After spending some time in Spain to regain perspective in her life, Fati Rafferty returns to the United States, only to learn that she has inherited the vast estate, Florestal, from her great aunt Lupe in Lethal Legacy, Book 5 of the Raff Rafferty Mystery Series by Robert Joseph. Recently and hastily married to a handsome, enigmatic man, Fati leaves him at work in Florida to travel to San Marino, California, to settle the estate.

Discovering that Lupe was murdered is only the beginning of a horrific chain of events including the theft of Mayan works of art, strange appearances by a man in a Mayan high priest’s robe and headdress, and more murders. Glad that Arch finally joins her, Fati is quickly disheartened as the problems only grow more complicated. What hold does her aunt’s old friend Walter Mulday have over the estate and the other people in the social circle that is quickly diminishing? Could he be behind the mystery or just another potential victim of the ‘Lethal Legacy’? With virtually no leads to follow, can the police make an arrest before Fati is lost to the phantom?

Lethal Legacy by Robert Joseph draws you in with vivid descriptions of places, people and the psychology driving the characters, as well as a plot with plenty of possible suspects and surprising twists. The story stands alone, but as Book 5 in the Raff Rafferty Mystery Series, there are many facts about Fati that are hinted at but knowledge of which would help make some sense of her unusual choices. Even without that full understanding, this is an excellent mystery story that leaves you wondering about the lengths some people go to in order to get what they want.

Lethal Legacy by Robert Joseph could be described as a melting pot of intriguing characters. The story opens at the magnificent mansion home Florestal, a home owned and cherished by Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ Arrostegin.
Lupe lives a privileged life in Florestal. Taken care of by husband and wife Nestor and Remedios, she spends her time indulging her every whim, as well as supporting the community efforts of friend Helen Onderthorp at her fundraising functions. The goal ultimately was to donate a new transplant unit to a local hospital. At these social gatherings, Lupe and Helen both rely on the chaperone support of younger men. They excel in their social climates and feel it is necessary to be seen on the arms of male partners.

Fatima enters the tale while vacationing in Spain. She is the young and much-loved niece of Lupe. Their lives have taken different paths yet they are bound by invisible ties that will be tested by many unseen obstacles about to explode into their lives. The murder of a young girl many years ago is the common denominator that connects them all. To reveal anymore would spoil the story for others.

Robert Joseph skilfully weaves the effects of the murder into the lives of many characters in the story. Who murdered her and why? How the murderer managed to remain free of the authorities? What connects Fate and Lupe? The roles Helen and Father Gabriel Rafferty play in the overall scheme of things; it all makes very good reading. I found the story compelling. Altogether an enjoyable read with very plausible characters. A pleasure to read a book that holds your interest and does not insult your intelligence with bad language or smutty content.