Book 16, 2021

All Signs Point to Murder by Kat Goldring

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I didn't have work today, which enabled me to stay up late last night to finish All Signs Point to Murder by Kat Goldring. It's billed as the first in the "Willi Gallagher" mystery series, but it seems maybe only one or two more books were added later.

Willi teaches English at the high school in the small Texas town of Nickleberry. In the school library one day, Willi overhears two of her students gossiping about blood and rituals. Later, when two small animals are found sacrificed near the school, she can't help but wonder if some of her students are caught up in a cult. After two students die under mysterious circumstances on a class trip, Willi is convinced they were murdered. The local sheriff chalks the deaths up to accidents, and his nephew, visiting Texas Ranger Quannah Lassiter, advises Willi to stay out of it. Willi, however, is nothing if not curious and persistent. Not even the warnings from her neighbors, who practice palmistry and read Tarot cards, can convince Willi to let it go. Unfortunately, her meddling not only puts her in danger, but it endangers the lives of those around her.

Reading this book was like experiencing a dream. It was oddly disjointed and bizarre. I'm not sure as that I enjoyed it, but the story was strangely compelling. While I admired Willi's pluck, her persistence delved into stupidity. Other things that baffled me:
( Spoilers )

Favorite line: "That female is giving all she's got with both gams."

I find myself stymied. I really did not like this story, yet I was utterly engrossed with it. This is a case where half-stars would come in handy, because I'd like to award this 3 1/2 stars. Hm, hm, hm...I'll be generous and give it a four.