Book Review: The Case of the Roasted Onion

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

[5 stars]

The Case of the Roasted Onion Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Claudia Bishop
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Senior Sleuths Cozy Veterinarian
Series: The Casebook of Dr. McKenzie # 1
Berkley, Paperback, 9/06, 230 pages, $6.99

Austin spent many years working as a professor at Cornell University and enjoyed caring for their pets and spending time with his wonderful wife Madeline when he retired. But with mounting bills, he has had to come out of retirement and open a veterinarian office.

At first when he is offered to be the veterinary delegate to the Earlsdown Three-Day Event, he refuses. Madeline would really like to get away, and the $15,000 check convinces him he needs to accept. Now he has to find someone to watch his practice and pets while they are gone. Joe and Allegra both arrive to apply for the job. Finding it too hard to pick one, they offer a job share to them. They accept, but can they get along well enough to do the job?

Before the event, vets start being killed. Everyone fears a sniper, but Austin and Madeline are sure it's something more. Can they, with the help of Joe and Allegra, discover what's happening and who is the killer without putting any of them in danger?

I have read and loved all of Claudia's Helmock Falls series, so she is not a new author to me. I really enjoyed this new series. Even though Austin is often grumpy, I found myself liking him. It wasn't hard to like Madeline. She's a mother hen taking care of everyone. I even found myself liking Joe and Allegra. I'm hoping that over time their bickering will subside some.

I thought the plot was well constructed and even though I'm not a horse enthusiast, I enjoyed the details about the animals and event. I thought the author did a great job of interspersing the details with the investigation. It is a fast, easy reading cozy. I highly recommend this book.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

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