As a break from my reading to give my overstimulated mind a rest, I read two light, light whodunnit, cozy mysteries.
The first was Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran, which is the first in a new culinary cozy series. The recipe in the back of the book was for buttermilk pie, a specialty at the bookshop/cafe where several book clubs met. At the cafe/bookshop, books are sold, three meals a day are served by the owners/waitresses who share a life, are roommates, and , of course, solve a murder. The victim, “Miss Delia,” one of the older women’s book club’s charter members, is found bludgeoned by a dull, heavy object and totally dead. We are on the “outskirts” of the mystery wondering what “Skully”, a local homeless man was doing skulking ( pun intended) around Miss Delia’s house. I, an amateur Sherlock, just knew there was a “connection” but still got the “connection” wrong. Excellent twists and turns, treasure hunters on motorcycles known as “wreckers”, and a touch of romance make an excellent summer read for anyone who loves books, belongs to a book club or just likes to read about food. Available in paperback.
The second, Spell Booked by Joyce and Jim Laverne, a husband and wife mystery writing team, is again, the first in a series of books, the Retired Witch Mystery series. It has great promise even though I am a good Christian and don’t like reading about witchcraft of any kind, even those as hilarious and delightful as these three witches. The book was a gift, and I enjoyed it very much. It has a simple, but original plot. Three witches who realize they are now eligible for AARP, must “conjure up a retirement package” and find three young recruits to take their place. A big plus for me is that it is set in Wilmington, N.C., near my original “home state” of Virginia and near Beaufort, N.C. where my husband was born and raised until the age of five.
Olivia, one of the witches winds up dead near the beginning of the book, and the witch hunt (pun intended again) is on! This is a fast read, an amusing read, and for any reader who likes humor, loves books and thrives on twists and turns. This book is written by a very talented “team”. Available in paperback. 2014 publication.
Both books are my recommendations for beach reads, escape reads or a “just- plain take-a-day-off-and- read- a -book- day”. Both are also easy to read as a “pick up and put down” book as well.
HAPPY SUMMER READING!
Rae
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