Death of a Russian Doll by Barbara Early is the third A Vintage Toy Shop Mystery. I recommend reading the series in order. Otherwise, you will be missing some of the background information on the main characters. Liz McCall becomes embroiled in another murder investigation when Ken Young, the local chief of police and her beau, is accused of murdering his Russian wife, Marya. Liz has been dating Ken for a while and this is the first she has heard about Ken being married. While Liz's father is in charge of the investigation, Liz has no intention of sitting out the case despite the extra workload at the shop plus finding a sponsor for the doll project. I like the vintage toy shop owned by the McCall family called Well Played. I enjoy the inclusion of the toys carried in the shop (a nice variety that bring back memories). The mystery was complex but with a simple solution. I like how the whodunit is multifaceted. I would have preferred more active investigating by Liz and less romance. It seems that Liz has accumulated three romantic interests (I am not kidding). There was too much time devoted to romance and not enough to the mystery. Death of a Russian Doll was an entertaining cozy mystery with good characters, a charming setting, fun toys, family, food, humor, and an intriguing mystery. Death of a Russian Doll has damaged dolls, a stream of suitors, mystifying Matryoshka dolls, treasured toys, mysterious mate, and meddlesome family members.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Death of a Russian Doll is the third installment in the Vintage Toyshop Mystery series featuring Liz McCall, manager of her father's vintage toy shop in East Aurora, NY. Liz is still reeling from the surprise of her life when the estranged wife of Police Chief Ken Young (who Liz was happily dating) appeared in town and the two decided to get back together, leaving Liz embarrassed and out in the cold.
Determined to get over her heartbreak, Liz, her father Hank, and sister in law Cathy come up with a plan to restore old dolls and donate them to charity. Liz is not too happy when Marya, Ken's wife joins the committee. Marya has taken over the barbershop next door though so Liz can't exactly avoid the woman, and she does do a good job with hair so when the rest of the committee begs Liz to let her participate she figures why not.
Accidentally overhearing an argument between Ken and Marya, Liz doesn't know what to think when later that night she hears screaming and finds Ken standing over Marya's dead body. Despite her feelings towards him, Liz is convinced that the one thing he is not is a killer. The Mayor decides to remove Ken from the case for personal reasons, and reinstates Hank, who is the retired Chief of Police. Desperate to help her father wrap up the case and get back to his retirement, and clear her own name off the suspect list, Liz sets out to track down a killer with the help of her family and Mark Baker, the hunky forensic accountant employed by the FBI.
A fast paced plot features the return of series regulars, plenty of suspects and just the right amount of romance. A twist at the end will have readers looking forward to the next in the series.
Determined to get over her heartbreak, Liz, her father Hank, and sister in law Cathy come up with a plan to restore old dolls and donate them to charity. Liz is not too happy when Marya, Ken's wife joins the committee. Marya has taken over the barbershop next door though so Liz can't exactly avoid the woman, and she does do a good job with hair so when the rest of the committee begs Liz to let her participate she figures why not.
Accidentally overhearing an argument between Ken and Marya, Liz doesn't know what to think when later that night she hears screaming and finds Ken standing over Marya's dead body. Despite her feelings towards him, Liz is convinced that the one thing he is not is a killer. The Mayor decides to remove Ken from the case for personal reasons, and reinstates Hank, who is the retired Chief of Police. Desperate to help her father wrap up the case and get back to his retirement, and clear her own name off the suspect list, Liz sets out to track down a killer with the help of her family and Mark Baker, the hunky forensic accountant employed by the FBI.
A fast paced plot features the return of series regulars, plenty of suspects and just the right amount of romance. A twist at the end will have readers looking forward to the next in the series.
