Richard Audry (1)

Mary MacDougall is heiress with a passion for detective work. Having previously helped solve two cases, she is eager to jump into a case of her own and become a consulting detective. She gets her chance when a local police detective sends her a lead about a young woman who believes that her mother may have been murdered.

What starts out as a simple inquiry into the circumstances of the woman’s death leads Mary and her Aunt into fearsome adventure where all of may’s quick wits and tenacity will be needed.

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I LOVE great historical fiction and this book delivers. From the descriptions of the tableaux vivants in the beginning of the book to details of travel, dress, and healthcare, this book is written with a deep understanding of the time period that pulls the reader in. You can feel and commiserate with Mary and her confusion of how she fits into her society when what she wants seems to be at odds.

Despite being the pampered daughter of a millionaire, Mary is at once likable and relate-able. What makes a story though are the side characters. Each adds something into the mix. I love how Aunt Christene is not your typical “maiden aunt” of the time. The folks of Dillmont’s loyalty to the good Doctor Applegate was an interesting story point and I enjoyed the twist of not knowing if he was a good guy or bad guy until the very end.

I did like the fact that although Mary was able to use her persistence and determination to keep moving forward with her case, that there were real consequences to her actions. Cozy mysteries don’t often give the characters a chance to grow.

This is the third installment of the Mary MacDougall Mysteries and though many references were made to the previous two adventures, this book works well as a stand alone. I do plan on playing catch up with the first books.



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (més)

I can give you an honest review, but forget about it being unbiased! (Several of our kids went to Mn universities, and we are all Norse). And we love dogs!
This is a fun mystery with thefts, alcohol problems (not the dog or the hero), murder, secrets, a temporary mayorship, and all set in a Norse country small town in Minnesota. King Harald finds erotic gnomes, then a body, tells his part of the story, performs heroically. Andy, divorced once and dumped once, is an artist, works as host in his sister's upscale cafe, is friends with many interesting people, is the one who is partners with King Harald, gets coerced into becoming temporary mayor, is dragged into the murder and investigation. This book is interesting, an easy fun read with lots of laughs along the way.
Thanks to LibraryThing giveaways.… (més)

A wonderful story about one man and his dog.
Andy Skyberg is the man, lives in New Bergen, is an artist.
Harald is the dog, amiable, curious, laid back.
The day his next door neighbour Elsie was dogsitting Harald, which she did on a regular basis, was the day Harald "found" a $1,000 note, inadvertently, when exploring Elsie's basement and her collection of old National Geographics.
And so begins a tale of petty thieving, murder and an old Chicago heist.
I wish my late, adored Toby was like Harald, all he had a nose for was road kill!
I look forward to reading more of King Harald's adventures.
I won a digital copy of this book from Librarything and the author Richard Audry in return for an honest unbiased review.… (més)