When Senator Scott Kingsley was murdered, his widow Savannah and children needed protection. Her life might be in danger, or she might be involved in his murder. Her twin, Scarlett Kavanagh, a brilliant Harvard-educated, family law attorney, sought the services of a private investigator. She was referred to Jake Shepherd. Jake, previously an FBI agent, has a stellar reputation. But he also can be overly confident and brash. Joining forces, they make an inimitable team. A murder mystery story, with many thrilling and breathtaking moments, is crafted by Judith Erwin in the novel Capitol Murder: Shepherd & Associates Series, Book 1.

Be warned - this is an exceptional, captivating read. Once starting, a reader cannot put the book down. There are unforeseen revelations as the story develops, adding new twists and turns throughout the plot. Just when it seems the murderer may have been found, a new secret is revealed, sometimes changing the investigative direction. The step-by-step investigative work is realistic and fun to watch. The two main characters, Jake and Scarlett, are intriguing. The dialogue between them is sharp and witty, adding another element of reader enjoyment. Their relationship is one to watch in this new series as it evolves over time. The addition of many other fascinating characters, such as Jake’s assistant, Liz; his ex-wife and her new husband; his thirteen-year-old daughter; and Scarlett’s parents provide many avenues for upcoming novels. Author Judith Erwin has written the first book of a superb series in Capitol Murder. The second book is greatly anticipated!

Capitol Murder is a murder mystery novel by author Judith Erwin. It is the first book of the Shepherd & Associates series. Scarlett Kavanaugh approaches private investigator Jake Shepherd, a divorced father of a thirteen-year-old, on behalf of her twin sister Savannah Kingsley. Savannah is the prime suspect in the ongoing murder investigation of her husband, Senator Scott Kingsley. Jake soon discovers that this is no ordinary case as he finds himself entangled in a deep web involving Russian mobsters, unfaithful spouses, and corrupt bureaucrats. Things get further complicated with the sudden disappearance of Savannah and Jake's burgeoning relationship with Scarlett. Jake and Scarlett must now soon figure out the whereabouts of Savannah and assemble the pieces of the puzzle to solve the case.

Capitol Murder is a thrilling start to the Shepherd & Associates series. Author Judith Erwin keeps a steady pace to her narrative with multiple twists and turns along the way to keep your eyes glued to the pages throughout the story. Erwin's novel is further complemented by a gripping plot with colorful characters and smartly written dialogue. I was hooked from the first page and just couldn't put the book down. I particularly enjoyed the character relationships, and the banter between Jake and Hal Kirby alongside Jake and Scarlett were some of my favorite portions of the novel. Overall, I had an absolute blast reading Capitol Murder and look forward to reading more books from the series. I would highly recommend it to readers who love books filled with intricate plots and intrigue.

Capitol Murder is the first book in the Shepherd & Associates Series by Judith Erwin, a suspenseful opening to a series that fans of sleuth, crime, and romance novels will enjoy. Senator Scott Kingsley is murdered and former FBI agent turned Private Investigator, Jake Shepherd, learns about the murder accidentally while at the Federal courthouse from a discarded newspaper. Hired by Atlanta attorney and Kingsley’s sister-in-law, Scarlett Kavanaugh, to work the case, Jake doesn’t know that he is in for more than solving a murder. While assisting Jake with the investigation, an irresistible attraction pulls the two together. How far are they willing to go with what they feel for each other and can they solve the murder?

This is a well-crafted crime seasoned with romance, written in prose that is top-notch and featuring rock-solid characters. I loved the way the author explores the backgrounds of the characters: Jake has extensive experience in criminal investigation, starting from his time with the FBI to practicing privately while Scarlett is an educated attorney, a Harvard Law graduate. The relationship between the two characters is intellectually exciting and reading the conversations between them was one of the fun parts of the story for me. Capitol Murder has a lot of what readers look for in this genre: a strong premise, the murder of a senator, the mystery surrounding the crime, strong plot points, and exceptional writing. The characters are richly developed, realistic, and interesting enough for readers to stick with them. Judith Erwin writes expertly and enriches her writing with frequent doses of wit and humor. I can’t wait to discover more about the characters in the next books in the series.

An Atlanta attorney and an Oklahoma cowboy join forces to find the killer of a senator and at the same time prove his wife's innocence in the thrilling suspense novel Capitol Murder (Shepherd and Associates Series Book 1) by Judith Erwin. Family Law Attorney Scarlett Kavanaugh's brother-in-law Senator Scott Kingsley is killed, and her twin sister, Savannah, is the prime suspect in his murder. Convinced that Savannah is innocent and concerned for her flaky sister's welfare, Scarlett hires PI Jake Shepherd, a former FBI agent, to investigate Scott's death. The deeper Jake and Scarlett dig into Scott's past, the more unsavory aspects of his life are exposed, and the suspect list expands. However, when Savannah disappears, the stakes go up, and the murder investigation becomes even more complicated and confusing. Did Savannah leave of her own free will? Is she the killer, or is a sinister influence responsible for the senator's death?

Brimming with suspense and containing a hint of romance, Capitol Murder (Shepherd and Associates Series Book 1) by Judith Erwin is a sensational murder mystery. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put the book down once I picked it up. Beautifully written, the novel contains a riveting plot, a captivating storyline, appealing characters, and several twists and turns winding throughout the storyline. Jake and Scarlett's characters are engaging, and their compelling personalities steal the limelight; I am looking forward to meeting them again in the coming sequels. It is an extraordinary mystery novel that will captivate and entertain everyone who relishes suspenseful murder mysteries.