Book Reviews of Closely Akin to Murder (Claire Malloy, Bk 11)

very, very good book

Claire Malloy's cousin, Veronica Landonwood, calls from Chicago to ask for help in tracking down a blackmailer who threatens to expose her past. Veronica (Ronnie) was once jailed for murder, and has rehabilitated herself into a scientist with a chance to win the Nobel prize, unless her past becomes public.

This is one of my favorites. Didn't end at all the way I would have expected. The only question I have, is what happened to Melanie, from the previous book? She's not mentioned again.

Claire Malloy, bookseller and mother of a teen-aged girl (who is so true to life) finally gets out of Farberville, Arkansas. Destination--Acapulco, but not, alas, for a vacation. A long-lost cousin has asked for her help and Claire's curiosity gets the better of her common sense. An interesting mystery and funny, as always.

In this book, bookseller Claire Malloy looks into a thirty-year old murder and fresh dead bodies disconcertingly appear. Author Joan Hess has two series of books; I recommend both. The second series involves tiny Maggody, Ark, pop. 755, where dead bodies and mysteries pop up on a regular basis. The lone peace officer, police chief Arly Hanks,does her best despite the interfering of her mother, Ruby Bee and Ruby's best friend, Estelle.