A Dead Red Heart by RP Dahlke is the second book in the “Lalla Bains” mystery series. Publisher: Dead Bear Publishing, April 2011
When a lovesick, homeless veteran litters her vintage red caddy with paper snowflakes, Lalla Bains, Aero Ag pilot figures it’s time for a showdown. Unfortunately, someone else has the same idea leaving Lalla with a dying man at her feet, and only his strange last words, “The more there is, the less you see,” as a clue to his killer.
Compounding her life her tightwad, widowed father becomes a born-again ladies man, a disreputable competitor tries to push her out of business, and last but not least, her antennae twitches that the sultry redhead in Modesto’s police department may be vying for Sheriff Caleb Stone’s affections.
It soon becomes crystal clear that the police are totally off base on this murder investigation and someone else is going to have to suit up to solve this case. Someone who is just exasperating, pushy, and tenacious enough to get the job done–and that person will be none other than:Ms. Lalla Bains.
Lalla is at it again when she looks into the murder of a lovesick veteran who died at her feet. Someone has other ideas and send Lalla threatening notes as Lalla gets closer to the killer’s identity. This was a good mystery that quickly became as page turner as I couldn’t put the book down. I love the tone of this drama and the flow of the story as it progressed. The author did a good job with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. Lalla is a great character and I like her tenacity. With an eclectic supporting cast and good conversations, I can’t wait for the next book in this enjoyable series.