An aspiring author's dreams come true, but what should be the happiest time in her life is tainted with murder. Fresh from grad school, Lena London has a plumb job opportunity fall into her lap. She and her cat, LeStrade, pack up and head to Blue Lake, Indiana to join Lena's favorite author, Camilla Graham, in her century-old home.

Lena's interactions with the residents in the jeweled environs of Blue Lake add depth to the tale and hints of the mysteries to come without distracting from the main story line. Buckley's beautiful descriptions of the town add even more pleasure to the reading experience.

Although I had some trouble toward the middle of the book with some of Lena's reactions and general youthful exuberance (she gets a bit of exercise jumping to conclusions) it never rings false or against her characterization and such instances are nicely balanced by the more mature outlook of Camilla.

Although there are two distinctly mysterious story lines, they are very clearly separated and not at all confusing. In retrospect, clues are definitely dropped before the reader's eyes, but the story kept me guessing pleasurably until the breath-stealing conclusion.

Julia Buckley is a skilled and tricky author in the best possible way for a cozy mystery. Even though I had difficulty warming to Lena at first, by the time I reached the end I was firmly in love with the characters, perhaps even more because of the bit of rocky beginning I experienced. I emphasize, any difficulty sprang from my own personal taste, and is not reflective of the strength of Buckley's writing ability.

Julia Buckley's DARK AND STORMY MURDER is the first of a new suspenseful series of cozy mysteries, and I am hooked. Although the main mystery is definitely and satisfactorily solved, there is an enticing bit of business left to pursue in book two of the series, hopefully coming soon! I recommend the book to cozy mystery fans, perhaps especially to those of us who dream of picking up a pen ourselves.