The next-door neighbor, Zoe Zola, a little person and Lewis Carroll enthusiast, suspects local curmudgeon Adam Cane, but when he's found dead in Zoe's fairy garden, all roads lead back to her. Jenny, however, believes Zoe is innocent, so the two women team up to find the true culprit, investigating the richest family in Bear Falls, interrogating a few odd townspeople, and delving into long, hidden transgressions--until Adam Cane isn't the only body in town, and they have an even bigger mystery to solve.[summary via Amazon]
From the first page to the last, I was simply charmed by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli's A Most Curious Murder. This is the first book in what looks to be a very promising new series. It centers around Jenny Weston, who has returned to Bear Falls, after her marriage turned sour in Chicago. She's back in Bear Falls to face her past, look to the future and possibly solve a murder or two!
There are lots of new cozy mystery series propping up, usually at least 3-4 every month, and what drew me to picking this one out over the others was the "Little Library" theme. It's unique. There are plenty of cozy mysteries set in libraries, but none that I've read that feature little libraries. The little library is central to the story, especially as Jenny's mom's little library is destroyed and has to be re-built, and thus starting what looks like a crimespree in Bear Falls.
The uniqueness doesn't end with the little library. This series is one of a kind. It's like a cozy mystery with Alice in Wonderland between the lines. Jenny's mom, Dora's, neighbor is a little person that writes fairy tales, has an amazing fairy garden and likes to quote Alice in Wonderland. For anyone with even a small amount of love for Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland, they will be completely charmed by this. I found myself looking forward to every Alice in Wonderland quote from Zoe Zola and enjoyed watching Zoe, Jenny and their family and friends trying to untangle the "riddle"!
I liked getting to know the characters in Bear Falls. Jenny has a bit of a complicated past in Bear Falls and she runs into old flames and a jealous wife on her trip home. This makes for an interesting read as it all plays out. Add in the very personable, if some what full of riddles, Zoe Zola, and hunky ex-cop, Tony, and you put it all together for a delightful read.
A Most Curious Murder is the perfect example of why I love reading cozy mysteries. Every series is a little bit different, with interesting characters to meet, a puzzle to solve and in this case, a little fairy tale thrown in as well. If your looking for a little magic in your life, then pick up A Most Curious Murder. It's a debut you will remember as fondly as any fairy tale!
Purchase A Most Curious Murder from Amazon.
Purchase A Most Curious Murder from Amazon.
No comments:
Post a Comment