Review: Death With an Ocean View

Death With an Ocean View Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Nora Charles
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Senior Sleuths Amateur Sleuth
Series: Kate Kennedy # 1
Paperback, 6/04, 198 pages, $5.99

Kate and Charles Kennedy moved to Florida to retire. Unfortunately after closing on their new condo, Charlie dropped dead from a heart attack. Now Kate is trying to adjust to life in sunny south Florida and the residents at Ocean Vista condos.

Board President Stella Sajak and other residents are in an uproar because developers plan to raze the property and put up a glitzy resort. David Fry is behind this, and Kate begins to wonder whether he is corrupt. She and her ex-sister-in-law and best friend, Marlene, try to meet with him to get more information. He is always putting them off. He is often seen with Nancy Cooper, society editor for the Gazette.

After Stella is found dead on the beach by Stanley Ferris, another condo owner, he is the number one suspect. Kate, Marlene and Mary Frances, an ex-nun now living in one of the condos, don’t believe he did it. They set out to prove he didn’t.

Nancy Cooper was to write Stella’s obituary. Why would she agree to write an obit for Stella? What did she find out in researching Stella’s life.

When Stella’s husband, whom everyone thought was dead, arrives, things quickly change. They soon find out they really didn’t know Stella at all. Why did Stella tell lies about herself?

The streetman Timmy goes missing and is later spotted with attorney Wyndam Oberon. But Wyndam denies knowing him. Why?

Concerned the killer may think Kate knows who they are, Detective Nick Carbone tells her to not walk her dog without someone going with her. But, that is not always possible. Kate finds herself in danger while she is investigating Stella’s death.

The characters in this new series are terrific. Nora Charles has done a great job creating the characters and setting for this story. I look forward to reading many more in this series! I highly recommend this book.

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

Book Review: Death With an Ocean View