I wanted to read this novel in one sitting. I had problems putting it down. I found the characters to be wonderfully real. Some of them were despicable, others, quite the opposite. Lots of plot twists. Very good who-dun-it. I want to read more of her novels. ( )

Jeremy has lived a very privileged life- his dad's a college professor and his mom's a successful partner at a CPA firm. He doesn't want that kind of 9-to-5 life for himself though, and drops out of college to travel around Europe and escape the responsibility of becoming an adult. When young Jeremy Stroeb's parents are brutally murdered in their home though, he must rush back to Miami to assume guardianship over his 16-year old sister, Elise. However, upon arriving home, he finds that little is known about who is responsible for the murders and he takes it upon himself to find out. Of course, he must then face the unbearable truths his parents had successfully kept from their children, and figure out which was worth their lives to keep hidden.

Potts' novel features many unique and unforgettable characters, which was what I liked most. An eccentric college graduate assistant, a drunken CPA has-been, a corporate mogul making all his money illegally- everyone has a secret waiting to be revealed and all roads lead to the murder victims. Were they killed for money? For lust? To protect a reputation? Something more scandalous? Jeremy throws all he has into trying to find out, and as it turns out, the killer isn't finished either.

A very typical murder mystery with a unique set of characters, I was sufficiently entertained and fully engaged from the first page to the last. I give this novel three of five stars and give the author props for a very successful first novel. ( )

In Their Blood by Sharon Potts
Jeremy Stroeb, a free-spirited drifter, must come back to reality when his parents are killed and he is made guardian of his 16 year old sister. He vows to find the killer before she's becomes his next victim.
A great book for anyone who loves a good mystery ( )

I think there are two subcategories of murder-mysteries within the genre. The first is a story line that puts you in the shoes of the detective; whatever they discover you discover. Because of this, you as the reader have the ability to solve the crime just as if you were working the murder yourself. The second type of murder mystery is more for entertainment. You sit back and get a general glance at the suspects, a few clues, and just enjoy the ride. As a reader you are not given enough information to solve the crime, you just find out when the author decides to reveal it to you.

My personal preference is toward the first type of book- one that lets you try to figure out "whodunnit", and equips you with enough information to make at least a good guess.

With that said, this book leaned toward the second type of book. It was extremely entertaining, but you weren't given enough information along the way to play detective. There were a couple of clues thrown in toward the end (which I won't detail since it would cause spoilers), but by then the book was coming to a close.

Now that I've mentioned some negatives (at least from my personal point of view), let me mention some positives. This book was very well written and kept a steady pace. Even though I had no idea which suspect was the most likely to have committed the crime, at some point I quit trying and just enjoyed the story. There were some great twists, and I felt satisfied at the conclusion of the book.

I also really appreciated the fact that the author didn't sugarcoat the average American family. Even good families have struggles, and I thought this aspect of the book gave an authenticity that wouldn't have existed otherwise. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable read, and enjoyed the author's style of writing enough that I would pick up her next release. ( )

Does a spoiled, privileged college dropout have the wherewithal to be responsible enough to care for his sister and uncover a murderer?

Jeremy Stroeb, a college dropout trying to find himself in Europe, refuses to come home despite pleas from his parents and sister. But his plans change when his mother and father are murdered in their Miami Beach home soon after the family returns from visiting Jeremy in Europe.

Jeremy's parents, Rachel, a CPA, and Daniel, a professor, had recently changed their wills naming Jeremy as guardian to his younger sister, Elise. So instead of escaping to Europe, Jeremy decides to stay in Miami Beach and try to find out who killed his parents and why. He manages to get a job at his mom's firm and enrolls in the university where his father worked. But he is dogged by his uncle, who will become Elise's guardian should Jeremy fail in his duties.

Author Sharon Potts offers several suspects for the crime, including colleagues of both Rachel and Daniel. As Jeremy delves into his parents' lives, he discovers secrets that shake him to the core. He may just find a new love interest, too.

I found myself disliking Jeremy for his self-centeredness at the beginning of the novel. But his character did grow and I have to remember he's pretty young. The risks Jeremy takes reflect his youth, impulsiveness and naivete.

Sharon Potts has written a gripping tale of family and intrigue which will appeal to all mystery readers. I look forward to her next release. ( )