Summer of the Dead

Relatives. The third crime novel by Julia Keller to feature protagonist Bell Elkins is titled, Summer of the Dead. Bell is the Raythyne County prosecutor, and there’s a killing spree going on in Acker’s Gap, West Virginia. If that weren’t enough, her sister Shirley has come to live with Bell after her release from prison. Elkins is one of those strong female protagonists whose character deepens with each installment in the series. In this novel, her memories of childhood abuse come to the surface, and Keller is able to delve into the ways in which relatives can treat each other with cruelty as well as with great love. As a standalone crime thriller, most readers will find the plot exciting. As an installment in the series, fans will enjoy the progress made in this installment and look forward to the next. I enjoyed reading this novel, as I did the earlier novels in the series. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Summer of the Dead from amazon.com.