Gina Kirkham

Prunella Pearce, librarian, has been elected as president of the Winterbottom Women's Institute, and part of her duties is planning weekend getaways for the ladies, most of whom are elderly, with a few exceptions such as Pru and her friend Bree.

Since the two friends have just opened their detective agency, they are happy to receive their first case -- Tarragon Montgomery wants them to find out who is nicking pieces of the household. Since they are going to be there anyway, they book a weekend for the ladies for a murder-mystery by a local set of actors. There's going to be a psychic, and that's a plus. It's also going to be Halloween weekend, so the ladies are looking forward to a mystery hunt as well.

When they arrive on the beginnings of what appears to be a bad storm, what can be better? Except that Pru can't reach her boyfriend, the delectable detective Andy Barnes, who is on a case in another town. Without cell power, they're stuck here. Which wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't a murder...or two...or three..or...

I read the first book in this series and I was pleased with it. This is not a typical cozy, as while there is no sex, there certainly is a lot of innuendo, and not just by the younger ladies. The elders can hold their own in that department. Just letting you know...

I was intrigued by the fact that while the bodies do start piling up, there are some gruesome doings along with it. Poor Tarragon is saddled with a greedy wife and son, and his longtime butler Smithers is the one holding everything together. But the show must go on, and even with the heavy bickering between the actors, it does. Just not the way they expected...

I thought the plot was done nicely, giving us a chance to try and figure everything out. It actually didn't come together until almost the end of the book, which isn't a bad thing, as you have a nice mystery to sink your teeth into and try and figure out. Even when the rain clears there is still things to be sorted, and the confusion doesn't end for DI Barnes even then.

But it does all come together, and while the ending is definitely a surprise, it is also quite satisifying to read. I didn't feel that justice wasn't done, because it was; and I did like how it all turned out. Recommended.… (altro)

Published by: Urbane Publishing (18 May 2017)



ISBN: 978-1911331711



Source: NetGalley



Rating: 4*



Synopsis:

Meet Mavis Upton. As mummy to 7-year old Ella, surrogate to far too many pets and with a failed marriage under her belt, Mavis knows she needs to make some life-changing decisions. It's time to strike out into the world, to stand on her own two feet … to pursue a lifelong ambition to become a Police Officer. I mean, what could go wrong?



Supported by her quirky, malapropism-suffering mum, Mavis throws herself headlong into a world of uncertainty, self-discovery, fearless escapades, laughter and extra-large knickers. And using her newly discovered investigative skills, she reluctantly embarks on a search to find her errant dad who was last seen years before, making off with her mum's much needed coupon for a fabulous foam cup bra all the way from America.



Follow Mavis as she tackles everything life can throw at her, and revel in Gina Kirkham's humorous, poignant and moving story of an everyday girl who one day followed a dream.



Review:

Based on the author's experiences as a police officer, this book is funny yet touching in parts. Mavis herself is larger than life, getting herself into all sorts of mischief and is all the more likeable because of it. I'm not sure she's entirely believable, but that doesn't seem to matter one bit.



I like that we get to see both sides of Mavis - the police officer and the mum/daughter. Her interaction with her fellow officers is great, I love the banter; it's like taking a step back in time into one of the British comedies of yesteryear. The interaction with her mum is fantastic too, had me laughing out loud!



I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a giggle, likes humorous books and likes a moving story. Thanks to Matthew at Urbane Publications and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for my honest review.… (altro)