Murder on the Texas Eagle (The Doreen Sizemore Adventures Book 1)

Author: Serena B. Miller

3 out of 5 stars

This short story follows elderly Doreen Sizemore as she leaves her Kentucky hometown for the first time. When her brother, who lives in Texas, begs her to come stay with him to help him care for his sick wife, Doreen reluctantly agrees. Concerned about navigating an airport on her own, she decides to take a train. However, Doreen doesn’t expect the murder that occurs onboard and how she becomes involved.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, but it would have been much better if it was longer. It’s only 24 pages long, and it takes half of that for Doreen to get on the train. Although the writing flowed well, the events surrounding the murder were short and felt a bit rushed. I’d call it a crime story instead of a mystery. Doreen doesn’t investigate but is simply observant, and the things she noticed help the police.

This story is more character focused and works nicely to introduce Doreen. It’s told from the first-person perspective and has some stream of consciousness. Doreen’s thoughts often went on tangents that were amusing. In general, I liked Doreen. She’s well-written and has a distinct voice.

Due to the story’s length and rushed aspect of the murder, I’m rating this book 3 out of 5 stars. If you’re looking for to be entertained for half an hour and like character focused stories, then this would be a good one. If you’re looking for a more complex mystery or one with a bit more action, then skip this one.

Price through Amazon Kindle: $0

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D33G9OC

(I do not benefit from the use of this link.)