Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Candy Slain Murder
Country Store Mystery #8
BY Maddie Day

Kensington
September 29, 2020/ ISBN 978-1-4967-2317-8
Mystery/Cozy /Holiday: Christmas

Reviewed by Laura Hinds

As Christmas approaches in South Lick, Indiana, Robbie Jordan finds herself in the midst of not one but two mysteries.

There’s a fire at the home of Dr. Geller, an anesthesiologist with a bad reputation. As a result of the fire, a skeleton is found in the attic! It seems that the doctor’s wife disappeared several years ago. Dr. Geller lost a leg in Iraq, claims he was not able to climb the pull-down steps to the attic, and never knew about the skeleton. Naturally, suspicions arise about his missing wife.

Meanwhile, Robbie’s young employee Danna suddenly has a half-brother who showed up at Pans ‘N Pancakes unannounced and told her who he is. He seems like a nice young man, but Robbie’s antenna is up and she wants to check him out, especially after it comes to light that he has anger management problems.

Maddie is surprised to learn that there’s racism and Islamophobia in her small town, and I feel the author handled this very well. It was not sugarcoated, nor was it alarmist in nature.

This is a busy book with dual mysteries and a variety of characters. Maddie Day writes in such an uncomplicated manner that the mysteries and characters merge easily. I enjoyed reading “Candy Slain Murder” because the small-town, Midwest feel is appealing and the mystery is solid. I liked the characters and look forward to reading more of the books in this series in order to get to know them better.

The artwork on the cover is most appealing and colorful, and I appreciate the font and overall feel of Kensington books. Both of these features struck me immediately, and I think that they are on the right track with publishing cozies that are cozy to look at and to hold as well as to read.

There are several recipes at the back of the book. The Peppermint Mocha Muffins are my favorite. Which one will be yours?

Reviewed 2020
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