Author: Amy Lillard
Genre: Mystery
Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781492687832
264 Pages
Poisoned Pen Press
$8.99; $6.15 Amazon
November 30, 2021
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It's movie time in Sugar Springs and the whole town is pitching together to get the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the event of the year -- the premiere of Missing Girl, local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film.
Thrilled to bring tourists to Sugar Springs, the town comes together to host the late author's event. But when a stranger arrives, boasting he has definitive proof that Wally didn't write Girl, well, drama leaps from the page into real life. Mishaps start taking place around the theater -- and then a stranger is discovered dead in his hotel room right before his press conference.
Can Arlo and her Friday Night Book Club sleuth out the killer and solve the mystery before the town's Hollywood dreams go up in smoke?
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Arlo Stanley stayed in Sugar Springs, Mississippi when she was sixteen, leaving her hippie family who traveled from town to town. She's put down her roots, owning both a home and a business; a bookstore and coffee bar with her best friend, Chloe. Then there's the Friday Night Book Club -- a trio of elderly ladies, Fern, Camille, and Helen, whom Arlo calls 'Elly,' since she lived with Helen from the age of sixteen to twenty-five. These ladies helped solve the murder of Wally Harrison, a local author whose book is being made into a movie, premiering in Sugar Springs. Now these ladies think they are super sleuths, after helping with not one but two murders being solved, and they're off again...
When the body of one of Helen's guests at her inn is found dead in the theater they're renovating for the premiere, she's afraid she's going to be a suspect. Arlo assures her that's not the case, and then they're sure it's going to be Wally's ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Chloe, or his ex-wife, Daisy. So the women are into the sleuthing game again, much to the consternation of Arlo and the displease of the chief of police, Mads, who thinks Arlo should control them. But that's out of the question, as they do what they want, and Arlo just tries to keep them out of too much trouble. But when an accident befalls someone, and more accidents take place in the Coliseum. it's looking like a killer might just get away with murder...
I have read the previous two books in this series and I really loved them. I know that I've said I abhor love triangles, and I really do; but it is different in this series. You'll have to read the series to find out why, but I guess I will say that I am leaning towards Sam, as he seems more outgoing and fun. Trust me, a man who can make you laugh is worth more money than anyone has. The brooding look has never done it for me (but that's my opinion and you'll all have your own!)
At any rate, I did know who the murderer was the minute they stepped onto the page, but I do read a lot of mysteries, so there's that. The mystery itself was done very well, and the clues were there, but we, along with Arlo and the ladies, had to put them together, which was fun in itself.
The only thing I didn't understand is why if the town was getting the Coliseum ready, why were the three ladies doing all the work? These are women who are over eighty, and I don't see how they could get down on the floor and have no problem getting up again. I have problems, and I'm decades younger than them. So that was the only thing that really bothered me.
Other than that, the book was very good, and the descriptions of everything going on were indeed well written. We are given a view of a small town just trying to keep that small-town-feel, and the characters are becoming more defined as we go along. At the end, when the killer is revealed, the reasons why are rather convoluted, but then again the mind of a murderer isn't normal, anyway. I do feel that they were written believably, and I did enjoy the book quite a bit and will continue with this series. Read this if you get the opportunity; better yet, start with the beginning book and read all three, even though this can be read as a stand alone. Recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Amy Lillard's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/amy-lillard/
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