Sarah Armstrong Mystery series
Encyclopedia
The Sarah Armstrong Mystery series is a fictional series created by true crime author-turned-novelist Kathryn Casey
, first published by St. Martin's Minotaur in 2008. Booklist
magazine named the first novel, Singularity, one of the top ten Best Crime Novel Debuts of 2009.
Sarah Armstrong, a criminal profiler, as she solves murders. The first book, Singularity, follows Lieutenant Armstrong as she solves the bizarre double murder of a millionaire businessman and his mistress. Killed in a swank Galveston beach house, the pair are discovered in a grotesque intimate pose. Complicating matters is that Armstrong is newly widowed, and neither she nor her daughter handle the loss well. As Armstrong closes in on her suspect, he turns the tables on her and makes her family his new targets.
In 2010, Library Journal
picked the third book in the series, The Killing Storm, as Best Books 2010 in the mystery fiction genre, calling it, "Riveting suspense and nifty plot twists in an outstanding series."
's "Hot Type" page in its August 2008 issue.
The Houston Press
, in a feature about the series and the author, wrote, "After writing half a dozen true-crime books, Houstonian Kathryn Casey decided to step into fiction with Singularity." P.G. Koch with the Houston Chronicle
wrote that "Casey deftly switches between investigations, working in Sarah's personal life as well as the interesting minutia involved in following tenuous leads." The Tampa Tribune, in its feature, wrote, "Not since Patricia Cornwell
's Postmortem has a crime author crafted such a stellar series debut."
Publishers Weekly
, in a review, called Casey's first attempt at mystery writing, with Singularity, "the riveting fiction debut from true-crime journalist Casey."
Midwest Book Review
wrote that Blood Lines, the second in the series, was "a fine combination of who done it and who is doing it." Also, Deadly Pleasures magazine named Singularity "Best First Novel of 2008."
Two of the books in the series were chosen as Mystery Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections.
Kathryn Casey
Kathryn Casey is a true crime writer, novelist and journalist. Author Ann Rule has called Casey "one of the best in the true crime genre."-Early life and education:Born in Wisconsin, Casey settled in Texas with her family in 1980...
, first published by St. Martin's Minotaur in 2008. Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
magazine named the first novel, Singularity, one of the top ten Best Crime Novel Debuts of 2009.
Overview
The series narrates Texas RangerTexas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
Sarah Armstrong, a criminal profiler, as she solves murders. The first book, Singularity, follows Lieutenant Armstrong as she solves the bizarre double murder of a millionaire businessman and his mistress. Killed in a swank Galveston beach house, the pair are discovered in a grotesque intimate pose. Complicating matters is that Armstrong is newly widowed, and neither she nor her daughter handle the loss well. As Armstrong closes in on her suspect, he turns the tables on her and makes her family his new targets.
In 2010, Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
picked the third book in the series, The Killing Storm, as Best Books 2010 in the mystery fiction genre, calling it, "Riveting suspense and nifty plot twists in an outstanding series."
Critical reception
Singularity was included on Vanity FairVanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
's "Hot Type" page in its August 2008 issue.
The Houston Press
Houston Press
The Houston Press is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Houston, Texas, United States. It is headquartered in Downtown Houston....
, in a feature about the series and the author, wrote, "After writing half a dozen true-crime books, Houstonian Kathryn Casey decided to step into fiction with Singularity." P.G. Koch with the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
wrote that "Casey deftly switches between investigations, working in Sarah's personal life as well as the interesting minutia involved in following tenuous leads." The Tampa Tribune, in its feature, wrote, "Not since Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell is a contemporary American crime writer. She is widely known for writing a popular series of novels featuring the heroine Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner.-Early life:...
's Postmortem has a crime author crafted such a stellar series debut."
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
, in a review, called Casey's first attempt at mystery writing, with Singularity, "the riveting fiction debut from true-crime journalist Casey."
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review is an organization which maintains several book review publications. Established in 1976, the organization's Editor-in-Chief is James A. Cox. Midwest Book Review produces several book review publications per month, with a goal of encouraging small press and increasing literacy....
wrote that Blood Lines, the second in the series, was "a fine combination of who done it and who is doing it." Also, Deadly Pleasures magazine named Singularity "Best First Novel of 2008."
Two of the books in the series were chosen as Mystery Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections.
Titles
- Singularity (2008, first in the Sarah Armstrong series)
- Blood Lines (2009, second in the series)
- The Killing Storm (2010, third in the series)