Death Pans Out

Ashna Graves
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 1590583736
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06)

Uncle Matthew’s cabin is empty; he owned a cabin and a gold mine, but he simply disappeared with no trace.  Neva needs a place to recover from breast cancer, a place of solitude, a place where she can heal.  The abandoned cabin seems the perfect spot.  After three weeks of hiking and swimming she is golden brown from the sun and she’s becoming more comfortable with her body.  The scars are still pink but they are healing.

Skippy Dooley shatters her solitude when he arrives with the announcement that he and his German Shepherd Cayuse will be camping at the creek near the cabin. He knew she didn’t trust him and the feeling was mutual.

Things are not always as they seem.  Oregon’s desert holds secrets, some of which are deadly.

From the moment I read the first page I was hooked.  The characters are so real.  Neva is not a young woman; she’s the kind of woman that will appeal to many of us that no longer consider ourselves young.  Neva has faced struggles in her life--raising a child alone, facing breast cancer and chemo have made her stronger.  She is a woman that we can relate to, cheer for and like.  Suspicion surrounds all the other characters in the book.  You want to shout watch your back Neva!  The plot is extremely interesting and very well written.  Eagerly I turned page after page escaping into the mountain hikes along with Neva, awaiting the adventure that lay ahead.  “Death Pans Out” has it all, suspense, thrill, romance, and a good story.  I highly recommend this book.  Ashna Graves, I expect your name to be on the bestseller list and the tips of reader’s tongues.

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