Marianne Stillings, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie

Marianne Stillings

Avon, May 2005, $5.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060734760

In Port Henry, Washington, mystery writer Thomas Heyworth decided to go out in style by setting up a winner take all treasure hunt in which the triumphant team obtains his considerable wealth. Thomas' attorney Felix Barlow explains that the will is legal and that three teams of two each will participate for the prize. If you refuse to play your team forfeits.

The deceased's ward Evie Randall is teamed up with police detective Max Galloway, who hated his stepfather Thomas who "stole" his mother from him. While Evie wants to uncover who killed her beloved Thomas, Max leans towards not participating. Still he plays the game, and soon he and Evie fall in love, but someone is willing to kill all rivals to be the sole beneficiary.

Though Thomas may feel he set up something unique, treasure hunts have been a part of novels and movies (It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World) forever yet Marianne Stillings makes it seem as if this is the first time the concept is employed. The story line combines humour (Mariners, llamas, and profanities oh my) with homicides while the three teams compete. The lead couple is a delight as neither realizes how manipulative even from the grave Thomas is; only that their diverse opinion on him keeps a wedge between them. Fans of light-hearted investigative romances will enjoy reading at MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIE.

Harriet Klausner