Book 1

Last Dance

Book 2

One Last Goodbye

Book 3

The Last to Remember

Book 4

Until Our Last Embrace

Book 5

For The Last Time

Book 6

Dreams Don't Last

Book 7

Last Fires Burning

Book 8

Glory's Last Victim

Book 9

Last Rites

Oct. 2004

Book 10

Last One Down

February 2005

Book 11

Before the Last Lap

August 2005

Book 12

The First Shall Be Last

June 2007

All books are available at  Avalon Books

Last Dance

Diamond Springs High School (DSG Staff Photo / Joyce Lavene)

Cover Story...

Sheriff Sharyn Howard faces the toughest investigation of her two-year career as sheriff of Diamond Springs, North Carolina.

As she investigates the murder of prom queen, Carrie Sommers, daughter of Cara and Charlie Sommers, in the parking lot of Diamond Springs' High School, she is also investigating a case her father, Sheriff T.

Raymond Howard settled ten years ago. This case resembles that first murder too closely. Both girls were prom queens, murdered by strangulation after the prom.

Both girls were pretty, blond, and popular. Both girls were laid out in the high school parking lot in their prom dresses like beautiful dolls.

Sharyn is drawn to make comparisons and ask questions, even though her own father's integrity could be called into focus.

Despite her family's pleas and the protests from Senator Caison Talbot, who was the prosecuting attorney in the case, Sheriff Howard announces that the two murders were committed by the same person.

Now all she has to do is prove it!

Book Details:

Thomas Bouregy and Co.
Book 1-Avalon Mystery
ISBN-0-8034-9389-4

Books available here:

Read more on the story in the excerpt below...

The cover illustration and design of "Last Dance" by Steve Monosson (DSG)

Sheriff Sharyn Howard fact...

Sharyn Howard is dressed in something other than her uniform at the beginning of every murder investigation.

Sources...

Authors Joyce and Jim Lavene have created a book that is well worth the money! LAST DANCE flows smoothly, fast paced with just the right touch. It's a book that is hard to put down and you won't want to put down until the last page is turned.
Tracy Eastgate
Tracy's Book Reviews

From the moment I started reading this book I was engulfed in the mystery that was slowly tearing this small town apart. Sheriff Howard was faced with challenging the most important case that her father had ever closed, or letting a murderer walk the streets and an innocent man be put to death. Can she stand up to the family and friends who seem to be holding both cases a little too close to heart for comfort? Or are they hiding something... I was so involved with the emotions and unfolding story that I was sorry to see it end. A well-written mystery with excellent characters, interaction, and intrigue. I couldn't put it down! 4-1/2 stars!!!!"
Jeri A. Sax
for Midnight Scribe Reviews

An excerpt from "Last Dance"...

"The killer was meticulous," she said, concentrating on the scene around her. "No blood or dirt on her face or in her hair." She picked up the girl's hands with her own and looked under the nails. They were clean and powder pink. "She didn't have time to fight."

"Around the neck." Nick indicated with his hand. "Ligature marks. It looks as though she was strangled. Yet there's no sign of a struggle." He moved carefully to lift the girl's head. "Probably head trauma. Hit from behind. Unconscious before she was strangled."

"He or she was very careful," Sharyn agreed. "Check her for sexual assault."

"I can tell you now that she wasn't," Nick replied lazily as Sharyn got to her feet.

"How's that?"

"Look at her dress. Pulled down nice and spread out around her. She wasn't assaulted."

Sharyn followed his gaze down to the girl's pink heels still on her feet. "How long do you think she's been dead?"

Nick moved the girl's head back down then examined her briefly. "I'd say we're talking between midnight and two am for time of death."

"Prom was over at about twelve thirty," Joe added. "There were still people hanging around at one am when David made his patrol through here last night. I called him and checked before I left the station."

"Could he mark if this car was here then?" Sharyn asked.

Joe shook his head. "Nope. Said there were still quite a few cars up here then. He had a call about the noise around that time. Otherwise, it was quiet last night."

"Too quiet." Sharyn considered, looking at the girl's body.

"She's still wearing a good watch and an expensive ring." Nick called their attention back. "It obviously wasn't robbery."

"What idiot would hold someone up, kill them, then lay them out with a flower in their hand?" Ed demanded.

Sharyn looked around the area. "See if you can find out where the flower came from. I don't know a lot about flowers but it doesn't look wild to me."

"Shouldn't she have been wearing a corsage?" Joe asked.

"Maybe that's it," Sharyn agreed. It was a small pink and white flower that could have been part of a corsage. "Check around and see if there's any more of it."

"Can we transport so I can get started?" Nick asked.

"That's fine," she replied. "Ed and Joe will go over the scene. Send the tow truck for the car and we'll go over it in impound." She started to walk away.

"Heading back to the salon, Sheriff?" Nick asked caustically.

She turned back to him. "I'm going to tell this girl's parents that their baby is dead. Want to come?"

Nick looked away, then signaled the medic to get the body.

There were times that Sharyn might have bantered acidic remarks with the other man. Even making a wager on something Nick theorized. This wasn't one of them. Looking at the girl's face was too sad. It was such a waste. She shivered in the cold wind.

She felt Ed and Joe staring after her. She knew Nick was smirking. She didn't care. Seeing that girl lying there reminded her too much of Leila Bentley. It had been a long time but she hadn't forgotten. And she wasn't made of stone.