Download The Camera Never Lies (Hometown Mysteries) djvu

The idea for this mystery is a good one but I think the cover and description of the book are misleading. I was expecting more of a quirky comedy but this story was not very funny. The characters were not very interesting and I didn't feel like I could like any of them very well, including the heroine and her fella. I didn't really connect with the characters and I had to force myself to finish the book (wishing I hadn't purchased it). There are plenty of twists and turns but the story comes to an abrupt end, it's almost like the author just wanted to finish it fast after dragging it out for so long. I don't recommend it if you are looking for a light, fun read.

Great mystery add in a little romance and you get this great read!

Polly is on a little "getaway" from her photography business to take some wedding photos for her best friend's wedding. Seems Polly is capturing more than just happy wedding guests and the happy couple though in her photos. Before the happy couple has even arrived Polly has found the dead body of a man she has always said she wished would just die. She never thought it would ever happen though, especially not in the form of a murder right before her best friend's wedding. The suspects that look most interesting to the Rangers are none other than Polly herself, her Mother, and her ex-lover Spencer. Polly knows deep down that none of them did this, so she is using her talent of reading people through her camera lens to see if she can track down the real murderer. Will she find the real killer before he or she strikes again? Will she live to find the bottom line of this mystery or is her amateur sleuthing going to be the death of her? Can she clear not only herself, but her family and friends? Can she do all of this before she is supposed to be photographing her friend's wedding?

This book, in my opinion, moved a bit slow at first. The actions started almost right away, but I felt like the sleuthing was a bit delayed and light at first. After it got rolling though, I very much enjoyed this book and how fast it moved along in the plot. The characters were great and I loved watching them grow and develop as I read on in the book. I love a book that I can read and try to solve the mystery right along with the main sleuth and this book did just that. It was written in such a way that I felt almost like Polly was reading my mind. She seemed to go in all the directions I was thinking about at the same time I was. The mystery of this book and the great characters of the book brought it all to life for me. I could see it all happening and was watching on the edge of my seat to see how it all really was going to turn out. This was a good read for me and I am glad I stuck out the first lull that I initially felt for the book. It was a good mystery with a twist of romance added in to make it all the sweeter. I recommend this read to any mystery or suspense lover.

4/5 Stars!

Polly Perkins is a portrait photographer who is hired to take pictures of her friend's wedding. The ceremony will take place at beautiful Caldera National Park in Oregon, which happens to be only 30 miles from where her mother lives, so Polly invites her mom to join her for the special weekend event. Once at the lodge, Polly encounters a blast from the past when she runs into Alec Gordon, who she still blames for an accident that killed her best friend back in high school. Feelings of resentment immediately rise to the surface. Polly remains cordial, but high-tails it away from Alec as swiftly as possible before she says anything she regrets.

A little while later, Polly hears a scream coming from the room next to hers. She rushes over and sees the shaken housekeeper pointing at the closet. Polly steps closer and finds a dead body inside. She's stunned to see it's none other than Alec Gordon. Despite her shock, Polly can't help herself from snapping a few photos of the crime scene. She decides to try her hand at sleuthing, thinking that finding the killer and solving this case may somehow make up for her earlier reaction to Alec and the fact that she didn't extend forgiveness to him when she had the chance.

It quickly becomes evident that Alec had made many enemies over the years who very well may have wanted him dead. This includes Polly's mother, whom Alec recently swindled out of several thousand dollars. To Polly's dismay, the clues start to stack up against her emotionally unstable, pill-popping, sleepwalking mom. But there are plenty of other suspects to consider, including the housekeeper who discovered the body, a lodge groundskeeper, a tour guide, and an odd/mysterious woman Polly keeps bumping into.

One more suspect to add to the list is another blast from the past who Polly didn't expect to see this weekend: the Best Man and her ex-boyfriend, Spencer Bradford III, who she dated years ago and has never quite gotten over. When she tells him about the murder, he confesses that he confronted Alec about his intentions after seeing her talking to him that morning. Spencer then offers to help Polly in her amateur sleuthing efforts, and she cautiously accepts. Although she can't believe Spencer could kill someone, she remembers his hot temper and can't help wondering if he had snapped.

With so many suspects with just as many motives, Polly has her work cut out for her. As she begins to follow the clues, people start whispering about "that photographer who keeps asking questions." And it soon becomes clear that someone isn't too happy that Polly is poking around. When she realizes that she may have actually caught the killer --- or at least a clue or two --- on camera, things really get interesting.

THE CAMERA NEVER LIES is a delightful first-person story with all the elements that make up a good cozy mystery. There's certainly no shortage of quirky characters, most notably Polly's mother, who's good for several chuckles along the way. The clues to the murder are set nicely in place, taking the reader on a puzzling journey, with lots of twists and surprises throughout. Just when you think you have it figured out, you're thrown another curveball. The romantic suspense between Polly and Spencer is enjoyable and doesn't overpower the mystery. The banter between them is light and fun, yet provides enough romantic tension for the avid romance novel fan.

The spiritual element is also there. Polly continually prays for God's guidance, and the implication is that it's because of His guidance that the killer is caught.

Author Elizabeth Goddard is known for writing romance novels and anthology novellas. This seems to be her first attempt at a mystery, but you'd never know it. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, then THE CAMERA NEVER LIES shouldn't disappoint.

--- Reviewed by Lynda Schab ([...])