A thoroughly enjoyable mystery set in small town Minnesota. This is the sixth book in the series, but the first one I've read. Fans of Lake Wobegon and residents of the Midwest will recognize the cozy setting immediately. The author does a fine job of getting new readers up-to-speed and into the story world without belaboring the point. This sort of story needs plenty of quirky characters, interesting settings, and seemingly mundane activity surrounding a viable mystery-to-be-solved with multiple suspects. October Fest provides all of these in a highly readable, fast moving volume.I did find myself wanting a bit more Oktoberfest activity, though, since that is the title of the book. But beyond the immediate context of the murder, much of the story delved into other happenings in town.I am looking forward to many happy returns to Battle Lake, Minnesota. October Fest is the latest (and in my opinion) the best installment of the cozy, quirky mystery series featuring part-time librarian, part-time reporter and full-time PI wannabe Mira James. Mira is back in her small hometown of Battle Lake Minn, returning from life in the Twin Cities to figure out what and where to do next.In October Fest, she's sent to cover a local political debate when a murder goes down. The murdered man wrote a scathing blog on one of the candidates. Instantly she's hooked and begins investigating on her own, when another death occurs. As the body count rises, Mira is up to her eyeballs in suspects, her own confusing love life (or lackthereof), trying to thwart the upcoming nuptials of her 80+yr old best friend Mrs. Berns to some lowlife, plus deal with problems from her past and present.I've enjoyed all the books and the author just gets better and better with each one. October Fest raises Ms. Lourey's game to a new level. In addition to her trademark humor, colorful characters and a heroine who's likeable but not perfect, she is showing more depth which only adds to its appeal. Just when you think you have a pretty good idea from book to book where Mira and crew are headed, there are subtle hints that things may go in a completely different direction. It's an intriguing hook that has me looking forward to the next one: November Snow.
