Lavender Lies

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Lavender Lies by Susan Wittig Albert

(China Bayles Mystery)

(Publ 1999)

China is trying to get ready for her wedding which is coming fast. Her groom is acting police chief, Mike McQuaid. A local real estate man is killed. He was not a very nice person and had enemies all over town. It turns into a nasty complicated case. China and her friends decide to help out so the wedding and honeymoon don't get pushed back until the case is solved. Add to the situation  - a missing wedding cake, another murder, blackmail, crooked politics, a snatched child, and a hurricane or two.

I'd give it a - 6 1/2 .

My thoughts - I liked the story. It has lots of twists and turns. The story moved along quickly and it held your interest all the way.

The William Powell and Myrna Loy Murder Case

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The William Powell and Myrna Loy Murder Case by George Baxt  

(Publ 1996)

This story is set in the Golden Age of Hollywood with the big studios and glittering stars in them. A very popular Hollywood madam finds out she's very ill. She needs to find some money to leave her family after she's gone. She lets it be known she is writing her memoirs and thinking about selling her little black book. This sets the stage for a  couple of murders. William Powell and Myrna Loy know the madam and get involved with the investigation.

I'd give it a - 6 1/2 .


My Thoughts - there was a real feel of being back in the days of old when the famous stars were real and at their prime. I like old movies and know the old stars. I enjoy reading about the old scandals and secrets so I knew what was being refered to. I'm not sure someone who didn't know about the past in Hollywood would enjoy it as much. I enjoyed it and want to read more of the work of this writer. He has a whole group of books using old stars in them..

Bloody Bonsai

Bloody Bonsai by Peter Abresch

(James P. Dandy Elderhostel Mystery)

(Publ 1998)

Jim is still a rather new widower. His family pushes him to go on a vacation and take a class in bonsai. He meets many of new people at the motel, including a lady named Dodee Swisher and her elderly Aunt Alice. Dodee gets him into all kinds of unexpected adventures. They find a dead body in class before it starts, steal some sad bushes from the side of the road, uncover blackmail, and secrets all over the place. They get really familiar with the police department in the little beach town where they are taking the class.

I'd give it a 6 1/2.

My thoughts - The writer's first book. My first time reading his work. It had a very interesting setting, great characters, and it was very interesting to learn about bonsai. Story was funny in places and kept you involved. I want to read more by him.

Miss Dimple Disappears

Miss Dimple Disappears  by Mignon F. Ballard

(Publ 2010)

This story was set in war time - complete with ration books, shortages, threats of spies everywhere, yong men leaving town (and many not returning), and the dreaded telegram starting with the words "We regret to inform you...".

Charlie Carr, a young lady teacher, in Elderberry, Georgia gets involved with two big dramas at her school. First thing one morning, the school custodian is found dead near the school bell rope. The next day, the elderly Miss Dimple Kilpatrick disappears on her way to school. Add to this a little boy who spends all his time chasing spies around town, two possible romances with boys going into the service, a brother already overseas, muffins, a telegram and an odd assortment of characters all around the town.

I'd give it a 6.

My thoughts - This book was well done. You felt like you were back in history. There were well done characters and a nice paced story. I must admit, I like the "Angel" series, by the same writer, the best but this was a good book.

Murder is Binding

Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

(A Booktown Mystery)

(Publ 2008)

Tricia Miles has one of the many bookstores that revitalized the town of Stoneham, NH. Her store is a mystery book store. Doris, owner of a neighboring cookbook store, is found murdered in her shop by Tricia. Angelica, the not-so-close sister of Tricia, comes to town to visit. Throw in a lot of suspects - including a strange insurance man, his mother in a nursing home, an irritating newspaper man, and a cold hearted real estate man,  Add to the mix a set of twins, a stolen expensive antique cookbook, and a very angry female sheriff.

I'd give it a 6 1/2 .

My thoughts -  I liked this book. It was another new writer for me to read for the first time. There are interesting characters - even the cat. There is a good setting that has a real feel to it. I thought the pace of the book moved along nicely.

Pane of Death

 Pane of Death by Sarah Attwell

 (Glassblowing Mystery)

(Publ - 2008)

Emmeline Dowell is a glassblower. She is asked to help with a project of setting up glass windows for a retired millionaire, she shows up one morning to find him dead and his million dollars worth of artwork gone. She becomes a suspect by her boyfriend, who is the chief of police. He shuts her out of the investigation and almost gets her killed. A lady FBI agent wants her help and her brother – a computer geek – to help, too.

I’d give it a - 6

My thoughts – This was my first time reading a book by this writer. It had a nice setting, interesting job, and fun characters. I would like to read more in this series.