Lynne's current tour is a group of Floritas, California teachers on a California Gold Rush tour that is to include a good deal of history about the 49ers and their life in mining camps.

The first ominous sign of the doomed tour is when Lynne's beloved van breaks down on the way to the campground. Lynne’s friend Betsy, who is traveling with her, finds their stop serendipitous as she purchases a duplicate lamp to one she remembers fondly from her grandmother's home. Betsy doesn't realize at the time what secrets the lamp holds and just how deadly they are.

When the pair meets up with the other five teachers all the women are so enthusiastic that Lynne is certain everything will run smoothly. Even hypochondriac Susi's forgotten pills and potions are easily remedied and everyone settles in for a week of history. Later the first night, a violent stomachache attacks half the women; the next afternoon when they return from a daytrip, they find their cabins burglarized and the owner of the campground severely beaten. Another trashing of the cabins and close calls for another woman make Lynne suspicious that they are on the trail of more than a few nuggets of gold.

Murder Pans Out is chuck full of historical details, suspicious attacks on the women and possible scenarios. There is so much going on at times that the different threads are hard to keep track of. Lynne is a dynamo when it comes to planning itineraries though little time is left to get to know her well. Glimpses offered of Lynne hint that she would be an interesting woman to know. The other women represent a variety of types (the hypochondriac with a philandering husband, the divorcee with two children and a strained relationship with her ex), yet all are enthusiastic participants in the historical trip.

Those with a keen interest in California history, especially mining history, will find much to enjoy. Even those without a strong interest may find their curiosity piqued by the trips these women take. The mysteries, while well plotted, are often murky and hard to keep straight. In the end, all the strands are neatly tied together and it will have been an enjoyable trip.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry