Too Near The Edge

Too Near The Edge
Lynn Osterkamp
PMI Books
ISBN: 1933826223
Fiction, Mystery
Reviewed by John R. Clark

I enjoyed this book immensely. It might be the first or near first in a new genre-the psychic cosy. Lynn Osterkamp has combined elements of her professional experience and the community of Boulder, Colorado into a nicely crafted plot. The result is a very readable mystery that kept me wondering who really pushed Adam off the edge of the Grand Canyon right up to the point where the culprit was unmasked.
Several things work well in this book. First, the author weaves the neighborhoods and surrounding natural features of Boulder into the story in ways that made me feel like I was there or at least could easily visualize them. That's a rare gift and certainly one that bodes well for future books. The variety of characters also works. There are numerous players, but they all have a logical fit in the story. Nobody seems like a throw-in. While their emotions edge close to 'over-the-top' at times, they never cross that invisible line that starts turning them into caricatures.
The psychic aspect works because the author has done her homework, particularly in terms of educating the reader regarding how Cleo, the protagonist, got started in that aspect of her grief therapy practice. Having spent 27 years in the mental health field, I can attest to the idiosyncrasies of psychologists and Lynn captures some of that very nicely in this story. It is also worth noting that in the acknowledgements, the author credits her local Sisters in Crime group with helpful criticism and feedback. This group is one of the best things to happen to women writers and demonstrates the author's desire to get things right before publication.
I'm happy to add this to the Hartland Library and can think of several patrons that will enjoy reading it as much as I have. A winner for sure.