Laurel Falls, NC, 1985: I was done with being a crime reporter in Washington, DC, tired of all the violence. So I packed up and moved to the small town of Laurel Falls, NC. It looked like heaven to me—ancient mountains brimming with tall trees and songbirds, peace and quiet. Until I found the body.

The sheriff took the easy path, calling it a suicide. No way. I’d found that young woman, and I knew she hadn’t taken her own life. I’d spent my whole career searching for the truth, and I wasn’t about to stop now. Trouble was, without my usual sources, how much of a murder investigation could I pull off?

But a special kid lived next door. Abit Bradshaw, a teenager struggling to find his rightful place in the world. Hey, I knew all about that. I’d never fitted in either, but eventually I’d found something I was good at. I figured he just needed a chance too.

And he got one when we teamed up to solve that crime. Along the way, we sure met some interesting characters—both bad and good. We had a plan, and we worked it hard to find that killer before we became the next victims.

Looking back, I should’ve known plans rarely pan out the way you think. 

~Della Kincaid

You'll love this suspenseful story, because who doesn't dream of second chances?

Find out why critics and fans are praising Lynda McDaniel's unique voice in mystery novels.

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A Life for a Life is the first novel in the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series by award-winning author Lynda McDaniel. If you like atmospheric settings, fascinating characters, and suspenseful investigations, you'll love this series.

Interview with Lynda McDaniel

Q: What makes the Appalachian Mountain Mysteries Series so special?

A: In addition to the suspense of a good mystery, each book includes people and stories from the years I spent on my "back to the land" farm in Appalachia. You'll meet a cantankerous laundromat owner who was just as weird as she's portrayed, a gentle giant of a beekeeper with an abiding love for his family, and Cleva Hall, who's based on a woman who taught me how to put food by. But especially Abit Bradshaw, one of the amateur sleuths along with Della Kincaid, a former journalist. Abit started in a supporting role, but I listened to my fans and gave him a starring role in the rest of the series. This book and the next—The Roads to Damascus—are coming-of-age stories for Abit.

Q: Why should listeners give these books a try?

A: Listeners who prefer suspense without over-the-top violence will enjoy this series. I write in the British style, where the dastardly deed is done off stage (similar in that way to cozy mysteries). I don't like mounting body bags, but I do enjoy the chase for justice. In addition to the crimes, listeners will find vivid mountain settings, colorful characters, sharp wit, good food, and a touch of romance.

Q: In what order were the books written?

A: 

A Life for a Life

The Roads to Damascus

Welcome the Little Children

Murder Ballad Blues

Deep in the Forest

Up the Creek