Lacey's Star

A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel

Fiction - Mystery - General
252 Pages
Reviewed on 12/20/2023
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Kay DiBianca is a former software developer and IT manager who retired to a life of mystery. She’s the award-winning author of "The Watch Mysteries", a series of amateur sleuth novels, and "Lacey’s Star: A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel". An avid runner, Kay can often be found at a local track, on her treadmill, or at a park near her home. Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, TN. Connect with Kay on her website at kaydibianca.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Immerse yourself in a gripping sleuth murder mystery with Lacey's Star by Kay DiBianca. Airplane pilot Cassie Deakin travels to her Uncle Charlie's farm in Tabor County with Deputy Frank White. She finds her uncle on the verge of death after an encounter with two nefarious strangers. Cassie and Frank soon begin to investigate what prompted the attack on Uncle Charlie's life, only to discover links with Charlie's old friend from Vietnam, Sinclair Alderson, whose eight-year-old sister, Lacey, died under mysterious circumstances forty years ago in 1970. The search for Sinclair takes them through three different counties. But following the clues, Cassie and Frank eventually find themselves entangled in an even more insidious conspiracy whose perpetrator seems to be hiding in plain sight. Now, Cassie must be wary before she confronts a dangerous murderer.

Lacey's Star is one of those whodunnit stories where you're constantly second-guessing yourself and still fail to guess the killer right until the end. Author Kay DiBianca has crafted a delicious murder mystery tale that any sleuth lover will devour with relish. The narrative hooks you in from the very first page, and it's a non-stop thrill ride from there. Apart from the intricate plotting, the characters keep your eyes glued to the pages. Each character is well-developed, with multiple layers to their personality, exhibiting actions and motives that make sense to the reader. Cassie and Frank have palpable chemistry, and you can't help wishing they end up together. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and urge whodunnit readers and crime fiction enthusiasts not to miss out on this one!

Nino Lobiladze

Lacey's Star by Kay DiBianca starts with a pilot for a private company, Cassie Deakin, flying Frank White to her Uncle Charlie's farm in her little Cessna. Cassie hates this assignment. She is not on friendly terms with Frank, yet she cannot refuse the task. Frank represents Tabor County's sheriff's department and must interview Cassie's only relative, whom she loves deeply. But something is off at Uncle Charlie's farm. He is not waiting for Cassie as usual. He is nowhere to be seen. Cassie and Frank spot a blood stain and the dead body of a stranger nearby. Finally, Cassie finds her uncle in the stable, badly wounded. Frank reveals that he was going to ask Charlie some questions about the death of a little girl that occurred forty years ago. Cassie knows that her uncle kept a secret hidden somewhere at his farm. How is it connected to the child who died in 1970? And who tried to kill Uncle Charlie?

Kay DiBianca's page-turner has an intriguing plotline. Lacey's Star is a fast-paced read sprinkled with dry humor. Kay intertwines the tragic events of the past with the present investigation in a gripping mystery. Lacey's Star has a smooth, first-person, emotionally rich narrative, and vivid characters. The author focuses not only on the main characters, like the attractive Frank White, but also on secondary ones, like Sheriff Easterly who stands out among the locals, or the incredible Dolly, Cassie's roommate. Cassie seems hard, but she will protect those she loves with her own life. The conflict between Cassie and Frank and the development of their relationship deepen the storyline even more. A subplot touches on the important topic of finding faith. The plot development was unpredictable and the puzzling twists and turns held my attention until the last page of this fascinating novel. I highly recommend Lacey's Star to fans of mystery, crime drama, and suspense.

Alma Boucher

Kay DiBianca begins her new series with a gripping murder mystery in Lacey’s Star. Cassie Deakin is a professional pilot who provides air transportation for Frank White. The sheriff has concerns about crime in the area, and Frank must interview Cassie’s Uncle Charlie about safety issues. Cassie is unexpectedly thrown into a criminal investigation after Uncle Charlie is almost killed. Uncle Charlie trusts Cassie with a secret; she discovers that he has been hiding a box for his old friend Sinclair Alderson. Cassie teams up with Deputy Frank White and unearths a dark crime: eight-year-old Lacey Alderson was murdered decades ago. Unaware that their investigation will put them directly in the path of the murderer, Cassie and Frank start to delve deeper.

Kay DiBianca dropped me right into a small-town scene and rural setting in Lacey’s Star. The murder investigation and excellent worldbuilding were skillfully combined to create a compelling mystery. The story was fast-paced and packed with action, plot twists, humor, and anticipation. I was hooked from the start and could not put it down. The humor in the story slightly lightened the seriousness of the investigation. The characters were lovable and believable. Cassie’s character was strong. She was tough and also sensitive. There were moments between her and Frank that were amusing. The story was brilliantly written and had me guessing until the end. I was shocked to find out who the killer was; I had suspected someone else! I enjoyed reading this story and cannot wait for the next book.