Review: Going to the Bad by Nora McFarland

A Mysterious Review of …

Going to the Bad by Nora McFarland. A Lilly Hawkins Mystery.

Review summary: This is a fast-reading mystery, with a good mix of characters: good guys, bad guys, and the ones that could be either — or both. There's a fair amount of humor here as well, which is used to balance the sometimes dark narrative as Lilly pursues her risky investigation. (Click here for text of full review.)

Our rating:

Going to the Bad
Nora McFarland
A Lilly Hawkins Mystery
Touchstone (August 2012)

Publisher synopsis: Working as a TV news photographer at her hometown television station, Lilly has documented Bakersfield’s most violent crimes and tragic accidents. To stay sane and avoid burnout, she’s developed a wicked sense of humor and a very thick skin. For her, a vicious shooting is just another day on the job. But what if the victim is someone she loves? Thrown off balance by the brutal attack on her uncle Bud in her own home, Lilly decides to handle the tragedy the only way she knows how. Using all her TV station’s resources and her own considerable skills, Lilly dives headlong into the investigation. But even with the assistance of her well-meaning but eccentric coworkers, this story may prove her last. Because as Lilly untangles a history of her uncle’s misdeeds and betrayals, a clever killer is preparing to strike again. Can she break the story in time to prevent another murder, or will Lilly be the next victim?