Barbara Burnett Smith (–2005)

Jolie Wyatt, recently divorced, mother of teenage son, aspiring mystery writer and job hunter for a position in Austin in order to move away, suddenly finds herself as the person of interest in a murder investigation when the victim has been killed using the method described in her working novel. Only people in her writing group and the sheriff knew the plot device. Who is trying to frame her? A secondary thread deals with the lingering and unresolved feelings between her and her ex-husband. show more This dynamic is different than the typical old relationships in many current mystery cozies. I liked it. The plot also doesn't push her into questioning people she doesn't know, since the potential killer is someone she interacts with already. Other quests are through research of news, library and government records. I think this will be an interesting series. show less

Jolie Wyatt has been invited to an anniversary party at the advertising agency where she previously worked and her husband has some business to handle in Austin, so they head there for the Christmas holidays, staying at Matt’s sister’s house. At the party Jolie finds the body of one of the employees and gets tangled up in the case by being asked to help write copy at the firm. There are also problems at Matt’s firm and some family problems where they are staying, so it is not a show more peaceful holiday. Better than the last volume. Jolie has got her whining under control. show less

Purple Sage is celebrating its Centennial and Matt is on the committee. The head of the committee is Vera Meece whose pet project is the POW camp that was active during WWII. When she is murdered at the site and the Sheriff is shot and left for dead Matt is suspected, being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Jolie gets involved since the Sheriff’s Dept. seems to be having problems without its leader. I have no issues with her investigation as a journalist and the plotting of the show more mystery. My problem with this is the personal side. Jolie and Matt have gotten back together just after their divorce was finalized but haven’t remarried yet. Her in-laws are in town for the celebration and Matt’s ex-wife and male friend are with them. Jolie is a mass of insecurities and whiny. I really felt sorry for Matt on all fronts. He has been working on his issues that helped cause the separation, but Jolie just whines. Her loyalty to Matt in solving the mystery is at first her only means of supporting him. I really hope her character issues improve in the next volume. show less

This is a bit of a muddle of a book, quite understandable as the author died midway through finishing it. Kitzi Camden was a senator and now she lives in the family manse in Austin Texas. She's now threatened with eviction by her unscrupulous cousin. When that cousin's partner turns up dead she has to try and find out what's going on and who killed who, particularly as she's one of the suspects.

Somehow I didn't get a feeling of an older person from the character, she didn't come across as show more being someone who had been a senator, maybe a local councillor, but maybe that's just me reflecting Irish politics on an American situation.

It's a bit of a muddle because the author died and we will never know what she really planned for this story, it's not a bad story but it could possibly have been better. show less