Just in Time

A Dodie O'Dell Mystery #4

by Suzanne M. Trauth

FACE THE MUSIC

Business is humming at Dodie O'Dell's Windjammer Restaurant, where she offers theme menus connected to the Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions. This June, the theatre is collaborating with the neighboring Creston Players to stage Bye Bye Birdie under the stars—their first musical! There's a contest in the play to pick a fan to receive rock idol Conrad Birdie's last kiss before he ships off for the Army, so Dodie plans a contest to pick the food for a pre-show picnic.

But before the show opens, Ruby, the rehearsal accompanist, is found dead in her car. Why would anyone murder the crusty old gal who loved to sneak a smoke and a nip between wisecracks? Once again, the resourceful restaurant manager must play the part of amateur sleuth, accompanied by Police Chief Bill Thompson, who also happens to be her beau. Confronted with a chorus of suspects, she'll need to stay composed to catch the killer—or it'll be bye bye Dodie…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2018

About the author

Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, and nonfiction writer. Her novels include The First to Die, What Remains of Love (a first place winner in Women's Fiction, Firebird Book Awards; a finalist in General Fiction, American Book Festival; and a finalist for the Hemingway Prize) and the Dodie O'Dell mystery series--Show Time, Time Out, Running out of Time, Just in Time, No More Time, and Killing Time.

Her plays include Françoise, Midwives, Rehearsing Desire, La Fonda, Three Sisters Under the Hood, Laws of the Universe, iDream, supported by the National Science Foundation’s STEM initiative on science and technology, and Katrina: the K Word, based on interviews with New Orleans’ survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and produced in over a dozen venues throughout the United States.

Her screenplays have won awards in competition and she has co-authored Sonia Moore and American Acting Training and co-edited Katrina on Stage: Five Plays. Suzanne is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Dramatists Guild, and the League of Professional Theatre Women.

Reviews

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

What a delightful new installment to this wonderful cozy mystery series. Dodie is gearing up for the start of another play in town and the theme they will serve with it. Things with Bill are slowly settling and the hope is for a smooth production. Of course there are always others with different ideas and when the accompanist is found dead in her car on the side fo the road questions start coming to Dodie. Being her she start asking those questions which gives us surprises as well as some intriguing twists to the mystery. Great characters, sweet setting, and a mystery to keep you guessing all with a theater theme what more could you want. Great for fans of the genre. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Gail C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just in Time is the forth in the Dodie O’Dell mystery series by Suzanne Trauth. The action takes place with Dodie splitting her time between Windjammer, her restaurant, and rehearsals and performance of Bye Bye Birdie, the current production being offered by the local community theater in cooperation with the community theater from a neighboring town. This is my first read in the series, so I didn’t get as much introduction and description of many of the secondary characters as might exist in earlier books. It is not essential to this mystery to have read the earlier books, however it may be the reason some of the characters come across as not being as fully developed as the reader might like. There were some indications that relationships among some of the secondary characters have grown through the books and if you are interested in following those types of storylines you might do well to read the books in order.

Clues and red herrings are liberally sprinkled throughout the book, along with some threads of what appear to be continuing relationship threads from earlier novels. The mystery was, for me, easy to solve well before the denouement, and in advance of when Dodie, the protagonist, realized the who and why of this particular murder. It was still fun to read to the end to find out if I was right.

This is a light read, perhaps best suited for taking with you to the beach or on vacation. There were some characters, Wilson and Henry to name a couple, who appeared to have more depth and who I would enjoy seeing in even larger roles. Particularly Wilson’s obvious zest for life is a refreshing and joyful part of the book and a great foil for Henry’s darker, more critical personality. If the series continues it would be interesting to see how these characters and their relationships continue to grow and progress.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

Just in Time is the forth in the Dodie O’Dell mystery series by Suzanne Trauth. The action takes place with Dodie splitting her time between Windjammer, her restaurant, and rehearsals and performance of Bye Bye Birdie, the current production being offered by the local community theater in cooperation with the community theater from a neighboring town. This is my first read in the series, so I didn’t get as much introduction and description of many of the secondary characters as might exist in earlier books. It is not essential to this mystery to have read the earlier books, however it may be the reason some of the characters come across as not being as fully developed as the reader might like. There were some indications that relationships among some of the secondary characters have grown through the books and if you are interested in following those types of storylines you might do well to read the books in order.

Clues and red herrings are liberally sprinkled throughout the book, along with some threads of what appear to be continuing relationship threads from earlier novels. The mystery was, for me, easy to solve well before the denouement, and in advance of when Dodie, the protagonist, realized the who and why of this particular murder. It was still fun to read to the end to find out if I was right.

This is a light read, perhaps best suited for taking with you to the beach or on vacation. There were some characters, Wilson and Henry to name a couple, who appeared to have more depth and who I would enjoy seeing in even larger roles. Particularly Wilson’s obvious zest for life is a refreshing and joyful part of the book and a great foil for Henry’s darker, more critical personality. If the series continues it would be interesting to see how these characters and their relationships continue to grow and progress.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was also fun. I enjoyed that Dodie gets caught up in this one, not because she's investigating the case, but because she's curious about the victim's past (she was an elderly woman who was a piano prodigy and abandoned a promising career overnight). I also enjoyed Wilson, the new sous-chef, though his clumsiness was perhaps overplayed. Slapstick isn't often particularly effective in print. Also, continue to enjoy Dodie and Bill as a couple.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in Time is an engaging addition to this clever series by Suzanne Trauth.
Dodie O'Dell is a strong, colorful character who manages the Windjammer Restaurant.
She has a tendency to get mixed up in murder investigations, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend Bill, police chief at the sheriff's department.
Having close connections to the local small theater, it's no surprise when Dodie becomes involved in another murder investigation.

This particular book captured my attention from the beginning and kept me engaged all the way through.
All the characters work well together and this makes for an excellent cozy mystery.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in Time by Suzanne Trauth is the 4th book in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series, and a very enjoyable read. Dodie is rebuilding her new life in Etonville, NJ after her job and home when they got swept away by Hurricane Sandy on the Jersey shores. Dodie is the manager of the Windjammer restaurant and she coordinates menu's to go along with the theater's latest show. The cast is doing a musical for the first time, Bye Bye Birdie. When the accompanist is found dead in her car, Dodie's is determined to find out the truth.  This book has more twists and turns, that kept me interested to find out what would happen next. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and quirky characters, and I found myself chuckling to myself. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book/series.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dodie O'Dell's Windjammer Restaurant has a number of new characters in the fourth book in this series. The Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions are co-hosting with the Creston players to produce a musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE. Before rehearsals begin the musical director, Zoe is found dead in her car. The newly hired sous chief, Wilson adds much humor to the book. Dodie's boyfriend tells her to stay out of the investigation. Dodie is looking for answers when her internet search undercover a shocking secret from Zoe's past. Dodie's beloved car has problems flat tires, brakes gave out and worse the car catches on fire.

DISCOURSE: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Everybody has “Got a lot of living to do” when the local amateur theatre group performs Bye Bye Birdie. That is everyone but the crotchety musical director. Ruby is found dead in her car, asphyxiated by fumes. It seems like a tragic accident until Dodie starts to research Ruby’s life. Then a strange series of events haunt her car, almost costing her her life.
She is not really trying to figure out who murdered Ruby. She is content to let the local police, including her boyfriend, do that. She just finds the more she learns about Ruby, the more questions she has about her life. It seems she was a famous performer who suddenly threw it all away. Dodie is determined to find out why...that is if it doesn’t kill her first.
I loved the way the music and story lines of Birdie are woven throughout the plot. Dodie is a great character but I have to admit her sous chef is my favourite character. He is just a delight and so vividly written. Whenever he came into the scene, I had to smile.
The book was a light read but highly entertaining.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dodie O'Dell works at the Windjammer Cafe, and is helping with the Etonville Little Theater's latest production, Bye, Bye, Birdie. They're performing with members of nearby Creston's theater group, and all seems to be coming together at first. But soon it's apparent that there is trouble with the cast that keeps things from running smoothly. The director Walter is unhappy that the woman he's enamored of, Lola, is involved with another member of the crew, Dale Undershot. Pauli, a local teen who's a whiz on computers and technology, is hankering for Janice, who plays the lead, but she seems to only have eyes for Romeo, who's playing Conrad Birdie. And so it goes...

However, an elderly woman from Creston, Ruby Passonata, is the pianist and she's a genius at it but not very nice to the people around her. In fact, there isn't anyone who wants to spend time with her and after seeing Dodie and her boyfriend Bill, who's the police chief of Etonville, she makes a cryptic remark about relationships that Dodie just doesn't understand. When Ruby dies in what at first appears to be an accident but is soon discovered to be an attempt at hiding a murder, Bill is stumped and asks Dodie to keep her ears open and see if she hears anything about the Creston Players that could hint at who wanted to kill Ruby.

When Dodie and Lola venture out to Creston to Ruby's apartment to see if she has the cue notes needed for the play, they don't expect it to be so clean, Dodie finds a scrapbook that Ruby kept which details her early years, is surprised to find Ruby went to a prestigious music academy, and traveled world wide playing. But the scrapbook mysteriously ends in 1969 and Dodie wants to know what stopped Ruby. So she decides to try and find out why Ruby stopped her burgeoning career and wound up playing for a small town theater group. So Dodie sets forth merely to find out more about the reclusive woman, but doesn't realize that in doing so she might be putting her own life in danger...

First off, I have to say that this is the first book I've read of Ms. Trauth's, yet because it is the fourth in the series I rather expected more from the author. I knew very little about the numerous characters and they seemed way too quirky for me. In most books there is only one person who is quirky, but in this book everyone except Bill seems to be a little bit over the top in that area. The other thing that bothered me is the way like, Pauli like, talks. He sounds like a Valley girl. I would have enjoyed his character more if he could actually form complete sentences once in a while.

While I knew who the killer was almost immediately, (to be fair, though, I read a lot of mysteries, so unless it's hidden well, I can usually figure it out just by something that's said or done early on), it was still interesting to me to learn the reasons why they wanted Ruby dead. Bits and pieces were strewn throughout the story, so you didn't learn it all at once, and that's always a good thing.

The plot was done well, and I thought that everything came together nicely in the end; there were a couple of harrowing moments for Dodie, but she bore them out decently and I have to say that I enjoyed the ending, giving us a promise of what is to come in future books. Recommended.

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUST IN TIME by Suzanne Trauth is the 4th book in the A Dodie O'Dell Mystery series.

It’s a story of the adventures of Dodie O’Dell, manager of the Windjammer Restaurant, juggling her “regular” job which includes not only her regular duties but also coordinating the contest meals, the concession stand for the musical and keeping her boss, Henry, happy and the new sous chef who seems to be exuberantly happy all the time reeled in

There is a combined production of the Etonville Little Theatre’s (know at the ELT) and the neighboring Creston Players to doing an amateur productions of Bye Bye Birdie. The musical is to be staged in Etonville, which is a big deal for the whole town. Dodie devises a plan to connect with the musical by convincing Henry, the owner of Windjammer, to having contests through planned menus at the restaurant that will pick the food for a pre-show picnic by popularity. The meals and the contest are a big hit in – thanks in part to the enthusiastic new sous chef, Wilson - a recent culinary school graduate from Haiti.

When the rehearsal accompanist, Ruby Passonata who is part of the Creston Players, dies in her car along the side of the road from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning, the show takes somewhat of a tail spin trying to find her replacement at such short notice so close to the show’s opening. The show seems to be saved with Alex Milken, musical director, steps in and says he will take on that role along with his own.

When Dodie starts hearing so many conflicting statements from what she had seen and heard from Ruby herself in their short time together, it makes her wonder that maybe Ruby didn’t just accidently die. Was it a case of her death having some help? Was she MURDERED? With the help of her beau, Etonville Police Chef Bill Thompson (former NFL running back), and BFF Lola Tripper, and Pauli (BFF Carol’s son – Carol owns the local rumor center the Snippet Salon), Dodie finds many details of Ruby’s previous life – including that she was a child musical prodigy - and clues point to the facts she was indeed murdered. Now they just have to find out by who!

Reading JUST IN TIME trying to solve the crime and proving who did it make this book a page turner in a well-executed cozy mystery that will have pulling for Dodie - not only for her crime solving talents but also in the romantic interest with Bill, falling in love with Wilson and his joy for living and listening for the legendary whistle of Penny Ossining because the show must go on. Although it’s the fourth book in the series, I had no trouble as a first time reader of this series, in jumping in learning who was who and staying up to speed at all. I highly recommend this book to those that love cozy mysteries that keep you on your toes keeping you guessing and second guess up to the very end with a touch of romance. You won’t be disappointed!

[RO G'ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in Time is the fourth book in Suzanne Trauth’s Dodie O’Dell Mystery series. The storyline is well plotted, steadily paced with lots of twists and turns, and the well-developed characters are affable. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick, easy read. The mystery is solid, with enough suspects and red herrings to keep the reader engaged.

Dodie O’Dell lives in the quaint community of Etonville, New Jersey and is the manager of Windjammer, a local restaurant, and an honorary member of the Etonville Little Theater. Eatonville’s theater group and the Creston Players are working together to perform the musical, Bye Bye Birdie, in June. Walter Zeitzman, the theater manager, is the designated director for this production. Dottie talked Police Chief Bill Thompson, who is also her boyfriend, into playing a police officer in the musical. Dodie likes to create theme menus to complement the plays and since she’s stumped on the menu, decides to run a contest to pick the food for to be featured at the Windjammer during the week before the play’s opening night. The Windjammer’s owner and chef, Henry, chose the winners since he was doing the cooking. Dottie’s friend, Lola Tripper, met Dale Undershot, one of the Creston Players, online and they’re playing the lead roles.

Before the play opens, a member of the Creston Players, Ruby Passonata, the accompanist, is found dead in her car, a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. Alex Milken, Creston Players’ musical director, steps in as her replacement. Police Chief Bill Thompson asks her to stay out of the investigation, but to keep her eyes and ears on the actors and production crew and report anything odd or interesting to him. Secrets are discovered about Ruby’s life and Dottie is intrigued. She wants to know more about the pianist’s life, so she enlists the help of Pauli, a teenage tech guru, to delve deeper into Ruby’s past than she’s able to do. Delving into Ruby’s past seems harmless enough, but Dottie experiences odd occurrences with her car and in harm’s way on more than one occasion.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

JUST IN TIME by Suzanne Trauth
The Fourth Dodie O'Dell Mystery

Dodie O'Dell is smoothing things over at the Windjammer as the exuberant new sous chef settles in, bringing new recipes and breaking things with equal abandon. Though somewhat chaotic in the restaurant, chaos is quite the norm for the Etonville Little Theater. This time the group is teaming up with the Creston Players for an outdoor production of Bye Bye Birdie. Despite a few love triangles, rehearsals are going smoothly, thanks in part to Ruby, the accompanist brought in by the Players. The septuagenarian may be brusque, smoke like a chimney, and tipple from a flask, but she's practically a musical genius. Nothing runs smoothly for long for the ELT, however, and just before opening night Ruby is found dead in her car. Was it a heart attack, drunk driving, or murder? The only thing known for sure is that the show must go on!

It's great to be back with the gang from the ELT and the Windjammer. I love the addition of Wilson who merrily enjoys his life and work and is always there when you need him. The angst of teenage romance as well as middle aged romance makes an appearance as Dodie and the Chief solidify their relationship. Indeed, the many faces of love color this fourth Dodie O'Dell Mystery. What do you do for love? And what happens when love is thwarted?

A victim whose life was as mysterious as her death is the center of this quick reading mystery. Dodie pretty much played by the rules in this book, though I did gasp out loud at one move she made which was so wrong as to be unbelievable as well as unconscionable to me. I still do like her though. The rest of the ensemble is well developed and even the small roles add ambience and character to the mystery.

JUST IN TIME captures the love, laughter, and dismay that is all a part of community theater. I want to visit Etonville, eat at the Windjammer, and watch a production of the Etonville Little Theater.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This pleasant cozy takes place in a small coastal town and features Dodie O'Dell, the manager of a restaurant, girlfriend of the police chief, and behind the scenes cast member of the local theater group. This is the fourth in the series and I think reading the earlier books would provide welcome background.

The theater group's latest musical is Bye Bye Birdie and the brilliant pianist/accompanist is an acerbic older woman named Ruby. When Ruby is found dead in her car under suspicious circumstances, Dodie starts examining the woman's life to see if she can make sense of her death.

This is a readable and lightweight cozy with a large cast of characters that it is sometimes difficult to keep straight. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dodie O’Dell is the manager in Etonville’s Windjammer Restaurant. It’s June and it’s time for the Etonville Little Theatre annual summer playbill. This year they’re staging the musical Bye Bye Birdie. When the accompanist is found dead in her car at the side of a country road, Dodie can’t help herself and she starts asking questions despite promising the local sheriff she wouldn’t involve herself in more murders.

This is an easy cozy read. Solving the murder moves along leisurely with lots of other things going on in Dodie’s life. She finds some clues along her way and the sheriff tsks, tsks and her for doing his job for him.

If you’re looking for an action packed, fast-moving book to read, best pass this one by. But if you’re looking for a new series of cozies that takes it time to evolve, this just might be the one for.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dodie is back and once again ignoring her love interest Bill when she starts investigating the murder of Ruby, the accompanist at the Little Theater. I'm less enamored of the theater end of this cozy than I am of the Windjammer Restaurant (I'm not a big fan of theater based cozies) but Trauth managed to do a good balance. I like Wilson, the new sous chef, and the problems at the Windjammer meshed nicely with the story. There are some red herrings and some twists (and some good back and forth with Bill). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of amateur theater will love this series, also with foodie cozy lovers. This is book 4 in the Dodie O'Dell series and can easily be read as a stand alone story. Dodie O'Dell is the manager of a local diner that sets it menu according to what production is playing at the local theater. She's having a hard time setting a menu to go with the new show, Bye Bye Birdie. When a local helper is found dead in her car the town is shocked and Dodie with her beau Bill start investigating. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Debbie Proud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Suzanne Trauth and heroine Dodie O'Dell have another murder to solve , and the result makes for a great read! Such lovable characters in this town. I want to be in the audience for Bye Bye Birdie, eat the yummy food that's being served next door at Windjammer, and get the town scoop at Snippets salon. How will this latest crime be solved? It's a fun and funny page turner! And it makes me hungry!

[Thomas Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fun to spend time with Dodie O'Dell

It's like getting together with old friends. I had to hold back a star because I unfortunately figured it out before the end, but still...can't wait to start book 5.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one so far in the entertaining series. Delightful characters. I look forward to reading the next one. The publisher provided a copy via NetGalley.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you finish reading a story and all you can say is OH MY GOD😁 you know it's GOOD! Never a dull 😑 moment in this one.

[Jean Dory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun mystery read. The characters are believable, the events hectic but appropriate, the murder search engaging. I want to read the rest of the Dodie O'Dells.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Windjammer Restaurant is managed by Dodie O'Dell and when she isn't keeping the peace between chef Henry and his new sous chef, she's diving into the past of Ruby who recently passed away in suspicious circumstances. While Eatonville community theatre group is putting on an Al fresco production of Bye Bye Birdie, Dixie juggles the restaurant, food contests, concession sales and her investigation. . Stepped into this series at number #4, and while it took me a little while to get up to speed, it was only a minor snag. The characters are quite interesting, as was the plot. Adding this to my list of cozy series worth reading.

Merged review:

The Windjammer Restaurant is managed by Dodie O'Dell and when she isn't keeping the peace between chef Henry and his new sous chef, she's diving into the past of Ruby who recently passed away in suspicious circumstances. While Eatonville community theatre group is putting on an Al fresco production of Bye Bye Birdie, Dixie juggles the restaurant, food contests, concession sales and her investigation. . Stepped into this series at number #4, and while it took me a little while to get up to speed, it was only a minor snag. The characters are quite interesting, as was the plot. Adding this to my list of cozy series worth reading. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dodie, manager of the Windjammer restaurant, is busy balancing work and community involvement once again as the ELT crowd co-pro their latest off Broadway production with the Creston Players. Everything is going fine; for once, until the accompanist is found dead in her car on the side of the road. The death by asphyxiation is a little odd as are other bits of her life as Dodie digs around the past instead of the present to keep town's Chief of Police from turning read in the face, not that their budding romance in a small town full of gossips isn't already doing that to him. The more Dodie digs the more issues she seems to have, with her car. No one will believe that the little Metro is fine and that theses random issues are not normal, even when the poor thing blows up and Dodie barely escapes out of a window. Great story as with the previous ones can't wait for the next installment because these are OMG good!

[Bobbie Kirkland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of Just in Time (Book 4 of the Dodie O’Dell Mysteries) by Suzanne Trauth in exchange for an honest review. The main character is Dodie O’Dell who owns the Windjammer Restaurant and who is helping to produce the local theater’s performance of Bye Bye Birdie. Before opening night, the piano accompanist is found murdered in a way meant to make her death look accidental. The lure of the mystery is irresistible, so Dodie diligently pursues her amateur investigation. Before long, Dodie begins to have accidents, too.

I must disclose that I am a series novice; this is the first book in the series that I have read. I found the characters and the plot easy to follow even though this is the fourth book in the series. This was a good book worth the time spent reading.

#JustInTime #NetGalley

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in Time by Suzanne Trauth is the fourth book in A Dodie O'Dell Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.

This is the first read in the series for me an I had no trouble following the story although some of the secondary characters were not as well introduced and at time it was slightly hard to keep track, Again this could be due to the fact that I haven't read previous books.
Main character Dodie is running her restaurant and taking part in the local theater production. Tempers are flying high when rehearsal accompanist is found dead in her car. So Dodie with help of her boyfriend Bill who just happens to be Police Chief.

Fun and engaging read with lots of red herrings. Nicely written and steady paced.
Moments of humor add to the charm of the book. Good choice for cozy mystery lovers.

[Jenn Belden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just in Time is the fourth entry in the Dodie O’Dell mystery series, and I think I would have benefitted from reading earlier novels given the large list of characters in the story. (At times, I struggled to keep everyone straight.) This was a likable and readable cozy mystery with plenty of plot twists and red herrings that engaged me after a slow build to the story. This isn't a fast paced plot, but if you like your stories with a quiet buildup, a good storyline and plenty of quirky, engaging characters, this is the perfect read to while the weekend away.

I'll give this one three-and-a-half stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dodie O'Dell has a restaurant to run, community theater rehearsals and performances to help with, and a police officer boyfriend to hang out with. But when she learns some surprising secrets about an elderly neighbor, she finds the time to investigate. Are these old secrets connected with current murders? If so, Dodie's in danger.

The is a lightweight, light-hearted mystery with very little actual sleuthing. The protagonist stumbles onto things, often before the police. But it's a fun read with interesting characters. Brush up on "Bye, Bye Birdie" before you start!

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising good! Must more than I expected. I like the detailed writing. There was a good flow that did have the level of detail so often missing in a book. I could understand the character's steps to get to the end. Though the ending did have a surprise guilty party. The mix of the mystery and the restaurant was interesting. And the love interest was a nice addition to the overall story. I thought the book was great. So glad I read this one.

[Shay Tibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley & Kensington Books for allowing me to read this fun read in exchange for an honest review.

Loved getting to know the wide variety of books, and how all the excitement & mystery built around the theatre performance, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good light read!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The play production enhanced the plot and made for twists and turns I didn't see coming. I love it when the main character has a unsuspecting sidekick to aid in their investigation, even if nobody else sees it. The romance was sweet without being too much. I loved all the characters.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this fourth book in the series. I enjoyed the small town amateur theatre, the Windjammer restaurant, along with the interesting and well written characters. The whodunit was well paced and kept me guessing.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.