Book Review: This Old Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

This Old Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Valerie Wolzien
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Josie Pigeon # 4
Fawcett, Jul 2000, $6.50, 288 pp.

Josie Pigeon is the owner of Island Contracting. The small independent company employs people, usually women, who deserve to have a chance at making a better life for themselves. Josie is reasonably successful and gets along with all the members of her crew. Like all small contractors, she knows the value of good publicity. When the producer of Courtney’s Castle, a PBS home improvement show, calls Josie and asks to feature her and her crew on the show working on a project, she reluctantly agrees. When the crew of Courtney’s Castle shows up, Josie is shocked to learn that the show’s hostess is a woman she grew up with, and their relationship was one of mutual dislike.

Both women act as if they don’t know each other but that state of affairs does not last long because Courtney disappears. Shortly afterward, Josie and her crew find her body in the house they are remodeling. None of the women want to report the murder because they all have something to hide. When they finally reach a consensus, the body disappears. Josie hopes to figure out the identity of the killer, especially since she has had practice on other cases, before she or one of her crew is charged with murder.

Valerie Wolzien has mastered the art of creating an action-packed, droll amateur sleuth cozy. The characters are charmers especially Susan Henshaw’s son, who makes a brief but important appearance. THIS OLD MURDER is a mystery that is fun to read, and fans of this know that by the story’s end, they will be feeling good.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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