Book Review: Wiped Out

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

[5 stars]

Wiped Out Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Barbara Colley
Class/Genre: Mystery Cozy Amateur Sleuth
Series: Charlotte Larue
Kensington Hardback, 2/05, 272 pages, $22.00

Charlotte LaRue owns Maid for a Day in New Orleans. She also works as a maid for a few clients. Her son is always trying to get her to retire. She’s just not ready. She prefers to work to keep busy and support herself. She’s taken on a new client, Mimi Adams, and Charlotte has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.

She soon learns that not only is Mimi getting even with her neighbor Sally for her noisy pool parties and poisoning Mimi’s trees, the Horticultural Heritage Society that Mimi hosts at her house has a lot of discord. Rita has accused Mimi of having an affair with her husband, so to retaliate, she runs for president of HHS against Mimi. Mimi wins by secret ballot, but Charlotte knows that the vote was rigged by Mimi’s best friend June. Then some members try to start their own club. When Mimi dies of poisoning, there is an abundance of suspects.

Charlotte continues to clean for Mimi’s family, but soon wonders if that arrangement can continue. She begins to search for proof of the killer’s identity. But can she do so without being caught and without getting killed herself?

Plus she has her family and its idiosyncrasies to deal with. And let’s not forget Louis. Even though he’s not as prominent in this book, he is still in the mix.

I always love books in this series. I would really like to have Charlotte come clean for me. She is a hoot. I like the New Orleans setting as well. This is a place I’ve always wanted to visit. When I finish reading a book in this series, I feel as if I’ve visited it. This is a great Southern cozy. It’s a fast, enjoyable read. I hated for it to end. 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

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.