned author of children’s books in Australia.
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer. In her native Australia she is known for her self-help and children's books. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 after falling in love with an American woman, and now teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Writers' Extension Program. She is best known for three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She is the recipient of the 2006 Alice B. Medal.
From the publisher's website: Claire McNab has written over 50 books and is known in her native Australia for crime fiction, children's novels, picture books, self-help, and English textbooks. Her first mystery, Lessons in Murder, was published in the U.S. in 1988. Now a Los Angeles resident, she teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She is the author of three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She has served as the president of Sisters in Crime and is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Los Angeles and is working on the finale of the Carol Ashton series, Lethal Care.
Claire McNab died on June 30, 2022, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She also wrote under her real name, Claire Carmichael, an outpouring of children's literature, textbooks, self-help books, and plays. She became (and remains to this day) a renowned author of children’s books in Australia.
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer. In her native Australia she is known for her self-help and children's books. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 after falling in love with an American woman, and now teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Writers' Extension Program. She is best known for three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She is the recipient of the 2006 Alice B. Medal.
From the publisher's website: Claire McNab has written over 50 books and is known in her native Australia for crime fiction, children's novels, picture books, self-help, and English textbooks. Her first mystery, Lessons in Murder, was published in the U.S. in 1988. Now a Los Angeles resident, she teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She is the author of three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She has served as the president of Sisters in Crime and is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Los Angeles and is working on the finale of the Carol Ashton series, Lethal Care.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 1, 2025
Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned whodunit, with a side of corruption and chaos for flavour. 🕵🏽♀️💥
Under Suspicion by Claire McNab hits all the detective story beats: a satisfying setup, a juicy middle full of twists, and an ending that actually lands.
The main investigation is solid, but what really hooked me were the subplots: the vanishing crooked politician and the Quantico training scenes add that extra layer of intrigue (and a sprinkle of FBI drama). It’s the kind of book that doesn’t try too hard; it just delivers classic crime storytelling with confident ease.
A tidy mystery that does exactly what it promises: no plot holes, no nonsense, just vibes and justice. 🖤
Under Suspicion by Claire McNab hits all the detective story beats: a satisfying setup, a juicy middle full of twists, and an ending that actually lands.
The main investigation is solid, but what really hooked me were the subplots: the vanishing crooked politician and the Quantico training scenes add that extra layer of intrigue (and a sprinkle of FBI drama). It’s the kind of book that doesn’t try too hard; it just delivers classic crime storytelling with confident ease.
A tidy mystery that does exactly what it promises: no plot holes, no nonsense, just vibes and justice. 🖤
May 23, 2019
Called it from p4 but nevertheless I enjoy these. It's my junk-food reading because I don't like TV. Bring on any I haven't read yet!
(for those who are unfamiliar with this series, Carol Ashton is beautiful, intelligent, tough, a cop and a lesbian. She solves mysteries and meets gorgeous women in every book. She usually beats up someone misogynist along the way. About as subtle as a shot of cheap scotch and very enjoyable)
(for those who are unfamiliar with this series, Carol Ashton is beautiful, intelligent, tough, a cop and a lesbian. She solves mysteries and meets gorgeous women in every book. She usually beats up someone misogynist along the way. About as subtle as a shot of cheap scotch and very enjoyable)
March 7, 2013
Definitely not one of McNab's better efforts.
Carol Ashton goes to the US for an FBI training seminar, where she meets an assortment of unsavory characters, both American and Brit. And those are just the good guys! By the time McNab wrote this book, she'd already lived in the US for about 5 years. Yet, for some reason, she still hasn't figured out that Americans speak differently than Brits and Aussies. All her American characters speak the exact same way as her British and Australian characters, which is completely unreal because we don't use their language patterns or certain terms. If I had never read any of her other books and only read this one, I would've stopped after this one without bothering with any of her others.
Carol Ashton goes to the US for an FBI training seminar, where she meets an assortment of unsavory characters, both American and Brit. And those are just the good guys! By the time McNab wrote this book, she'd already lived in the US for about 5 years. Yet, for some reason, she still hasn't figured out that Americans speak differently than Brits and Aussies. All her American characters speak the exact same way as her British and Australian characters, which is completely unreal because we don't use their language patterns or certain terms. If I had never read any of her other books and only read this one, I would've stopped after this one without bothering with any of her others.
February 21, 2024
This was a reread for me. I first came across this book at the age of 8. The little Queer me who had no idea what Lesbian were, really enjoyed this book.
The older me coming back in 20 years still enjoyed the book, but if I take off the nostalgic glasses, then it's not the best murder mystery. If you are looking for a short, chill Lesbian detective book, then this is a good place to start.
The older me coming back in 20 years still enjoyed the book, but if I take off the nostalgic glasses, then it's not the best murder mystery. If you are looking for a short, chill Lesbian detective book, then this is a good place to start.
September 1, 2024
Carol goes to the States for special training at the FBI and ends up being framed for two murders at the facility. There are a few unlikable people at the training with her, so there are more than the usual number of characters than a typical Carol Ashton novel.
June 13, 2017
Much of the plot was shallow and not believable, so shallow in fact that it didn't hold my interest. The characters are skeletal, no real substance.
April 26, 2013
#12 in the Detective Inspector Carol Ashton mystery series...
After the fiasco in the last book Carol is attending an FBI training class in America where she is joined by a fellow Aussie, a few Brits and an interesting ally. As the course goes on, Carol finds herself in deep trouble when a member of the class is found dead after she has a conflict with him. At first it just looks like an accident, he was drunk and he fell and hit his head but after closer examination they find it wasn't an accident it was murder and all signs point to Carol. As she tries to be truthful about what happened she is questioned by the FBI agents assigned to the case and it seems they aren't looking at any of the other possible suspects. Fortunately Carol has an unknown ace up her sleeve in the likes of FBI agent Leota Wolfe. As the evidence and the body count start to pile up all against Carol she has to find out who is behind this before she gets nailed. At first Carol is suspicious of Leota, knowing a lot about her but her explanation of being there doesn't make sense, then when Leota corners Carol outside of the dormitory the real reason for the interest is made clear. Leota has the hots for Carol and the feeling is definitely mutual. While they weave their way through all the lies and misdirection they try to find some alone time to explore each other on a more personal level.
During the whole book you change who you think is the real murderer and it probably isn't the right one... Keeps you on your toes and your mind churning with mystery and romance...
After the fiasco in the last book Carol is attending an FBI training class in America where she is joined by a fellow Aussie, a few Brits and an interesting ally. As the course goes on, Carol finds herself in deep trouble when a member of the class is found dead after she has a conflict with him. At first it just looks like an accident, he was drunk and he fell and hit his head but after closer examination they find it wasn't an accident it was murder and all signs point to Carol. As she tries to be truthful about what happened she is questioned by the FBI agents assigned to the case and it seems they aren't looking at any of the other possible suspects. Fortunately Carol has an unknown ace up her sleeve in the likes of FBI agent Leota Wolfe. As the evidence and the body count start to pile up all against Carol she has to find out who is behind this before she gets nailed. At first Carol is suspicious of Leota, knowing a lot about her but her explanation of being there doesn't make sense, then when Leota corners Carol outside of the dormitory the real reason for the interest is made clear. Leota has the hots for Carol and the feeling is definitely mutual. While they weave their way through all the lies and misdirection they try to find some alone time to explore each other on a more personal level.
During the whole book you change who you think is the real murderer and it probably isn't the right one... Keeps you on your toes and your mind churning with mystery and romance...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews