Author: J.C. Eaton
Genre: Mystery
Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781960511522
Beyond The Page Publishing
207 Pages
$14.99; $5.99 Amazon
February 20, 2024
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When a corpse is discovered under a car at the local auto restoration garage, Sophie "Phee" Kimball gears up to investigate a crime that puts a whole new twist on the term "body shop"...
The seniors of Sun City West are celebrating again, this time over the news that Wayne from the pinochle club finally has a chance to restore is classic car. Phee goes along for the ride, but her thoughts are on the agency's latest case -- a priceless artifact that's missing from the local museum. It's an antique doll supposedly filled with treasure -- but also carrying a curse for whoever possesses it. Then a dead body is found under Wayne's car, along with signs of foul pay, and Phee is coaxed into helping get him off the hook.
It's clear to Phee that the victim was killed by sabotaged machinery, but the garage attracts so much foot traffic that narrowing down a list of suspects will be nearly impossible. Harder still will be keeping her mother's gaggle of friends from meddling in the case, especially after they throw a wrench into the works by trying to locate the missing dolls. Soon Phee and the whole group are careening toward a head-on collision with a thief, a killer, and a cursed doll, and she can only hope they don't drive her insane -- or worse -- make her the next victim...
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In this twelfth book in the series, Phee is happily married and enjoying her role as bookkeeper at Williams Investigation Agency. If it were only that, her life would be complete. However, as fate has it, her mother regularly calls Phee with problems, and expects her to be at her beck and call. Be aware that Harriet isn't your typical mother. She's crazy. Loony. And jumps to conclusions...
That being said, the newest case for the investigation agency is that there is a missing doll that was on loan from the Phoenix Art Museum to the Equity Council's, and it's gone missing. There's no sign of it. Zip. Nada. There's also a supposed curse -- that anyone who possesses the doll will be under a hex. It's because the doll once belonged to a little girl, and people believe her soul is trapped inside. With a treasure that's rumored to be worth a lot of cash. So of course they're on the case discreetly. Sure. Especially with two of Harriet's cronies on the council, they'll keep their word not to let anyone know, right? Uh huh. At least until the morning brunch with not only the ladies, but the men from the automotive club who are celebrating one of their own's good luck,
Which turns out not to be so good after all. A dead body is found underneath a car, which puts a halt to any restorations. Worse, the person who died was disliked by more than one other, and now Phee's antenna is up for clues. Unfortunately, the B4M ladies think that they have their own antennae (they don't); and what ensues are some very funny scenes with these women -- and even some of the men.
It's the usual riot around these people and I have to wonder how Phee still keeps her sanity. No wonder her aunt Ina's son moved away. No surprise there...scenes that 'feature' Streetman the Chiweenee are just as humorous as the other books, and I commend the author(s) on that. They place you effortlessly in the scene and you feel as if you were right there in the action. Watching and laughing, but grateful that you're not in the middle of it.
This book was so entertaining, and once again a winner by the writers. Harriet is clueless about almost everything, and you have to feel sorry for Phee growing up with her. But let's face it, Mama is funny. Really funny. And in this book, Paul Schmidt is a hoot (he being the resident fisherman who's crazy in his own way). Even the climax was fun to read.
When the killer is discovered, I knew pretty much from the beginning. But it's more complicated than that, and even I found it nicely written. I suppose you've figured out that I love this series. I also hope others will as well, and I look forward to the next one. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on J.C. Eaton's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/j-c-eaton/
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