A Match Made for Murder

A Lane Winslow Mystery, Book 7

By: Iona Whishaw

Narrated by: Marilla Wex

It’s November, and Lane and Darling have escaped the chilly autumn in the Kootenays for a honeymoon at the posh and romantic Santa Cruz Inn in sunny Tucson, Arizona. But despite her very best intentions to relax, soon after their arrival Lane’s plans to spend the holiday poolside with a good mystery are interrupted by gunfire. One of the hotel’s wealthy guests has been shot point blank and Lane is second on the scene.

Though Lane and Darling attempt to distance themselves from the investigation, the longer they stay at the Santa Cruz Inn, the deeper they are drawn into a web of suspects and bystanders, and a collection of seemingly perfect marriages fraught with jealousy and violence. The situation threatens first their honeymoon and then their lives when Lane puts herself directly in the sights of local criminals who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Back in Nelson, Sergeant Ames has been left in charge of the department during Darling’s absence. As he investigates a case of vandalism at the Van Eyck garage, it seems to lead directly to the death of the suspected vandal himself. Working with Constable Terrell, the new recruit, to piece together what happened in this strange and unsettling murder, Ames finds his romantic interest in mechanic Tina Van Eyck creates complications that are more than awkward; they could be deadly.

Fans of Maisie Dobbs and the Kopp sisters will delight in the latest Lane Winslow, a study of matrimony and mirage in the American Southwest.

©2020 Iona Whishaw (P)2022 TouchWood Editions

Critic reviews

Winner of the the 2021 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award

“Excellent pacing, good use of local colour, nice repartee between the protagonists, and plenty of high-stakes action make this a winner.”—Publishers Weekly

“Think a young Katharine Hepburn—beautiful, smart and beyond capable. Winslow is an example of the kind of woman who emerged after the war, a confident female who had worked in factories building tanks and guns, a woman who hadn’t yet been suffocated by the 1950s’-perfect housewife ideal.”—Vancouver Sun

“An intriguing mix of character, plot, time, and place. Highly recommended.”—Ian Hamilton, author of the bestselling Ava Lee novels

Excellent & intriguing

Having listened to the whole series, this book was a true delight with the same level of detail, intrigue, and wonderful characters.
Knowing the Tucson area, it was even more fun to hear places, we know and love well, woven into the ever-entertaining escapades of Lane Winslow and her handsome inspector Darling.
The ‘Nick & Nora Charles’ of British Columbia.

Another wonderful book!!

Iona Whishaw has done it again. Love this series so much! Looking forward to the next one.

Ingenious Merging of Two Mysteries

For those who already are fans of author Iona Whishaw's Lane Winslow series, this is one of the best ones yet. Lane and Darling are on their honeymoon in Arizona, staying at a posh hotel in Tucson. While there, Darling catches up with a former mentor who was a sergeant in the Nelson police department before the war. He is now an assistant chief in the Tucson department, living in a fancy house with a beautiful wife. Lane is first on scene to a murder at the hotel and has already observed some interesting "goings on."

In the meantime back in Canada, a motorist's death seems to have been accidental, but soon proves to be murder. Newly promoted Sergeant Ames, in charge during Darling's absence, and Constable Terrell investigate. Soon the evidence seems to point at Tina Van Eyck, a woman whom Ames really likes, who has a past with the dead man.

Brilliantly resolved, the connection is perfect.

For those who are not fans of this series yet, what are you waiting for?