Product Description

Thea Kozak's younger sister is murdered, leaving Kozak wondering if her sister's adoption and search for her birth parents have something to do with her death. New paperback edition of the 1994 novel that introduced Kozak.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1461058 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.com Review
Fans of smart, sexy, slightly screwed-up female crime solvers can add a new name to their list of favorite characters: Thea Kozak. When the heroine of Kate Flora's Chosen for Death takes time away from her career as a consultant to private schools to solve the disturbingly brutal murder of her adopted sister, Carrie, her investigation turns up painful truths she's reluctant to face. Still recovering from the emotional desolation of her husband's accidental death and the shock of Carrie's murder, Thea reenacts her sister's search for her birth mother in hopes of finding the killer in the process. Accompanying Thea--and occasionally battling with her--on her journey of discovery is Andre Lemieux, a Down Eastern detective with more than crime solving on his mind. Flora's full-bodied, complex characters bob and weave, and occasionally collide, in an intricately laid plot that explores the sometimes uncomfortable side of intimacy. More than just another well-written detective novel, Chosen for Death is also a thought-provoking study in identity, autonomy, and family dynamics that mystery lovers are certain to enjoy.

From Publishers Weekly
Because her main characters-Boston-based educational consultant Thea Kozak and Detective Andre Lemieux of the Maine State Police-are engaging, the flaws in Flora's debut are more irritating than fatal. Easy jokes affect even the naming of the victim, who is Thea's adopted "sister Carrie." Worse, Thea's melodramatic motivation is hammered into readers with repeated variations of the theme, "I can't let someone kill my sister and get away with it." Although the sisters have recently drifted apart, especially since Carrie moved to Maine, Thea believes the murder relates to Carrie's search for her birth mother. From the condition of Carrie's bludgeoned corpse, Andre believes that it is a straightforward sex crime. When Thea finds evidence in Carrie's apartment linked to her sister's search, she decides to duplicate the potentially fatal hunt herself, rather than turn the clues over to Andre-even though their relationship has progressed from scrapping to "a tingle" when they touch. Flora's characterization is assured and her plotting is tight and credible.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Already devastated by the untimely death of her husband, young Thea Kozak swears she will track down the murderer of her adopted sister, Carrie. Apparently, it was Carrie's search for her biological parents that led to her brutal death in Camden, Maine, and Thea heads there to retrace Carrie's final steps. Despite assistance by an attractive local policeman, Thea almost meets the same fate. An easy, reflective pace, complex heroine, simple plot, and natural prose should draw an audience to this first novel-the first of a series.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

gripping mystery novel about murder in the family
This novel is Kate Floras first mystery novel. The story centers around a young woman, whose sister is suddenly murdered. She decides to investigate on her own, and in doing so must go to the town where her younger, adopted sister had been murdered to examine the life of her sister, the associates and boyfriends. Not only does she have to work on the mystery, but she also has her own thriving business and a couple of men in her life to deal with. This novel is not merely a mystery novel, for it doesn't merely center on the mystery at hand, but also on the life of the sister left behind in the tragedy. I highly recommend this novel if you want more than just the average mystery! Its gripping at times, humourous, engaging, and has a very unexpected ending that even left me surprised!! The author writes along the lines of Mary Higgins Clark or Gloria murphy...great reads

chosen for death
i think this being the fisrt book is the best beginning and it keeps you wanting to read. The books are so good that i have all of them and i think that kate Flora has made herself a gold mine with the Thea Kozak mysteries as i want to know whats going to happen next with Thea.

What a Page Turner!
I luckily discovered Chosen for Death at the library last week. Thea, a loveable heroine, reminded me of Kinsey Milhone and Dr. Kay, two of my favorite mystery characters. The plot was strong, and it took me almost to the end to figure out the murderer, always a plus. If you're looking for something slightly different than the usual suspects, so to speak, give Kate Flora a try.