The Body in the Attic (A Jazzi Zanders Mystery #1) by Judi Lynn
I saw the latest book in this series on Netgalley and it sounded good, so I requested it. When I saw the latest is book 5, I got this book to “catch up” if I am approved for the Netgalley book.
I started it last night, since there wasn’t anything good on TV (which was a good thing, since I ended up not being able to put it down!) I liked Jazzi immediately and was sucked into the story within a few pages. Then I realized the book is set in the area I live, and having a personal connection to many of the places in the book really brought the story alive. I loved the dual plot, revolving around Jazzi’s long-missing aunt’s skeletal remains found in a cedar chest and another (more recent) body found in the back yard. I liked how the investigation unfolded, with all its tragic details (I really felt for poor Cal!) and the satisfying conclusion (although I still can’t figure out why a police detective would bring a civilian along when questioning suspects. A bit far-fetched but I was able to suspend disbelief.)
Frankly, I enjoyed the house flipping more than anything else in the story, I play House Flipper on Steam obsessively, watch a lot of DIY Network, and love everything about historic home conservation, so I loved “watching” Jazzie, Ansel and Jerod restore Cal’s house (I loved almost everything they did , except for the stainless steel countertops. Ugh.)
There was some romance involved in this book, more than you’d usually find in a cozy mystery but considerably less than what you’d find in a romance novel, so I’d say this is a romantic cozy mystery rather than a cozy mystery romance. Although the relationship between the characters seemed to move pretty quickly, I chalk that up to the characters having known (and worked with) each other for years before the book begins. Really, it’s such a small aspect to the book that I (as someone who doesn’t care for romance novels) wouldn’t be put off recommending it to others as a good cozy to enjoy.
Overall, this was a delightful read, homey, familiar and touching as well as a cracking good plot.
I can’t believe this is book 9 already. When a new one is published, I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on it. In this one, a bride-and-groom-to-be rent out the inn for an engagement party, bringing along a motley crew of old friends. When one of the group is found dead, and no one in the group seems to be particularly put out, Abby is on the case and finds betrayal, lies and painful secrets.
Mystereity Reviews 