Donna Rose And the Slug War

Cedar Harbor Mystery #1

by Norma Tadlock Johnson

Donna Rose and the Slug War is a rich quilt of small-town Americana, a tale of backyard competition and long-lost secrets - some important enough to kill over. Retired schoolteacher Donna Galbreath isn't as patient with ignorant people as she once was, but she loves her community of Cedar Harbor, WA. Cedar Harbor is changing, though, and this is brought home when she finds the body of Lyle Corrigan, the water board chairman, while on an early morning clam-digging foray. After attacks are made on Lyle's widow and then on Donna, herself, she begins to investigate - along with her neighbor Cyrus, who rescues her and feels that henceforth, protecting Donna has become his duty. The solution requires sorting out the people who had reason to dislike Lyle. In the end, long-held secrets are brought to light and justice is served, along with a peace, of sorts.

Norma Tadlock Johnson lives in Burlington, Washington.

Genres: Mystery

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 2007

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

[D.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a plump, aging, sometimes cranky school teacher I could really identify with Donna Rose. I loved her wit and disregard for the rules - even the ones she helped write. If you are - or like - women of a "certain age", you'll enjoy this book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donna and her neighbor disagree about many thing, especially the fence he put up that required mutilating her garden. He deserved the addition of a few more slugs to his side of the fence. The one thing they agree on is that murder is best solved by someone other that the current Sheriff.

[Dev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not too memorable. Or I just made myself forget about it -lame book cover = lame book.

[Grey853 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like the main character, a crabby retired teacher, at all. I can't imagine some poor child in her care. The story wasn't any better. This is a huge miss for me.

[Johnmarilyn Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Enjoyed the main character as she was atypical - not a young beauty & somewhat grumpy. A refreshing change!

[Drebbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

While digging for clams, Donna Galbreath stumbles across the body of Lyle Corrigan. He had plenty of enemies that wanted to kill him and Donna doesn't trust the abilities of local police chief Billy Donniker to solve the case so she starts investigating the murder herself. Add in a second murder and a couple of attempted, near fatal poisonings and Donna has her hands full. She believes the deaths may have links to the past, but when she gets too close to the truth, she has to be careful or she may become a victim herself.

"Donna Rose and the Slug War" is an enjoyable cozy mystery. The book is written in the first person and Donna Rose is a great, if somewhat acerbic heroine. She says exactly what is on her mind and doesn't care if people like what she has to say. Still, she is likable, especially in her relationship with her daughter Roberta who is separated from her husband. Her relationship with next door neighbor Cyrus Bates makes for some of the funniest moments in the book (including the slug war of the title) and author Norma Tadlock Johnson deserves a lot of credit for letting readers decide for themselves whether or not Donna Rose dislikes Cyrus as much as she says she does. Johnson also does a good job in depicting the other characters in the novel and depicting small town life. The mystery itself is well written and the unmasking of the murderer will not doubt sadden readers when the motive is revealed.

"Donna Rose and the Slug War" is nicely done.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a small town murder mystery, solved by a retired elementary school teacher cum gardner, her retired Navy lawyer neighbor (and future love interest, if I read things right), and an assortment of other characters who play their parts and then leave. It was an interesting story, with believable motives for murder and fairly nice characters.

I thought I was being clever infiguring out who the killer was, but I was wrong.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this introduction to this cozy series featuring a retired schoolteacher in Washington State, Since I had already read the sequel this was not as revelatory as it might have been in character set up, but it was what it was supposed to be-a nice little cosy mystery.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Donna Rose's sarcasm. Fun easy read

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, easy-going mysteries.