Lies are Forever by C. Jean Downer is the first in the Sloane West Mystery series. Ex-New York City cop turned private investigator Sloane West appreciates a fine glass of whiskey. What she doesn’t appreciate is learning her mother has left her a house, but before she can ask questions, the solicitor ends up dead. The story that unfolds opens her to a world she didn’t know existed. But the real question is, who wants her dead?
by C. Jean Downer
Series: Sloane West Mystery #1
Narrator: Ann Sprinkle
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
Sloane West is an ex-New York City cop turned private investigator, Irish whiskey aficionado, and untrained witch in an emotional slump. Her mother just died, and her ex-best friend and ex-lover have sent her an invitation to their upcoming nuptials. Thankfully, a solicitor arrives and distracts her faster than a night of drinking Jameson neat with news that Sloane has inherited her late grandparents'—who she didn't know existed—island estate.
When Sloane refuses, the solicitor encourages her to at least visit her mother's birthplace. Eager to discover her magical roots and a birthright her mother hid, Sloane agrees. As she's finalizing travel plans, a man kicks in her door and turns a gun on her, but Sloane kills him with her unchecked magical strength. Now she has to figure out who wants her dead.
On the island, she first discovers family and friends who stand with her in her investigation. And as the attacks on Sloane and her newly found coven intensify, Sloane must choose whether to embraces her power as a protector, or flee from her birthright.
Narrated by Ann Sprinkle, Lies Are Forever was a fabulous start to the Sloan West Mystery series. This diverse story has a cozy paranormal vibe with a private investigator vibe.
Sloan is quite the character. She’s divorced, dealing with an invitation from her ex and ex-best friend for their weddings. She is mourning her mother, and a tad bored. So she packs her car, along with her cat Bear, and heads to the village of Denwick, where the estate she inherited is. While she is there, she’ll investigate the murder of Harold, the solicitor.
Sloan soon discovers her family is Wicca and that other supernaturals exist. Her neighbor is a wealth of information, including revealing that her cat is quite unique and she’s not the only target in a murderous plan. Someone also wants her long-lost cousin, the High Priestess of her family’s coven.
What a fun listen. The story hooked me from the start. While Sloan doesn’t have the most bubbly personality, she felt like a jaded ex-cop. Her mother was very secretive and we soon learn why. I appreciated Sloan’s love of an excellent whiskey and felt like she took things in stride as they unfolded.
The townfolk are interesting and most are members of the four founding families who settled in Denwick. We see the budding of a romance with the local tavern’s daughter, Rose. Sloan starts to hone her magic and things set up nicely for the series. We see some closure as to the murder, but are left with many unanswered questions. Like who was Sloan’s father? Why didn’t Sloan’s mother tell her anything about who they are?
Fans of paranormal mysteries will want to grab their earbuds and listen to this one.
About C. Jean Downer
C. Jean Downer writes traditional whodunits with a magical twist. She's a self-proclaimed expert in the field, with thousands of mystery books, television episodes, and movies to her reading and viewing credit. Even her family refuses to watch mysteries with her because of her gifts of deduction unless she zips it. If she were younger and braver, she'd trade her Ph.D. for a PI in a heartbeat! C’est la vie. Downer is the author of Lies Are Forever, the first book of the Sloane West Mysteries, and a published poet. She lives in White Rock, British Columbia, with her wife of twenty-plus years, their two fabulous daughters, two lazy dogs, and three chill cats.
About Ann Sprinkle
s a seasoned performer, singer, voice actor, and narrator, Ann Sprinkle's voice has been described as warm, clear, friendly, fun, engaging, soulful, uplifting, and "sunshine in a voice." Her years of training as an opera singer, voice teacher, yoga instructor, speech language pathologist, and in medical education, along with her love of comedy, psychology, biographies, and personal growth and development, make her the perfect fit for nonfiction, self-help/personal development, health and wellness, mystery/thriller, comedy, fiction, or children's books.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katherine
I’m a big fan of any mystery involving inheriting unknown estates and the premise of this sounds really interesting and different.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Sounds like an interesting premise for a mystery series. Love it when a cat plays a fun role!
Sophia Rose
Ooo, yes! I must add this one to the list. 🙂 Fun review, Kimberly.
Mary Kirkland
That sounds like it was a good read.
Nadene
This sounds delightful.