Book Review: War and Peach by Susan Furlong (Georgia Peach Mysteries #3)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Strong characters in a fun mystery

Cons: Peaches are involved – how can there be any cons?

The Bottom Line:

A candidate’s death

But what was murder motive

Another fun case

Clearing Her Father is a Bushel of Trouble

With American politics being what it is right now, I wasn’t excited about picking up a book with any kind of local election element.  On the other hand, I’ve completely enjoyed the first two Georgia Peach Mysteries from Susan Furlong, so I set my hesitation aside and picked up War and Peach, the third in the series.  I’m glad I did because I completely loved it.

For the first time in years, the job of mayor in the small town of Cays Mill, Georgia, is wide open since the current mayor has decided to retire.  Two candidates are running – Clem Rogers, a lifelong local farmer who wants to help other farmers in the area, and Margie Price, a Yankee transplant who wants to help other small business owners like herself.  Nola Mae Harper is caught in the middle since her family has owned a peach farm for years yet she has recently opened a small business in town.

With a week to go before the election, Clem and Margie are about to face off in a debate.  However, an hour before the debate starts, a fire breaks out in Clem’s old barn.  Everyone’s worse fears are confirmed when Clem’s body is found in the ruins.  Local gossip immediately points to Margie as the prime suspect; after all, Clem had something from her past he was going to spring at the debate.  The sheriff still has a vendetta against the Harper family, however, and since Nola Mae’s father was the last person to see Clem, just a few minutes before the fire was started, the sheriff feels the need to look no further.  Nola Mae’s problem is she doesn’t believe either of these suspects committed the murder.  Can she figure out what really happened?

While the local election does play a part in the plot, it is just one of several motives that Nola Mae uncovers as she goes along in her investigation.  In fact, the book introduces some fun red herrings that kept me off the scent of the true killer and motive until Nola Mae figured it out at the end.  Yet all the clues were there once we reached the very suspenseful climax.

The characters in this series are a delight, and this book is no exception.  There are a couple of returning characters who only get brief appearances, but even those scenes were wonderful.   We are seen some growth in all the regulars, especially Nola Mae, and I enjoyed that.  Naturally, we get some good suspects who help keep us guessing until the end.

By the time you are done with this book, your mouth will definitely be watering for peaches.  You’re in luck because the book includes three peach related recipes at the end, peach cake, peach cookies, and a peach hot sauce.

I read to escape from reality, and War and Peach provided another great opportunity to do that.  Pick up this delightful book and enjoy another mouthwatering mystery.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner next Tuesday, February 14th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 2/14.  You will have until midnight on 2/19 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 2/20.