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Young widow Peggy Turner is the somewhat reluctant mayor of Cobb's Landing, New England, where she lives with her 11-year-old son Nicky and runs a hardware store. Following the closure of its main industry the town had been in serious decline until it repackaged itself this year as a Colonial Village; the main street has been spruced up, traffic banned, and all the shop owners wear historic dress throughout the summer tourist season. As the season comes to an end, and Halloween festivities draw closer, mischief and crime take off in the small town. A body is found in the woods, and others soon materialise too. Events come to a head when the father-in-law of Gina Alsop who owns the local bakery goes missing. After the events in the opening book of the series, DEATH OF A TART, a new police chief Henry Cartwright has been appointed. Henry is neither sympathetic nor particularly efficient, and Peggy is soon sleuthing away with her best friend and next door neighbour Lavinia. Peggy and Lavinia's friendship is a lot of fun. Friends since school, they are in and out of each other's houses all the time. Whilst they are very responsible in their jobs, and in front of their sons, they do however have mad moments when they play pranks and act like kids themselves. Their young sons meanwhile provide further humour as they vie for the attention of Gina's daughter Maria. Whilst in many ways this is a traditional small-town mystery series, it also has a mix of other elements. The history of the area, although less prominent than in the prequel is one aspect, but there are passing references to the war in Iraq and Nigerian internet scams to remind us we are in the present. As you'd expect, there is a hint of love interest also. It's an enjoyable mix and if you enjoy cozy mysteries, you should give DEATH OF A TRICKSTER a try.
Reviewed by Bridget Bolton, December 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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