Tuesday Welsh, a witty and tenacious private investigator whose life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of Eric Kenny, owner of Mr. Yummy's donut shop. Yet, upon going to the home of Eric Kenny, she finds him standing in the doorway, ready to greet her.
Cookin' Up Murder
Davidson & Welsh Investigations Book One
by D.J. Adamson
Genre: Cozy Mystery
"Cookin' Up Murder" is a lighthearted and captivating mystery set in Appleton, Oregon. The story revolves around Tuesday Welsh, a witty and a tenacious private investigator whose life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of Eric Kenny, owner of Mr. Yummy's donut shop.
Tuesday is thrust into a web of secrets and danger that extends far beyond the sugary confines of the donut shop. As she delves deeper into the investigation, determined to unearth the truth, she finds herself entangled in a sinister plot that will shock her community. And possibly gain Davidson & Welsh a new client.
Filled with a blend of humor and suspense, "Cookin' Up Murder" is sure to captivate readers who enjoy mysteries. It offers an engaging puzzle that will keep readers guessing until the satisfying reveal of the culprit.
“Neither snow nor hunky cops nor angry cats will keep intrepid P.I. Tuesday Welsh from the (sometimes tardy) commission of her appointed rounds, chiefly trying to figure out why the body she discovered shows up alive and kicking elsewhere. “Cookin’ Up Murder” offers a delightful demonstration of how small towns can cook up big problems, with an ever-resourceful (despite herself) heroine as your guide.” – Michael Mallory.
“Before I leave, I want you to promise that you’ll open the office on time,” demanded Harley Davidson, my business partner, last Wednesday night.
“Why wouldn’t I?” I replied, pretending I didn’t already know the answer.
Harley stands at five-foot-ten, his green eyes framed by well-groomed eyebrows. His eyes hold a mischievous glint as if he harbors something known only to him. He might tower over me with his tousled reddish-brown hair, but he never truly poses a formidable threat. With me, his bark is always worse than his bite.
“Beats me why you’re never on time,” he sniffed. “I bet if you were called to save someone from jumping off a building, you’d arrive after the coroner.”
“Why is it a man jumping and not a woman?” I quipped, my eyes shooting daggers at him.
He scowled, thinking I wasn’t taking his last-minute to-do list seriously.
Harley Davidson and I have been business partners for three years at Davidson & Welsh Investigations. The decision to partner with him was an easy one. He possessed an unwavering sense of integrity, even when faced with tough choices. He is serious about business but has a quick wit that can help calm clients down.
But, I don’t like to-do lists.
So, I added, “And why was I the one called?” I couldn’t help being flippant because I wasn’t the one getting to go to Los Angeles.
“Ahhhhh,” he screamed, his hands gripping his hair like a man driven to madness.
I can cause that reaction sometimes.
“Okay, okay,” I quickly backed off and backed up, giving him some space. He clearly wasn’t in a joking mood. So, raising my right hand, I solemnly vowed, “I swear that the office will be unlocked, and the lights turned on ten minutes early every day.” I crossed my heart, but without hoping to die. A girl can only go so far.
“Hands,” he demanded.
I extended both of my hands, all fingers uncrossed, as a gesture of goodwill.
“Just be on time. That will be miracle enough,” he stated firmly, staring at me. But there was an upward curve on his lips. “On time and no Amazon shopping during office hours. I should get back by Saturday night.”
“But…”
“Find new clients.”
“But…” I tried to protest again. No Amazon shopping? Christmas was on Monday!
Review: This all begins with finding the
dead body of the donut shop owner. The pace started off slow with the
reiteration of Tuesday’s account and the history of the town. I couldn’t really
see why the town history had any relevance. Eventually, the characters start
talking about the dead and what he was all about (i.e. his children, his
grandchildren, his plans for the holidays, etc.)
The narrative was quite trivial, although the prose did have that silly wit and relatable faux paus that gave the characters some charm. There was an obvious attempt at humor, but there was very little progress toward solving the case.
The overall read about small-town
living was decent, but the mystery itself wasn’t too riveting.
A fairly nice read, but I expected to be better.
Rating: 3 stars
D. J. Adamson is an accomplished author known for her captivating storytelling and engaging characters. She has established herself as a prominent figure in the world of mystery and suspense fiction. Her work draws inspiration from classic detective novels and contemporary thrillers. Adamson's literary journey began at a young age, and she continued the journey through her life, recently embarking on her work with novels and her exceptional ability to create immersive worlds and multifaceted characters. She developed her own unique style that combines elements of suspense, intrigue and psychological depth. Beyond her novels, Adamson has contributed to various literary journals and anthologies, sharing her insights and expertise with fellow writers and enthusiasts. Her work has gained a loyal following and her novels praised for their intricate plotting and masterful storytelling. When not immersed in the world of writing, Adamson enjoys the Central CA coast, traveling, and the outdoors. She also engages with her readers through various platforms, fostering a strong connection and appreciation for the support she receives from her dedicated fan base. Readers can connect with her through her website at www.djadamson.com.
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