Solid 3 star read

Poison Pen started off rather awkward. It was truly hard to get into. We could have done without the entire first scene. Too many characters introduced. Chaos. Once we find out what the novel is actually about, it picks up quite quickly. Definitely a slow burn mystery.
I had an idea of who the culprit was, but wasn't sure till close to the end. I enjoyed that fact. I don't care too much for books that are set up right at the beginning. It takes away from the story.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

Poison Pen was an unexpectedly great read! It was an excellent representation of the police procedural sub genre, as it contained many familiar tropes I love and expect to find in such books. I was captivated by the story from beginning to end. There are so many surprises throughout and I finished it in a single day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Write Choice Ink for providing me with an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I have never read Sheila Lowe before but will certainly be looking out for her books in the future. Well written and really interesting.

I see that this book in the first one is a current series of 8! That means the deliciousness you will savor in the book, you can enjoy for another 7 books to come! Book was really fun, and I will go forth to book 2 now.

I have never read a mystery with the aspect of forensic handwriting. This was very interesting and enjoyable.
Many thanks to Write Choice Ink and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book I've read by the author, and I am impressed. The book was well plotted and was filled with action, suspense, intrigue and even romance. I look forward to reading other Claudia Rose mysteries. I highly recommend this book to other mystery readers.

I expected a lot more of the mystery in this cozy one, and was left a bit disappointed. While the first book in a series, i think it dumped too much info about the characters and I kept looking for the meat of the story. Not sure if I'll continue the series...

It took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style. Full of "celebrities" and irrelevant descriptions, I was considering abandonning this book. However, as the book progressed, I became more engrossed in the plot and it became easier to read.
All in all ok, not great. The stuff about graphology seemed contrived, added on in places . The investigation was not great and solved within the last couple of pages.
Was going to give this one or two stars, will round 2,5 up to 3
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchangde for an honest review

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fascinating book

a long time friend dead, apparent suicide

at the funeral of lindsay alexander claudia is approached and asked to go to the wake, as there was something that needed to be discussed....

claudia not best pleased goes and is retained to investigate the supposed suicide note... claudia a handwriting expert running her own successful business takes the case on

as murder rears its ugly head and attempts on claudia life can it really mean that maybe lindsay didnt commit suicide and it was murder after all...

time will tell

what a brilliant concept to a murder mystery...how handwriting can disclose so much of someones personality

i for one be on the look out for more of this series and the author

What a fun job! And to make it into a career is amazing. I enjoyed the story and reading this mystery. A past friend died and Claudia is asked to analyze a possible suicide note. From there on the list of suspects grow and secrets unravel. I like the way the story evolves. A good mystery with a nice twist at the end.

“Handwriting is similar to body language and tone of voice in that it reveals a lot of information about the writer.” Much scientific research has gone into this area of study. Handwriting can identify the writer and many of their mental characteristics. Claudia is an expert in that field. Could a suicide note supposedly written by the deceased actually have been written by another?

Ms. Lowe identifies the study of handwriting with the acumen of an investigator or artist painting a portrait of the author by the sample. Comparing the suicide note to known examples of the victim’s handwriting can quickly expose that a crime was committed. The topic goes much deeper however. Handwriting actually exposes various idiosyncrasies hidden in the psyche of the writer.

When a crime has been committed, the perpetrator will try to alter his/her handwriting. What better way than to print in block letters rather than write a note? Not a bad plan except for one little problem.

This particular note was uncharacteristic of the deceased. Unlike DNA or other clues, handwriting does not have a national database or another repository of historical evidence to draw from. I was impressed by the author’s description of the lengths a good handwriting analyst must go to; the types of letters, flowery curlicues, or rigidity, clearly identify a particular personality.

I suggest anyone with a desire to become a detective read this tome. It illuminates basic personality characteristics and styles the average person would never consider. Kudos to the author! Engaging and entertaining. 5 stars from CE Williams

Really well written, well paced book with a strong plot and characters. The forensic handwriting focus brings a new scientific perspective to me and I am keen to read more.

Wow......... The publisher has granted your wish! for Poison Pen by Sheila Lowe. This is the first book in the New Claudia Rose series a Forensic Handwriting Mysteries. I found it an interesting read especially as its not usually a book I would read. But, when I saw it was a new author to me I thought I will give it a go. This book did not disappoint however, it did take me a while to get into it and then once I got into it I enjoyed it.. This will not be the last book I read from Sheila Lowe.

Big Thank you to Netgalley, Write Choice Ink, The Book Whisperer the publisher for my copy to read and review.

A little slower than I normally like but not a bad read.

It took me a wee bit to get into. I liked it but a little slow. Claudia seems like an interesting character. I will check out next book.

I was invited to read an ARC of this book, and I was thrilled to accept it. I loved the idea of a heroine with such a fascinating career (forensic handwriting). As I love romantic suspense in general, I couldn't wait to read it, and I bumped it up to the front of my queue. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the 12 percent mark. The characters, who we initially met at a funeral, were just so unlikeable, and I couldn't find a thread that that gave me hope that my impression would improve. I didn't submit my review immediately in the hopes I could bring myself back to the novel, but that just didn't happen.

If you like biting dialog and chilly humor, however, it might be a good choice for you.

I typically don't feel good about leaving a review for a DNF, but I did promise to accept the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. In spite of this negative review, I'd like to thank the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Claudia Rose is a handwriting expert and her examination of a suicide note leads her to suspect murder of an erstwhile friend. Alongside Detective Jovanic of the LAPD, Claudia tries to find answers, putting herself in danger.

This book is fast paced, exciting and has an interesting cast of characters. The plot is satisfyingly twisty and tension builds and builds. The ending is highly satisfying.

The aspect of using a handwriting expert as the main character brought a new dimension to this murder mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this adventure and would thoroughly recommend. (The good news – this is the first in a series!)

Thank you to #NetGalley, #WriteChoiceInk and #TheBookWhisperer for the eARC of #PoisonPen in exchange for an honest review.

Poison Pen by Sheila Lowe appeals to me because there is a twist: heroine Claudia Rose is a handwriting specialist. She is an independent contractor, which means she has no employer to set her timeline or make demands on her time. She has been to funeral of woman she would hardly call a friend: Lindsey Alexander. She had been the face of a public relations partnership between herself and Ivan Novak, who was now calling upon her to investigate Lindsey's "suicide." They all knew suicide was unlikely for this woman, who by the end of the first chapter, even the reader doesn't like. There's another death: Ivan and out of his hand comes a flash drive, which Claudia pockets. Turns out the investigator for this crime is the same one as for Lindsey's "suicide."

This was a good mystery, although the deviant sexual nature of it was enough the turn the reader's stomach at some points. Books like this make me doubt the morality of everyone in power: government officials and everyone else. That this woman existed is a testament to just how evil one person can be and it probably stems from her childhood. Although some of her antics were incredibly creative, they were depraved and made me feel just a little dirty. Thankfully Claudia Rose and the police investigator, Joel Jovanic, were bright spots that made it all more palatable. It was well written and interesting. A terrific mystery.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Poison Pen by Write Choice Ink, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #writechoiceink #sheilalowe #poisonpen

This was a first book for Sheila Lowe and she nailed it. The mystery was complex with characters that drew me into the plot and kept me interested as each new clue added to the story. A great beginning for a new author.

I received a complimentary copy of Poison Pen from Choice Ink through NetGalley for purpose of an honest review.

Poison Pen is the first book in Shelia Lowe’s new series, Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mysteries. It is a thrilling suspense novel filled with action, intense chemistry, interesting characters, and a fantastic storyline.

I love stories which involve law enforcement and forensics and Lowe did an amazing job weaving romance and suspense into the mix. The chemistry between Claudia Rose, a handwriting specialist and LAPD detective Joel Jovanic was electric and the push and pull between them made things very interesting. Once started, I couldn’t put this page turner down until I was done.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series to see what trouble Claudia Rose will find herself in and how her relationship with Joel has develops.

"Suicide or murder? Only the graphologist knows for sure in this dynamite debut..."
–Publishers Weekly

I’m a sucker for a crime novel with a handwriting expert and a female crime fighter! Awesome twists and turns with excellent character dynamic and mystery and suspense to keep you riveted to the pages. Forensics are fun !

Looking forward to more from Author Sheila Lowe and the Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mysteries!