AS THE CROW FLIES: Library Journal review, 1/1/2011

"Soule's engaging heroine has a penchant for getting herself into dangerous situations. VERDICT Readers who enjoy light mysteries with a rural setting will appreciate this latest well-plotted outing."

Kirkus Review: "Combines just the right amount of romance with a puzzle good enough to keep readers guessing."

You know what a flock of crows is called?” Lowe asked. “A murder. That’s what they’re called.”

As The Crows Flies

CHAPTER ONE

“Here.” A silver-haired woman about my height but three times my width shoved a battered, black briefcase into my arms. “You take this.”

“I don’t understand,” I said, shifting the cumbersome piece of luggage to a more comfortable position. “What’s in here?”

She gave a quick, furtive glance around the library meeting room, then stepped closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Something they want.”

Something heavy, I decided, and set the briefcase on the carpeting. “Who wants it?”

“Them.” Her pale blue eyes held a feverish glow that reminded me of the look my schizophrenic mother got when she was sure aliens had landed. “The ones he talked to. He told them if they want what he has in this briefcase, they’ll have to pay for it.”

My internal alert alarm went off, and I stepped back and glanced at the nametag on the woman’s cotton blouse. Ida Delaney. “Ida, that sounds like blackmail.”

“I know. And that’s why you have to help him. Help me.” Her chin began to quiver. “I know what happens to blackmailers. I’ve seen it on my afternoon shows. They get arrested or they get killed. I don’t know what I’ll do if they kill him.”

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