With Mordecai's Ashes, Arlana Crane launches her new Larsson Investigations series, set on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Karl Larsson has lost his job in the Alberta oil fields and his wife, but he just inherited a detective agency in Victoria, BC. With nothing to lose and a lot to learn, he sets out to solve a mystery or two, his 19 year old cousin Kelsey as his sidekick. There are plenty of twists and turns, lots of PNW atmosphere, and a terrific story to keep the pages turning. All in all, Mordecai's Ashes is a fine kick off for what looks like a very entertaining series. It's always fun to start at the beginning. ( )

Karl had no job, a bossy sister, and then an inherited detective agency.

We meet Karl as he starts up his grandfather's detective agency, and then adds on his niece as an assistant.

Karl was getting jobs, but when he is asked to help break up a drug ring or at least find out where it is, it is a bit more than he was used to. He did like the challenge, though.

I thought it was pretty dangerous, and it made me nervous when he was taking photos and going undercover. I was happy when he was done and returned to his office. The part of the book did become a bit long.

This book has great characters and is a light read except for when Karl was on this dangerous assignment where drugs were being sold and people had been murdered.

You will like Karl and definitely like take-charge Kelsey.

MORDECAI'S ASHES had a nicely flowing story line, plenty of tension, some levity, and a fun twist at the end.

This was an enjoyable read. 4/5

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )