The best thing about MOLTEN MUD MURDER is the description of the New Zealand locales. Sara Johnson writes evocatively about the geothermal mud pits (similar to those in Yellowstone National Park) and the protected Maori tribal island where most of the action in this mystery takes place. She is somewhat less successful in her efforts at building characters.

Alexa Glock, the main character in this first of a new series, is a forensic odontologist who has just finished a stint in New Zealand but is looking for an excuse to stay on longer. Her expertise in teeth makes her a natural to help out with a new murder that was discovered as tourists visited a mud pot only to find the body of a man with his head submerged in the boiling mud. Alexa offers to help but is rebuffed by the local authorities, led by Detective Inspector Bruce Horn.

Nonetheless, Alexa manages to insinuate herself into the investigation. Throughout the book, she seems more concerned with her daydreams about Horn than with her professional efforts. She continually steps out of her role in forensics to conduct interviews, and she has to be repeatedly cautioned to stay within her area of expertise. I found this unrealistic and somewhat juvenile. It seems very unlikely that a professional woman would act in this manner.

However, the Maori cultural background and the scenery made up for any inconsistencies in characterization. In the end, the book was a diverting read, and I will pick up the second in the series to see if Johnson matures as a writer and her character, Alexa Glock, matures as a forensics expert. I will be especially pleased if Glock stays in New Zealand so that Johnson can use her descriptive skills to bring more of the landscape alive.

Sara E. Johnson's debut novel reveals talent that reads like a seasoned published author. Johnson has said in interviews that while living in New Zealand, she kept finding locations for mysteries. This is very true for the town of Rotorua. Located on New Zeaalnd's. North Island, the town has become a tourist attraction, combining both geothermal activity, and a home to a strong Maori presence. The mud pots become a grizzly murder weapon as the book opens with the discovery of a partially destroyed corpse.

Enter Alexa Glock (yes like the gun), who is an American living in New Zealand on a work visa. She hopes to prolong her stay by finding additional employment. She is a forensic odentologist , and is sure her skills will be of use to crime labs in the country. The reader is presented with two intriguing hooks, and unfamiliar setting and an unfamiliar profession. Johnson has not fallen into the trap of making her sleuth too likeable. Instead Alexa is at times an 'ugly American' assuming she knows more than European New Zealander's or the Maori. This hubris creates difficulties for the investigative team. Will it also cause additional danger for Alexa? Her conflicts with DI Bruce Horne weave a potential romantic thread through the mystery.

Reminiscent of Patricia Cornwell's forensic mysteries, this series promises to be noteworthy. I look forward to book two.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC e copy from netgalley and Poisoned Pen in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for the opportunity.

Molten Mud Murder is the first book in a new forensic crime series by Sara E. Johnson. Set in New Zealand, main character Alexa Glock has to navigate differing cultures (both aboriginal and white) and try to find her place in a murder investigation in which she has inserted herself as a needed professional in forensic odontology.

Released 3rd Sept 2019 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's 320 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a strong start to a new series by a debut author who was previously unknown to me. The setting, in the Rotorua area of the north island in New Zealand, is spectacular geographically and culturally, and the author gives it a starring role. The characterizations are slightly archetypal and standardized (smart female professional protagonist with tragic past, hunky but prickly male police detective, lots of smoldering looks) but the author manages the plotting and dialogue very well and the result is a solidly enjoyable read. I did have one hang-up with the plotting (a majorly unsubtle foreshadowing about 3/4s of the way into the book), but taken altogether it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

The language is PG, some mild cursing, nothing graphic. There is some slow-burn sexual tension between the main character and the aforementioned hunky detective. Readers who prefer their mysteries with light romance will likely enjoy this one.

Four stars, a promising start to a new forensic procedural.

While this was a satisfying mystery, the draw for me wasn't so much the character of Alexa or the murder mystery she set out to solve. The draw was the location and the Maori culture. One day I might just get to visit New Zealand but, until I do pack my bags and go, this will fill in nicely.
Alex is an American teaching a university class in Rotoua and she has fallen in love with it. Her visitor status is at its conclusion and she wants to figure out how to stay longer. Her speciality is odontology - the subject that brought her to New Zealand might just help here to stay when a body is found boiled to death in a mud pot and teeth are just about the only thing identifiable. Eager to get involved, Alexa offers her considerable forensic experience to the local police only to be brushed aside. Things change when the police expert on the case is called away and the police finally accept her help. One corpse will lead to another and, in my opinion, Alexa becomes a bit of a loose cannon, going off on her own to interview and otherwise investigate. That can become dangerous for a Yank in New Zealand without much of a clue of how to maneuver the Maori cultural rules, especially regarding their sacred grounds. Alexa's assistant is attacked - will Alexa be next? Because she seems to have a nack for putting herself in harm's way, that might be in her future if she isn't careful.
Having enjoyed this literary trip to New Zealand, I'm looking forward to more mysteries with Alexa Glock.

I chose to read this book based on the location being in Rotorua, New Zealand and the setting is definitely the highlight here. The author gives us a great sense of place and does an outstanding job sharing the Maori culture of the area. However, that was its only strength for me. I thoroughly disliked the main character, finding her pushy, arrogant and self-centered. Do this one get 5 stars for location and culture but only 2 stars for the rest of the book, giving it 3 stars overall.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Molten Mud Murder
(Alexa Glock Mysteries Book 1)
by Sara E. Johnson 
pay
Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published September 3rd 2019 by Poisoned Pen Press



Goodreads synopsis:
Is the past better left undisturbed, or unearthed?

When a body is found half-submerged in a molten mud pot in one of Rotorua's famous geothermal wonderlands, forensics expert Alexa Glock spots a way to prolong her stay in New Zealand, which she has been visiting for work. Teeth are her expertise, and the investigation needs her help, as other ways of identifying the body may have... melted away.

Joining Detective Inspector Bruce Horne and his team, Alexa discovers that the murder victim, a city councilman, had trespassed on an island sacred to the Maori. The ancient punishment for such a transgression is disaster, demonic possession, or death... and when she visits the island to investigate, the same outcome is promised for her. Alexa doesn't believe in ancient spirits returning to exact revenge, and when another victim turns up dead she begins to wonder whether the real threat is something—or someone—much closer to home.


***

4.25 Stars

This is the first book in the Alexa Glock mystery series by Sara E. Johnson.

This story is set in New Zealand which I thought was fascinating. Alexa pretty much forces herself into the investigation in the beginning of this. A great bright spot in this book was the character of Detective Inspector Bruce Horne. He really great on me as the book progressed and honestly was the aspect that really kept me reading.

Maybe it was just me but every time they said the name “Alexa” I could hear commercials for Amazon’s Alexa voice activated service in my mind. Maybe they should nickname her Lexi just to keep the comparison at bay.

You get a lot of Maori background in this book which is a bit overwhelming considering you are at the same time trying to dive into the mystery and follow the clues. Alexa does a lot of zany things in this including going to a hot springs type of place and trying to overhear an important conversation. I am not sure I would pay $65 in order to find a few clues. This girl got into more trouble from DI Horne than anyone else due to her compromising the investigation. They had to continually remind her that she was a forensic expert and not an investigator.

I think I enjoyed the teasing of a possible romance between DI Horne and Alexa than anything else. And we were left on a cliffhanger in that regard. Of course, I will have to wait for the next book to see if anything progresses. Sigh!

Pretty good mystery, great characters that stood out and the beginning of a series that leaves promise for more in the future. Who could ask for more?

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

The Alexa Glock mysteries and a first in a new series. Alexa, a forensic dental expert, is in New Zealand as part of her work commitment. When a body is discovered Alexa's expertise is in demand. Enjoyable, interesting and nicely written mystery with credible characterisation and a swiftly moving plot. An engaging start to a very promising series.

A very good start for a new series, it's gripping and entertaining.
I liked the well written cast of characters, the unusual setting, and the mystery, full of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
What I found really interesting was the New Zealand description and the part about the culture of Maori.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Alexa is a forensic odontologist- how cool is that?- at loose ends following the conclusion of a teaching stint at a university in New Zealand when she more or less inserts herself into the investigation of the murder of a local politician in a mud pot in Rotorua. Whew! This winds Maori history and culture into an intriguing mystery with good characters. Who wanted Paul Koppel dead, and why? Who wanted the (no spoilers) the next victim dead? Alexa is, to put it mildly, a dynamo. DI Bruce Horne, who is leading the investigation is also her love interest (well, she's thinking about him anyway). I learned a bit while reading this - always a plus. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A nice debut and hopefully the beginning of a new series.

Alexa Glock is an American forensics expert specializing in odontology. Her fellowship in New Zealand has ended but she wants to extend her stay. Then Alexa reads about a man's body submerged in a molten mud pot near Lake Rotorua. Coincidentally, Alexa is going to Rotorua to attend the funeral of her friend Mary, so she offers her forensic expertise to the local police. Fortunately for Alexa, the Auckland forensic expert has to return home for a family emergency so Detective Inspector Bruce Horne reluctantly hires her on contract to work on the murder investigation. With Alexa's help, the victim is identified as real estate agent and city councilman Paul Koppel.

Who had wanted Koppel dead and why? The police learn that Koppel had trespassed on a sacred island forbidden to Pakeha, or non-Maori, and that the Maori community is incensed that the rules of tapu have been disregarded.

Then forensic technician Jenny Liang gets attacked in the police station forensic lab and Alexa is left with an unorthodox death threat in her rented cottage. The murder of the island caretaker indicates that the killer is determined to end any threats that can identify them.

This debut novel has an intriguing New Zealand setting but has several weaknesses. The main problem for me is that it is hard to believe that Alexa is allowed to work on the investigation beyond her forensic expertise and act as a detective by being present at interviews and following potential suspects.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

The scene for the first Alexa Glock mystery fascinates. A body discovered in a New Zealand mud pot, similar to the ones found in Yellowstone National Park, provides an opportunity for North Carolina forensics expert Alexa Glock to assist the local police with their investigation. Although the boiled corpse leaves few clues, Alexa carefully uncovers a couple which assist the investigation. Maori customs and culture plays a part in the investigation. Glock inserts herself into the investigation, over-extending her charge and possibly jeopardizing work of investigators. Glock's interest in one officer causes readers to wonder if Glock will remain in New Zealand longer to pursue a relationship, which seems "tentative" at the moment. I found the book easy to put down for the first half, but it picked up later. The ending was a little anti-climactic. With an interesting setting, I will likely read the next in the series. I received an advance electronic reader's copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

Sara E. Johnson's first Alexa Glock mystery has a superb setting. New Zealand is visually stunning to begin with, and Johnson does a fantastic job of weaving Maori culture and Kiwi slang into her story. In fact, the setting was my favorite part of the book.

However, other parts of Molten Mud Murder didn't match the strength of the setting. Take the main character's name, for instance. Alexa is a name that seems to be the flavor of the month lately. I can't turn around without bumping into that name either on humans or on technology. Her last name, Glock, led to several instances of the eye-rolling reply, "Like the gun?" This is the first time in a long time that I've been irked by a character's name, but I found Alexa annoying for more reasons than that. She is a very skittish woman, and although readers are told that she suffered trauma in her past, it didn't really explain why she is so jumpy. Alexa must also suffer from Biological Clock Syndrome because she spends way too much time daydreaming about the handsome Detective Inspector Horne.

The mystery was percolating quite well, and I was having a difficult time trying to identify the killer when, toward the end of the book, a character is introduced, and it was like turning a searchlight directly into my eyes. If the character had been introduced with some subtlety earlier in the book, I probably would not have been able to figure it all out.

Even though the mystery and the main character had the tendency to annoy me, I still enjoyed Molten Mud Murder for its superb setting. So much so that I'm tempted to read the next book in the series.

Alexa Glocke is a forensics expert who specializes in odontology. Originally from North Carolina, she has just finished a semester at a university in New Zealand when she hears about a bizarre murder. A man has been found with his head boiled in one of the Rotorua mud pots. Alexa is looking for a way to stay in New Zealand a little longer, so she volunteers her services to the local police force working on the murders. She soon learns that the case is a tricky one. Rotorua has a high Maori population and in Maori culture the worst thing you can say to someone is “go boil your head.” If someone actually did something bad enough to get their head literally boiled, the Maori community believes he got what he deserved and no further justice needs to be sought. The police are going to have to tread carefully in this murder investigation so as to not anger the Maori population while still getting to the bottom of who this murder victim is, why someone killed, and who did it.

This was a fascinating murder mystery/forensics read. Not only is the setting super unique with the mud pots in New Zealand, but I learned quite a bit about Maori culture from reading this. I’ve never read anything that features both modern and past Maori culture like this book does. I liked that the main character wasn’t from New Zealand either so she could comment on little new things about Kiwi culture she’s learning too. The mystery was well written. I had no idea who did it for quite a while. And there were plenty of events and new questions to keep me tearing through the pages. There was a good mix of mystery clues, forensic details, and personal life of the characters. Alexa is not a character everyone will immediately like, but she will likely grow on most. She kind of holds others at arm’s distance. She isn’t sure if she wants a guy in her life or not. She just experienced the death of a good friend, so she’s grieving. And she’s got some past issues that we get teasers about but never the full story. She’s a little of a know it all when it comes to forensics, but you can forgive her because no one else she meets has the level of expertise she does. She is teachable, though, when it comes to cultural issues. The police force she works with is full of a wide cast of characters, though few get the development that Alexa gets (which is understandable when this is her first book and she is the main character and she is just getting to know these others). If you’re looking for a gripping mystery with a unique setting that juggles some complicated ethical/cultural issues, definitely give this a try.

Notes on content: Mild swearing every couple of pages. One use of strong language. No sex scenes. Alexa wonders a couple of times if she’d like to get closer to one guy. Her dressing is mentioned and what she puts on, including underclothes are mentioned (her body isn’t mentioned, just colors of clothing, it does sometimes have overtones that Alexa is wondering if something will happen but nothing even remotely happens, and she usually tells herself to stop thinking like that). There are a couple murders and physical attacks. Most aren’t gorily described. A little blood is described at one, and the autopsy of the boiled victim is described a bit. Some moderate alcohol consumption with meals.

<i>I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This book reacquainted me with one of my favourite places, Rotorua, New Zealand. The author vividly describes. Its geothermal activity, the geysers, bubbling, boiling mud pools, and nearly magical cave where glow worms light up the walls and ceilings. We are also introduced to Maori culture, traditions and artwork. About 36% of this small city is of Maori origin.

Forensic expert, Alexis Glock, an American, has been teaching at a university in N.Z. Her contract has ended and she wants to stay in the country longer. Her specialty is in odontology, the study of teeth.

She travels to Rotorua to attend the funeral for a friend. A man has been found dead in a boiling mud pit. Alexis feels the only way that the remains might be identified is from her forensic knowledge of teeth. She inserts herself into the police investigation. At first, they are reluctant to accept her offer of help, but when their expert needs to return to Auckland for a family emergency, she is hired to help identify the body. It turns out the man was a city councillor and was murdered. He angered the Maoris for disrespecting their customs. He trespassed on an island they consider sacred, so there is the belief that this was a ritualistic killing for ignoring their taboos.

I found Alexis to be headstrong, pushy, insubordinate, with a tendency to go off on her own without any authority from the police department. She displayed a lot of risky behaviour.

There seems to be a romance developing with her boss, Detective Inspector Bruce Horn. There is a mutual attraction, and I felt her constant daydreaming about him added little to the story. He was frequently annoyed that she interviewed suspects without official permission, and had to remind her that her role was in forensics and to stop playing detective. She wonders if her reckless behaviour is done to impress him.

Following the identification of the man killed in the mud pit, another man is found drowned. He was a Maori who had an important role on the sacred island. Alexis, with some police officers, is sent to the island to search for clues. Along with her questioning people connected with the crime, Alexis finds her life in danger. Her assistant has already been attacked and seriously injured in the workplace.

Police eventually come to believe that that attack and the two murders may be connected to smuggling valuable Maori antiquities and artifacts, but there are many suspects related to the killings and the attack.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this atmospheric crime story.

Molten Mud Murder by Sare E. Johnson is the first book in a new mystery series that proved to be entertaining.

Alexa Glock is from the United States and has been in New Zealand working at university but her class is now finished and she's at loose ends. She's fiercely independent but facing a crossroads in her personal life which often entered her thoughts throughout the book. The mystery is smoothly paced and there were few suspects to consider. Ms. Johnson's descriptive writing of New Zealand, the Maori culture and wildlife made this book a fascinating read for me.

This is the first book in the Alexa Glock Series from first time novelist Sara E. Johnson. The book features Alexa Glock, forensic odontologist Alexa came to New Zealand for a course on forensic odontology and in the process met Mary, a young Maori woman. Although they made plans to travel and see some of the country when Alexa’s course was done, Mary dies in a car accident before that can happen. The book opens with Alexa traveling to Rotorua, where Mary’s family lives, to attend a memorial for her.
When she arrives in Rotorua, Alexa learns of the murder of a man who was killed in the local thermal mud park. Because Alexa would like to remain in New Zealand she expresses interest in trying to get a contract position with the police to investigate the case. Mary’s brother advises her against it, explaining that his death by being “drowned” in mud is too reminiscent of the Maori cultural belief that the biggest insult that can be given an enemy is to boil their head in water.
Ignoring Mary’s brother’s advice, Alexa finesses her way into the crime scene and is present when the investigator learns their chief forensic pathologist will not be available for this investigation. Although he is not thrilled with her presence, Investigator Horne decides to offer Alexa a temporary position while they try to solve the murder.
Throughout the investigation, Alexa continually goes off on tangents, following leads and hunches that are uniquely her own. She also engages in some mild fantasies involving DI Horne and quickly begins to refer to him by his first name, a fact that angers some of the other staff members. She takes chances and frustrates him with some of her decisitheons, going off on her own without first receiving guidance from the chief investigator and his team. This behavior seems a bit out of character for someone who is hoping to manipulate a situation into a job offer.
It was difficult for me to make much connection to Alexa. Her behavior often came across as somewhat immature and frustrating to me, and I couldn’t help wondering why the Detective Investigator continued to tolerate her insubordination.
The mystery itself was tied into Maori culture and beliefs. The investigation requires the task force to travel to an island that is sacred to the Maori. Alexa is tapped to travel to the island, and there are several descriptions and situations which add to a feeling of the investigation angering or disturbing the gods. There is a second murder, a second trip to the island, and more happenings that Alexa finds diifficult to explain.
There are a few interesting peeks at Maori culture, some explanation of the tattooing that many of the women have done as well as a couple of descriptions of haka. These are more cursory in nature, and provide just enough to allow the reader to create a picture in their mind but never so much that the reader might think they were reading a travel brochure.
Although not excessive, there were some descriptions of the dead bodies that reinforced the fact this was being written about a forensic scientist. It may be an excellent book for readers who like more scientific information such as what is found here. My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an Andvanced Digital Reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this one set in New Zealand and featuring the Maori culture.
It was a good mystery with a good plot
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

procedural, law-enforcement, New Zealand, cultural-exploration, culture-shock, forensics, romantic, murder-investigation, Maori

***** As an exploratory into Maori customs and the lack of respect from non-Maori locals and tourists I found it to be quite well done. As an introduction to forensic sciences I felt it was also quite well done. As a cosy mystery I really enjoyed it! Lots of misdirection, plot twists, and red herrings along with some really great imagery of a land I will never be able to visit. Personally, I could have done with less romantic obsessing by forensic odontologist Alexa over Senior Constable Horne but I suppose it sells. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

Molten Mud Murder is published by the excellent Poisoned Pen Press, a small press that is dedicated to mystery fiction. This is author Johnson's first novel and the first in a projected series.

American protagonist, Alexa, is a forensics examiner whose specialty is teeth. She has come to New Zealand on a fellowship, falls in love with the country and wants to stay longer. She manages to insert herself into the murder case involving a city counselor.

What I struggled with a little: Alexa took many risks that felt plot driven. Some mysteries, such as what happened to her friend, Mary, were not fully solved. Perhaps that is for another book.

What I liked: The setting on the North Island of New Zealand and the ways in which the landscape is brought vividly to life. The information about tribal Maori customs and rituals. That there was a back story for Alexa. The hint of romance between her and Bruce, the Senior, a term for the chief detective. The details on forensic examination.

This mystery should appeal to armchair travelers, lovers of New Zealand and those who enjoy action packed mysteries. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this proof in return for an honest review. I look forward to the author's next book.

This is a murder mystery set in New Zealand. I loved the setting and descriptions. It really brought the place alive for me. I did find it a little odd how the main character inserted herself into the investigation and I didn't really warm to her at all. The story was interesting and a solid police procedural