Joy Patrick

Vivian Blake has been away for many years, and returned home to Mangrove Bay, Florida to live in her late uncle Don's home. She and her tenant, Ben, are preparing for Mischief Night -- otherwise known as Pirate's Night -- as everyone in town awaits the festivities along with a reenactment of the night the townspeople vanquished deadly pirate Captain Treader and his crew. Nearly everyone is excited, except for sour Marion Leggett and her son, Patrick. For years she's been bemoaning the bad influence it has on the town.

But this year there's a surprise -- one of the townspeople is found dead, and Marion is very much a suspect. While the sheriff thinks he's got the right woman, Vivian isn't so sure, and sets out to find the true killer...

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I am not sure if I want to read any more of them. Not because the book was bad, by any means. It was decent for a novella. But because the author proceeded to tell us -- especially those of us who have not read others by her -- who died in the last book and who the murderer was. Now, I could have not been bothered by the victim, but telling us the murderer? Why would I go back and read the prior book if I already know the ending? The author herself gave us The Spoiler. Something you don't want a reader to do, by the way, much less the person who wrote the book. The worst part? It wasn't even necessary to the story. It could have been left out altogether.

So now I am left wondering if this is going to occur in every other book. Why, then, should I read any of them? I love figuring out the killer. I don't love someone telling me ahead of time who it is.

The story itself was rather interesting, but because of the length, it was difficult to get a read on the characters. What does Viv look like? We know her age, but that's about it. Same with most of the other characters (aside from a minor one or two). I got confused with the many people, most of whom had very little to do with the mystery.

But in the end, the killer was a bit of a surprise, and that's the main thing. It should be. Which is why I gave this book three stars (losing one for The Spoiler). Just be aware that in the next book she might tell you who it was in this one.… (more)

amateur-sleuth, gymnastics, small-business, small-town, family-dynamics, Pennsylvania, family-drama, family-business, hometown, recipes, suspense, casino, new-series, cozy-mystery, culinary, restaurant, friendship, friends*****

Former world class gymnast JJ is dispirited after a home invasion. So she packs a bag and heads to her family and home town where she picks up her old job in the family Greek restaurant and begins to find old friends when her brother is picked up for murdering his girlfriend. And then things really go pear-shaped. Together with her friends, the sleuthing begins! Good short read.
I won a free e-book copy in a giveaway.
(A JJ Kamaras Cozy Mystery Book 1)… (more)