Foul Play on Words

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at a Portland writers’ conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?

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Series: A Mystery Writer’s Mystery – Book 2
Author: Becky Clark
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Business/Writer-Author
Publisher: Midnight Ink

Rating:

From Midnight Ink https://www.midnightinkbooks.com comes Becky Clark’s second book in the “A Mystery Writer’s Mystery” series, Foul Play on Words. This is a fun, humorous story detailing the adventures of a mystery writer who keeps getting involved in criminal investigations.

Charlee isn’t the average mystery writer, she has a wacky sense of humor, is a bit paranoid, and quite often her imagination gets carried away. She is likable yet comes off as slightly dim and not overly creative. Charlee doesn’t trust easily; past experiences have made her somewhat suspicious of everyone’s motives. There are times when she should be cautious but isn’t.

Other characters in this story do not play a big enough role to know what they are like. There is little to no description of who they are or what their past relationship with Charlee entails. Other than Viv, who doesn’t appear to be a very good friend or a trustful one. Although there is mention of Charlee’s BF, he only makes an appearance during telephone calls, and the reader learns nothing about who he is or his and Charlee’s story.

The villain was immediately recognizable. The motive is made plain, it comes off as petty and childish. Many readers will enjoy the subtle clues and the final unveiling, with a happy ending. The dog show that is going on at the same time as the writer’s conference adds humor to an otherwise normal setting. Happily, no dogs were injured in this story, and one special pup helps save the day.

I would like to have more depth to the characters and a lot more information on Charlee’s background. As this is only the second book in a series, characters are still being developed. It is hoped that in the next book, Charlee becomes more substantial, with her BF and other characters playing bigger roles. The setting could have been great but was not an intricate part of the plot.

Overall Foul Play on Words is a fast read that has moments of humor and can leave readers scratching their heads. If readers want a book, they can read quickly with little brain strain; this is a book worth the time.