Deborah Nicholson, House Report

Author: DEBORAH NICHOLSON

Title: HOUSE REPORT

ISBN: 0 7278 6068 2

Publication: March 2004

Category: Crime & Mystery

Imprint: Severn House

Edition: First World Publication

Pages: 256

Format: 222 x 141mm Sewn Demy

Price: £18.99

The first in the new series of Kate Carpenter Mysteries

Author's Web Site: www.deborahnicholson.com

Manager's Comments: at 9:45 a bartender reported that a door in the men's washroom was locked. Maintenance was called and we investigated. Upon opening the door, we discovered a patron in the stall, unconscious. We began CPR, security was called, and paramedics were dispatched. The patron was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and police were dispatched to investigate. The theatre was locked and patrons were questioned before being allowed to leave. More details to follow in my incident report. Kate Carpenter, Front of House Manager.

So starts House Report, the first book of the Kate Carpenter Mystery series. And it just gets better.

I hate crying at the best of times, and now I couldn't turn it off. Cam wasn't helping, rubbing my back, muttering all those little reassurances. I had almost regained my composure when he reached up to my cheek and brushed away a tear. Well, that was so sweet that I started all over again. I realized I wasn't going to be able to control my tears tonight, but it was okay, this time I had a good reason. Six hours ago I spent fifteen minutes giving CPR to a dead guy.

As the front-of-house manager of a large theatre complex in Calgary, Kate Carpenter is used to late nights and demanding customers. She is used to improvising when things don't go according to plan. And she is used to a relatively quiet life in her perfect apartment. She's not used to finding dead people in her theatre, but that all changes when Kate and her young assistant, Graham, find a body in the men's washroom .

House Report takes you behind the scenes of live theatre, which is fascinating in itself, but Kate just can't resist getting involved in the murder investigation. As the evidence builds up, she is devastated to find that her on-again off-again boyfriend Cam is one of the prime suspects. Kate's young assistant Graham, an aspiring actor, gladly steps into the role of private snoop, and together they set off a series of events that could lead to another death Kate's! Who can she trust? Why is someone trying to scare her off the murder investigation? Who is sending her the terrifying notes? Is she too close to the truth?

I found House Report easy to read and got caught up in the story right from the first page. The cast of characters are quite believable and I found myself really caring about what happened to them. This is Ms. Nicholson's first novel and I'm already looking forward to reading the next one.