Staged 4 Murder

Sophie “Phee” Kimball is trying to do some work at her private investigation company in Arizona. Unfortunately, she’s distracted by her old crush arriving from Minnesota to join the staff. The last thing she needs is constant updates from her mom on the local production of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.” Practically everyone from her mom’s book club and retirement community wants to join the cast and crew. But someone’s playing the role of the killer for real.

After a much-despised cast member is found dead on a catwalk in the theater, Phee has no choice but to be drawn into the investigation. Especially if her drama-queen mother is right about the vaguely threatening note left on her windshield, which could mean curtains for another victim.

Series: Sophie Kimball Mystery – Book #3
Author: J.C. Eaton
Genre: Cozy Mystery/PI
Publisher: Kensington Books
Rating:

In Staged 4 Murder Sophie has her hands full, between her job and her mother she doesn’t have much time to relax. When her mother’s book club jumps into the mix, life goes crazy. Then add in the new private detective she’s had a crush on for years, Marshall Gregory, and her life is chaotic at best.

Sophie “Phee” is a divorced older lady who has recently moved to Arizona to be near her mother and to heal her broken heart. She is excited about her new job and a bit anxious about the new detective the company has added. At times she feels like a young schoolgirl but reminds herself that she is a long way away from being a teenager. At times, however, when her mother interferes with her plans, she wants to rebel like a kid, but she gives in every time.

When her mother gets a part in a local production of the Agatha Christie novel, “The Mousetrap,” she hopes her mother is too busy to meddle in her life. Unfortunately, murder gets in the way. Sophie finds herself playing detective again with her mother and the book club as her sidekicks.

The characters in this story are wonderfully odd but lovable, and they all think they are detectives. They live for excitement and have few worries about what anyone thinks people their age should be doing. They do what they want when they want to do it. They love a good who-done-it and relish the opportunity to be involved in a real mystery. The location of Arizona is not your standard setting, but in many ways is perfect for this series. It allows the characters year-round access to everything they want to see and do with little to no concerns.

The detective, Marshall, adds a bit of spice to the mix and keeps Phee on her toes. When he gets involved in helping to solve the mystery, she is pleased and anxious at the same time. Her unrest adds to the flavor of the story, which allows the reader to see a middle-aged woman as more than just middle-aged. Phee is a vibrant, desirable woman who is intelligent and charismatic.

Staged 4 Murder is a well-written, fast-paced, funny detective/amateur sleuth mystery. The characters are well-developed and likable with just enough weirdness to entertain and at times, make the reader laugh. The twists and turns and clues flow smoothly throughout the story and keep the reader guessing. I highly recommend this book and series to lovers of older heroines, original characters, and a wonderful plot.

About the Author

J.C. Eaton is the pen name for the collaborative writing team of Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp. Together they created a cast of quirky characters. While Ann is a seasoned author in her own right, having eight published YA time travel mysteries to her credit, James, a former winery tasting room manager, has focused on non-fiction with informative blurbs on the wine industry. This unlikely author duo found common ground when they moved to Arizona and realized that the community they were living in was the perfect background for murder mysteries.

Ann admits that she’s definitely “the detail person” while James is more comfortable with the plotline and the big ideas. Running the dialogue is their favorite pastime in this venture.

Represented by the Blue Ridge Literary Agency.

Contact JC: https://www.jceatonmysteries.com/contact.html

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