Joyce Christmas

Betty Trenka, retired businesswoman, was forced to retire so chose the small town of East Moulton, Connecticut; a town similar to the one she was born and raised in. A more quiet and peaceful place than her previous town of Hartford. At least that was the way it was until she got a late night phone call from Violetta asking for 'sanctuary.' It was difficult to say no to Violetta. The two ladies had grown up in the same town when Violetta was known as Viola, a small town girl, not Violetta show more the Vogue model. Seems Violetta needed to get out of New York due to the body of a dead model had been discovered in her apartment when she returned from a visit to friends in New Jersey.

Violetta claimed she needed to get away, but she had notified the press of where she was going. Seems Violetta thrived on being in the public's eye. When Violetta shows up with her make-up case and Tina, her cat, things start getting strange. Her story line is wonky and a bit hard to believe.

Meanwhile, Betty had taken a job typing the memoirs of the famous, vain and eccentric Crispin Abbott, who had recently purchased and remodeled the old Winfield farm to the point it was barely recognizable. A man who was charming, surrounded by a cast of characters and a bit overbearing. His housemates included a very young girl name Sonia, his muse; a housekeeper, Mrs. Bea Fender and her son Johnny, both with bad reputations in town. Betty figured it would give her some extra money and something to take up her time.

Betty really becomes involved when Violetta goes missing, Betty's garage is torched and a body is found in the ashes. What is going on? Betty starts putting things together and the picture is not a good one. Seems big city problems have come to small town East Moulton.

The story line move smoothly and the characters are consistent. A fun, fast read. show less

April 3, 2000
This Business is Murder
Joyce Christmas

An interesting little “office’ Mystery – sort of a different perspective for a cozy. Betty is a retired secretary who’s been forced out of her longtime job by new management, and she’s moved to a new house in a small town with some of her retirement savings.

She’s not ready to retire, though. She’s alone and bored, so she takes a temp job. The day before she’s due to start, the women she’s supposed to be standing in for is show more murdered. Betty goes to work at this wacky office and has a full day with the interesting characters of “Zig Zag Corp”, and the next day, another woman is murdered.

Betty’s sleuthing partner is a handicapped man, a neighbor who had been close to the first victim. It’s an interesting pairing, but both characters could have been explored a bit more. I don’t know if it’s a series.

Anyway, it was entertaining and I enjoyed it. show less

Betty Trenka is unexpectadly visitied by a friend from high school, Violetta, who was once a famous model. Violetta discovered a body in her apartment and has now fled to Bettys house to avoid the police. Betty also becomes involved in the life of a local mother and in typing the memoirs of a "famous" person who bought a house nearby.

Good start for this character line-up, I'm looking forward to reading more from Joyce.