I really wanted to like this book. I like reading local authors, I like mystery stories, I like stories about strong women, and I like stories with a strong sense of place, especially when it's a place I know.

[b:Legwork|1654993|Legwork (Casey Jones Mysteries)|Katy Munger|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1223624291s/1654993.jpg|1649621] is all of those things; I still didn't like it. I read to page 52, read the last chapter, and gave up. The writing is good enough. Unfortunately, there aren't any people, just caricatures. Everyone is larger than life and twice as ridiculous. It felt like a long info-dump interspersed with heavy-handed dialog. The reader is told, very, very clearly, what the main character thinks about every single thing she says or hears. There's a hefty romance/smut plotline, but even that's all tell, and very little show.

The author does convey a very clear sense of place - possibly a bit too clear. I rather felt beaten over the head with the geography.

Part of me feels like I should give this author another chance. Another part of me feels there's not enough time to read really good stuff, so don't bother with an unimpressive author. I'm very open to suggestion, either way :) ( )

First time reading Katy Munger. Very enjoyable. Good storyline and enjoyable characters. Enough twists and turns and surprise reveals to keep you interested.

Casey Jones, a female P.I. with a not too clean past, has to solve the murder of one of the towns big players whose body is dumped in front of the home of Casey's client - a candidate in the current election in a North Carolina small town.

Working with a cast of colourful and unusual characters, with some surprising secrets, Casey travels down some strange paths. ( )

This first book in the Casey Jones mysteries introduces us to smart and talented Casey Jones - who's had her share of bad luck in life. She does the legwork for PI Bobby D - as she can't get a license with a prison record (part of that bad luck...)

The characters in this book are great and the Southern flair (it takes place in North Carolina) runs so contradictory to Casey's personality and persona that it makes it all the more believable for me.

A very enjoyable series that has been seriously under rated. ( )