Murder at Peacock Mansion by Judy Alter is the third book in the “Blue Plate Café” mystery series. Publisher: Alter Ego Publishing, November 2015

Arson, a bad beating, and a recluse who claims someone is trying to kill her all collide in this third Blue Plate Café Mystery with Kate Chambers.

Torn between trying to save David Clinkscales, her old boss and new lover, and curiosity about Edith Aldridge’s story of an attempt on her life, Kate has to remind herself she has a café to run. She nurses a morose David, whose spirit has been hurt as badly as his body, and tries to placate Mrs. Aldridge, who was once accused of murdering her husband but acquitted. One by one, Mrs. Aldridge’s stepchildren enter the picture. Is it coincidence that David is Edith Aldridge’s lawyer? Or that she seems to rely heavily on the private investigator David hires? First the peacocks die. . .and then the people. Everyone is in danger, and no one knows who to suspect.

The author did a great job in plotting this highly intriguing tale that captured my attention immediately, quickly becoming a page turner as I had to know what happens next. The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed the various red herrings that culminated in a surprising twist that I didn’t see coming, especially when everything played out and we knew who was behind it all. Kate is a great amateur sleuth who doesn’t go it alone, she has the aide of her lawyer boyfriend and the local police chief and together, this trio makes a great team. Boasting a good supporting cast and great dialogue, this was one of the best books in terrific series.