Nominated for a Shamus Award for Best First Novel of 2006 by The Private Eye Writers of America.

2006 Private Eye Writers of America SHAMUS Award Nominee
for Best First Novel!

"...a fascinating tale of intrigue that will sweep you into a world of horror
and suspense."
New York Times Best selling author, Clive Cussler

Blood Ties. What do they mean?

How far would someone go to sever … or protect them?

Julie Collins is stuck in a dead-end secretarial job with the Bear Butte County Sheriff’s office, and still grieving over the unsolved murder of her Lakota half-brother. Lack of public interest in finding his murderer, or the killer of several other transient Native American men, has left Julie with a bone-deep cynicism she counters with tequila, cigarettes, and dangerous men. The one bright spot in her mundane life is the time she spends working part-time as a PI with her childhood friend, Kevin Wells.

When the body of a sixteen-year old white girl is discovered in nearby Rapid Creek, Julie believes this victim will receive the attention others were denied. Then she learns Kevin has been hired, mysteriously, to find out where the murdered girl spent her last few days. Julie finds herself drawn into the case against her better judgment, and discovers not only the ugly reality of the young girl’s tragic life and brutal death, but ties to her and Kevin’s past that she is increasingly reluctant to revisit.

On the surface the situation is eerily familiar. But the parallels end when Julie realizes some family secrets are best kept buried deep. Especially those serious enough to kill for.

"Lori G. Armstrong's Blood Ties is a gripping debut mystery,vividly set in The Black Hills of South Dakota."
~ Kathleen Taylor, Author of the Tory Bauer Mysteries

"Hard as nails, a barroom brawler – and a chick! Lori Armstrong's creation is born of the Black Hills. Tough, sensitive and smart, Julie Collins is a welcome addition to the private eye genre. In Blood Ties she breaks all the rules."
~ Stephanie Kane, Author of Seeds Of Doubt.

"I highly, highly recommend Ms. Armstrong's debut read. She provides plenty of edge of your seat reading."
~ K. Ahlers, Independent Reviewer

"Lori Armstrong writes a compelling story that will hold your interest from the first page. I was glued to my chair from the prologue and couldn't stop reading until I finished it. Blood Ties is a roller coaster ride of danger and excitement that will have your heart pumping and your emotions twisting like a wet dish rag. I loved this book, and if you like kick-butt heroines and a fast paced mystery, you will too."
~ C.Cody, www.romancejunkies.com

"If you want to walk on the seamier side with a good murder mystery, you will enjoy Blood Ties."
- Romance Reviews Today

"Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong is a thrilling roller of a mystery that taunts you to try and solve the riddle. The suspense was superb, keeping you glued to the page. Your subconscious urging you to read just one more page, get one more piece of the puzzle."
~ In The Library Reviews

TOP PICK!
"This engrossing tale of murder and deceit- with it's razor-sharp characterization and well-defined sense of place- delivers from beginning to end."
~ Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine

"Blood Ties will linger in my memory as a mystery, and I can only hope Ms. Armstrong will have more books published with Julie Collins as the main character. With Blood Ties, Medallion Press has been cemented in my mind as a quality publisher, and Ms. Armstrong as an author I'll be looking for in the future."
~ The Romance Studio

"Lori Armstrong provides a fabulous mystery starring an intriguing protagonist with a climax that will stun the audience."
~ Midwest Book Review

"This was an emotionally driven novel with insider views of the north prairies' culture. We rated it four hearts."
~ Heartland Reviews