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Rating: 
Summary: A fun read and a good mystery
Review: In New Kasel, Missouri, Tori O'Shea is a professional genealogist. She lives with her husband Rudy and their two daughters, nine-year-old Rachel and six-year-old Mary. They live the typical suburban family life except when Tori becomes involved in a homicide (see FAMILY SKELETONS and A VEILED ANTIQUITY). No one expects Tori to deal with a murder investigation since she is seven months pregnant.Tori and her grandmother Gert travel to Panther Run, West Virginia to visit long time friend Clarissa Hart Campbell, a 101-year-old lady. However, just after the two visitors arrive at Clarissa's boarding house, someone kills the centenarian, but not before she makes it clear she has something important to tell Tori. The local sheriff suspects Tori of killing Clarissa, which encourages the pregnant woman to make her own inquiries. Her investigation opens up long buried secrets that are almost as old as Clarissa was as well as a killer who would not mind a double homicide with one murderous blow. Rett MacPherson creates charming cozies starring a beguiling heroine with a sense of humor. The story line, based on the coal mine owners total control of the work force, provides the audience with a realistic glimpse into an unsavory time in this country's heritage. A MISTY MORNING ties the past to the present so that the history of early twentieth century West Virginia coal mining towns are vividly displayed. Ms. MacPherson has written a wonderful amateur sleuth tale whose historical perspective adds tasty seasoning to a strong tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A fun read and a good mystery
Review: In New Kasel, Missouri, Tori O'Shea is a professional genealogist. She lives with her husband Rudy and their two daughters, nine-year-old Rachel and six-year-old Mary. They live the typical suburban family life except when Tori becomes involved in a homicide (see FAMILY SKELETONS and A VEILED ANTIQUITY). No one expects Tori to deal with a murder investigation since she is seven months pregnant. Tori and her grandmother Gert travel to Panther Run, West Virginia to visit long time friend Clarissa Hart Campbell, a 101-year-old lady. However, just after the two visitors arrive at Clarissa's boarding house, someone kills the centenarian, but not before she makes it clear she has something important to tell Tori. The local sheriff suspects Tori of killing Clarissa, which encourages the pregnant woman to make her own inquiries. Her investigation opens up long buried secrets that are almost as old as Clarissa was as well as a killer who would not mind a double homicide with one murderous blow. Rett MacPherson creates charming cozies starring a beguiling heroine with a sense of humor. The story line, based on the coal mine owners total control of the work force, provides the audience with a realistic glimpse into an unsavory time in this country's heritage. A MISTY MORNING ties the past to the present so that the history of early twentieth century West Virginia coal mining towns are vividly displayed. Ms. MacPherson has written a wonderful amateur sleuth tale whose historical perspective adds tasty seasoning to a strong tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Another Fun Entry in a Delightful Series
Review: Yes, there are plenty of twists in this story. Some I saw coming and some I didn't. "Grandma Gert" is a nice addition to the "Holy Terror" school of formidable elders. The author asks our forgiveness for not setting this story in New Kassel, but I don't think there's anything to forgive. The West Virginia setting was just as interesting as the unfolding of another less-than-ordinary chapter in the lives of Torie's ancestors. The information about a certain use for quilts was new to me and welcome. I hope this isn't the last we'll see of cousin Elliot. RANDOM COMMENTS: Actually, considering what happens to your body when you die, sitting on the toilet might not be the worst place to be if your plane should crash. I, for one, don't think Torie should forgive her stepfather-to-be until he clears her record. Colin should write to her car insurance company and the department of motor vehicles [if they still have the incident on record] and admit that Torie didn't deserve that ticket. He should also pay Torie every penny of the difference that ticket undoubtedly made in her insurance rates during those years. It's not enough to apologize if you've wronged someone. You need to make reparation. All right, I'll admit I'm frequently shocked by what coworkers in their teens and 20s don't know about American history, but Torie is in her 30s. Weren't they still teaching about miners and the horrible conditions under which they worked when she was in school? Didn't she ever ask an adult what the line "I owe my soul to the company store" in Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons" meant? I would have expected her to nod and let the speaker go on talking. I do hope Torie's car has vinyl seats instead of cloth.
Rating:
Summary: Another Fun Entry in a Delightful Series
Review: Yes, there are plenty of twists in this story. Some I saw coming and some I didn't. "Grandma Gert" is a nice addition to the "Holy Terror" school of formidable elders. The author asks our forgiveness for not setting this story in New Kassel, but I don't think there's anything to forgive. The West Virginia setting was just as interesting as the unfolding of another less-than-ordinary chapter in the lives of Torie's ancestors. The information about a certain use for quilts was new to me and welcome. I hope this isn't the last we'll see of cousin Elliot. RANDOM COMMENTS: Actually, considering what happens to your body when you die, sitting on the toilet might not be the worst place to be if your plane should crash. I, for one, don't think Torie should forgive her stepfather-to-be until he clears her record. Colin should write to her car insurance company and the department of motor vehicles [if they still have the incident on record] and admit that Torie didn't deserve that ticket. He should also pay Torie every penny of the difference that ticket undoubtedly made in her insurance rates during those years. It's not enough to apologize if you've wronged someone. You need to make reparation. All right, I'll admit I'm frequently shocked by what coworkers in their teens and 20s don't know about American history, but Torie is in her 30s. Weren't they still teaching about miners and the horrible conditions under which they worked when she was in school? Didn't she ever ask an adult what the line "I owe my soul to the company store" in Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons" meant? I would have expected her to nod and let the speaker go on talking. I do hope Torie's car has vinyl seats instead of cloth.
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