This Business Is Murder

Betty Trenka Mystery #1

by Joyce Christmas

The author of the popular Lady Priam mysteries now starts a suspenseful new series--of an older female sleuth in a moneyed but mysterious suburb. Betty Trenka had no choice but to take her pension and leave her job. When she takes a part-time post in a Connecticut suburb, it becomes a full-time murder investigation. Original.

Genres: Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published July 5, 1993

About the author

Joyce Christmas is the author of 11 mysteries published by Fawcett Gold Medal, eight featuring expatriate Brit in Manhattan, Lady Margaret Priam. A ninth Lady Margaret book, Going Out in Style, is scheduled for summer 1998. Her second series stars retired office manager, Betty Trenka, a senior sleuth who's facing the problems of aging, and finding a new life for herself. The most recent, Downsized to Death, was published in November, 1997, for a total of three in the series so far.

Reviews

[Janet Adkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more a 2.5 star read for me. It was okay, but it felt like a stretch for Betty to trust Ted and to investigate on his behalf. She was portrayed as a strong woman but she did the things he asked her to do even though it seemed to be against her better judgement. As a software engineer myself I was also a bit offended by the description and portrayal of the "programmers". So one dimensional and stereotyped.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first I've read by this author. I really enjoyed this one. Elizabeth Trenka is retired (not by her own choice) and moves to a quiet country village. But retirement quickly get boring, so she takes a temp job in an office. That's not too bad, until the bodies start piling up. OK, only 2 bodies, but it's enough to make her reconsider her quiet retirement.

I'm not sure if there are more in this series, but if there are, I'd really like to read them. Some of the characters were not really well drawn and the ending was a little confusing, but overall, it was enjoyable.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The protagonist is a woman in her sixties who has been forced into a retirement she was not emotionally ready for. She still has plenty of useful years in her. Although I was more than ready to retire and am really enjoying it, I was still able to identify with this character and to hope that she could find something to fill her time. I hope this is the beginning of a series. I guess I have to do some research on that.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really an interesting, entertaining, well written story! I like the main character, Betty Trenk, look forward to finding the rest of the series! She's a 62 year old forced out of her job after 35 years and just interesting how she handles the younger generations and all her insights as to all her jobs working!

[Jeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good murder mystery being solved in part by a sleuthy 63 year old retired woman with lots of guts. She didn't just "lay down" and take retirement. When a mystery happened she was the one in the middle trying to figure out where all the pieces fit and who did it. Really enjoyed it and was a quick read.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read a book by Joyce Christmas for years but this one was enjoyable. Betty Trenka is a heroine in the tradition of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. I will make an effort to find the other three books in this series.