Butchers Hill: A Tess Monaghan Novel    by Laura Lippman Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2015 (1998) Hardcover, Softcover, Paperback      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth No matter when one of Laura Lippman's books was published, you can count on a good read. Butchers Hill is a case in point. Originally published in 1998, the story feels bright and new and captures readers' attention just as do her many later books. Luther Beale shot and killed a young boy who vandalized his car. After Beale's release from prison, he presents himself in Tess Monaghan's new PI office wanting Tess to find the boys who were with the one he shot. Apparently he wants to compensate them for what they went through because of his actions. Luther Beale seems sincere enough. He hopes to clear his conscience and Tess wants to believe his motive. But doubt tickles the back of her mind. Then, two of the young people who had been with the victim are found murdered! That sure raises hackles. The neighborhood is certain that Beale - nicknamed the butcher of Butchers Hill – is responsible for more deaths. The whole affair gets more and more complicated as Tess tries to make sense of the facts she has and what Luther tells her. You can never go wrong with a mystery by Laura Lippman. Her writing is top drawer, her plots tight, and suspense leaps from the pages. Her characters could come from your own neighborhood. I find it hard to put her books down until I've finished the last page. Try one. You won't be sorry. She is a prolific writer, so you will always have another one of hers to enjoy. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews