LAW AND AUTHOR is Book 5 in Erika Chase's Ashton Corners Book Club cozy mystery series. Erika Chase does a good job of bringing the reader up to speed on the different characters and their relationships to each other.

When someone is murdered in LAW AND AUTHOR, recent newcomers to town become obvious suspects. Bob Miller is a beloved member of the small southern town of Ashton Corners, as well as the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society. When his long-lost granddaughter Darla shows up with a shady boyfriend in tow, trouble is not far behind. Lizzie Turner makes a likable amateur sleuth, and it makes sense for her to want to investigate since her friend Bob's granddaughter is at the center of a murder investigation. Lizzie takes a lot of risks, but I like that her fellow book group members offer to help her investigate. LAW AND AUTHOR is chock-full of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The cozy, small town atmosphere with fun locals is a nice contrast to the world of drug dealers and gamblers that intrudes upon that town. Local author Teensy Coldicutt makes an energetic and imaginative investigative partner for Lizzie. A subplot involving Teensy adds some humor to LAW AND AUTHOR and makes a nice little diversion from the main plot without cluttering up the story. Lizzie's charming book group friends help balance out all of the danger that permeates LAW AND AUTHOR.

LAW AND AUTHOR is a cozy mystery with some bite. LAW AND AUTHOR makes you feel like a part of the investigation as Lizzie Turner hunts down clues and bad guys. I enjoyed seeing Lizzie's romantic relationship with police chief Mark Dreyfus get stronger. I look forward to reading the next Ashton Corners Book Club mystery and visiting familiar and favorite characters.