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As Independence Day approaches, life for the residents of Tinker's Cove, Maine, becomes dominated by civic disagreement. Firstly the traditional 4th of July fireworks display is under threat because of the damage it will allegedly cause to a protected species of purple-spotted lichen on a nearby promontory, and secondly because Blueberry Pond has been taken over by nudists. Lucy Stone, mother of four, and journalist for the local paper, The Pennysaver, has her work cut out to cover the stories and the demonstrations they give rise to. And as if that isn't enough, her own family is bring unusually problematic. Lucy and her husband Bill are due up in court in relation to their dog Kudo who keeps escaping from his pen and killing the prize-winning chickens of neighbour Pru Pratt. Their son Toby is also involved in a feud with the Pratts' son Wesley, and is staying out all night, and their oldest daughter Elizabeth is rather too keen on the naturism movement for their liking. When one of their neighbours is murdered, the Stone family come under suspicion. Lucy finds her position as an objective journalist is compromised, so she sets out on her own to unmask the murderer. STAR SPANGLED MURDER is a very enjoyable tale of small town family life. The main focus is on the Stone family and its tribulations and day to day events, and on the townspeople who support or denounce the civic decisions. The murder doesn't take place until halfway through the book and is probably a little too late in coming for a mystery reader not particularly familiar with the series. Lucy's investigations are pretty minimal -- she has brief conversations with a few suspects and learns a few pertinent facts -- but the discovery of the killer is entirely accidental really. So for anyone looking for a traditional puzzle mystery this might be a disappointment, but if a reader is looking for a comfort read with pleasing characters, small town life, and a mystery thrown in, then this little page-turner will keep them entertained. I should also mention that the book has a wicked prologue that I really enjoyed.
Reviewed by Bridget Bolton, September 2005
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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