The Killing of Bobbi Lomax

Cal Moriarty

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

When a sleepy, devout town is rocked by three deadly bombs in 24 hours an extraordinary mystery is unravelled...

Bobbi Lomax was the first to die, the bomb killed the prom queen on her own front lawn. Just moments later one of the nails from the city's second bomb forced its way into the brain of property investor Peter Gudsen, killing him almost instantly. The third bomb didn't quite kill Clark Houseman. Hovering on the brink, the rare books dealer turns out to be Detectives Sinclair and Alvarez's best hope of finding out what linked these unlikely victims, and who wanted them dead and why. But can they find the bomber before he kills again?

Set deep in the religious heartlands of America, The Killing of Bobbi Lomax follows this troubled investigation as a narrative of deceit, corruption and forgery emerges, with an unlikely hero at its heart - a rare coins, books and manuscript dealer - who could either be a genius or the devil.

About the Author:
Cal Moriarty also writes for film and theatre, and previously worked as a private eye. She attended both the 'Writing A Novel' and 'Edit Your Novel' courses on the Faber Academy in 2012-13.

'Set in the capitalist 1980s, this debut from Cal Moriarty seamlessly combines murder, deceit, fraud, local politics and the power of religion... An old-fashioned thriller and a multi-layered mystery.'

'A total wow of a first novel. Moriarty can do breakneck speed without skimping on the development of her characters. Superb.'

Review by Ben Macnair (311215) Rating (8/10)

Review by Ben Macnair
Rating 8/10
The Killing of Bobbi Lomax is one of those novels that starts with a bang, and it doesn’t take its foot of the pedal until the end. It is Halloween, 1983 in Canyon County, and the first bomb has gone off, killing former Prom Queen Bobbi Lomax on her own lawn, property developer Peter Gudsen is killed by a nail bomb, whilst a third victim Clark Houseman is seriously injured, but as he hangs in between life and death, he is the only remaining clue that could link all three of the murders.

The detectives Sinclair and Alverez are the detectives charged with solving the case, that will take them into all types of dangerous situation, in a Bible belt country, where religion, and faith hold more sway, and federal enforcers are eyed with either caution or hatred.

Setting the novel in the past, before the internet, a lot of research has gone into the book, looking at how things were done in 1983, which although only thirty two years ago, seems a completely different time. Sinclair and Alverez are dealing with a difficult case, whilst their own lives are falling apart, and as the case becomes ever more complex and convoluted, there are secrets that the town is reluctant to give up, involving the church, local politicians, and any number of underhand dealings. The final twist, when it happens fits the whole book, but it is still a surprise.

The Killing of Bobbi Lomax is a very easy read, with a linear narrative, and enough characters, both sympathetic, and unpleasant to keep the reader guessing. The novel is Cal Moriarty first book, and if it is anything to go by, she has a good career ahead of her as a crime writer.
Ben Macnair (31st December 2015)