Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Murder Buys a T-Shirt - 1st in the Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery series
Author: Christy Fifield
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-24666-5
Release Date: March 2012
Genre/Sub-genre: Cozy/Paranormal/Romantic Mystery
Year/Setting: Present day, Keyhole Bay FL
Overall Rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Christy's (AKA Christy Evans) Website/Blog: christy-evans-mystery.blogspot.com/p/about-christy-evans.html
Southern Treasures, definitely a touristy shop, was Glory Martine’s inheritance from her Uncle Louis. Well, 55% to her cousin Peter’s 45%, who was a pain in her backside. Along with the shop she inherited an Amazon parrot. Bluebeard. He was a source of mild frustration to Glory as she often found things out of place or displays rearranged. She was sure Bluebeard was the culprit. It was the only obvious answer.
It’s when Glory and BFF Karen return from a ‘treasure’ hunt, and the scene of a horrific accident, that she begins to truly wonder, not just off-handedly, if her Uncle Louis was sharing ‘space’ with Bluebeard. His (Bluebeard’s) words "it wasn’t an accident" sounded reminiscently like Uncle Louis’s voice.
Should she shake it off? Be concerned or fearful? Maybe do a little research on her Uncle?
Maybe some of all the above; when she has time. It’s nothing that needs done immediately…
But his declaration also gives her something else to ponder. The death of the local football hero. It’s ruled an accident (she and Karen saw the scene!). What if it wasn’t? Someone would be getting away with murder.
This is something that is best left to the police. Or it would be if they chose to pursue it further. She can’t shake off Uncle Louis’s words and decides to do a little sleuthing on her own and a little brain-storming with her good friends.
And while she’s at it, should there be enough time in the day, she’ll also do that research on her Uncle. His life seems to be a mystery in itself, what with the little Glory has been able to learn. There’s much more to be dug up on that front.
But saving her shop and staying alive is priority. Delving into her Uncle’s past may best be saved for another day.
A new set of characters, a different location and situations have arrived for the reader to enjoy. Christy Fifield offers a nice blend of the cozy and contemporary with a hint of the paranormal.
I look forward to getting to know Glory and her friends better. It will be interesting to see how/if a relationship with Jake (bookstore owner and neighbor) will develop. As for Uncle Louis, here’s hoping future mysteries find Glory unraveling his past and digging up his secrets. Perhaps with the help of her friends…and Sly and Bobo, too?
Good writing, an appealing ensemble cast, and a tightly woven mystery; definitely a series that’s a promising addition to the ‘cozy’ genre.
Happy reading!
Connie
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