India Hayes is an artist who makes her living as a campus librarian in a small college town. She and her pampered cat reside in a duplex owned by an eccentric Irish landlady who lives in the adjoining unit. Olivia Blocken was India's childhood best friend who insisted India act as a bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding. India's brother, Mark, is a depressed and rather pathetic individual who is a local college math professor. Just days before the wedding Olivia died from traumatic head injuries sustained as a result of being pushed into a fountain on the college campus near Mark's office. Mark was discovered holding her after pulling her from the fountain. Due to circumstantial evidence he was ultimately taken into custody for the suspected murder of Olivia Blocken, his old high school flame. The fires are still smoldering where Mark is concerned as he'd never stopped loving Olivia. Amanda Flower has written a cozy mystery with unexpected elements of humor, suspense, and chaos. Her characters are as diverse and capricious as the weather. This witty mystery is well written with character and humor, as well as suspense and mystery. The fur flies between cats, sisters and liberal activist parents. Eccentricities prevail and tempers flare as Mark's family attempts to prove his innocence. Maid of Murder is a well written and humorous story of tempestuous proportions.Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received as a result of this review. First, on the cover of this book Kirkus Reviews compares this new series to Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow series. This book in no way, shape, or form resembles a Meg Langslow book. The main characters' family was neither quirky nor eccentric, merely dysfunctional. I didn't find them charming at all. Her brother merely came across as sad and pathetic. The rest of the characters in the book were also not all that likeable - it felt as though the author just went that little bit too far with each of them. And the hint of a love interest is only described as having an incredibly annoying, braying, laugh. I'm supposed to want this attraction to happen?The plot itself was good enough - a very effective red herring had me sure the murderer was someone else until the very end. I've already bought the second book, so I'll give it a read and hope that the first-book kinks have been worked out and the author as well as the characters, have grown.
What do You think about Maid Of Murder (2010)?
Loved this book. I never suspected the ending. Can't wait until the next book comes out.
—quinceberrylady
Enjoyable and witty mystery with a fun and quirky main character. Very entertaining...
—cheri
