Helen Goodman

When her fellow teacher, Catherine, invites her along on her visit to the family lodge on Lake Lucia, NC, Allison Aldridge accepts looking forward to some relaxing and swimming. Unfortunately she finds herself observing a family feud. Four cousins, heirs to Aunt Bess, owner of the lodge, have been summoned to hear of her plans for the lodge. Each assumes they will inherit one quarter, but Aunt Bess surprises them all with plans that oppose what each has planned. When Aunt Bess is murdered show more the night before she puts her plans in action the list of suspects is not very long. Allison finds herself at first privy to much of the investigation and assists Detective Fred Sawyer with her intuitive observations, but then becomes a target herself.

I really liked this low key mystery. The heroine is a mid-forties, short, average looking, athletic, middle school gym teacher, divorced with 2 children in college. Detective is early fifties, slightly paunchy, short, average looking long-time bachelor considering retirement. They have a kindred interest in solving the case. I look forward to the next volume to see how this long distance connection might continue. Well done. show less

First Allison Aldridge's classroom and then her home are broken into, but nothing seems to be missing. Then her neighbor disappears leaving her heart medication behind, not a likely happening. The detective who comes is a former student who doesn't object to Allison helping in the investigation. Her long distance boyfriend, Fred, is also a detective and throws in his thoughts as well. When her neighbor's husband dies in a work accident and Allison is attacked in her home things pick up show more steam. More people hit the suspect list and counterfeiting is added to the equation. This is not a difficult puzzle to solve but an enjoyable mystery. I like the characters and look forward to the next volume. show less

Allison Aldridge and her fiance, Fred, are on a camping weekend when their van is stolen. In following the trail of the thief they discover the body of a young woman. Fred is about to retire and this will be his last case, which he gives to his replacement to take lead. As the investigation advances Allison gets involved. Obviously Fred is asking questions that threaten the killer because he becomes a target and ends up shot and under guard in ICU. Allison includes her son and daughter in show more the challenge and the case expands to include the city police force. Good mystery with very likable and capable characters. show less

This was a pleasant summer read. I did like the main character, Fonnie Beachum, but would not put this on my list of books where I must read the whole series. The change of pace with the heroine being an older woman who is just back home after recovering from a stroke is good. The author did a good job of working the action around Fonnie's limitations. Okay, I did like Fonnie well enough that I would "do lunch" with her and will see if my local library has more of the series on CD books, but show more three stars seems about right for this book. show less