Title: The Mosquito Bites: A Mystery Novel
Author: James R. Frazee
Publisher: LitFire Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-63524-636-0
Pages: 272
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Hollywood Book Reviews
Author James R. Frazee weaves a tale of mystery and murder together into an unforgettable story in The Mosquito Bites. Alex begins a new job with Sterling Chemicals which is set to make a fortune off its new pesticides. When Alex discovers the man who had his job before he died under mysterious circumstances, he begins to suspect it was murder. An old friend’s family ends up in the hospital after a picnic, leading Alex to turn to his co-worker Leslie for helping investigating the consequences of the pesticides which leads to poisonous mosquitoes and dangerous plants. Proving the company’s threat won’t be easy especially if they become the company’s next targets.
The story is told through the perspectives of Leslie, Mark, and Alex with brief introductions to who they are as they ease into the mystery. Alex is first met as a small town boy embarking on a new life in the big city where he’s starting his first official job. The story begins with him idealistic and in love with his new job, before he slowly unravels the dark truth about the company. This brief overview allows for a chance to get to know him and see him as the grounded person he is. His small town personality lets him pull you into the story to root for him to succeed. This is supposed to be everything he’s been working for but instead of a big break, he lands into a murder mystery.
Leslie is also new with the company and drawn into the mystery which allows for her and Alex to morph into taking up the mantel of amateur sleuths. She’s confidant, strong, and an intelligent businesswoman which makes her the perfect ally. She and Alex have a fun dynamic as their working relationship develops into a sweet romance. They have a genuine respect for each other, working as partners at the company while trying to solve the murder. Mark has a past connection to Alex and lives next door to one of the company’s properties which literally drags him into the middle when his family ends up poisoned. James R. Frazee introduces Mark similar to Alex by setting up his background, specifically his love story with his wife and how they started their family. Seeing their relationship, even briefly, allows for you to care about what happens to them. So when Mark’s family is poisoned, it makes you want answers as much as Mark does. After the incident with the poisoned mosquitoes gives further incentive to what drives Alex to believe more is happening at the company than what meets the eye.
The mystery maintains intrigue and suspense by blending in clues and suspense rooted in the science at the center of the plot. The corporation has supposed good intentions but several secrets which drive the plot forward begins with a slow pace, starting by introducing the characters and setting up traces of the mystery before raising the stakes with murder, disappearances, and poison. Frazee compiled a brilliant mystery with equal parts murder and suspense, rooted in science, dosed with romance, and with family at the heart. The Mosquito Bites will give readers an itch to read more of the books by this talented author.