Murder at the Bus Depot by Judy Alter is the fourth book in the “Blue Plate Café” mystery series. Publisher: Alter Ego Press, April 2018

Is the depot a symbol of the worst episode in a town’s history or does it stand for revitalization, bringing the citizens of Wheeler together with pride in their community? Kate Chamber’s trouble antenna go up when Dallas developer Silas Fletcher decides to help “grow” Wheeler. She and her brother-in-law, Mayor Tom Bryson, have less spectacular and drastic ideas for revitalizing the town. When Old Man Jackson dies in an automobile accident, the specter of the past comes back to haunt the town. Thirty years ago, Jackson’s daughter, Sallie, was murdered at the bus depot. The murder is still unsolved. Kate and Silas clash over almost everything, from the future use of the abandoned depot to a fall festival celebrating Wheeler. Another murder at the depot blows the town apart, and Kate know she must do something to solve the murders and save her town, let alone the festival she’s planning.

This was a different kind of mystery setup and I enjoyed how intertwined the past and the present played fast and fury with the inhabitants of Wheeler, Texas. With Kate trying to figure out the pieces to the puzzle, a character blows in and stirs up all kind of feelings and emotions and one person stands accused. Did they do it? Kate has her hands full when she can’t get the corporation needed from the accuser, but it is her sheer determination to bring justice to a dysfunctional family. This was an intriguing tale that kept me glued to the pages as I had to know how this was going to turn out and boy was I surprised with the outcome. The author does a great job with telling this story with a few twists and turns, especially when the killer’s identity is revealed. A great story and I look forward to the next exploits with Kate and the residents of Wheeler.