Reviews
“Skeletons in the Attic is a thought-provoking, haunting tale of decades-old deception. In this first-of-a-new series, Judy Penz Sheluk reveals herself to be a masterful storyteller, weaving a page-turner that hooked me from the start and kept me intrigued until the stunning finale.” —Annette Dashofy, USA Today bestselling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series
“With Skeletons in the Attic, Judy Penz Sheluk delivers a complex plot, an extremely likeable protagonist, and a bombshell ending you never saw coming. A delightful and heartwarming mystery!” —Diane Vallere, bestselling author of the Costume Shop Mysteries
“Sheluk has created a memorable and powerful character that lingers long after the final page, while giving Callie Barnstable a caustic wit, tenacity and a penchant for unraveling mysteries. By the last page, she’ll need all that and more. Relentless as it moves forward, Skeletons in the Attic takes the reader on a quest for a decades-old truth.” —Jeff Buick, author of Bloodline
“Skeletons in the Attic is a beautifully crafted page-turner, whose heroine, Callie Barnstable, gives Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone a run for her money. S is for Skeletons in the Attic!” —Ellen Byron, author of Plantation Shudders
“Skeletons in the Attic is a delight. Callie’s plight grabs the reader from the get-go and, as the plot twists and twists again, you follow her with heart in mouth. Is there any way for this to end well? Yes, there is, and you won’t see it coming! I’m already looking forward to book 2.” —Catriona McPherson, author of The Child Garden
“Mystery readers will find Callie a compelling protagonist, the plot a fine, winding investigative piece that redefines the concept of “dirty laundry” and whether or not it should be aired in public or secreted forever, and the story of how family connections, wealth, and truth can take on lives of their own. A vivid production that translates to thoroughly engrossing reading right up to a completely unexpected, thought-provoking surprise conclusion.” —D. Donovan, Senior Book Reviewer, Midwest Book Review [Read the complete review here]
“Let’s slow clap it out for Judy Penz Sheluk. I watch a lot of mystery series on television, but you got me with this one, Judy. I usually wind up being at least a little disappointed in the conclusions of mysteries, but the ending of Skeletons in the Attic was every bit as captivating as the build up to it had been. I’m still marveling at how well Skeletons in the Attic was written. It was a mental scramble right up until the last few minutes…” Audiobook Empire. [Read the complete review here]
PUBLICATIONS
The Toronto Star (WHODUNIT by Jack Batten): November 5, 2016
Callie Barnstable has the best of all reasons to go sleuthing into the present whereabouts of the woman who vanished in 1986. The missing woman — murdered? In a cemetery? On the lam? — was Barnstable’s mother, last seen when the daughter was just six years old. [Read the complete review here]
King’s River Life Magazine: August 27, 2016
Calamity ‘Callie’ Barnstable has quite the dilemma. After her father fell off a thirty-story construction site due to a faulty safety harness in what has been described as “an unfortunate occupational accident,” she has inherited his entire estate including a house of which she has no memory. The dilemma is the codicil which explains Callie must live in the house for one year. Money has been set aside for the needed renovations and her living expenses, and after the conclusion of one year, she can do with the property what she wants: rent, sell or remain. The shocking part of the dilemma is the reason her father made this stipulation: find out who murdered her mother. [Read the complete review here]
WEBSITE REVIEWS
MapYourMystery.com: January 10, 2018
Skeletons in the Attic is like a real life jigsaw puzzle. Callie begins putting the pieces together around the edges and slowly adds pieces to the middle. As she works to complete the puzzle, she reaches a startling conclusion. [Read the complete review here]
Dru’s Book Musings: August 28, 2016
Her father’s sudden death. Her mother’s disappearance from long ago. Inheriting the house where her childhood began. These items all connect to the journey that Callie must face and boy what a can of worms this roller-coaster ride opened in this debut series. [Read the complete review here]
NEWSLETTER REVIEWS
October 2016 Le Coeur de l’Artiste (DJ Adamson)
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