Lavender Lies

(*I am not able to load the pictures right now but will return later and put them up when the picture thingy gets fixed.)

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.

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.

Little Bitty Lies

Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews

(Publ 2003)

My Blurb – This is a story about a lady in a neighborhood, where everyone seems to be getting a divorce. Mary Bliss McGowan thinks she has a good marriage until she comes home one day and finds a note from her skunk of a husband. He’s left her – not only left her but taken all the money in the back and mortgaged her house. She is flat broke and in a dire situation. Her best friend - Catherine, who is newly separated from her husband, too - comes up with a great plan to fake Mary husbands’ death down in Mexico and collect the insurance money. Of course, nothing goes quite as planned. Include in this story, a teenage daughter who is angry and having problems of her own, a mother-in-law who is meaner than a snake and living in a nursing home, a retired detective that is snooping around in her husband’s business and Mary’s life, and her trying to find new ways of earning money to survive.

I’d give it a 6 ½.

My thoughts – it was an interesting story with funny characters. It had an interesting ending.

Antiques Bizarre

Antiques Bizarre by  Barbara Allan

(a Trash ‘n Treasures Mystery)

Publ. 2010

 Brandy Borne has a lot going on right now. She is divorced with a teenage son who lives with his Dad. Dealing with the early stages of pregnancy isn’t easy (with a baby for her best friend). While living with a mother who is mentally ill, she must make sure her mother takes her medicines and doesn’t get sick again. This same mother drags her into helping set up an auction including a famous Fabrege egg. Add to this – three deaths, a new possible boyfriend, secrets about her own birth, and hundreds of people given food poisoning – well, you can understand her stress.

I’d give it a 7

My thoughts – This was my first time reading the work of this writer. I enjoyed it very much. There was certainly plenty going on and you really connected with the characters. I would like to read more of these cute books         

A Cat Under the Mistletoe

A Cat Under the Mistletoe –  Lydia Adamson

(pub - 1996)

My blurb – Alice Nestleton cat-sits for elderly actor. His cat acts up. When he’s called about it, he tells her to take cat to a pet therapist. When she arrives for appointment, finds the therapist dead. Once she starts to dig into the situation, she finds a May/Dec marriage that has a secret, several clients having their pets treated, and a connection to an old murder. Along the way she follows wrong clues and makes mistakes. Some of the clues she finds are aprons, photography, and blackmail. Alice must also deal with two possible ex-boyfriends where she’s not quite sure what their situations are now.

I’d give it a 6 ½

My thoughts – This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I liked the story but I was left with some questions about some of the characters – especially the boyfriends. It might be better to read these books from the series beginning to have better understanding of the characters and situations.

Murder Shoots the Bull

Murder Shoots the Bull – Anne George

Publ – 1999

These books are about two older sisters – Mary Alice and Patricia Anne – who live in Birmingham, Alabama and the troubles they get in.

(My Blurb) Poor Patricia Anne is having a busy time right now. She’s trying to help start a ladies investment group, has a sick dog, and has family troubles. Her son and daughter-in-law are having a hard time. The daughter-in-law comes to stay with them for a little while. Adding to this, Patricia Anne’s next door neighbors - Mitzi and Arthur - get involved with a real mess. Arthur’s first wife comes to town and gets poisoned. Arthur is named the manager of her estate which puts him in danger. Of course, Patricia Anne and Mary Alice get involved and try to help.

(My thoughts) This is the kind of book I like to read for fun. It’s called a “cozy” mystery, I think. It’s got funny spots but still interesting. I really like the way this writer tells a story. No blood-and-guts, just a cute story. I didn't know "who done it" until near the end.  I have heard this writer has passed away, so there won’t be any more books, besides the small group she already has out. That’s a shame.

I'd give it a - 7