A Secondhand Murder

by Lesley Diehl

on Tour October 1 - November 30, 2013

Book Details:
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Published by: Camel Press Publication Date: 9/15/2013 Number of Pages: 260 ISBN: 978-1-60381-935-0 Purchase Links:

Synopsis:

Spunky and outspoken Eve Appel moves from Connecticut to rural Florida intent on starting a new life, free of drama, and more importantly, her soon-to-be ex-husband. The rural Florida town of Sabal Bay, situated only an hour from West Palm, proves to be the perfect spot for her consignment store. Thanks to the recent economic downturn, Florida’s society matrons need a place to discreetly sell their stuff and pick up expensive-looking bargains. But Eve’s life, and her business with it, is turned upside down when a wealthy customer is found stabbed to death in a fitting room. As accusations fly and business slows, Eve decides to take things into her own hands. With the help of an unlikely bunch of friends—including her estranged ex, her best friend, a handsome private eye, and a charming mafia don—she struggles to find answers and save lives. Through a maze of distorted half-truths, dramatic cover-ups, and unrequited passions, Eve learns just how far the wealthy will go to regain what they have lost. A Secondhand Murder is Book 1 of the Eve Appel Mysteries Series.

Read an excerpt:

It was still early so I strode back into the restaurant, indicated to the hostess I wanted a booth and ordered the breakfast buffet. Anger paired with disbelief gave me a hearty appetite. Returning to my booth after loading my plate with eggs, bacon, pancakes, pastries and a slice of toast, I noticed someone had joined me for breakfast. He was seated with his back to me as I approached the booth but I recognized the sun-streaked hair curling over his collar. My favorite PI. I almost dropped my plate. “Hi.” I tried for nonchalant but sounded more like a hormone-addled teenager. “Saw you come in. I guess you had an early morning chitchat with the local gendarmes.” “To be continued this afternoon at the station.” “Fingerprints?” He stirred a packet of sugar into his coffee. “Nope.” The tingle in my tummy was more than simple hunger for food. I tried to satisfy it by stuffing a large forkful of pancake into my mouth. I nodded and swallowed. “Like anyone would be dumb enough to leave their prints.” “Certainly, we know you’re smart.” “I had no reason to kill Mrs. Sanders. That would be like killing the golden goose.” “You didn’t like her very much, did you?” I dropped my fork on the plate. “What do you mean? I hardly knew the woman.” “So you say, but my sources indicate that’s not the whole story.” He stared at me. Last night I thought those azure eyes looked inviting. Now they looked more like ice. He smiled. “You said you were investigating Mrs. Sanders. Sounds like you’re trying to nose into my affairs. Why?” “Don’t get mad. I’m not accusing you of murder, you know.” He took a sip of coffee. “I’m not mad.” I was a little miffed, peeved even, but not really mad. Okay, I was mad. “Oh yes you are, and when you get angry, you stick your chin out and turn your head ever so slightly to the right. Your cheek twitches, probably from clenching your teeth. Did you know that?” I had lost my appetite. I grabbed my purse and slid out of the booth. “I don’t recall inviting you to join me for breakfast. I just remembered I have an important appointment.” “That would be ...?” He also stood. “That would be none of your business.” I stalked out of the restaurant, then remembered as I approached my car that I had forgotten to pay my bill. Damn. Now I’d have to go back in there and face him again. I gritted my teeth, stuck out my chin and slammed through the door. He turned from the counter, credit card in hand. “Don’t worry about it. I got it. Your treat next time.” “There won’t be a next time.” I spun around and pushed open the door. By the time he reached his car, I was already starting my engine, wondering what the man knew about Mrs. Sanders and me.

My review:

This E-book was received for review from Partners In Crime and given in exchange for an honest review.

This is the start of a series of books featuring Eve Appel.

This was a nice, what I call "cozy" mystery. No great thrills and spills, but a fun murder mystery.

Eve was the main character and I like her from the start as she was fun and maybe even a bit ditzy. The story was set in a second hand boutique which wealthy ladies frequented to drop off their unwanted designer labels and other wealthy ladies came from afar where they would be unknown, so they could buy fancy goods and keep up appearances at a fraction of the price. It all changed when one of them was murdered in the store and Eve became the prime suspect.

In order the prove her innocence, the author introduced a real eclectic mix of characters to help her with the case, including her ex partner who she was actually running away from and the main reason she moved.

Some parts in the middle of the book dragged somewhat as the author concentrated on a couple of characters who were quite uninteresting, but there were also some funny moments which made me chuckle and put a smile on my face.

All in all this was a nice light hearted read and I look forward to seeing what Eve Appel gets up to in her next mystery.

Author Bio:

Lesley retired from her life as a professor of psychology and reclaimed her country roots by moving to a small cottage in the Butternut River Valley in upstate New York. In the winter she migrates to old Florida--cowboys, scrub palmetto, and open fields of grazing cattle, a place where spurs still jingle in the post office. Back north, she devotes her afternoons to writing and, when the sun sets, relaxing on the bank of her trout stream, sipping tea or a local microbrew.