Janet Majerus, Thicker Than Water

Thicker Than Water

Janet Majerus

Five Star, Jul 21 2010, $25.95

ISBN: 9781594148699

In Riverport, after what happened to her recently, best-selling children's author Jessie Schroeder knows better than to get involved in another homicide investigation. However, The Best Laid Plans of mice and Jessie often go astray.

When elderly Fred Kroner dies, his house burned to the ground by arson and a charred corpse found amidst the ashes, Jessica is stunned and fears she knows who the corpse is. Her cranky late neighbor's recently discovered niece Johanna has been missing making Jessie believe she is the woman pulled out of the rubble. Although she tries to talk herself out of making any inquiries and her boyfriend Sheriff Gil Keller insists she stay out of his case, Jessie needs to know. She especially feels motivated when she is bequeathed money to buy lilacs; a reminder of a kindness cantankerous Fred gave to her when she was a child.

The key to this warm Midwest cozy is the cast who bring to life what it is like to live in small village. Readers will enjoy the latest Emily Says entry as Jessie tests her plot with her young niece and nephew. However, it is the investigation as the amateur sleuth uses her plot investigative skills to make inquiries that place her in danger from a cold blooded predator willing to kill again.

Harriet Klausner