Series:
Shop 'Round the World (Book 2)
This small Pennsylvania town once again becomes a hotbed
of secrets.
Only Angel Warren, a retired Navy Pilot and owner of Shop
'Round the World, can turn a summer day at the river into a murder
investigation. But when her brother Bryce's unicorn float snags on a corpse's
hand, suddenly Angel and Bryce are suspects. It doesn't help that Angel knows
the victim and was one of the last people to see Hank Price alive, or that
Angel witnessed a disturbing argument between Hank and his wife. Plus, she and
Bryce may have heard the shot that killed Hank.
Once more, Angel inserts herself into the middle of the
investigation, this time with her best friend Detective Trinity Colson's tacit
approval. Who could have wanted Hank dead? Angel soon discovers Hank had a
secret life that included sketchy business dealings and a gambling addiction.
The question isn't how Angel will juggle her sleuthing
alongside managing her gift store during the height of tourist season, family
drama, and a burgeoning romance. It's how will Angel solve the crime without
stumbling into the killer's sight
Terrific second installment in the author's Shop 'Round
the World series. This one picks up a few months after A Santa Stabbing. Summer
has come to Stonebridge, and the tourist traffic has the cash register at the
shop ringing. Angel also has some steady local customers like Verity Price. As
the book opens, Verity is in the shop with her husband, Hank, checking on an
order she placed. Angel is disturbed by the argument she witnesses between the
couple but is distracted by the arrival of her boyfriend, Nate.
Later that day, Angel is set to spend quality time with
her brother Bryce, tubing on the local river, Jacob's Run. I laughed at the
unicorn float Bryce brought along for the cooler and munchies they took. The
author's description of the setting was so vivid I could practically feel the
cool breeze coming off the water. The trip is quite relaxing until the unicorn
float gets caught on something in the water - an Angel discovers her second
dead body since moving back to Stonebridge. What's worse, the body belongs to
Hank Price, the man she'd seen just a few hours earlier.
Angel's connection to the deceased, her natural
curiosity, and her earlier experience propelled her to want to know the truth
behind this death. Fortunately, this time she has the willing permission of her
best friend, Trinity, the town's lead detective, to involve herself in the
investigation. The only catch is that she must keep Trinity informed each step
of the way. I loved following Angel's progress as she put her intuition and
logical mind to work. The investigation has some intriguing twists, including
surprises about the chiropractic business and Hank's leisure activities. But
when Angel stumbles over a vital clue, it puts her in the killer's sights. The
final confrontation was a nail-biter but ended successfully. I liked the
around-the-kitchen-table wrap-up that filled in all the blank spots.
Angel's family plays a more prominent role in this book.
Her daughters are home from college for the summer and are involved in Angel's
shop. Their love and concern for Angel are evident in their pleas for her to be
careful. I liked the bits of their history as a Navy family that came out
during the book, especially the benefits of their worldwide travel. There is
also some concern about Angel's mother when she is the victim of a mysterious shooting.
Is it related to Hank's murder or the archeological investigation into an
ancient weir she is involved in?
Angel's BFF, Trinity, gets some extra page time, also. A
visiting professor involved in the weir investigation makes quite the
impression on her, which appears to be mutual. It will be interesting to see if
that develops further in the next book.
Meanwhile, Angel's relationship with Nate is perking
right along. Seeing the little things he does to brighten her day is very sweet.
I had to laugh at the dinner he shared with Angel and her daughters, as he is
not used to their teasing ways. He handled it well, and it is evident that both
girls liked him. I enjoyed the last scene in the book, where Angel takes Nate
flying.
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