The Turtle Mound Murder (A Daffodils Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: These Wacky Women Are A Hoot
Review: A divorced friend from New Smyrna Beach insisted that I read this book. As an Evanovich devotee, I was skeptical but complied to keep the peace.

The DAFFODILS are not exactly Stephanie and Lula, but Southern close. (You may have noticed from the headline, I'm Southern.)

Bottom line, this was a quick, funny, thoroughly enjoyable read. The pacing is like Evanovich -- quick, my style. My friend says a sequel is on the way, where these wacko women do Bike Week. That should be a double hoot!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, factual setting
Review: I grew up in New Smyrna Beach, Florida and was amazed at the authenticity of the area in this book. The story is well written and an exciting mystery, but the descriptions of the area and events in the area are fantastic. Reading this book has made me homesick. I look forward to reading many more books from Mary Clay.

Rating:
Summary: A Zany, Lovable Story You Shouldn't Miss
Review: Mary Clay exhibits her stellar writing abilities by including a little bit of everything in this zany, lovable story about middle-aged divorcees. There is murder, seafood, local color, self-improvement lessons, sand, turtles and of course, Mars vs. Venus as exemplified by the DAFFODILS themselves. Don't make any plans for the day you begin this book -- you will be too busy laughing to put it down. A visit with the DAFFODILS is definitely one you shouldn't miss!

Rating:
Summary: The jokes are insiders that all women relate to
Review: Mary Clay is a pen name for Linda Tuck-Jenkins. Her first novel, Starpeople: The Sirian Redemption was voted First Runner-Up for Best Visionary Fiction of 2001.

Move over, Steel Magnolias; move over, First Wives Club. "The Daffodils" have arrived. Named for "Divorced and Finally Free of Deceitful, Insensitive, Licentious Scum," the Daffodils are comprised of Penny Sue Park, Ruthie Nichols, and most recently, Rebecca Leigh Stratton, who is newly divorced from her assets stealing; two-timing lawyer husband Zack. The Daffodils decide to take a trip to their college retreat, off New Smyrna Beach, but Leigh discovers a body on the beach within twenty-four hours of their arrival:

"Then, my finger touched something cold and hard. I leaned forward and grabbed... a cold, stiff foot! It was like a bad dream-the one where someone is chasing you, and you try to scream but can't. You open your mouth, straining, yet no sound comes out."

Women are women and men are men in this twist of gender stereotypes. The men are never around when you need them; keep turning up as corpses; and the women have to pick up the pieces, all the while muttering about their connections with the DAFFODILS.

THE TURTLE MOUND MURDER is an entertaining book with strongly defined characters who romp around New Smyrna Beach reliving their college days; tripping over dead bodies; and in general creating havoc and fun. Penned in the best Southern Belle with tongue firmly in cheek, Clay's characters are seen through straight woman Leigh's eyes. Her two pals are flirty and flaky, but she loves them and sees the trio through a string of mishaps that would bowl over a lesser person who was not going through a devastating divorce.

Witty and hilarious, The Turtle Mound Murder engages the reader from the very first page. Mary Clay writes with a sure hand, and Penny Sue, Ruthie and Leigh are all personalities most women have grown up with and can relate to. The jokes are insiders that all women relate to, making this a Shelley choice for a great read.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer
Midwest Book Review

Rating:
Summary: What a beach read!
Review: Picked this little gem of a mystery up and couldn't put it down until the last page was turned. Great thing was that I was lying on the beach soaking up the rays and had a capitivating beach book to read to boot. The Turtle Mound Murder kept my attention with its fast moving story, humorous dialogue, and extravagantly hilarious southern belle characters. The Daffodils are gloriously wacky, their moniker stands for Divorced and Finally Free of Deceitful,Insensitive, Licentious Scum aka ex-husbands. Reminds me of how some of my sorority sisters might have turned out! Hmmm shouldn't dwell on that.
Pick this mystery up and prepare for a fun, fast and fabulously nutty read. You'll laugh out loud. Don't wait until you get to the beach to check it out!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Lighthearted Escape
Review: This book just made me laugh out loud! Wonderful lazy day and/or beach - poolside reading. Have just started the sequel Bike Week. Hope there is another to follow.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Wonderful reading! Enjoyed it very much. I found it well written and laugh-out-loud funny. Keep up the good work Mary Clay---as I am hooked on the Daffodils!