Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson
Series Name: Senior Sleuths Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: August 30, 2022
Murder, She Wrote meets The Odd Couple in award-winning author Laurien Berenson’s brand-new series spun off from her much-loved Melanie Travis Canine Mysteries and featuring Melanie’s elderly aunts—cantankerous Peg and soft-spoken Rose—who’ll put aside their differences to stop a killer. . . if they don’t throttle each other first!
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching. Even a sixty-something former nun like Rose has her limits, and gruff Peg Turnbull sure knows how to push them. But after forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery . . .
By comparison, Peg and Rose’s fractious relationship is starting to feel almost functional. But as their suspect list narrows, they’re unaware that their logic has a dangerous flaw. And they’ll have to hope that their teamwork holds steady when they’re confronted by a killer who’s through with playing games . . .
Dru’s Short Musing:
I enjoyed this book featuring sisters-in-law sleuth Peg Turnball from the Melanie Travis series and Rose Donovan. Between the two of them, this made for an exciting read.
I love how the author paired these two sleuths, who did not like each other, but their joint effort in finding the murderer brings them a bit closer to a friendship. A strong plot, a few red herrings and suspects kept this whodunit enticingly engaging and I couldn’t put it down until all was said and done. Several of the characters had a pivotal role that pointed to a person or two, but it was when the pieces started falling into place was when the murderer’s identity was revealed. It was fun following along with the senior sleuths and I enjoyed the humor and the pacing that was on par with how well this story was being told. Overall, a terrific beginning to a debut cozy series.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Thank you, Dru Ann. You have made my day!