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Isabel Long #8
Finding the Source
A homeless man. His murdered mother. A book could be the clue.
Isabel Long’s next case begins during a chance encounter with a homeless man, who says he was 12 when he found his mother murdered in their home.
Abby McKenzie was a well-liked seller of vintage books who owned a store in the hilltown of Dillard. That was 43 years ago and the case was never solved.
One obstacle is that several of the suspects are dead, including an avid book collector, a former town official who stalked her, and the man who last saw her alive. Another is that, once again, Isabel must deal with Dillard’s police chief, who ran interference in her other cases.
But that doesn’t deter Isabel nor her mother Maria, her partner in solving crime. She just needs to find the source who will unlock this case
Isabel Long’s next case begins during a chance encounter with a homeless man, who says he was 12 when he found his mother murdered in their home.
Abby McKenzie was a well-liked seller of vintage books who owned a store in the hilltown of Dillard. That was 43 years ago and the case was never solved.
One obstacle is that several of the suspects are dead, including an avid book collector, a former town official who stalked her, and the man who last saw her alive. Another is that, once again, Isabel must deal with Dillard’s police chief, who ran interference in her other cases.
But that doesn’t deter Isabel nor her mother Maria, her partner in solving crime. She just needs to find the source who will unlock this case
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2025
3 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Joan Livingston
18 books56 followersJoan Livingston is the author of novels for adults and young readers.
She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.
An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.
After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.
She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.
An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.
After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 7, 2025
When I realised I’d be reviewing the eight book in the Isabel Long series, I was a bit nervous. Would there be too much back story I wouldn’t understand? Would I find the established characters rounded enough, seeing as I was only encountering them for the first time?
Once I’d started, I was pleasantly surprised by the writer’s skilful ability to fill in any gaps for her newer readers. There was a fair amount of information about previous cases imparted, largely to establish character relationships and Isabel’s history with the police force. It certainly doesn’t overpower the current narrative, but helps set the scene and introduce Isabel’s life, including the loss of her husband, and subsequent connection with her current partner, Jack. Also, importantly, I still felt there was enough intrigue left surrounding the previous cases to make me want to go back and read Joan’s other books.
First of all in ‘Finding the Source’, we are introduced to Isabel and her mother on their way to meet a former client for lunch. This leads to a financial windfall, allowing Isabel to take on Tom’s case – a homeless man intent on uncovering the truth behind his mother’s unsolved murder, an event which has overshadowed his entire life. What follows is a tricky task to find the perpetrator, bearing in mind many of the persons of interest are now deceased. Isabel is a dogged and logical investigator though, helped by a background in reporting which means she is methodical in her questioning and thorough in her work. She’s also relatable with her career change to bartending and investigating, and likeable in the way she interacts with her sources and family. She’s also got a dry sense of humour, such as when she details her discussions with a group of locals she nicknames the ‘Old Farts’, each with a specific characteristic preceding this title, making them sound like the seven dwarves of Western Massachusetts.
The relationship between Isabel and her mother, Maria, is great – despite being fairly frail, Maria’s sharp mind means she’s a useful asset to her daughter, as well as a helpful sounding board. The sense of community and realism of small town America is a standout feature for me – the characters, settings and dialogue bring Dillard and the surrounding towns to life and allows the reader to really become immersed in the fictional world.
This is a well-plotted story with plenty of content to keep you reading. I did work out who the murderer was, but there were plenty of possible suspects and red herrings to keep me guessing until the novel’s later stages.
Overall, I thought this was a great read, particularly if you love a murder mystery set in a vivid location, with some wonderful characters thrown in to keep the story vibrant and to keep readers turning the pages.
Once I’d started, I was pleasantly surprised by the writer’s skilful ability to fill in any gaps for her newer readers. There was a fair amount of information about previous cases imparted, largely to establish character relationships and Isabel’s history with the police force. It certainly doesn’t overpower the current narrative, but helps set the scene and introduce Isabel’s life, including the loss of her husband, and subsequent connection with her current partner, Jack. Also, importantly, I still felt there was enough intrigue left surrounding the previous cases to make me want to go back and read Joan’s other books.
First of all in ‘Finding the Source’, we are introduced to Isabel and her mother on their way to meet a former client for lunch. This leads to a financial windfall, allowing Isabel to take on Tom’s case – a homeless man intent on uncovering the truth behind his mother’s unsolved murder, an event which has overshadowed his entire life. What follows is a tricky task to find the perpetrator, bearing in mind many of the persons of interest are now deceased. Isabel is a dogged and logical investigator though, helped by a background in reporting which means she is methodical in her questioning and thorough in her work. She’s also relatable with her career change to bartending and investigating, and likeable in the way she interacts with her sources and family. She’s also got a dry sense of humour, such as when she details her discussions with a group of locals she nicknames the ‘Old Farts’, each with a specific characteristic preceding this title, making them sound like the seven dwarves of Western Massachusetts.
The relationship between Isabel and her mother, Maria, is great – despite being fairly frail, Maria’s sharp mind means she’s a useful asset to her daughter, as well as a helpful sounding board. The sense of community and realism of small town America is a standout feature for me – the characters, settings and dialogue bring Dillard and the surrounding towns to life and allows the reader to really become immersed in the fictional world.
This is a well-plotted story with plenty of content to keep you reading. I did work out who the murderer was, but there were plenty of possible suspects and red herrings to keep me guessing until the novel’s later stages.
Overall, I thought this was a great read, particularly if you love a murder mystery set in a vivid location, with some wonderful characters thrown in to keep the story vibrant and to keep readers turning the pages.
June 21, 2025
From the outset I would say that while many series can be read in any order, Livingston's Isabel Long novels are definitely better read in order. Finding the Source begins with several references to previous novels, their stories and characters. There are also throwaway mentions of Isabel's beau, Jack and his bar the Rooster that are not explained to the uninitiated. However, if you haven't read the previous books then use these references to allow the author to set the scene and establish her characters quickly.
The author also writes succinct but vivid descriptions of the scenery and small towns around Western Massachusetts where the story is set. That is how the subject of this story, a homeless man named Tom Mackenzie is introduced when he blurts out his story to Isabel and her mother, Maria.
Tom is shocked to learn that Isabel is an investigator and immediately asks if she's ever taken on cold cases. When she admits she has and gives Tom her card, but when Isabel learns the murder took place in Dillard, she has concerns for her safety because of a previous case.
Nevertheless, Isabel and Tom work out a deal and she takes on the case to discover who and what was responsible for killing his mother over forty years ago.
I don't do spoilers, but Finding the Source is a gripping story with twists and turns where we meet some familiar characters from former stories and new ones introduced in this novel. Isabel does not give up, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers she encounters. It is an exciting book that kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
I highly recommend the whole Isabel Long series, but Livingston's writing just keeps getting better and better. If you enjoy a well crafted crime thriller, Finding the Source is a fine novel to add to your TBR list.
The author also writes succinct but vivid descriptions of the scenery and small towns around Western Massachusetts where the story is set. That is how the subject of this story, a homeless man named Tom Mackenzie is introduced when he blurts out his story to Isabel and her mother, Maria.
Tom is shocked to learn that Isabel is an investigator and immediately asks if she's ever taken on cold cases. When she admits she has and gives Tom her card, but when Isabel learns the murder took place in Dillard, she has concerns for her safety because of a previous case.
Nevertheless, Isabel and Tom work out a deal and she takes on the case to discover who and what was responsible for killing his mother over forty years ago.
I don't do spoilers, but Finding the Source is a gripping story with twists and turns where we meet some familiar characters from former stories and new ones introduced in this novel. Isabel does not give up, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers she encounters. It is an exciting book that kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
I highly recommend the whole Isabel Long series, but Livingston's writing just keeps getting better and better. If you enjoy a well crafted crime thriller, Finding the Source is a fine novel to add to your TBR list.
September 11, 2025
This was a delightful read that reminded me of a modern version of an old classic Agatha Christie. I love the relationship between our PI, Isabel Long (who used to be a journalist), and her ageing but sprightly mother, as they solve cold cases in their rural home in New England. Nothing gets past Maria. It abounds with characters full of bonhomie and witty banter, red herrings galore, with suspects unwilling to divulge secrets that make the reader wonder if they are the killer, all the twisted threads leading to a satisfactory ending. Although I came to this book cold, having not read the previous Isabel Long books, the author ensured I was kept up to speed, but didn’t overly regurgitate stuff from the other stories. I also enjoyed the intimate way the author writes, which makes the reader feel as if they are there with Isabel, sharing what is happening to her, privy to her thoughts as if she’s chatting with you. Altogether, a charming book and highly recommended for those who enjoy cosy crime stories.
September 5, 2025
When a homeless man randomly approaches Isabel and tells her about his murdered mum, he doesnt realise hes spoken to the perfect person.
The thing that struck me initially about this book is the really bubbly, positive way its written. Told in the first person from Isabels point of view it has a really conversational style that draws you into her world immediately.
This is the first of this series that I've read, and I do feel like I've missed out on a lot of the story by not having read them. It didnt take away from this story, just the little references that went over my head. However it does mean I have a whole bunch of books to catch up on, so it could be worse right.
A really really enjoyable read.
The thing that struck me initially about this book is the really bubbly, positive way its written. Told in the first person from Isabels point of view it has a really conversational style that draws you into her world immediately.
This is the first of this series that I've read, and I do feel like I've missed out on a lot of the story by not having read them. It didnt take away from this story, just the little references that went over my head. However it does mean I have a whole bunch of books to catch up on, so it could be worse right.
A really really enjoyable read.
September 10, 2025
Even though this was the first book I’ve read in the series, it worked well as a standalone for me. There were a few reference to events from previous books that left me a bit baffled but I didn’t really take from the story or leave me feeling lost. Isabel falls into a case quite through a coincidence when she’s approached by a homeless man with a story to tell. Unlike so many crime stories, this one has a light, positive atmosphere. Isabel is very upbeat in her conversational style draws you straight in. I really enjoyed the book And meeting Isabel. The only negative I have is that I now have lots more books in the series that I must read!
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July 17, 2025I love the Isabel Long Series, the characters are believable down home people. I have read the entire series and cant with for more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews