"GREAT !! BOOK This is one fine read. A good mystery that reads like a literary piece." -Wooley, Amazon Vine Voice Reviewer

"UNFORGETTTABLE CHARACTERS. Between Della, who's struggling to adjust to her new life, and Abit, a boy mislabeled, but oh, so special, McDaniel's mystery novel delivers a pair of unforgettable crime-solving characters. Using her keen knowledge of the charm (and less than charming features) of life in the North Carolina mountains, she lured me into her story and kept me there. I hope Della, Abit, and the gang will be back!" -Virginia McCullough, award-winning author of Amber Light and Greta's Grace

"A LIFE FOR A LIFE IS ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING BOOKS I'VE READ THIS YEAR. Everything about the book delighted me. McDaniel's writing style, while vivid with detail, is deceptively straightforward. She uses authentic sounding dialog and delivers real down-home southern mountain culture in what one reviewer compared to the style of Fannie Flagg. A Life for a Life has also been compared to To Kill a Mockingbird. Both are character-driven and back a strong message of forgiveness, redemption and acceptance." -Ana Manwaring, writer, blogger, creative writing instructor

"A LIFE FOR A LIFE IS A RICH READ, on so many levels. From expert plot turns to painstaking character development, I was captivated and riveted. Like jumping into a swift flowing river, I was all-in from page one and did not want out till the very end. For those who don't typically buy mystery novels, you'll want this one-for yourself and for those you love. It's far more than a mystery ... it's a book about life. A great read for summer breaks, book clubs and anyone wanting to be swept away by this journey!" -Jenny Capella, Amazon Bestselling author of Your Dream Team: How to Start and Run a Mastermind Group

"THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE AND INGRIGUING with descriptive powers and beautiful mountain scenery. Intense family and friend dynamics with character vulnerabilities and complex relationships that steal the reader's heart and make this mystery a must-read" -Pam Franklin, international bestselling author

MORE REVIEWS FROM READERS

"ABIT IS A GENTLE SOUL. I found it difficult to put the book down. It flowed so easily. ... Read this one. I think you'll fall for Abit."

"AN EARLIER REVIEWER'S COMPARISON TO TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD IS JUSTIFIED. I've read and enjoyed lots of mystery novels, including series by NYT best-selling authors, but sometimes I've been disappointed by poorly drawn one-dimensional characters or contrived plots. Not with this book! I was held through to the end, with none of those distractions. And the resolution was surprising yet completely believable."

"A SPARKLING GEM OF A NOVEL. A compelling plot with unique and authentic characters set in small-town Appalachia, create an enticingly complex, warm, witty and uplifting story. I was hooked from the start, and Lynda's masterful story-telling gently pulled me along to the deeply satisfying conclusion. But I didn't want it to end so I can't wait for the next adventure!"