A Dead-End Job Mystery #11
Elaine Viets
Obsidian
May 7, 2013 / ISBN 978-0451237705
Mystery/Amateur Sleuth
Amazon
Reviewed
by Laura Hinds
Helen Hawthorne and Phil Sagemont are newlyweds. They live in Florida,
and work together as the PI team of Coronado Investigations. They
are hired to find evidence that Blossom Zerling poisoned her husband,
Arthur Zerling, in order to inherit his wealth.
Blossom and Arthur were also newlyweds and it's Arthur's daughter,
Violet who is convinced of Blossom's evil treachery. Helen assumes
the role of a minister in order to keep watch over Arthur as he
lay dying in his hospital bed. Phil, meanwhile, is hired to work
for Blossom as Estate Manager. Both cover stories provide the perfect
set up for the PI's to flush out the truth about what Blossom is
up to.
After Arthur's death, Helen stays involved long enough to preside
over his funeral and then she is free to embark on another case.
The other case involves a private yacht and the smuggling of emeralds.
Working as a ship stewardess is exhausting and sea-sickening for
Helen, but when she hears the name Blossom mentioned on the yacht
her antennae go on full alert. Could it be the same Blossom and
is she the culprit in both cases?
I've been reading this series since the beginning and absolutely
love how the author develops the characters and their relationships
so fully. The Florida setting provides lots of options for the PI's
to work, and their home at the Coronado Tropic Apartments brings
their colorful neighbors into the story.
Final Sail has two separate, yet intertwining mysteries,
both carefully plotted and craftily written. This allows for both
Helen and Phil to have their particular investigative techniques
showcased. It is a fast and fun read that offers plenty of laughs
along the way.
If Elaine Viets can keep up the evolution of the characters and
come up with more madcap mystery adventures, this series could go
on and on. I, for one, sure hope it does!
Other
Reviews in this series
Just Murdered,
No 4 [review]
Murder Unleashed, No. 5 [review]
Murder with Reservations, No. 6 [review]
Clubbed to Death, No 7 [review]
Pumped for Murder, No 10 [review
1] [review
2]
Final Sail,
No 11 [review]
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