Retirement Community Filled in Intrigue
I enjoyed the three books in Tamara Berry’s By the Book mystery series, so when I saw she was starting a new series, I immediately put it on my to be read list. Sadly, Murder Runs in the Family didn’t work nearly as well for me.
Amber Wilson has just left her long-term boyfriend behind and turned to her family for help. Of course, in this case, it’s her grandma Jade, a woman she’s never met before. Jade lives in the Seven Ponds retirement community in Arizona, and she is thrilled when Amber shows up. In the fact, the two are quickly on their way to making up for the lost decades.
That is until murder and theft rear their ugly heads. The night that Amber arrives, one of the men who lives in the complex dies. Not too surprising in a retirement community, right? But in this case, the police think something isn’t right. Even worse, a ring belonging to the victim has vanished. And the man’s relatives think Jade was responsible for both. True, Amber doesn’t know Jade well, but she can’t let her go to jail. Can Amber call on her PI training and find the killer?
The estrangement in the family is a big part of the book. Amber’s mother has refused to let anyone have any contact with Jade. Early on, we learn that Amber’s mom is a Christian and Jade decidedly isn’t. As a Christian myself, this was a turn off, especially with the attitude Amber has toward her mom while this information is being delivered to us. Later in the book, we do get more insight into these family relationships, but I never really got beyond the bad taste that scene and attitude left in my mouth.
As a result, I found it harder to get into the story, with any flaws sticking out to me more. Like the pacing. This is one of those books where there is a lot happening, but what is happening isn’t necessarily advancing the plot. Amber does make some logical deductions along the way, which I appreciated, but there were other aspects of the plot I didn’t enjoy. That really put me off as I was reading, too.
The characters were more caricatures than fully drawn characters. I get that they were designed for laughs, and I did laugh a little as I was reading. But I was left wishing I’d actually gotten to know the characters better.
Yes, some of the humor did work for me. I got some laughs and grins along the way as I was reading. But it was not enough to overcome the flaws.
I was really hoping for another series I would enjoy. However, I think Murder Runs in the Family will be my only visit with these characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
What a shame that you didn't enjoy this one!
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