*This review contains a major spoiler alert

Til Death is the 10th book in the Zoe Chambers Mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Annette Dashofy. If you haven’t read any of the books in the series, don’t worry each book holds up on its own. Dashofy laces just enough backstory into each plot to give readers a real sense of the characters and how they interact without wasting half the book retelling previous storylines. That’s a win-win for new readers and loyal fans of the series.

Zoe Chambers starts the series as a paramedic in Vance Township, a fictional location in rural Southwestern Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh. Dashofy who was a paramedic, lives in Washington County, PA which is south of the city and home to bustling communities, historic covered bridges, unspoiled farmlands, Hillman State Park, and numerous walking trails.

Throughout the series, we see Zoe make important changes in her life. She puts down roots restoring her family farm and supplements her income by boarding horses. She also develops a close relationship with Vance Township Chief of Police, Pete Adams. Zoe’s job puts her in a believable position to help solve mysteries because she is often one of the first people at an emergency or crime scene. Zoe takes on additional responsibilities becoming a deputy coroner and in Til Death she becomes acting County Coroner after the sudden death of coroner Franklin Marshall.

In Til Death, we also see important growth for Pete’s and Zoe’s relationship. They are finally getting married. Before they can say their “I do’s’” they must contend with the reopening of one of Pete’s first cases as Vance Township Chief of Police, family squabbles, Franklin’s sudden death, and the appearance of his ex-wife who claims to be Franklin’s sole heir. Did I mention the demands of Zoe’s new job?

Almost 10 years ago, Elizabeth Landis was shot to death in her car after an evening Yoga class. A lone gunman, wearing a black hoodie, and sweatpants, was seen fleeing the scene by witnesses. During the investigation, Pete learns Landis’ loving husband, Dustin is a womanizer. When the murder weapon, wrapped in a pair of black sweats, is found in the dumpster outside Dustin’s office the case seems to fall in place and Dustin is convicted of his wife’s murder.

When Landis’ attorney comes forward with evidence of several murders committed in the area by a serial killer with the same MO, it casts sufficient doubt over Landis’ conviction that he is being granted a new trial. Did Pete make a mistake and send an innocent man to prison?

Zoe’s mentor, Franklin Marshall, was one of the witnesses for the defense in the Landis trial. Because his testimony cast doubt about Landis’ guilt, he would be subpoenaed to testify at the new trial. Franklin’s death means that Zoe, as acting county coroner will be required to read the findings of the autopsy at a new trial, but she will not be able to share Franklin’s doubts about Landis’ guilt. When other defense witnesses start dying under mysterious circumstances, Zoe and Pete begin to believe someone doesn’t want Landis freed. But why? Zoe digs into the causes of these deaths, and she’s getting close to finding the person responsible. Will she become their next target?

As Zoe settles into her new job and gets ready for her wedding, she must deal with her mother Kimberly who has traveled from her home in Florida to make sure Zoe’s wedding is the social event of the season. Can Zoe keep Kimberly in line, settle a rift with her stepfather, and persuade her newly found half-brother Scott to put aside his differences with Pete before the big day?

Joining Zoe for this adventure are some familiar characters – Detective Wayne Baronick and his sister Abby, Paulette, Nancy, Sylvia, Lauren, Seth, and Pete’s dad, Harry. Zoe’s best friend, Rose even makes the trip from New Mexico for the wedding.

Dashofy brings Zoe and Pete full circle as they each question their abilities. As the evidence starts to point away from Landis, Pete wonders about his other cases and begins to question his gut instincts. Zoe feels unprepared to assume the duties of the acting coroner and longs for the days when she helped save lives. Should she go back to the safety of her EMS family and the job she knows so well? Can she become a voice for the victims who end up on her autopsy table and help them find justice? With so many questions swirling around Zoe and Pete, they never question their commitment and love for each other. That’s a constant that has saved them countless times and it will make up the basis for their new adventures together.

Though Til Death fulfills Dashofy’s 10 book commitment to Henery Press, she is hard at work on the next Zoe Chambers Mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing how Zoe and Pete will balance marriage and working together solving crimes in Vance Township.

If you haven’t read the full series, each title is available at your local bookstores, and online at Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com.