Ed Lynskey

I don't ask a lot of my books but if it's a mystery I expect it to be a mystery that makes sense. The characters themselves were a little strange but I didn't mind. Piper and Bill's relationship was nice. It was interesting to see an established couple as sleuths rather than a single woman. Plus there wasn't any typical romance plot - they loved each other but they weren't getting to know each other or that. Noreen was an odd one, especially with the talking cat. I didn't mind it when it was just her, but the whole thing with Rick hearing the cat was just weird.

The plot was a lost cause.

There were a lot of suspects, mainly speculation on their part, no real evidence or interactions with the suspect and the guilty party had no motive. I read 200 pages to find out who and I found out who but I didn't find out why. I didn't even understand why. There's no reason.

Crime happens. Drugs, passion, jealousy, envy, anger, money are all valid reasons why someone kills someone else. This had nothing. Not even a halfhearted explanation. Yes they caught the person responsible. But no wonder they were confused as to who they caught - they had no idea why it would be - they barely suspected that person. I can handle a halfhearted mystery, one that tells rather than shows. It might not be the best book ever, but I can read a book that tells me what happens. But The Corpse Wore Gingham didn't even have that. I have to give it one star because that's my deal breaker. If there was any explanation for why, I would up it to two. This wasn't a bad read, it was just extremely frustrating to not find out why.… (meer)

3 stars
Funny and fast paced mystery about 2 seventy something sisters Isabel and Alma, who bicker there way through the case picking up allies along the way to free their niece Megan from a murder charge. Sammi Jo is their first and most effective ally as she has an uncanny ability to open locks and her looks turn many of the males Alma and Isabel are pumping for information.

The mystery itself is pretty good with the ladies up against the sheriff and a crooked deputy. It took me a while to pick up on Vernon the larcenous, obsessed druggist.



The series is a fun change of pace with the two senior sisters in a genre that usually is dominated by much younger heroines.

Cozies Reading Challenge… (meer)

I have always enjoyed crime novels where the main character is someone on the wrong side of the law. In this case, it's a hit-man. It's good to see that the crime novel is in the hands of up and coming writers like Lynskey. I really enjoyed this novel. The author has a good ear for dialogue. Like the masters, Elmore Leonard, Lawrence Block and the late Donald E. Westlake he also infuses his tale with some black comedy. This is the first by this author I have read and I will be looking out for more of his work.… (meer)