Reviewed by Olga Markova for Readers' Favorite

Proof Positive is the fourth installment in the Lauren Beck Crime Novel series by award-winning author Donna Huston Murray. The story takes us to Worthy, a small town in Ohio, USA. Thirty-two-year-old Lauren Beck, a former police officer, is looking for her mother, Nina Claire Stoddard. Only two months earlier, after twenty-five years of believing her father's story that her mother had died, Lauren heard from her father that her mother might still be alive. Lauren finds her mother, but before Lauren can talk to her, her mother is shot dead. Lauren chases but loses the trail. Determined to find her mother’s killer, Lauren starts investigating. The clues lead her to a cold case bank robbery and a multiple murder case investigation financed by the FBI. But will Lauren find out who murdered her mother?

Proof Positive is one of the most satisfying murder mysteries I have read. I instantly loved Donna Huston Murray’s writing style, which reminded me of my favorite author, P.D. James. Lauren is a capable sleuth, intellectual enough to identify with Alice in Wonderland, whose life story gradually unraveled as the plot thickened. Cozy and homely scenes contrast with life-threatening episodes, with complex intrigue, and an opportunity for me as a reader to investigate and assess the clues. I am delighted that I discovered this whodunit series and Lauren Beck, the sleuth I look forward to reuniting with. But what made this story stand out for me was the crime-solving method. It is a perfect read on all counts, and I highly recommend this marvelous story to whodunit fans.