SIX STROKES UNDER (Roberta Isleib)

I am not a fan of golf.  I am bad at it, really bad.  I had to take golf as part of a gym class back in college in the 70's, and it was NOT a high point of my life!  That being said, Isleib's book is a pleasant surprise.  The author thoughtfully includes a comprehensive glossary of common golfing terms at the beginning of the novel, which is very helpful in allowing the non-golfing reader to enjoy the mystery without feeling as if they are in a completely foreign world. 

Cassie Burdette is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, the LPGA's Q-School, which could qualify her to participate in the LPGA tour.  Before she is scheduled to leave, she discovers the dying Dr. Bencher, a psychologist who has been involved in helping patients "recover" memories of sexual abuse.  Dr Bencher's office is in the same building as that of Cassie's therapist and he has been shot in the neck in his office.  Despite the fact that she has no connection with Dr. Bencher, Cassie immediately becomes a person of interest in the crime, but is allowed to travel to Florida for Q-School providing that she checks in with the odious Officer Pate when she arrives.  Cassie is an interesting character, flawed and colorful.  As Q-School progresses readers are introduced to quite a few enjoyably quirky characters, golfers and non-golfers alike, and along the way another murder is comitted.  Are the two crimes connected?  Will Cassie get out of Q-School without becoming the 3rd victim of this murder spree, if the crimes are actually connected?  Read and find out!  Don't let the golf theme put you off if you are not a fan of the game. I do have one word of caution, though.  Isleib is a delightful writer, but the crimes themselves seem to be a bit disconnected from the main Q-School story.  I (and the other members of the Christie Capers) think that Ms. Isleib might have done better (and perhaps will in future novels) to keep the murders directly connected to golf and the Q-School.  The murders themselves seem a bit contrived when the novel is considered as a whole because they are separate from the main theme of the novel, golf.  That being said, I am actually enjoying my new golf knowledge and I am happy to have discovered an interesting new author in Roberta Isleib!