Preserving Peaches

Jane Delaney Mysteries #5

by Pamela Burford

Just when it looks like Death Diva Jane Delaney’s dormant love life is finally poised to take off, the romantic moment is interrupted by notoriously caustic advice columnist Gertrude “Peaches” Gillespey—or more accurately, by the discovery of Peaches’s mummified corpse.

The victim made plenty of enemies with her lacerating wit, so there’s no shortage of suspects. And when her shocking secrets come to light, the question becomes: Who didn’t want Peaches dead?

As if that’s not enough, Jane must cope with a second suspicious death, a vexing love triangle, a dirty mayoral election, and the victim’s missing collection of peach-shaped knickknacks. Not to mention a hair-raising online date with a possible homicidal maniac. Thank goodness for Jane’s loyal sidekick, Sexy Beast. There’s nothing like a high-strung, seven-pound poodle to help you solve your mummy issues.

Genres: Mystery

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2019

About the author

Pamela Burford comes from a funny family. You may take that any way you want. She was raised in a household that valued laughter above all, so of course the first thing she looked for in a husband was a sense of humor. Is it any wonder their grown kids are into stand-up comedy and improv? Oh, and here's another fun family fact: Pamela's identical twin sister, Patricia Ryan, aka P.B. Ryan, is also a published novelist. Patricia is the Good Twin, and yeah, Pamela knows what that makes her. But hey, Evil Twins have more fun.

It should come as no surprise that everything Pamela writes is infused with her own quirky brand of humor, from her feel-good contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels to her popular Jane Delaney mystery series, featuring snarky “Death Diva” Jane, her canine sidekick Sexy Beast, and a fun love triangle. Pamela's own beloved poodle, Murray, wants you to know that any similarities between himself and neurotic, high-strung Sexy Beast are purely coincidental.

Pamela is the proud founder and past president of Long Island Romance Writers. Her books have won awards and sold millions of copies, but what excites her most is hearing from readers. So swing by her website and say hi. And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Not only will you learn about new releases and other fun stuff, but you'll receive a free ebook as her special thank-you.

Reviews

[Patty Blount]

This novel is just plain fun! Sexy Beast, a poodle with a rather inflated sense of worth, is a scene-stealer! Schnook Beer's logo makes an unfortunate appearance and oh! I almost forgot the love triangle! Or quadrangle. Or...something.

But the best part is the mystery itself. Peaches is the nickname of a not-so-popular advice columnist Jane Delaney finds dead with no shortage of suspects. I adore Jane's self-deprecating and often snarky asides to the readers. I had a good idea whodunit but I was wrong!

I love when that happens.

So... you get a solid mystery, some hilarity, cool main characters and of course, a Sexy Beast.

Loved it!

[Sandee]

This series has become a favourite. This fifth book is wonderful. Jane has been hired to find the collection of peach themed items when 'Peaches' is found dead. In the processes, Jane realizes that there may be more than one murder. Great characters, funny situations, SB her 7 pound apricot poodle, and a really good mystery.

[Jeanie Jackson]

Pamela Burford always surprises and delights me with her Death Diva mysteries and Preserving Peaches is one of the best in the oft unexpected but always great Jane Delaney Mysteries. Pamela Burford once again leads me on a complicated chase to figure out the murderer. I thought I had it figured out about 75% through, but I wasn't sure of anything until Jane discovered who-dun-it. A well-written mystery that I can not figure out is both frustrating, because I usually guess right near the beginning,and fun because it is supposed to be a mystery, a puzzle that I can work through. Even with a mystery that really holds me as this one does, it is the character interaction that keeps me coming back. I love Jane's snark, swoon just a bit to both Dom and Martin's flirtations, and enjoy the support of all of her friends, not to mention adoring Sexy Beast.

[Susan]

Page Turner

Jane is at it again along with Sexy Beast. Great mystery that kept me guessing. As usual Jane always figures it out!

[K.J. Sweeney]

It feels like a long time since I last read a Jane Delaney mystery, I've just had a look and it's been over two years since one came out. It didn't take me long to get back into this fantastic series. The book starts with Jane's 40th Birthday, during the course of the series she's started as slightly older than me and now I seem to have just overtaken her. She stumbles onto a body, the almost mummified body of local problem page writer, Peaches. Obviously, Jane can't help but do a little bit of digging into who killed her, especially after she is asked by two people to look into it, or at least things related to the death.
There are two elements to this great series. Firstly, the murder, obviously and then secondly the romance angle. For too long now, Jane has been hung up on her ex-husband Dom, for reasons that seem a little bit beyond me, when she has the wonderful Martin waiting in the wings. Jane seems to have seen the light, with Dom at least. I don't want to tell you something that might spoil the book for you. So, I'm not going to tell you if I was left satisfied at the end of this book. Although I am really tempted to give more away...
I didn't manage to solve this one sadly. At least not until the very end, although I had one or two ideas. The mystery worked well and kept me guessing, which is always a bonus. The real delight of these books is the humour though. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the things that Jane gets herself involved in. Being a death diva is certainly an interesting and varied role.
I loved this book and really hope that we don't have to wait too long for the next one. I for one, can't wait to see what Jane gets up to next.

[Jan L]

That's just peachy

I love the humor and outlandish things Jane does! Pamela Burford's writing style is like you're sitting with your best, somewhat quirky, friend and helping her through her latest craziness. Then you want to reach out to comfort the deep heartaches life has thrown at her but she won't give you enough time before she's off again! This is another serious crime solved, with a few other Death Diva jobs along the way, that's a laugh out loud good time!

[tburbr]

The story line and character work were great. The book had a smooth flow to it. I was highly entertained from beginning to end. I look forward to more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Scott]

Jane and Martin find the mummified corpse of Peaches, a notorious columnist, who has been a missing person. When Peaches’ daughter hires Jane to find a missing collection, she uncovers multiple suspects with various motives. This is just the kind of mystery that Jane can sink her teeth into with humor and determination. Preserving Peaches is a well crafted novel that had me engaged until the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Wright]

Alright Ms Burford ...

... time's up. Let's get it really going now. Martin's the man. He's the right choice. More delicious stories with the two of them together and making a baby and loving each other. Dom is NOT the man. PULEEESE lady do the right thing. I want to keep reading you and laughing out loud with my sweet husband.

[veronica russell]

Love it!

Great read and like always ... lots of laughs!
Can't wait for the next one! See you soon Death Diva.

[Gwen]

Fun and enjoyable.

Can’t help but to love Jane and SB. Easy, fun and cozy. A great series for a binge reading winter weekend.

[Michele M. Heck]

Preserving Peaches

Another book written like Pamela Burfords writing goes. Easy reading and a lot of twists and turns. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Cally Walker]

peaches

Is not a cream cycle. In fact Peaches may be one of the nastiest creatures you run across, but Jane has to solve someone’s murder and Peaches is a great murder. I time

[Emily]

I love this fun mystery series. Jane Delaney, our self deprecating heroine, gets herself into the craziest situations and her love life is often more complicated then this little towns murder rate. Quirky supporting characters round out he stories.

I waited over 2 yrs for this latest installment. Perhaps that left me with high expectations, but this mystery didn’t do it for me the way the others did. I just reread of the others in the series, and this one is definitely weaker as far as the actual whodunnit. The big reveal lacked the excitement of the other books. I never really felt Jane was in danger, except perhaps, during a poorly planned lunch date about midway through the story.

Jane’s love life lacked the usual excitement as well, even though in the very first chapter it appears promising. And by promising, I mean increasingly complicated. And while it’s definitely time for Jane to move on from Dom, the early and brief mention of Victor left me scratching my head. Is she hearing from him regularly? Phone calls, emails? We don’t know, since he isn’t mentioned except to briefly fill us in on what happened between them 2 books ago. I hope there are more Jane Delaney books, I really do. But it will feel strange if he just shows up out of nowhere in the next book and equally strange if he is just completely forgotten.

I also finished this book wishing I’d gotten a little more face time with some of those beloved quirky characters. One trivia night with Sophie, Cookie, and Howie plus a few phone exchanges didn’t seem to cut it. Those exchanges we did see lacked the snappiness I recall from the previous books.

I’m not giving up on Jane, that’s for sure. But “Icing Allison” was so good, and we waited so long for “Preserving Peaches” I cant help but be disappointed.