Hazards of the Game

Cedar Harbor Mystery #3

by Norma Tadlock Johnson

Recently widowed Paula Madigan agrees to house-sit for a friend on Puget Sound. Soon, new friends and a fresh perspective find her on the golf course, where to her shock, she discovers the bejeweled hand of a dead woman in the sand trap. The victim, unpopular at the country club, was suspected of sending nasty anonymous notes to other members. But when Paula receives her own ominous note after the murder, it's clear the writer—perhaps the killer—is alive and well.

Paula's life becomes even more complicated when the thirteen-year-old granddaughter she's never met visits for the summer. She's a typical teenager whose knack for sleuthing puts her in danger's path. Another murder occurs and Paula, desperate to protect her granddaughter, has to draw on all her detective skills—before death becomes par for the course.

Genres: Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published August 18, 2010

About the author

Norma Tadlock Johnson's publishing history began with four romance novels co-written with her daughter, Janice Kay Johnson (herself a multi-published author of books in the romance, historical mystery, young adult and picture book categories) as Kay Kirby. These were followed by two romantic suspense novels on her own (Walker and Co). She then switched to writing for middle-grade children, and published the well received Bats on the Bedstead (Houghton Mifflin; Avon Camelot) and The Witch House (Avon Camelot). More recent work includes a non-fiction history of the 10th Mountain Division of World War II titled Soldiers of the Mountains.

Norma graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle, Washington, and has been named to its Hall of Fame. A Cum Laude graduate of Washington State College (now University), she did graduate work at Mexico City College (now University of the Americas). A widow, she now resides in Burlington, Washington. Besides her daughter, Janice, Norma has a son, Karl, and three granddaughters. She has lived primarily in Washington, Oregon, California and Mexico. While residing with her husband on Camano Island, WA, she was active on a local water board, where the startling acrimony experienced among members, along with the perpetual battling of slugs in her garden, inspired her to write Donna Rose and the Slug War. Her hobbies include reading, gardening and swimming.

Series:
* Cedar Harbor Mystery

Reviews

[Susannah Spradlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

like 3.5 i enjoyed thoroughly

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Paula finds out she is a grandmother and her granddaughter comes to live with her, they get involved in a murder. They become detectives, a great team.

[Sapphyria · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her husband dies while playing golf, Paula Madigan, is approached with an offer to house-sit for a friend. Hoping it will help Paula to be away from everything for a while, she agrees. So, off to Kamiak Hills Paula goes to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pappas, which is on a prestigious golf course. After getting settled, Paula joins some of the residents in a round of golf. When they get to the fourth green a body is discovered buried under the sand in the bunker. To top off that emotionally draining event, Paula's estranged daughter Jennifer, whom she hasn't spoken to in 16 years, tracks her down. It seems that Jennifer wants to go to Europe with her boyfriend but doesn't want to have her 13 year old daughter Laurie tagging along. After the reuniting of Paula with a granddaughter that she didn't even know she had, another murder takes place. And when Laurie and their neighbor's son Josh get injured in a hit-and-run accident, Paula pulls out all the stops, determined to catch the killer before another person sets injured or killed.

"Hazards of the Game" is a pretty clean mystery, suitable for at least 13 +. There are a couple mild swear words but nothing over the top. The plot is well thought out and the descriptions of every aspect, important or not, are vivid. The identity of the murderer isn't hard to figure out but the journey through the pages of this cozy mystery is exciting and kept me interested. Paula is likable and I'm glad that she was able to view her past marriage to Fred in an objective manner since his death and realize that Fred's treatment of her and her role within the relationship wasn't the most desirable. Laurie is a typical teenager and she, too, is likable. She is somewhat advanced for her age due, in part, to her upbringing with a mother that isn't described as much other than maybe a bit irresponsible. The secondary characters play their respective parts well. All-in-all this is a fast and easy read and if you are a fan of mysteries, especially clean ones, then this might be right up your alley.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable mystery with a very likeable even-keeled main character and an interesting supporting cast of secondary characters.

But on page 175 I thought I was reading Time Traveler's Granddaughter when Pauline is on the phone and her granddaughter Laurie comes in, sits on a kitchen chair and listens to Pauline's end of the conversation. On page 176, while Pauline is still on the phone, she hears a car stopping in front of the house and a slamming of the car door followed by Laurie bursting through the front door.

page 214: To pick a knit, it's not the National Historic Register, it's the National Register of Historic Places.

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed that though it is in the same city, Cedar Harbor, as first two of books of series(?), it is NOT about the retired teacher/retired military neighbor as I hoped it would be. I read first two books in two days and was looking forward to more of same > NOT :( From what I have read so far, the new lead character while a widow, has nothing to do with characters from the two earlier books.

I hope that Ms. Johnson will return to her original heroine/hero and continue a very interesting theme.

M>

[Dee Rodden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is what I like to call the "good vacation book". It is an easy read. The story flows nicely. The characters are not too deep. The author reveals just enough about their past to make you understand their actions in certain situations but doesn't dive into whole chapters of character development. The ending isn't exactly a shocker but it takes you there in way that maintains the mystery until the climax events.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read and I enjoyed the story line. I will say that I felt like I was reading and reading and reading but not getting anywhere in the book. Little too descriptive for me but I did like the characters and the plot. You will guess the killer at the beginning but doesn't really take away from the story.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murders on the golf course! A widowed grandmother gets involved investigating the murder of woman on the golf course behind the house she is house sitting for the summer on Puget Sound. Shortly thereafter, two more murders occur. Along with her granddaughter and the boy next door, they agree to share information they pick up and try to help the police make an arrest. A very quick read.

[Heidi Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful cozy mystery by the author of Donna Rose and the Slug War (you have to buy the book just because of the title!)

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light reading, restful mystery about golf.

[David Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it very much! Hope Ms. Johnson writes more books with Paula and Laurie as the detectives!