I always enjoy July Hyzy's writing and Grace Sees Red wasn't an exception, even if the mystery plot relied completely on the "friend in peril" trope.

The mystery in this one is the murder of an old cantankerous goat of a man at a very posh assisted living facility in a neighbouring town. We learn about Grace's assistant's long-standing secret about where she spends her weekends at the same time we learn she's the number one suspect in the murder. The basis for suspicion felt a bit weak to me from the start, and I've always thought Frances needed her ears boxed - the author takes cranky a bit too far to be loveable - but otherwise I love the characters, so it was easy enough to overlook. I didn't figure out who the real bad guy was though, and I count that as a win.

Hyzy never goes the expected route with romantic interests so Grace is still a free agent and we are introduced to a new possible romance, one that has potential to be interesting. So even though it looks from the last line of the book that we're going to be recycling a previous plot (the sister - she's back!), I'm still firmly on board for book 8. ( )

Grace See Red is the seventh book in the A Manor House Mystery series.

As one has come to expect, another well plotted and told story from Julie Hyzy.

In this book, the somewhat secretive Frances is able to take center stage and the reader will learn more of her past.

Grace and Bennett Marshfield are about to head off and view some of the hidden rooms of Marshfield Manor when their fun is interrupted by phone call from Frances. She asks that Grace comes immediately to the Indwell Nursing facility in nearby Rosette. Upon arriving, Grace and Bennett find the facility on a virtual lock down and soon learn that Frances is a “person of interest” in the death of one of the residents, Gustave Westburg., with whom she had an argument the day before. Frances asks Grace for help in finding out who did kill Westburg. What turns out to be a complete surprise, is the reason Frances had been at the facility.

So Grace, with the help of Tooney and Coroner Joe Bradley, Grace sets off to clear Frances' name. Surprisingly, Grace even gets help from Emberstowne detectives, Rodriguez and Flynn.

In A subplot, Bruce and Scott, are having to look for a site for their wine store. Do to their landlord's neglect, part of the store has collapsed and they are put out of business. Grace is hoping
she can come up some way to help them obtain a new location.

Another truly wonderful visit the folks at Marshfield Manor.

Looking forward to the next exciting adventure of Grace Wheaton. ( )