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.

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.