Book Review: FireSong

FireSong
LeGarde Mysteries #5Author: Aaron Paul Lazar
Pages: Kindle Edition
Reading Level: Adult
Published: April 5th 2011
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Twilight Times Books

Summary: (from goodreads) What would you do if your country church was hit by a rogue tornado during services? What if the shrieking winds unearthed the bones of a missing parishioner in a nearby wheat field? Now add the discovery of heroin in your elderly minister’s bloodstream. When Gus LeGarde is thrown into the middle of the mess, he knows life’s finally gone berserk in East Goodland, New York.
The Genesee Valley is in chaos. Strangers drive panel vans through the countryside at weird hours of the night. A new batch of drugs is on the street, endangering local. The local salt mine collapses due to illegal mining practices. Gas fires burn in wells. Watering holes turn to brine. Crops are dying. Tempers are short. To top it off, the new salt mine lies directly over ancient Indian burial grounds, bringing anguish to local tribes.

While Gus faces ordeals delivered by nature and man, his wife Camille discovers a hidden room in their house. She digs through historical archives to learn that the 1811 original homeowner, Mary Hill, may have had connections with the Underground Railroad. When local grave robbers begin to loot historic coffins, they find an empty coffin. Who killed Mary? How did she die? Where is her body? And where will this two-hundred-year-old mystery lead?

Join Gus as he’s lured into a bizarre network of underground tunnels to expose the most shocking discovery ever to rock the Genesee Valley.

When I began reading this book and the first couple of pages were based in a church, I was about to put the book down because I do not like reading books that are religious. I have my own opinions about the subject and do not care to read about other peoples opinions. However, I gave this book my 100 page test, and I’m glad I did. Although it’s based in a church it has nothing to do with religion like I expected. It was mysterious, warming and with plenty of action. This is the first book I have read from the series and from Mr. Lazar and I have to say that he doesn’t disappoint. His writing lures you in like a fishing rod with his descriptive details and makes you feel as if your one of the characters. It’s amazing. This story was a refreshment from the books that I have been reading and I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.

This mystery is based in the upscale town of Genesee Valley, New York with Gus LeGarde who’s a music professor at a local college, his wife Camille and his grandson Johnny. The story begins on a Sunday morning when Gus and his family attend sermon at their church. The weather isn’t cooperating and news hits that a tornado is heading their way!!! Throughout this chaos, secrets begin to unravel when a mysterious dead body turns up. Gus is being lead through a wild goose chase packed with action and adventure, from discovering that his house was once used during the underground railroad to investigating a tomb which was supposed to have a body, and a fire which almost takes his life and the life of his grandson!! Firesong is the fifth installment of the LeGarde series but can be read as a stand alone. However, if you are like me and want to know what happens in this series you can pick up the first four books, “Double Forte’”, “Upstaged”, “Tremolo: Cry of the Loon” and “Mazurka”.