(Posted for Ann Roberts)
A journalist escaping from a failed marriage moves to backwoods, northern Michigan, only to find herself embroiled in a murder mystery, and not of her own choosing. The bodiless head in the garbage can chose her, or rather someone chose to put it there….In spite of the horrific crime that sets this tale in motion and others that follow, the mood of this story remains light and often humorous. It’s amazing how writers can do that, huh? Turn a beheading into a fluffy, lighthearted mystery? It’s all in the choice of words. Emily Kincaid is a reluctant sleuth, dragged along on this mission by a local officer of the law, Deputy Dolly. Emily and Dolly form a duo that is slightly reminiscent of Stephanie Plum and Lula, minus the car explosions and street smarts. These are small town rural sleuths, whose investigation brings them in contact with a reclusive, a Luddite, the town drunk, Emily’s ex-husband, his sweet young thing “graduate assistant” and a group of harmless old ladies who celebrate life and nature by dancing in the woods three or four times a year. The ending is no great surprise, but the characters are appealing and even endearing. I would visit with them again.
Paperback, 370 pps.
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