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Excerpt: "One of the most
difficult transitions a family
undergoes is the onset of their
child's transition into the
teenage years. Adolescence is
a time of "normal craziness."
Moods change in an instant,
and teens have little ability to
control them or stifle
impulses. In families with a
defiant child, the onset of
adolescence brings an
increased level of intensity
that stretches family resources
and patience even further.
New challenges must be dealt
with."
difficult transitions a family
undergoes is the onset of their
child's transition into the
teenage years. Adolescence is
a time of "normal craziness."
Moods change in an instant,
and teens have little ability to
control them or stifle
impulses. In families with a
defiant child, the onset of
adolescence brings an
increased level of intensity
that stretches family resources
and patience even further.
New challenges must be dealt
with."
What reviewers have said about Murder Canyon...
“…The plot is well-crafted with characters true to life. The suspense builds up from the
beginning with doubt in the mind of the reader as to the guilty party. The psychological
studies of the various characters are portrayed in detail. The dilemma of Ardis whether to
leave her position to go with her husband on his sabbatical is explored with feeling and
understanding. The atmosphere of the country is rich in detail.”
- Barbara Buhrer, Reviewers Choice@Yahoo
“…From this rather gruesome beginning, Joan Blacher weaves an intricate mystery in the
classic “cozy” style. We are presented with multiple suspects – each of whom could easily be
the killer. The characters are well drawn and believable, and – using her considerable gifts of
observation and knowledge of how people’s minds work – Ms. Blacher makes these
characters come alive on the page. There is nothing simple about the people who inhabit
Murder Canyon, and it is from this complexity that the narrative draws much of its
strength….Blending beautiful descriptive prose with clear, crisp dialogue, Joan Blacher keeps
the reader turning pages, never certain where she will take them next….I will be looking for
more from this writer in the future.”
- Rob Holden, ReadersRoom.com
“…MURDER CANYON is written with expert layering, which allows us to find out what
happened to the victim. We are also benefited by Ardis' psychology expertise in getting into
the mind of the killer. The problem is: there's no shortage of suspects. MURDER
CANYON moves quite swiftly. The anxiety I felt in wanting the killer identified was doubled
when hoping for Ardis' safety. It was very intriguing to watch each suspect examined, then
eliminated. MURDER CANYON definitely kept me guessing.”
- Robin Taylor, In The Library Reviews
“…Besides being a great cliff hanger, MURDER CANYON works on many levels. It is a
great mystery, it deals very effectively with problems encountered by anyone who works in
the health care industry, it points to some of the abuses in the higher educational system, and
it is just plain a good plot with well crafted characters. It is obvious Joan Blacher has a lot to
contribute to the publishing world. Ardis Jensen is a likeable, intelligent and resourceful
heroine. A great read!”
- Shelley Glodowski, Midwest Book Review
“….If you enjoy a good whodunit, you should enjoy Murder Canyon. I found the setting of a
small college town where neighbors know neighbors, gave the story a hometown comforting
touch. Just like any good mystery, clues are discovered, researched, and the puzzle pieces
slowly come together. Of course, we are thrown off track a few times, but that is what a
good mystery does.”
- Kelli Glesige, Reader Views
“…The plot is well-crafted with characters true to life. The suspense builds up from the
beginning with doubt in the mind of the reader as to the guilty party. The psychological
studies of the various characters are portrayed in detail. The dilemma of Ardis whether to
leave her position to go with her husband on his sabbatical is explored with feeling and
understanding. The atmosphere of the country is rich in detail.”
- Barbara Buhrer, Reviewers Choice@Yahoo
“…From this rather gruesome beginning, Joan Blacher weaves an intricate mystery in the
classic “cozy” style. We are presented with multiple suspects – each of whom could easily be
the killer. The characters are well drawn and believable, and – using her considerable gifts of
observation and knowledge of how people’s minds work – Ms. Blacher makes these
characters come alive on the page. There is nothing simple about the people who inhabit
Murder Canyon, and it is from this complexity that the narrative draws much of its
strength….Blending beautiful descriptive prose with clear, crisp dialogue, Joan Blacher keeps
the reader turning pages, never certain where she will take them next….I will be looking for
more from this writer in the future.”
- Rob Holden, ReadersRoom.com
“…MURDER CANYON is written with expert layering, which allows us to find out what
happened to the victim. We are also benefited by Ardis' psychology expertise in getting into
the mind of the killer. The problem is: there's no shortage of suspects. MURDER
CANYON moves quite swiftly. The anxiety I felt in wanting the killer identified was doubled
when hoping for Ardis' safety. It was very intriguing to watch each suspect examined, then
eliminated. MURDER CANYON definitely kept me guessing.”
- Robin Taylor, In The Library Reviews
“…Besides being a great cliff hanger, MURDER CANYON works on many levels. It is a
great mystery, it deals very effectively with problems encountered by anyone who works in
the health care industry, it points to some of the abuses in the higher educational system, and
it is just plain a good plot with well crafted characters. It is obvious Joan Blacher has a lot to
contribute to the publishing world. Ardis Jensen is a likeable, intelligent and resourceful
heroine. A great read!”
- Shelley Glodowski, Midwest Book Review
“….If you enjoy a good whodunit, you should enjoy Murder Canyon. I found the setting of a
small college town where neighbors know neighbors, gave the story a hometown comforting
touch. Just like any good mystery, clues are discovered, researched, and the puzzle pieces
slowly come together. Of course, we are thrown off track a few times, but that is what a
good mystery does.”
- Kelli Glesige, Reader Views
| Copyright (C) 2007 Joan Blacher |
Murder Canyon
Zumaya Publications
Trade paperback
ISBN # 1-894869-64-8
Zumaya Publications
Trade paperback
ISBN # 1-894869-64-8
To purchase this book on-line at Amazon.com, click here.