Wash and Die

I'm always so happy when Barbara Colley has a new book out. They are enjoyable to read, the characters remain interesting, and I know I'm in for an enjoyable couple of hours. This book is no exception. All the main players are back as their lives continue on with babies, work, and recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Of course there is a murder, and of course Charlotte finds herself sticking her nose where it doesn't belong much to the annoyance of friends and family. The thing that appeals most is how real these characters can be. None of them are perfect angels, including Charlotte herself. They are just regular human beings doing the best they can.

There's not a lot I can say about this book. It took me a while to finish it because I had lost interest in reading for a couple days or so..but not because I didn't enjoy it...I just didn't feel like reading. I really enjoyed most of the characters, especially the main character Charlotte. This is the seventh book in a series, but I was able to go into it without an issue and stay up with what was going on. Situations from other books were hinted at, but not to the point that it lost you. This was a cover pick up for me at the library...although I was in the mood for a mystery, this cover is what made me pick it up. So glad I did. I'd be willing to pick up at least one or two other books to see if I like those as well.

The job of a maid is sometimes thought to be quiet, hard work and mostly boring -- not so for Charlotte LaRue, owner of Maid for a Day cleaning service in New Orleans, LA.

While the work can sometimes be long hours and strenuous, Charlotte’s days are far from boring.

Having survived Hurricane Katrina and looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild, Charlotte is soon swept up in the turmoil of a jewelry theft ring, hired killers, a murder and her beloved parakeet Sweety Boy disappears.

This all begins when Charlotte’s kind heart got the better of her and she allowed Joyce Thibodeaux to stay in her guest room a few days. Joyce, fresh out of detox, soon shows her dark side. A gold watch goes missing and before Charlotte can show more confront her, she finds Joyce dead in her living room and the place is ransacked.

‘Being a person of interest’ in the murder, Charlotte decides she has to find the killer on her own, while also searching for her lost bird. Charlotte’s quest for justice soon puts her in harm’s way as she pieces together the mystery that brings her face to face with the killer.

Charlotte’s rescuer will surprise and amaze you.

Barbara Colley has created a heroine in Charlotte like no other. This heroine is a hard working, middle-aged woman on her own. She is a person readers can relate to and even see themselves in how she handles family, friends, her business, and a life in general.

“Wash and Die” is the seventh installment in the Charlotte LaRue Mystery series. Check out the other titles - Married to the Mop, Maid for Murder, Death Tidies Up, Polished Off, Wiped Out, and Scrub-a-Dub Dead.

Coming in January Charlotte returns in “Dusted to Death.” When Hollywood comes to New Orleans Charlotte gets caught in the middle of another murder.

Charlotte has a front row seat to the drama behind the camera as the film crew uses the home of one of Charlotte’s best clients, Bitsy Duhe. Bitsy only agrees to the shoot as long as Charlotte takes care of her home during the filming.

When the dust settles, what kind of mess will Charlotte find herself in this time?

For more information on this and other books by Barbara Colley, checked www.eclectics.com/barbaracolley-annelogan and www.breakthroughpromotions.com show less