Today, I am sharing my review of Catching a Man, the first Valeriel Investigation novel from Elizabeth Corrigan. What did I think of this mystery / fantasy novel?
Fantasy / Mystery
Date Published: November 12, 2014
About the Book
Kadin Stone's life is finally going according to plan. She's starting her new job as a homicide detective's aide at one of the premier criminal investigation companies in Valeriel City, the capital of a 1950’s-style kingdom. Kadin is certain her new position will introduce her to any number of eligible men, so she'll finally be able to get married and stop burdening the brother who insists on supporting her.
On Kadin’s first day, the royal family calls in her team to investigate the murder of gossip-rag cover girl Queen Callista. Kadin’s superiors think it’s an open and shut case. The queen’s jilted lover Duke Baurus DeValeriel had motive, means, and opportunity, but Kadin can’t help but spot holes in their theory.
After checking into a few leads of her own, Kadin inadvertently ends up in the confidence of Duke Baurus. When she tries to share what she knows with the rest of the team, she finds them unwilling to listen to the opinion of a girl who they know is only after a ring on her finger. In order to see justice served, Kadin finds herself doing the last thing she expected when she started working for a homicide detective—solve a murder!
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Catching a Man is About Much More than Catching a Man. This book is a fun blend of various genre. Readers will find a bit of fantasy and magic meshed with a futuristic (or rather a 1950's throwback) reality where a unique blend of mystery and romance and fantasy combine. Initially, I thought that the book was literally going to be about the main character's efforts to catch a man per her world's expectations, placing her on a collision course with "accidentally" solving a mystery. I am glad to say that the author took the book on a fun adventure while the character was expected to be catching a man.
Catching a Man builds the author's fantasy world fairly easily. This author doesn't build a whole new world--she keeps much of society and human nature as we know it (or knew it) and creates the setting fairly simplistically for this novel. There is not a lot of detail at times into the hows and whys of the characters' lives--but, readers develop enough of an understanding of the fantasy world to become attached to the characters and their plights.
Would I recommend Catching a Man? While the actual mystery of the novel is a simple one--readers will keep reading to follow the characters and see their stories resolved. It is not an action-packed page turner--but, is an entertaining read that appeals to mystery/romance and fantasy lovers alike. I enjoyed Kadin's character and I look forward to reading more books from this series.
About the Author
Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and making Sims of her characters. She drinks more Diet Coke than is probably optimal for the human body and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a blue and white Smart Car.
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