Mandy Steenburg thinks her doctorate in education has prepared her to run any school district -- until she tangles with the moonshine-making, coon-dog-owning denizens of a tiny district in Pacific Northwest timber country. She's determined to make a difference, but the local populace still looks to the former superintendent for leadership. When Mandy lands in the middle of an old feud and someone keeps trying to kill her, instincts tell her to run. And though she has to literally swim through perilous waters, she finds a reason to stay and chance the odds.
MY THOUGHTS
Mandy is completely out of her element from the moment she steps into the North Cascade School District. Not only does she get a very cold reception from the locals but also from her new staff, including her assistant, Grange Timberlain. She doesn't know why he didn't get the proper license so he could retain the position as Superintendent, but it's not her fault that he's been demoted.
Mandy tries really hard to fit in and make the right decisions but it's hard to do when others tell her to just accept her salary and let Grange make the decisions. To make matters worse, her younger sister arrives wanting to finish out the school year while living with Mandy. She's getting over an old relationship and someone keeps trying to kill her. She questions whether she should have taken the position in Alaska instead.
However, Mandy is a very strong character who is complex and riveting as her situation unfolds. The plot is solid, keeping this reader up late turning the pages as the antics of the small town unfold with that creepy feeling lurking in the corner. Liz Adair writes a superb suspense and I can't wait to read more from this very talented author!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A native of New Mexico and mother of seven, Liz Adair lives in northwest Washington with her husband of 47 years. A late bloomer, Liz published her first Spider Latham Mystery just as AARP started sending invitations to join. She also works
as a forensic scheduler on schedule delay analyses, serves on LDStorymakers board of directors, a member of American Night Writers Association and chairs the annual Northwest Writers Retreat. Visit her at her blog at http:/www.sezlizadair.blogspot.com.
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Thanks, Wendy, for reviewing Cold River on your great blog. Wow. You are a busy lady indeed.
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