Review by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Retired & Ready to…Rumble!For twenty-four years, Lieutenant Colonel Teresa Jane Treslow put her automotive training, courtesy of her Aunt Edna (herself a veteran of Vietnam), to good use as an officer in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Corp. Now at the age of forty-two, she’s decided to retire, and with no government higher-ups telling her where she’ll go and what she’ll do, she’s excited that the “world is now her oyster.” But, until she decides on her next adventure, home in New Oslo, Idaho, is a good place for her and her boxer Vince. Although six months ago she lost her grandmother, her mom and dad are around running the Harraden Old General store, HOG by the locals, and Aunt Edna, her favorite if only aunt, runs the mechanic shop next door. She also has her long-time BFF and deputy sheriff Petunia “Freddie” Frederickson as well as a whole town of friends, friendly or not. Home is where her heart is…for now.
Image Source Gemma Halliday Publishing |
Teresa loves toddling around with her Aunt Edna and being called her childhood nickname, “Nug.” No matter how long in between visits, they always fall comfortably into conversation with lots of gossip thrown in. However, today’s outing ended with a dead body and being closely scrutinized by the local police. After picking up some needed automotive parts Aunt Edna and Teresa headed back to Edna’s garage, but they find the front door is oddly unlocked and the foul odor led them to a dead man, Augustus “Auggie” Toat. The victim wasn’t the best of people, more a shyster or a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but Teresa learns that Auggie had found papers indicating his grandmother LuAnne owned part of her family’s general store and garage, and through the right of inheritance, expected to use his share and demanded five-years of back earnings. That spelled bankruptcy for the family. And now that he’s murdered in Edna’s garage with Edna’s wrench, there’s only one theory to consider: Aunt Edna’s a…being framed!
Brilliant! Rosalie Spielman has started her new Hometown Mysteries series with a bang! She used a traditional cozy formula, my favorite, with a small town setting, multi-generational characters, the crime occurring early, the investigation by amateurs, and a close connection with law enforcement which is both positive and frustrating. The victim appears to have been a good karmic choice with several possible suspects from exes to business associates, but if the “I’m being framed” theory is to be realistic, a closer look into Aunt Edna’s friends and foes is needed, and wow did she have some interesting issues. I enjoyed the dynamic between Teresa and her aunt as family, veterans, and tattoo buddies which contrast the relationship Teresa has with her parents, especially her mother. The mystery was clever, well-developed to a surprise ending, but it was the characters that had me hooked!
Personal Point of Order…Shout out to a fellow “spud”! It was a real hoot to have the story set close to Moscow, Idaho, where my father graduated from the University, there, and I greeted the world. My family mostly spent time in and around Boise, but we also kept an eye on the Vandals football team of which father had once been a part. And Vince? A boxer? Our family had a faun boxer named Casey…the love of our lives!
Be a Big Fan of Rosalie Spielman!
“Somewhere along the way, I discovered that I could make other people laugh with my writing. I enjoy reading to escape from the real world, and hope to give you the same with my stories.” — Rosalie Spielman, Website
Facebook—Rosalie Spielman, Author
Website—Rosalie Spielman, Author
Be a Big Fan of Gemma Halliday Publishing!
Website—Gemma Halliday Publishing
To enter to win an ebook copy of Welcome Home to Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "home,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 16, 2022. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
Sounds interesting! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteThank you to my fellow spud for the great review! Good luck to those who enter!
ReplyDeleteRosalie Spielman
New author to me. Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
On my TBR list for sure!
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWe have a winner! This is Lorie Ham with KRL but for some reason it won't let me sign in for the comment
ReplyDelete