Again, a quick read and I liked it. ( )

Second in a series featuring a psychologist-cum-advice columnist, and even more enjoyable than the first (Preaching to the Corpse). Dr. Rebecca Butterman lives in rural Guilford, Conn. and works in New Haven, and I read the first book as part of my A Mystery for Every State project. In Asking for Murder, Rebecca discovers a close friend, also a therapist, beaten and left for dead in her own home. As her friend fights for her life in a coma, Rebecca tries to figure out who could have done this to the gentle woman who helps people by using sandtray therapy. Was it a mysterious new boyfriend, a former or current client, or even one of her own sisters? The solution was one I certainly didn't see coming. This was just the thing to provide a relaxing few hours for a harried tax preparer! ( )

Dr. Rebecca Butterman arrives at her friend and colleague, Annabelle Hart’s office for their lunch date. Rebecca immediately expects the worst when Annabelle isn’t in her office. Her assumptions appear to be correct when she learns Annabelle has not shown for her morning therapy sessions. Rebecca immediately goes to Annabelle’s home where she discovers Annabelle badly beaten. Who left Annabelle for dead? An angry client? Her new boyfriend? Or was it a burglary gone bad? Rebecca is determined to solve this mystery. ( )

One of the best genres written these days are murder mysteries. Roberta Isleib, author of “Asking for Murder,” writes a gripping story of who-dun-it that makes you ponder all the twists and turns of the mystery. This book is the third book of the “An Advice Column Mystery” series that Isleib has written, but the first of hers for me to read. She writes in what I call simple talk. No big words, no complex thoughts or hard to understand plots that could make the story drag. I look forward to reading more of her books.

The series main character is Dr. Rebecca Butterman who finds her friend Annabelle, a fellow therapist, badly beaten and near death. Rebecca wants to help find answers to who wanted to cause her friend harm, but no one wants her nosing around. From strange patients to an estranged sister, the suspect list begins to grow. A clue to solving the crime may lie in the sand play therapy that Annabelle uses in her sessions with clients. It is up to Dr. Butterman to get in to the sand and see what suspects she can find to help her friend before it’s too late!

I love these women, amateur-sleuth type books that make you want to get in to the book and be a sleuth too! The plot is very simple and easy to follow, but it leaves you wondering ‘who’ the actual attacker is until the very end. Rebecca is a strong and intelligent woman who doesn’t quite have her life ‘all together.” I think that is why we love her so much, she is one of us. The few advice columns that are put in throughout the book, really don’t add to the story, but do give you a bit of insight into Rebecca’s state of mind as she responds to the questions.

If the first two books of the series are like this one, I can’t wait to read them. Having not read the other books, I had no problem jumping in to the storyline without knowing the characters background. So, if you’re looking for a cozy mystery to cuddle up with after a hard day, I would recommend “Asking for Murder.” ( )

When psychotherapist Rebecca Butterman’s friend, therapist Annabelle Hart, misses a luncheon engagement and does not return her calls, Rebecca becomes concerned. She goes to her friend’s house and finds Annabelle badly beaten. Annabelle is rushed to the hospital, where she lies in coma. Rebecca’s attempts to see Annabelle at the hospital are denied by Annabelle’s sister, a cold woman who writes a catty gossip column. Rebecca incorporates the help of Detective Meigs, who concludes that Annabelle was beaten as the result of a botched robbery, and then mysteriously disappears. Rebecca decides to do some sleuthing on her own, which isn’t easy with so many people connected to Annabelle acting suspicious, if not guilty.

This third outing in the Advice Column Mystery series by Roberta Isleib proves another winner. Rebecca Butterman is complicated, has unresolved issues, and is still trying to find her way in the world. She can be petty and has lingering doubts about her divorce, but overall is intelligent and loyal and works hard to make the best out of the situations she finds herself in while trying to deal with past traumas and lingering issues. Isleib throws in plenty of red herrings, wrapped around an intriguing plot. ( )