Gourdfellas

A Gourd Craft Mystery #2

by Maggie Bruce

As the town of Walden Corners goes to war over plans for a casino, gourd crafts maven Lili Marino discovers that she has been framed for the murder of an outspoken advocate for the casino project, and must prove her innocence before she is forced to take on a new hobby in prison. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

275 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Maggie Bruce, the creator of the Lili Marino series, is otherwise known as Marilyn Wallace, editor of the award- winning five-volume Sisters in Crime anthologies, co-editor of Deadly Allies, and the author of several mystery and suspense novels.

Reviews

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery storyline was pretty good. I was a bit disappointed that this one had less gourd crafting than The Gourdmother, but when you're trying to clear you're name of a murder, there's just not enough time for frequent gourding!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the first Maggie Bruce gourd mystery, The Gourdmother, I was pleasantly surprised. I'd seen some negative reviews, and when I re-read them after I finished the book, I wondered if those reviewers had read the same book I did!

Yes, there is the typical cozy mystery idiocy that annoys me in nearly every cozy. But there was enough going on in this plot to make me forget the idiocy and just enjoy the book.

My biggest problem with this one is that there are no more in the series! Where is Maggie Bruce, and why has she stopped writing? I need to know how Lili is!

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is set in New York state and the main character is doing gourd crafting. She becomes the prime suspect in the murder of woman who was in favor of a casino coming to town. The book was an easy read.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good break from the Eve Duncan books by Iris Johansen I have been reading. I really enjoy a Cozy mystery.

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this is book 2, you don't need to have read the first book to figure out what's what.

Interesting mystery - with an excellent and very unexpected twist! - that only took about 90 min to get through.

Would pick up other books in the series if I came across them at the thrift shop, but wouldn't buy new. ;-D

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read that initially attracted both of us because of the gourd work theme, but there wasn't much about that -- mostly a nice little easy mystery.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever...

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 - Very Good