Pot Luck by Kendel Lynn is the fourth book in the “Elliott Lisbon” humorous mystery serious. Publisher: Henery Press, December 13, 2016

GOING FOR THE GOLD. . .

It’s time for the Irish Spring at the Ballantyne Foundation, and charity director/PI-in-training Elliott Lisbon kicks off the annual Pot of Gold Cook-Off in shamrock style. Twenty chefs compete for the corned beef and cabbage crown but only one can win the title. The odds improve when one chef goes missing. . .until Elli finds the Ballantyne’s own Chef Carmichael standing over the body with a knife.

With pug puppies, Colonel Mustard and Mrs. White, by her side, Elli searches both sides of coastal living for a clue to the killer. From million dollar condos to a run-down trailer park, the evidence pits her against sexy Nick Ransom, and the case gets hotter than a handful of peppercorns. But despite a confession and cooperative suspect, she knows something about the case smells funny—and it has nothing to do with the cook-off.

The luck of the Irish is nowhere in sight, but if Elli can’t crack this one open, Chef’s goose will get cooked for good.

This is one of those series that I love revisiting when a new book comes around. When a friend is murder and the primary suspect claims to have committed the crime and you don’t believe him, what else are you to do but investigate to find the true killer and of course add investigative hours towards your PI license? And that is where this engaging story began and kept me entertained as the author did a great job in setting the stage for a well written mystery complete with several suspects, a handsome lieutenant and two precocious little pugs. The narrative kept me in tuned with all that was happening from trailer parks, to golf courses, to the Big House and a few surprising twists that resulted in the apprehension of the perpetrator. I like that all the main characters played a pivotal roles that enhanced the telling of this tale. Elli is one of my favorite characters and I love her strong sense of being, her spunkiness and her determination to do what needs to be done. Boasting an eclectic cast of characters, clever and enticing dialogue and the perfect backdrop of the Ballantyne estate and Sea Pine Island, this is one of the best books in this delightfully captivating series.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) book from the author.