.The Summerland

T.L. Schaefer offers the reader a non-stop suspense filled story that delves into the mysteries of the Wiccan religion and the psyches of the residents in the small town of Mariposa, California. Bill Ashton’s biggest concern as Sheriff of Mariposa has been a few juveniles out after hours. That is, until one day two youngsters come across a decomposed body in a field. As the Sheriff and his department begin to secure the crime scene they discover 4 more bodies, all arranged in a similar ritualistic pattern, all having been murdered about a year apart and a strange sigil marked on rocks with each body. Making matters worse is the sudden disappearance of a young woman named Samantha Henning and the discovery of a half million dollars in cash in her car. Sheriff Ashton isn’t sure if he has one crime or two dispelling the peace of his quiet little town.

Adding more drama to the situation is the arrival of Samantha’s sister, Air Force Captain Arden Jones. From the moment Bill and Arden meet there are explosions, but only the kind two people who are destined to be together can hear and feel. As the couple finds themselves drawn closer and closer to each other emotionally, their professionalism and the crimes that seem to have no solution conspire to keep them apart. With each step of their dance to become closer, another tune begins to play leading to a dirge that will tear the couple apart.

Ms. Schaeffer writes an extremely gripping story in The Summerland. Drawing on the Wiccan faith she offers a true description of the beliefs and practices of this spiritual path. As a witch myself I am impressed with her attention to detail and accuracy in the positive practices of the craft.

Her serial killer is like none other and leaves the reader with open-mouthed surprise when this disturbed person’s identity is revealed. Indeed, this reviewer had to re-read the portion where the killer becomes known several times because it was such a shocking revelation. The utter insanity of this killer is sublime to read. While Samantha is described as a self-absorbed user, as the details of her conversion to the craft through her captor’s madness, the reader finds him or herself rooting for her.

The town of Mariposa comes to life on the pages as do the locales in Los Angeles Arden is a part of. In the segments that touch on her job in the air force one has a sense of seeing her perform her job.

Ms. Schaeffer also treats the reader to some wonderful humor through the character of FBI profiler/agent Frank Drebin and Deputy Stumpy Goltree. Touching on various popular television shows and tongue in cheek threads to their characters, the reader will find themselves having a private chuckle as the story unfolds. For instance, Samantha Henning starts out as a nasty piece of work and finds her way into the craft, becoming a witch. At the same time there are realistic secondary characters, such as Gail, the Sheriff’s Department secretary. Gail is a wonderful combination of the professional secretary and the kindly mom-type one finds in a small town. Clearly the backbone of the department, it is hoped somewhere along the way she will have her own story.

The Summerland is the first book in Ms. Schaeffer’s series on Mariposa and its law enforcement personnel, followed by The Brotherhood. Both are wonderful stand alone reads that leave the reader wanting more. The book’s jaw dropping conclusion with Samantha’s turn about on the killer left this reviewer wanting more. Hopefully she will surface again in another book, perhaps to engage in the ultimate battle with Mariposa’s resident high priestess Josie Galloway. One thought that comes to the surface after reading both The Summerland and The Brotherhood and that is the next time you travel through what appears to be a sleepy town, looks may be more deceiving than you think..

You will not want to miss The Summerland. It is a book that will capture your interest on many levels and enthrall the reader with a most suspenseful romantic adventure.

Reviewed by: Regan