Run a Crooked Mile    by Janet LaPierre Order:  USA  Can Perseverance Press, 2009 (2009) Softcover     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth While Janet LaPierre also writes the popular Port Silva mystery series, Run a Crooked Mile is a standalone novel. Though readers might miss the finely drawn characters of the Port Silva stories, they will rejoice in LaPierre's new lead, Rosemary Mendes, along with her friends and neighbors. Rosemary, looking to start a new life after the death of her husband, chooses to move to California's remote Trinity Alps. Wanting to live a quiet and peaceful life, she is drawn into her new community. When a local woman, who is almost a recluse, is found shot to death, Rosemary ends up with the murdered woman's Labrador, Tank. She doesn't consider herself an animal person but the dog seems to sense that Rosemary needs him (and presents as a character all of his own). Wouldn't mind a dog like him myself. Rosemary finds herself the object of harassment. This escalates to attempts on her life. She's not sure where this animosity is coming from – either her vindictive in-laws or someone who objects to her investigating the dead woman's life. In either case, Rosemary feels her life is in danger. She is an interesting character. The harassment frightens her but she's not one to let that keep her from her search for justice for Tank's previous owner. Rosemary shows grace and compassion in her daily life, but is known to have a quick temper. The descriptions of the area where Rosemary lives are enough to make one wish to investigate the Trinity Alps and enjoy its many attributes - it seems like a good destination. Action lurks around every corner of Run a Crooked Mile and makes for good, quick reading. I hope we will see more of Rosemary. 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