Book Review: To Hell in a Handbasket

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

To Hell in a Handbasket     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Beth Groundwater
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Five Star Publishing, 2009, 268 Pages
Claire Hanover was happy and excited about her ski vacation in Breckenridge. There was so much to look forward to during the vacation days. Claire was looking forward to romantic evenings with her husband Roger. This was Claire’s chance to reconnect with her daughter Judy who had been away at school.
Judy’s boyfriend Nickolas Contino was also in Breckenridge with his family. Nick’s sister Stephanie had accompanied Claire, Roger and Judy and everyone was having a good time until as the title states everything went to hell. Stephanie was critically injured on the trail and Claire was suspicious that the injury was not an accident.
When Claire begins investigating on her own against the advice of the police, her husband and her daughter the whole situation becomes terrifying. Claire begins to feel that all is not as it should be with Nick’s family and even goes so far as to suspect that Stephanie’s father had a part in her accident.
Judy resents Claire’s hovering attitude although any mother could sympathize. If a mother feels her daughter is in danger what can she do but try to protect her.
Claire finally convinces Detective Silverstone that her daughter is in real danger. Judy is becoming more and more headstrong and determined to lead her own life and ignore her mother’s pleas.
This is a smooth moving mystery with much excitement along the way.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

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