Official Apex Reviews - Rating: 5 Stars *****
"Taut, fast-paced and surprisingly witty"

When a beloved local artist is brutally murdered, intrepid ex-news reporter Lila Morrison leaps into action in order to help find the killer. Among her primary
motivations: the fact that her best friend is identified as the chief suspect in the
crime. As her personal quest unfolds, Lila repeatedly bumps heads with the
equally dreamy and stubborn Detective Garcia, who - for her own sake - would
rather she stay completely out of the picture...after all, there's a much greater
chance that the killer will find her long before she finds him...

Taut, fast-paced - and surprisingly witty - Sins Of The Border is a
thoroughly entertaining read. Superbly crafted by author Leslie Kohler, the
engaging suspense thriller takes readers on a vicarious journey through the quaintstylings of Scottsdale, Arizona - where brutal homicides fall quite far out of established norms. Through the exploits of her savvy heroine, Kohler introduces the reader to a host of interesting characters and intriguing plotlines, all intermingled in an engrossing tale of murder, mystery - and martinis. As such, Sins Of The Border has a unique cross-cultural appeal that fosters a deep appreciation on myriad different levels.

With a well-balanced mix of levity and drama, Sins Of The Border is a
riveting narrative guaranteed to hold readers at rapt attention. An impressive debut from a strong new literary voice. www.apexreviews.net

Reviewed By Josee Morgan
http://apexreview.net
info@apexreviews.net

"A Fast-Paced, Head-Snapping Chiller!"

Murder finds its way in Scottsdale, Arizona, better known as the world's lovely tourist attraction, where you daydream at the pool as you soak up the golden sun. Is Scottsdale a common ground for killers, and cheating spouses?

A beloved local artist, known to many for her efforts to aid Hispanic, illegal immigrants is brutally murdered. Lila Morrison, a former newspaper reporter, and suburban housewife finds out about the murder. Feeling an emptiness in her life, and distraught over the murder, Lila becomes determined to find the killer. Using her knowledge and skills as a former crime reporter, she sets out to follow the bloody, forensic trail, despite all the danger involved.

What advice do Lila's three friends give her, while sipping on flavored Martinis? The murder investigation begins to brew as Lila makes Detective Garcia's
blood boil, while snooping for evidence. Why is he discontent about Lila's persistent investigation, and is he hiding anything?

Fear doesn't stop Lila from attempting to crack the case as her courage becomes stronger, when her best friend becomes the number one suspect. Will the criminal be found and is the case connected to a violent, vigilante, border group? Will the reputation of the social echelons of Scottsdale change, after
discovering a murderer is walking the same streets? Does Lila find the killer, or does the killer find Lila? Can Lila find a conviction, or lead to the case, before her friend is locked up behind bars?

I highly recommend this novel to all mystery lovers and to all those who enjoy fast-paced thrillers, packed with action, and suspense. The plot is electrifying, and the characters come to life as the investigation explodes with chilling details, every step of the way as we find out who becomes the next victim. Will justice be served, and for who? "SINS OF THE BORDER" is as sensational as HIGH CRIMES, and as riveting as THE INSIDER, with Al Pacino. 

--Geraldine Ahearn, Author "Geri Ahearn"                                                        

Sins of the Border takes a long, dark look at the shadowy world of hate groups focused on stamping out illegal immigration by any means.

Simon Wood, author of We All Fall Down

A page-turning murder mystery

Sins of the Border is a murder mystery that I enjoyed from start to finish. It follows the antics of Lila, an ex-newspaper reporter who's now a bored suburban mom looking for some action. And when a local Scottsdale artist is murdered, boy does Lila find it! Lila jumps at the chance to poke around the crime scene, and runs into the hunky Detective Garcia. He's gorgeous, but a hot-head. Throughout the book the two bump heads, along with a little flirting, while following the bloody forensic trail. I also loved the relationship between Lila and her three Catholic girlfriends. It's a kick to watch them as they share friendship and gossip over flavored martinis at Scottsdale hot spots. If you are looking for a page-turning murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, I'd say pick up a copy of Sins of the Border.

--Denise Gallant

Terrific 5-Star Fun  

Leslie Kohler's Sins of the Border is a fun and fantastic mystery from the first page on. If you want a cozy mystery that brings back that close girlfriends feeling, this is your book. It's a perfect summer read that will not only encourage your urge to order a poolside boutique martini and buy that darling pair of Jimmy Choos you saw in the window, it will also illuminate your knowledge about what really happens on Arizona's borders. If Sins of the Border is any indication of what's coming up, I'm looking forward to Kohler's next book.

--Auburn McCanta

There are Sins!

I enjoyed every minute of it! As an author of a cozy mystery I'm fussy about what I read. This was entertaining every minute! Lila's as a well-drawn character. I love a good sense of humor and I could see the twinkle in her eye. The novel also dealt with an important Arizona issue, our border. I highly recommend it!
--Marcia Fine, author of Stressed In Scottsdale

Great read involving illegal immigration

Sins of the Border is a witty, must-read murder mystery that follows the exploits of Lila Morrison, ex-crime reporter, now bored suburban mom. When a local artist is murdered, Lila jumps into the investigation, often in spiked heels, much to the annoyance of the handsome, but cranky, Detective Garcia. Lila finds her reporter skills are still in tack, and with a little help from her three feisty gal pals, she stays one step ahead of the police investigation.

But Sins of the Border has a serious side to it, as the issue of illegal immigration is woven throughout the plot. Could the artist's sympathy toward Hispanic immigrants be the reason the she was killed? Or was the motive money, or her extra-marital affair? I would highly recommend Sins of the Border to anyone who likes a fun, fast-paced read that doesn't shy away from controversial issues. 

--Lynn Wiese Sneyd   

5 Stars: "A must read!"

Sins of the Border is one of the most entertaining murder mysteries I've read in a long time. I loved the the main character, Lila. She's a former crime reporter, now suburban housewife, who finds her life empty. When the murder of a Scottsdale, Arizona, artist invades her cushy world, Lila jumps on the chance to find the murderer. Lila is zany, but smart, and not afraid to follow the bloody forensic trail, even if it means she may be the next victim. I highly recommend Sins of the Border!

--Nicholas G. Laca "N G L"

A Must Read!

Sins of the Border is one of the wittiest murder mysteries I've read in ages. The main character, Lila, who's an ex-reporter, can't resist the temptation to snoop around the murder of a revered Scottsdale artist. This of course, puts her in all sorts of funny, and even dangerous situations. And it doesn't endear her to the hunky, but stubborn, Detective Garcia, who's convinced Lila's friend had something to do with the crime. But Lila is no dummy, and her quick thinking allows her to extract information from suspects that puts her far ahead of the police in the murder investigation.

I enjoyed the interplay between Lila and her three girlfriends, but also like that Leslie Kohler weaves serious issues such as immigration, Mexican border violence, domestic abuse and substance abuse into her novel. Sins of the Border is an enjoyable read and has something for everybody.

--Sandra Wright

"Grabs hold of you..."

In "Sins of the Border" by Leslie Kohler Lila Morrison is a former crime reporter who is trying to find out who killed artist Deanne Buffinton. The police think one of Lila's friends killed Deanne but Lila is set to prove a Detective Garcia wrong.

This book was slow to get off the ground however by the middle of the book it grabs hold of you and won't let you go until you read the last page. I do recommend this book to those that love murder/suspense.

 **** 4 Stars

Carol Langstroth

Mind Fog Reviews