Too Many Crooks Spoil the Plot is the debut of the A Ditie Brown Mystery series set in Atlanta and featuring pediatrician Mabel Aphrodite "Ditie" Brown. Not one to stay in any one place for too long, Ditie is settling into her position at the Children's Refugee Clinic and is trying hard to get along with her brother Tommy who is constantly badgering her to sell the family dairy farm in Iowa.
When Tommy's ex high school girlfriend Eleanor "Ellie" Winston appears on her sidewalk and needs a favor, Ditie knows that since Ellie only surfaces when she needs help getting out of a jam, she should really say no. But, Ellie only wants her to watch her two small children, Lucie and Jason, for the weekend so she agrees and asks best friend Lurleen du Trois to help out. Unfortunately, Ellie turns up dead and Ditie discovers that she's been named as the children's full time guardian.
Determined to find out who killed her friend and ripped apart the lives of the children, Ditie sets out with the help of Lurleen and Detective Mason Garrett to track down a killer. Her investigation turns up a shady, baby daddy, uncovers corporate espionage at Sandler's Soda, Ellie's place of employment, and also discovers that Tommy might be somehow be involved and hiding something.
I really enjoyed the book from start to finish although the subject matter is a little darker than the traditional cozy. The mystery was very well planned out and I didn't suspect whodunit until close to the end and the author's writing style in describing Ditie's relationship with the kids was very touching and thought provoking. For a minute it seemed as though the author was going to introduce the dreaded love triangle but fortunately squashed it in the bud. I will definitely be tuning into the next in series to see what adventures are in store for Ditie, her friends and new found family.
When Tommy's ex high school girlfriend Eleanor "Ellie" Winston appears on her sidewalk and needs a favor, Ditie knows that since Ellie only surfaces when she needs help getting out of a jam, she should really say no. But, Ellie only wants her to watch her two small children, Lucie and Jason, for the weekend so she agrees and asks best friend Lurleen du Trois to help out. Unfortunately, Ellie turns up dead and Ditie discovers that she's been named as the children's full time guardian.
Determined to find out who killed her friend and ripped apart the lives of the children, Ditie sets out with the help of Lurleen and Detective Mason Garrett to track down a killer. Her investigation turns up a shady, baby daddy, uncovers corporate espionage at Sandler's Soda, Ellie's place of employment, and also discovers that Tommy might be somehow be involved and hiding something.
I really enjoyed the book from start to finish although the subject matter is a little darker than the traditional cozy. The mystery was very well planned out and I didn't suspect whodunit until close to the end and the author's writing style in describing Ditie's relationship with the kids was very touching and thought provoking. For a minute it seemed as though the author was going to introduce the dreaded love triangle but fortunately squashed it in the bud. I will definitely be tuning into the next in series to see what adventures are in store for Ditie, her friends and new found family.
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