Lacey’s Star: A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel

In this novel, a savvy female pilot becomes an unlikely detective after a murder disrupts a routine mission.

Cassie Deakin, a clever and capable pilot, has no patience for charm or distraction—especially not from attractive men like Frank White. As Cassie tells readers from the start, “I do not like handsome men. Not that I have much experience with them, but in my opinion, they’re self-absorbed and untrustworthy.” But when she’s forced to fly Frank, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent–turned–deputy sheriff, to her Uncle Charlie’s farm, Cassie finds herself swept into a tangled web of violence, secrets, and long-buried truths. What begins as a grudging job quickly turns into a perilous investigation when a body is found on the property and her beloved uncle is gravely injured. The stakes rise with eerie swiftness: The dead man “was lying on his back with his arms splayed out and a big, ugly hole in his chest. There was a lot of blood.” With law enforcement baffled and tensions rising, Cassie—supported by an endearingly rough-edged biker friend and a protective gelding named Old Dan—reluctantly steps into the role of sleuth. In this series opener, DiBianca crafts a winning protagonist in Cassie: fiercely independent, dryly humorous, and disarmingly human. Cassie’s narration is brisk and laced with sharp wit: “I scowled back. ‘I can take care of myself.’ I brushed a lock of hair out of my face. ‘All I want is a hot shower.’” Emotionally charged yet never melodramatic, the tale moves quickly through short, punchy chapters that maintain tension and momentum. Action sequences are vivid and immersive, balanced by Cassie’s reflective moments: “I was empty inside, like some big alien had sucked the organs out, and all that was left was a hollow shell.” While the plot relies on some familiar genre beats—hidden valuables, rural conspiracies, and red herrings—DiBianca keeps the story engaging through colorful characters, snappy dialogue, and unexpected moments of warmth. The relationship between Cassie and Frank simmers just below the surface, filled with barbed flirtation and unresolved tension. Cassie’s journey from a lone pilot to an invested investigator gives the story its heart, even as the mystery unravels with satisfying twists.

An engaging and expertly paced mystery that blends aviation, intrigue, and a hint of romance.