A HEALTHY HOMICIDE is Book four in Staci McLaughlin's
Blossom Valley cozy mystery series. Even though
this is
part of a series, I believe A HEALTHY HOMICIDE can still
be enjoyed by readers who may be new to the series.
Unlike the previous books in the series, female
protagonist Dana Lewis is now sharing an apartment with
her younger sister Ashlee. Ashlee is fine in small doses,
but I'm hoping Dana gets her own place soon and Ashlee's
BFF Brittany takes Dana's place as Ashlee's roommate.
I love the main characters in this Blossom Valley
series. Dana is flawed and down-to-earth, her boyfriend
Jason is a sweetie, and even though Ashlee isn't my
favorite character, she's a typical and non-sinister
pain-in-the-butt kid sister. As with previous books, I
like that Staci McLaughlin gives a good reason for Dana
to become involved in tracking down a murderer. Her sense
of loyalty to the other employees of the farm is
admirable. I also like that Dana's boyfriend is a
reporter and therefore understands the need to find out
the truth. Jason's supportive of her investigative
efforts and is a caring partner.
There are so many possible suspects with equally
plausible motives for murder that it's fun trying to
figure out who the guilty one is. There are enough
thrills and chills in A HEALTHY HOMICIDE to keep things
exciting in addition to the traditional cozy elements.
There's not a lot of friction between Dana and the local
police so her trying to solve the murder is not a source
of conflict in A HEALTHY HOMICDE. I think that because
Dana is such an easy character to relate to, it helps
give the reader a feeling of being in the thick of
things. There were a few times, while reading A HEALTHY
HOMICIDE, when I was riveted wondering if Dana would be
caught snooping.
A HEALTHY HOMICIDE is a nice blend of fun and fright to
make for a stellar cozy mystery. The realistic main
characters make this series by Staci McLaughlin shine. I
look forward to seeing what awaits Dana in future books.
Normally the O'Connell Organic Farm and Spa in Blossom
Valley,
California, would welcome a little healthy competition.
But it's no day at the
spa when the rivalry with their chic opponent turns
lethal. . .
Blossom Valley is abuzz with excitement over The Pampered
Life, a brand
new spa with a trendy menu of decadent services and
employees who look
like they jumped off the pages of a fashion magazine--and
Dana Lewis is
worried it could ruin business. But when the swanky spa's
owner is
drowned in a mud bath, police suspect a healthy rivalry
may have turned
into deadly revenge. Now, with all eyes on the farm, Dana
must sift through
a tawdry list of suspects and catch a killer more fearsome
than a botched
chemical peel. . .
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