Weekend Book Reviews

Just in Time by Suzanne Trauth is the fourth book in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series.  Dodie, manager of the Windjammer restaurant, is looking forward to the local theater's production of Bye, Bye Birdie since her boyfriend has a small part.  The theater is combining forces with a theater group from a nearby town.  When the visiting pianist, Ruby,  is found dead in her car, Dodie finds herself in the middle of another investigation.  Ruby has more secrets than anyone imagined.  The characters work well together, and I loved the addition of the restaurant sous chef.  This book easily stands on its own, but I recommend the others.  The theater tie in with the restaurant makes for an interesting series.


The second book in the Wine Trail Mystery series by J.C. Eaton is Chardonnayed to Rest.  Norrie is still at her family's winery, Two Witches, while her sister and brother-in-law are in Costa Rica.  At the monthly wine owners' meeting, a neighbor, Rosalee, lets everyone know about her problems with a new land owner.  When the land owner is found murdered, Rosalee is suspected of being an accomplice at the very least.  Norrie jumps in to help solve the mystery.  I enjoy the setting and the characters of this series.  My problem with this particular book is that the guilty party was very obvious early on.  It was a little frustrating that Norrie could not put the pieces together.  I am looking forward to a stronger mystery in the next book. 

A Killing by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge is the second book in the By the Sea Mystery series.  Liz has settled into life at the Indialantic by the Sea.  The peacefulness is broken by the discovery of the body of a fisherman who went overboard.  I enjoy the series although I wish less time were spent on Liz's aunt's former tv and film career.  I also find Liz's love interest to exhibit some red flags in his behavior.  He tends to run off and pout like a two year old if Liz does not act exactly like he wants.  The series has promise with the growth of a few characters.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!