Mama Does Time

Florida native, Deborah Sharp does her home state proud with her book Mama Does Time. Mama's home town of Himmarshee is not necessary the touristy part of the state, but she makes news when a body is discovered in the back of her car when she is at the Dairy Queen. When Mace, her middle daughter gets her Mama's phone call, she tries to spring into action, even though she had just settled down to "wanting to see if she could spot any of her ex-boyfriends on Cops."

Now Mama is southern damsel in distress - what is she going to do in jail (besides making friends with her purple haired cellmate)?  With the help of her cousin, the lawyer, Mace gets Mama out and shows the new detective in town (the one from Miami) what chaos really is. Mace and her sisters try to get Mama out of her mess and manage to involve most of the town, including Mama's latest fiance ( a Northerner!), who is wanting to be spouse number five!

Filled with southern humor, quirky characters, and goofy family dynamics, Sharpe takes us along for a roller coaster ride of fun. And there is a pretty good mystery too! I'm looking forward to the sequels! A fun frothy read at its finest...

Papercrafts and Murder

One doesn't often think of home-made card making and murder. It is a rather odd combination. But Elizabeth Bright's mystery series featuring Jennifer Shane and her shop, Custom Card Creations, manages to combine the two rather well.

Jennifer is trying to make a go of her small business in a tourist town. She realizes it will be a struggle (thank goodness - a realistic craft mystery series!), since she has previously worked for her sister's scrapbook store. Rebel Forge, Virginia is a tiny town filled with family and friends. When a murder happens - it is usually someone Jennifer knows. Her brother, the sheriff, wants to keep her out of trouble, but her aunt, sister and her own curiosity keep dragging her in.

Jennifer is a humorous heroine and appealing character. I enjoyed her family - especially her frequently married and divorced aunt. We want her to succeed - in her shop and solving her mystery. I think the creepiest scenario was the one where she received a homemade card from her customer who had just died - telling Jennifer that she - the deceased - had been murdered.

There are only three books in the series so far, and maybe that is all there ever will be. I often wonder how appealing these craft centered stories are to people who are not interested in the craft! But this series is a good read for gloomy fall day. Enjoy.

The books are: Invitation to Murder, Deadly Greetings, Murder and Salutations.

The Cranky Inn Owner and Other Hotel Tales

I'm reading a batch of mysteries that have a hotel, motel and inn theme.

Room with a Clue by Kate Kingsbury

This is a part of her Pennyfoot Hotel series. The characters are good, but the mysteries are a bit tame. I'm hoping this series, set in 1908, gets better as the stories go on. Very light.

Murder on a Mystery Tour by Marian Babson

Take a bunch of classic mystery enthusiasts from America, take them to the English countryside - have them at a secluded hotel with some eccentric authors, a storm and some murder. What more could you ask for? She does a nice homage to the classic authors and their wacky fans. A nice bit fun.

Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth by Tamar Myers

Magdalena Yoder, is the not so cheerful owner and manager of a Mennonite Inn in Hernia, Pennsylvania. She will not hesitate to offer her guests the full "authentic experience" package - the one that requires them to clean up their own room and wash their own dishes! She inherited the house from her parents and is making the best of it - even if her sister is just plan wild - (divorced a gentile) and in spite of the fights with her Amish cousins who help out on the farm. But she has a great sense of humor and loves to read. And when she gets guests who insist on getting themselves killed, well - someone has to take charge. The first book was a stitch and I am looking forward to more. Lots of fun.

Audio Books and Mysteries

I went on a road trip and needed something to entertain me. So I got an audio book. Usually I read faster than an audio book, but driving through Indiana is fairly dull. So I grabbed a CD mystery, one in series my mystery buff friend had suggested to me in the past.

Cherry Cheesecake Murder
by Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen is the owner of the Cookie Jar shop. In this small town, she has two beaus, a cat with personality and a mother who hovers. And then on the side she solves murders. Yes, this is a cozy mystery with recipes. (And when you are listening to the recipes - believe me - you get hungry!) Yes, this book will not change the world, and I figured out who the murderer was before the end. But she writes with such humor and fun with this cast of town characters who seem like people you know. The personalities will keep you moving along in this series. Now I just have to find the first book, and start from there. Enjoy the fun!