Review: Just Desserts

Just Desserts
Claudia Bishop
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Cozy
Series: Hemlock Falls # 9
Sarah “Quill” Quilliam and her sister Margaret “Meg” Quilliam own
the Inn at Hemlock Falls again. Why again? They owned it and then
sold it to run a restaurant. When that didn’t go well, they were
able to rebuy the Inn.

Meg is the Master Chef as well as part owner. Quill is the Manager and part owner. Quill is also a famous painter. She has recently met Ben Harker in New York. He has inspired her to begin painting again. She has fallen hard for him. Quill has been distracted lately with painting and Harker. She isn't sure if she can bring her "two lives" -- Harker in New York and running the Inn in Hmlock Falls -- together.

Quill finds out that in her absence, not only did the Inn get a website, Doreen, the head housekeeper, started a web dating service.

A body is found on the side of the gorge near the Inn. When Meg is reading the newspaper account of its discovery, it identifies the body as that of George Nash. He was one of 3 people who carjacked a car with a baby in it outside a 7-11 many years ago. The details were as crisp to Meg and Quill as if it happened yesterday!. The carjackers cracked up the car and the baby died. Meg and Quill observed the carjacking.

Nash had been caught and went to prison. Overmeyer, the real killer, and Mary Ann were never found. Nash had recently gotten out of prison. Why was Nash in Hemlock Falls?

There is a meteorologist convention at the Inn. Somerfield “Boomer” Dougherty, a meteorologist, is in charge of the convention. Boomer’s producer is Sylvia Prince. Their work relationship is unfriendly. Quill can’t figure out why they put up with each other. Sylvia says that the business is brutal and this is a good job.

When Joss Roberts, a new computer business man in town, is killed by a hit and run driver in front of Meg & Quill by someone driving Quill’s car. Quill begins investigating what connection if any there was between Joss and Nash.

This is a fun series. I find this series to be a fast read. Quill and Meg have many escapades and the interaction between the sisters is enjoyable even with the friction. Doreen is a hoot and keeps Quill in line. Quill’s failed romance with Myles, the former sheriff, and the fact that John Raintree, the Inn’s business manager, had an infatuation with Quill spices up things on a regular basis.

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

Book Review: Just Desserts