Kristina A. reviewed on 3/5/2020 + 1528 more book reviews

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.

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