Book Review: The Scout Master: A Prepared Death

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

The Scout Master: A Prepared Death     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Luisa Buehler
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Grace Marsden Mysteries # 4
Echelon Press, Paperback, 2006, 374 pages, $14.99

The best way to describe Grace Marsden is that she's a female version of the character Monk. Her step-son's scout troop finds a spooky crate marked "Property of the U. S. Army" in the woods. It contains the bones of a dead cat and a few other trinkets. There are Satanic worshipers in the woods, so everyone believes it belongs to them.

Grace takes her nephews to the woods and is attacked. Then a body is found in a hole. Harry, Grace's husband and ex-spy, finds his hands full trying to take care of her.

Grace begins to investigate and isn't sure she likes what she finds. Can she figure out the mystery without putting herself or those she loves in further danger?

This was the first book I've read by this author. It definitely won't be the last. She weaves a wonderful tale of intrigue and suspense while still keeping it on the cozy side. Grace is an interesting character. She has quite a few quirks, but that really adds to the story.

I found the story to be well-plotted and hard to put down. I thought the author did a great job of creating a lot of suspense, especially in the dark woods, without making it scary or gruesome. I highly recommend this book.

Dawn Dowdle

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

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com