Author: Leslie Meier
Genre: Mystery
Hardcover; Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)
ISBN #: 9781496733795; 9781496733801
Kensington Cozies
268 Pages
$16.17; $8.99; $9.06 Amazon
April 23, 2024
⭐⭐
When a community center opens in town, many embrace it as a space where locals of all ages can gather and create. Others view it as a waste of taxpayer dollars. The director, Darleen Busby-Platt, is no less controversial. Intense and showy, Darleen has huge plans for her new role. But Lucy believes the woman isn't exactly as warm-hearted -- or qualified -- as she seems. That hunch deepens when Darleen and a young employee vanish...and dismembered remains appear!
With lots of clues and a few concrete answers, Lucy rushes to connect loose ends. First there's the disappearance of Tim Stillings, a troubled twenty-something who endured harsh treatment on the job. Next there's Darleen herself, who made fast enemies as the highest-paid resident of Tinker's Cove. Finally, there's Darleen's rich ancestry and ties to heirlooms worth either a fortune or nothing at all.
The closer Lucy gets to the facts, the more she realizes that solving this murder depends on the lies. Because the truth rests somewhere between wild rumors, a trusted friend's emotional new sewing project, and the authenticity of a mysterious three-hundred-year-old patchwork quilt. And Lucy must piece together the big picture -- before she becomes part of a crafty killer's deadly design...
✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽
This is the 30th book in the series, and it's wonderful that Ms. Meier has kept the series going so long. People as myself love to read series, and I do appreciate the fact that this series is basically done in 'real time', with the children growing up and having lives of their own. Unfortunately, this book lacked the charm of others, and I don't think that I'm the only one who feels this way.
The mystery, of course, should be about a murder with both Lucy and her readers trying to solve it. (Even if one of the characters previously named Adam has suddenly become Tim in this version). As another unfortunate fact, I lost interest the minute the author started spouting her political views instead of focusing on the gist of the story. This seemed more about climate change and how it affects everything than the mystery, and it was more than I could take. I don't read mysteries to be preached to.
But the worst was the way the dog's death was treated. The dog, who was in many stories before. Like he was a 'throwaway' and not to be bothered with any more. I have cats, and I grieve when I lose one. The gift of loving pets is the fact that you know you are loving an animal with a shorter lifespan, and you must say goodbye before you are ready. It is difficult. But it is the ability to give love. These are our family members. Not trash.
Unfortunately again, I wish I could give this a higher rating, but I cannot.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Leslie Meier's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/leslie-meier/
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