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Sophie Kimball Mystery #8
Railroaded 4 Murder
While planning her wedding, Sophie "Phee" Kimball gets sidetracked by the murder of a model train enthusiast...
Phee's marriage to Marshall Gregory promises to be the wedding of the year in Arizona's Sun City West--that is, if you ask her mother Harriet. But before she can walk down the aisle, it looks like she has to solve one more murder. At a model train exhibit, Phee, Harriet, and their beloved Chiweenie, Streetman, discover the body of Sun City West's railroad club president, with an incriminating tap shoe near his lifeless corpse.
Wilbur Maines may have loved model trains but apparently he was not a model husband. There are rumors of affairs with hot-to-trot hobbyists the Choo-Choo Chicks. The police suspect his wife--and Harriet's friend--Roxanne, who dances with the Rhythm Tappers, but Phee's mom is convinced they're on the wrong track. Before the poor woman is railroaded into spending the rest of her life behind bars, Phee, Harriet, and the book club ladies will need to do some fancy footwork, infiltrate the dance group, and find the real culprit before the killer leaves the station...
Phee's marriage to Marshall Gregory promises to be the wedding of the year in Arizona's Sun City West--that is, if you ask her mother Harriet. But before she can walk down the aisle, it looks like she has to solve one more murder. At a model train exhibit, Phee, Harriet, and their beloved Chiweenie, Streetman, discover the body of Sun City West's railroad club president, with an incriminating tap shoe near his lifeless corpse.
Wilbur Maines may have loved model trains but apparently he was not a model husband. There are rumors of affairs with hot-to-trot hobbyists the Choo-Choo Chicks. The police suspect his wife--and Harriet's friend--Roxanne, who dances with the Rhythm Tappers, but Phee's mom is convinced they're on the wrong track. Before the poor woman is railroaded into spending the rest of her life behind bars, Phee, Harriet, and the book club ladies will need to do some fancy footwork, infiltrate the dance group, and find the real culprit before the killer leaves the station...
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 24, 2021
43 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Eaton
31 books344 followersAnn I. Goldfarb
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground), and coming in August 2018, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at:
www.jceatonmysteries.com
www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
www.timetravelmysteries.com
James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonauthor.com
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground), and coming in August 2018, The Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at:
www.jceatonmysteries.com
www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
www.timetravelmysteries.com
James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 22, 2021
Railroaded 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton is the eighth book in the cozy Sophie Kimball Mystery series. Each book of the series contains it’s own mystery that is solved by the end so the books can be read in any order or as a standalone if choosing to do so. However, those that read from the beginning will get all of the character development throughout the series.
In the beginning of this series readers were introduced to Sophie ‘Phee’ Kimball who had been living in Minnesota while her retired mother was living in her retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona. Phee’s mother called her daughter frantic that there was a murderer on the loose and targeting her book club thinking her daughter who worked as a bookkeeper for the police department was as good as any detective.
After traveling to Arizona to help her mother Phee decided it was time for a change and being close to her mother would help keep her out of the path of any more murderers. A friend of Phee’s just happened to want to start up a private investigating business so a new job for Phee quickly became available. Phee’s plans of keeping her mother and their friends away from murder investigations has been derailed yet again when one of Phee’s mother’s group find another body at the a model train exhibit.
The Sophie Kimball Mystery series is one that I have followed from the beginning and have really enjoyed each and every book that comes along. The character development in this series is great for a cozy and has progressed nicely now through the eighth book. While I like the main character in this series I really love her mother’s group of friends that get up to all kinds of hilarious mischief. I don’t know how many more murders will take place in this small retirement community but I’ll keep coming back for each one!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the beginning of this series readers were introduced to Sophie ‘Phee’ Kimball who had been living in Minnesota while her retired mother was living in her retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona. Phee’s mother called her daughter frantic that there was a murderer on the loose and targeting her book club thinking her daughter who worked as a bookkeeper for the police department was as good as any detective.
After traveling to Arizona to help her mother Phee decided it was time for a change and being close to her mother would help keep her out of the path of any more murderers. A friend of Phee’s just happened to want to start up a private investigating business so a new job for Phee quickly became available. Phee’s plans of keeping her mother and their friends away from murder investigations has been derailed yet again when one of Phee’s mother’s group find another body at the a model train exhibit.
The Sophie Kimball Mystery series is one that I have followed from the beginning and have really enjoyed each and every book that comes along. The character development in this series is great for a cozy and has progressed nicely now through the eighth book. While I like the main character in this series I really love her mother’s group of friends that get up to all kinds of hilarious mischief. I don’t know how many more murders will take place in this small retirement community but I’ll keep coming back for each one!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
August 28, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
While wanting to focus on work and her upcoming wedding, a wedding her mother Harriet has more than a few ideas about, she has another murder mystery on her hands. Wilbur Maines has been found dead by one of Harriet’s friends. He was the president of the Sun City West Railroad Club whose interests included more than model trains. Rumor has it he was drawn to more than one Choo-Choo Chick making his wife Roxanne the police’s number one suspect. This has Harriet tooting the horn for the ladies of the Booked 4 Murder Book Club to muster their own investigation and of course, they can’t do that without Phee and Harriet’s Chiweenie, Streetman. Phee does her best to keep the women on track but that truly is impossible especially when she learns of their many hair-brained schemes. Hang on as these investigations roll out of the station because it is going to be a very bumpy ride.
Book 8 in this series keeps this delightful cozy mystery series chugging along. Railroaded 4 Murder has become my new favorite book in this series. Sophie “Phee” Kimball is a strong protagonist and this time she really has her hands full. The woman has the patience of a saint and she needs it with a mother like Harriet Kimball. Harriet is an outstanding character that comes up with some truly outlandish plans and somehow survives them all. Phee’s fiance’, Marshall Gregory juggles all his investigations sometimes with the helpful assistance of a bride-to-be. That also means dealing with Harriet and her crazy friends. He and Phee make an awesome team. All the characters this writing team has created are well-developed and they continue to surprise me in each new story.
The authors have penned a great mystery with plenty of suspects. The antics of Harriet and the Booked 4 Murder Book Club members will have you in stitches as their investigation, Operation Agatha takes off. It includes infiltrating the Sun City West Railroad Club and convincing one of the book club members to join the Rhythme Tappers to find out all they can about Wilbur and his wife Roxanne and their friends and enemies. With plenty of twists the mystery coming to an exciting and hilarious conclusion.
I know when I start reading a book by J.C. Eaton my spirits are going to lifted and I may be laughing out loud pretty darn often. I needed to read a book like this one when I did. It took my mind off my troubles, made me use my brain to try to solve the well-plotted mystery, and had characters that were fun and kept me totally entertained.
I highly recommend Railroaded 4 Murder and the entire Sophie Kimball Mystery Series. This wonderful series is a must-read for all cozy mystery lovers.
While wanting to focus on work and her upcoming wedding, a wedding her mother Harriet has more than a few ideas about, she has another murder mystery on her hands. Wilbur Maines has been found dead by one of Harriet’s friends. He was the president of the Sun City West Railroad Club whose interests included more than model trains. Rumor has it he was drawn to more than one Choo-Choo Chick making his wife Roxanne the police’s number one suspect. This has Harriet tooting the horn for the ladies of the Booked 4 Murder Book Club to muster their own investigation and of course, they can’t do that without Phee and Harriet’s Chiweenie, Streetman. Phee does her best to keep the women on track but that truly is impossible especially when she learns of their many hair-brained schemes. Hang on as these investigations roll out of the station because it is going to be a very bumpy ride.
Book 8 in this series keeps this delightful cozy mystery series chugging along. Railroaded 4 Murder has become my new favorite book in this series. Sophie “Phee” Kimball is a strong protagonist and this time she really has her hands full. The woman has the patience of a saint and she needs it with a mother like Harriet Kimball. Harriet is an outstanding character that comes up with some truly outlandish plans and somehow survives them all. Phee’s fiance’, Marshall Gregory juggles all his investigations sometimes with the helpful assistance of a bride-to-be. That also means dealing with Harriet and her crazy friends. He and Phee make an awesome team. All the characters this writing team has created are well-developed and they continue to surprise me in each new story.
The authors have penned a great mystery with plenty of suspects. The antics of Harriet and the Booked 4 Murder Book Club members will have you in stitches as their investigation, Operation Agatha takes off. It includes infiltrating the Sun City West Railroad Club and convincing one of the book club members to join the Rhythme Tappers to find out all they can about Wilbur and his wife Roxanne and their friends and enemies. With plenty of twists the mystery coming to an exciting and hilarious conclusion.
I know when I start reading a book by J.C. Eaton my spirits are going to lifted and I may be laughing out loud pretty darn often. I needed to read a book like this one when I did. It took my mind off my troubles, made me use my brain to try to solve the well-plotted mystery, and had characters that were fun and kept me totally entertained.
I highly recommend Railroaded 4 Murder and the entire Sophie Kimball Mystery Series. This wonderful series is a must-read for all cozy mystery lovers.
June 25, 2021
Phee Kimball is back again in this newest addition to this series by J.C. Eaton.
Who knew there could be so much drama in the local train clubs.
It’s only a matter of time before Phee’s mother gets herself mixed up in another murder investigation, and of course her involvement always includes Phee and the investigators she works for.
A dead body, a philandering husband, and a neurotic chiweenie are just a few of the obstacles Phee must work through to help solve this mystery.
If you’re looking for a fun, colorful cozy mystery, ten I recommend this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of Railroaded 4 Murder.
#Railroaded4Murder #NetGalley
Who knew there could be so much drama in the local train clubs.
It’s only a matter of time before Phee’s mother gets herself mixed up in another murder investigation, and of course her involvement always includes Phee and the investigators she works for.
A dead body, a philandering husband, and a neurotic chiweenie are just a few of the obstacles Phee must work through to help solve this mystery.
If you’re looking for a fun, colorful cozy mystery, ten I recommend this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of Railroaded 4 Murder.
#Railroaded4Murder #NetGalley
October 28, 2021
I fully enjoyed this fabulous new mystery in the series! It was intriguing and laugh-out-loud funny while offering a challenging mystery and a fresh visit to a nearby Arizona retirement community. It is hard to just choose one or two favorite characters, as the novel wouldn’t be the same without many of them. To be honest, the first novel I read in the series didn’t appeal to me very much. I read it as I had spent a bit of time working in Sun City West several years ago and thought it would be interesting. By the second book I read, I was hooked! I can promise that the seniors are every bit as fun as younger people, even if their bodies no longer fully cooperate.
Our focus this time is on the people and activities in the model railroad club. Reading about the club and activities was written in a fascinating manner. I had no idea of the value of model trains, or what a huge hobby it could be, especially for retirees, but it does sound like fun.
The private investigation firm where Phee and Marshall work, she as a bookkeeper and he as an investigator, has been doing well. They have been involved with past murders taking place in or around Phee’s mother’s neighborhood and the Phoenix area. Harriet and her friends at the Booked 4 Murder book club insist on being involved with crime solving crime, and Phee has had to join them at times to keep them out of trouble. Williams Investigations consults with the local sheriff’s office, and when they are overrun with cases, Marshall and their boss Nate fill in the gaps.
Their office was given the investigation into the murder of the husband of a woman Phee’s mother and friends know. They had heard that Walter, president of the model railroad club, was quite the busy man with the ladies of the club. Roxanne, his wife, was the only suspect, eventually being arrested. Harriet and her friends were not going to let her go down for what they don’t believe she did, even if one of her tap-dancing shoes was found by his body with blood on it. Harriet and her friends will not be left out, dream up their undercover investigation, and drag Phee with them. As much as she hates to admit it, they sometimes learn more from people than Nate or Marshall do since they aren’t real investigators. And you’ll never guess how much trouble they get into this time! One of the situations is the funniest I’ve read for a long time!
I loved Streetman’s Walking Map! I hope it will be included in the future, also. One thing that might be enjoyable would be an Author’s Notes page to briefly explain some of the actual groups or locations, or how they come up with some of the settings.
While I guessed only one little clue before Phee did, the clue led to a surprise. The real whodunit was identified by Phee at a special model train event. The motive and the person were surprises, someone who wasn’t on their list or mine. The conclusion was excellent, and I am looking forward to the next in series. I highly recommend this novel and series to fans of well-written cozy mysteries, sleuths in a senior living community, laugh out loud humor, Arizona living, and neurotic dogs.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Our focus this time is on the people and activities in the model railroad club. Reading about the club and activities was written in a fascinating manner. I had no idea of the value of model trains, or what a huge hobby it could be, especially for retirees, but it does sound like fun.
The private investigation firm where Phee and Marshall work, she as a bookkeeper and he as an investigator, has been doing well. They have been involved with past murders taking place in or around Phee’s mother’s neighborhood and the Phoenix area. Harriet and her friends at the Booked 4 Murder book club insist on being involved with crime solving crime, and Phee has had to join them at times to keep them out of trouble. Williams Investigations consults with the local sheriff’s office, and when they are overrun with cases, Marshall and their boss Nate fill in the gaps.
Their office was given the investigation into the murder of the husband of a woman Phee’s mother and friends know. They had heard that Walter, president of the model railroad club, was quite the busy man with the ladies of the club. Roxanne, his wife, was the only suspect, eventually being arrested. Harriet and her friends were not going to let her go down for what they don’t believe she did, even if one of her tap-dancing shoes was found by his body with blood on it. Harriet and her friends will not be left out, dream up their undercover investigation, and drag Phee with them. As much as she hates to admit it, they sometimes learn more from people than Nate or Marshall do since they aren’t real investigators. And you’ll never guess how much trouble they get into this time! One of the situations is the funniest I’ve read for a long time!
I loved Streetman’s Walking Map! I hope it will be included in the future, also. One thing that might be enjoyable would be an Author’s Notes page to briefly explain some of the actual groups or locations, or how they come up with some of the settings.
While I guessed only one little clue before Phee did, the clue led to a surprise. The real whodunit was identified by Phee at a special model train event. The motive and the person were surprises, someone who wasn’t on their list or mine. The conclusion was excellent, and I am looking forward to the next in series. I highly recommend this novel and series to fans of well-written cozy mysteries, sleuths in a senior living community, laugh out loud humor, Arizona living, and neurotic dogs.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
July 5, 2021
What does a planning a wedding, a murder at a railroad club, tap dancing seniors and Streetman's dance debut have in common? They're all part of the mystery that Phee and the crew are trying to solve!
I love this series because it's so much fun to read! The mystery is full of surprises and the humor keeps me laughing. It's great to see how Phee's life has changed since moving to Sun City. Her mother and the Booked 4 Murder book club ladies are hilarious and somehow manage to become involved in murder cases! Oh, and I can't forget Streetman, a chiweenie who is multi-talented and has his own "Walking Map of Sun City West" that you'll love!
If you want a mystery that keeps you reading and smiling then this is the book - and series for you!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I love this series because it's so much fun to read! The mystery is full of surprises and the humor keeps me laughing. It's great to see how Phee's life has changed since moving to Sun City. Her mother and the Booked 4 Murder book club ladies are hilarious and somehow manage to become involved in murder cases! Oh, and I can't forget Streetman, a chiweenie who is multi-talented and has his own "Walking Map of Sun City West" that you'll love!
If you want a mystery that keeps you reading and smiling then this is the book - and series for you!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 20, 2021
Everything was going great for Sophie as her and Marshall’s wedding plans are going well, even if Harriet, Sophie’s mom, wants Streetman in the wedding. Then she gets a call from her mother telling her she needs her to get down to the model train exhibit because Cecilia thinks she has discovered a dead body. Sophie wants to know why she doesn’t call the Posse (volunteer police for the retirement community), but it seems that maybe Cecilia has called them a few times before, so Harriet makes Sophie come down to check it out and sure enough this time Cecilia did indeed run across a body. It happens to be the president of the model railroad group.
Before you know it Harriet has Sophie in the middle of another murder investigation even though her boss and fiance are the actual privite investigators. Harriet ropes Sophie into helping with Operation Agatha when the victims wife is accused of the murder and they don’t believe she did it. Harriet has decided they should infultrate the model railroad group because they heard that Wilbur was having an affair with a Choo Choo Chick (Yes, you read that right…lol), and since Roxanne, the wife, is part of the Rhythme Tappers, they talk Cecilia into signing up since she has had tap dancing classes (when she was a kid).
Just imagine all the fun and hilarious things that ensue with all of that going on and poor Sophie is in the middle of it all. They do find out a lot about Wilbur and it seems that there might not have been a Choo Choo Chick that he didn’t lip lock with and so the suspects are plenty!
This book had me laughing so much I loved it! This series is in my top ten favorite cozy series and this one didn’t dissappoint! Though at times Harriet can be a bit much, she still makes me laugh and you would think Streetman was more than just a little dog when you hear her talk about him. He has a fun roll in this one that had me laughing! And poor Cecilia, Sophie swears she must have been a nun in another life and having her join the tap dancing group and the sort of outfits they want them to wear! She really had some of the best dialogue in this book! All the characters are great though and I really love how great that Sophie and Marshell fit together!
This one had a really good mystery and I was very impressed with myself when I figured out the killer and sort of the motive because of a piece of information I remember at the beginning of the book, that seldom happens…lol.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves cozies or wants to try one!
Before you know it Harriet has Sophie in the middle of another murder investigation even though her boss and fiance are the actual privite investigators. Harriet ropes Sophie into helping with Operation Agatha when the victims wife is accused of the murder and they don’t believe she did it. Harriet has decided they should infultrate the model railroad group because they heard that Wilbur was having an affair with a Choo Choo Chick (Yes, you read that right…lol), and since Roxanne, the wife, is part of the Rhythme Tappers, they talk Cecilia into signing up since she has had tap dancing classes (when she was a kid).
Just imagine all the fun and hilarious things that ensue with all of that going on and poor Sophie is in the middle of it all. They do find out a lot about Wilbur and it seems that there might not have been a Choo Choo Chick that he didn’t lip lock with and so the suspects are plenty!
This book had me laughing so much I loved it! This series is in my top ten favorite cozy series and this one didn’t dissappoint! Though at times Harriet can be a bit much, she still makes me laugh and you would think Streetman was more than just a little dog when you hear her talk about him. He has a fun roll in this one that had me laughing! And poor Cecilia, Sophie swears she must have been a nun in another life and having her join the tap dancing group and the sort of outfits they want them to wear! She really had some of the best dialogue in this book! All the characters are great though and I really love how great that Sophie and Marshell fit together!
This one had a really good mystery and I was very impressed with myself when I figured out the killer and sort of the motive because of a piece of information I remember at the beginning of the book, that seldom happens…lol.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves cozies or wants to try one!
July 26, 2021
The “A Sophie Kimball Mystery” series is one of my favorites. Phee is someone I can relate to easily, her mother’s craziness even more so. The newest book in the series, Railroaded 4 Murder, is the right combination of mystery, suspense, and genuine excitement. The book club is putting their nose in another murder investigation, and Phee ends up being dragged in as usual. Working for a PI firm and being engaged to one of the investigators doesn’t make Phee’s life any easier where her mother and friends are concerned; they think it’s the perfect way to get insider information.
When a model train enthusiast is killed, and a tap shoe is found nearby, all fingers point to his tap-dancing wife, a friend of the book club gang. Phee’s PI firm is investigating, but that won’t stop her mother from using Phee, and her beloved dog, Streetman, to track down a killer. Okay, so Streetman isn’t all that helpful, but who doesn’t love a dancing menace of a pooch? On top of a murder investigation, Phee is also planning her wedding and not having a lot of luck keeping her mother from turning it into a dog and pony show.
The suspects are numerous, the evidence sketchy, and the victim’s wife may be spending the rest of her life behind bars if Phee can’t figure out what happened. Following her instincts and the book club’s secret plan, which isn’t all that secret, Phee and company track down the killer. But nothing about the culprit makes any of them feel any better. Even the PI firm has difficulty believing who the killer is, and even though they helped with the unveiling, it ends up being all on Phee in the end. Railroaded 4 Murder is a wonderfully fast read, with animated characters and enough action and intrigue to stimulate the mind and keep readers guessing. It’s a delightful read in a series that continues to keep smiles on the faces of cozy fans.
When a model train enthusiast is killed, and a tap shoe is found nearby, all fingers point to his tap-dancing wife, a friend of the book club gang. Phee’s PI firm is investigating, but that won’t stop her mother from using Phee, and her beloved dog, Streetman, to track down a killer. Okay, so Streetman isn’t all that helpful, but who doesn’t love a dancing menace of a pooch? On top of a murder investigation, Phee is also planning her wedding and not having a lot of luck keeping her mother from turning it into a dog and pony show.
The suspects are numerous, the evidence sketchy, and the victim’s wife may be spending the rest of her life behind bars if Phee can’t figure out what happened. Following her instincts and the book club’s secret plan, which isn’t all that secret, Phee and company track down the killer. But nothing about the culprit makes any of them feel any better. Even the PI firm has difficulty believing who the killer is, and even though they helped with the unveiling, it ends up being all on Phee in the end. Railroaded 4 Murder is a wonderfully fast read, with animated characters and enough action and intrigue to stimulate the mind and keep readers guessing. It’s a delightful read in a series that continues to keep smiles on the faces of cozy fans.
August 21, 2021
My second in this series although it is the eighth instalment, Sophie Kimball (aka Phee), an accountant working for a private investigative agency makes a great amateur sleuth. Phee gets herself involved when the president of the railroad club, Wilbur Maines, a train enthusiast is found murdered. His wife Roxanne who is friendly with Phee's mum, Harriet is suspect number one.
Set in Sun City West, Arizona, Railroaded 4 Murder was well-crafted, swift-paced, witty and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery was very engaging and I was kept guessing in this lively yarn of surprises. There are quite a few instalments for me to catch up on and I can’t wait to visit Phee and her little dog, called Streetman, in Sun City again. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Set in Sun City West, Arizona, Railroaded 4 Murder was well-crafted, swift-paced, witty and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery was very engaging and I was kept guessing in this lively yarn of surprises. There are quite a few instalments for me to catch up on and I can’t wait to visit Phee and her little dog, called Streetman, in Sun City again. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
August 24, 2021
"Railroaded 4 Murder" the 8th instalment in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series by J.C. Eaton. While planning her wedding, Sophie "Phee" Kimball gets sidetracked by the murder of a model train enthusiast...
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in almost one day. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. Even learnt a few things about Railroads…
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour, too with Harriet and Streetman her Chiweenie and the rest of her crew from the Sun City Retirement Community. This is one of my favourite series and I always buy in Paperback as I know I will read again.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in almost one day. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. Even learnt a few things about Railroads…
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour, too with Harriet and Streetman her Chiweenie and the rest of her crew from the Sun City Retirement Community. This is one of my favourite series and I always buy in Paperback as I know I will read again.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 14, 2021
Another great one in this delightful series!
August 22, 2021
Accountant Sophie “Phee” Kimbal and her fiancé Marshall work for their friend Nate Williams at Williams Investigations. Nate and Marshall are the official investigators for the Glendale, Arizona company. However, no matter how hard Phee tries to stick to the numbers side of the agency, her mom, Harriet, always finds a way to involve Phee in the “hands on” part of investigations. Phee finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when one of Harriet’s friends finds a body at a model train exhibit. Harriet and her friends from her senior community are counting on Phee to prove the victim’s wife, Roxanne, is being “railroaded” for the crime.
This book is the eight one in the Sophie Kimball mysteries series. I’ve missed a few of them, but have enjoyed each one I’ve read. Sophie is smart and patient with her mom and all her friends. Roxanne, who suspected the victim was cheating on her, is the obvious suspect in her husband’s murder, but Phee and Harriet think a few of the clues pointing to the wronged wife are just a little too convenient. The victim was in charge of a local model railroad club, so as part of her investigation, Phee had to learn more than she wanted about the world of model trains. I like the way Phee, Marshall, and Nate compare notes on the case to find the guilty party. There are a few parts in the book where the investigation stalls and Phee and Marshall both overlook an obvious clue. Then Harriet’s “chiweenie”, Streetman, makes a surprise appearance at a tap dancing show and this comic relief comes at a perfect time to perk up the book when the pace had slowed.
Overall, the book is fun and entertaining and I would rate it 3.5 stars. There is a satisfying resolution to the case and to the book. There is a cute map of Harriet’s neighborhood at the end of the book which shows the various landmarks that are important to Streetman! There is a lot to look forward to in future books as Phee and Marshall’s wedding date grows nearer. Eaton can be relied on for entertaining, cozy mysteries and humorous situations. Fans of Rita Lakin would enjoy the series.
I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. This review will also appear on the Smitten Review Site and Blog.
This book is the eight one in the Sophie Kimball mysteries series. I’ve missed a few of them, but have enjoyed each one I’ve read. Sophie is smart and patient with her mom and all her friends. Roxanne, who suspected the victim was cheating on her, is the obvious suspect in her husband’s murder, but Phee and Harriet think a few of the clues pointing to the wronged wife are just a little too convenient. The victim was in charge of a local model railroad club, so as part of her investigation, Phee had to learn more than she wanted about the world of model trains. I like the way Phee, Marshall, and Nate compare notes on the case to find the guilty party. There are a few parts in the book where the investigation stalls and Phee and Marshall both overlook an obvious clue. Then Harriet’s “chiweenie”, Streetman, makes a surprise appearance at a tap dancing show and this comic relief comes at a perfect time to perk up the book when the pace had slowed.
Overall, the book is fun and entertaining and I would rate it 3.5 stars. There is a satisfying resolution to the case and to the book. There is a cute map of Harriet’s neighborhood at the end of the book which shows the various landmarks that are important to Streetman! There is a lot to look forward to in future books as Phee and Marshall’s wedding date grows nearer. Eaton can be relied on for entertaining, cozy mysteries and humorous situations. Fans of Rita Lakin would enjoy the series.
I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. This review will also appear on the Smitten Review Site and Blog.
July 28, 2021
Sophie "Phee" Kimball lives near Phoenix, Arizona and works as a bookkeeper for Williams Investigations. She's also engaged to one of the PIs, Marshall Gregory. Her mother Harriet lives in Sun City West and spends her free time nagging Phee and imagining murders are taking place all over the city...or she could be right...
Phee is trying to sleep when she receives an early morning phone call from her mother Harriet. Harriet insists she come to the model train building, because her friend Cecilia has found a body. Although Phee thinks it's not true, she finds out she's wrong. It certainly turns out to be a body -- the body of Sun City West's railroad club president, Wilbur Maines.
But when Wilbur's widow Roxanne is looking to be the guilty party by the police, Phee's not so sure. Neither is her employer, Nate Williams, nor Marshall. So now Phee's wedding plans are on hold while they search for the killer. Unfortunately, Phee is getting dragged into another of her mother's hare-brained ideas, and she needs to go along with it, even if just to keep her mother and her friends out of trouble. But that's not going to happen. Not if Harriet has anything to say about it...or her Chiweenie, Streetman...
This is the eighth book in the series and I have read them all. I have also loved how each one has gotten better than the last. I have no idea how they do it, but the authors seem to have found a golden key to making each book better. This one is all about model trains. I remember my brother had a Lionel train, and we would play with it quite a bit. (He probably still has it somewhere). To this day, I love watching the trains at Christmas, so it's memories for me.
But the memories for Wilbur Maines ended when he died. However, it seems he left memories with plenty of women, and now Phee doesn't know if a man or woman killed the man. All she knows is that every time she seems to get closer to a killer, it doesn't pan out. And with her bosses running around catching other leads, she's on her own (unless you count her mother, friends, and her Aunt Ina).
This book has quite a few funny moments, one involving Ina, which I wouldn't have expected, and another involving Streetman, which I would. And I love how the stories reflect on different characters in each book; this one involving Cecilia, the poor thing; who just doesn't understand how modern society works. It's quite interesting.
The mystery itself is intriguing, with the clues few and far between; but each thread leads back to another, and when the murderer is finally caught it comes as a complete surprise, although I did have a clue as to the reason why, and I was close in that, at least. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope that others will, too. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Phee is trying to sleep when she receives an early morning phone call from her mother Harriet. Harriet insists she come to the model train building, because her friend Cecilia has found a body. Although Phee thinks it's not true, she finds out she's wrong. It certainly turns out to be a body -- the body of Sun City West's railroad club president, Wilbur Maines.
But when Wilbur's widow Roxanne is looking to be the guilty party by the police, Phee's not so sure. Neither is her employer, Nate Williams, nor Marshall. So now Phee's wedding plans are on hold while they search for the killer. Unfortunately, Phee is getting dragged into another of her mother's hare-brained ideas, and she needs to go along with it, even if just to keep her mother and her friends out of trouble. But that's not going to happen. Not if Harriet has anything to say about it...or her Chiweenie, Streetman...
This is the eighth book in the series and I have read them all. I have also loved how each one has gotten better than the last. I have no idea how they do it, but the authors seem to have found a golden key to making each book better. This one is all about model trains. I remember my brother had a Lionel train, and we would play with it quite a bit. (He probably still has it somewhere). To this day, I love watching the trains at Christmas, so it's memories for me.
But the memories for Wilbur Maines ended when he died. However, it seems he left memories with plenty of women, and now Phee doesn't know if a man or woman killed the man. All she knows is that every time she seems to get closer to a killer, it doesn't pan out. And with her bosses running around catching other leads, she's on her own (unless you count her mother, friends, and her Aunt Ina).
This book has quite a few funny moments, one involving Ina, which I wouldn't have expected, and another involving Streetman, which I would. And I love how the stories reflect on different characters in each book; this one involving Cecilia, the poor thing; who just doesn't understand how modern society works. It's quite interesting.
The mystery itself is intriguing, with the clues few and far between; but each thread leads back to another, and when the murderer is finally caught it comes as a complete surprise, although I did have a clue as to the reason why, and I was close in that, at least. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope that others will, too. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
November 26, 2021
This had far less Mom, Streetman and the book club ladies than the previous books in the series. Big mistake. They make the series laugh out loud funny. Marshall is a dud. There is to date not one interesting characteristic and therefore, he is as dull as dishwater. Pure deserves more of a live wire. Hoping the next book will focus on the funny.
August 17, 2021
I like Phee & Marshall. The other characters have calmed down and while still quirky aren't aren't over the top, I liked the mystery and thought I had figured out who but not why of the murder.. Still waiting to see who wins out on what the marriage ceremony will look like. I do enjoy the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest reveiw.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest reveiw.
September 19, 2021
Laughed through the unexpected twists and turns. As usual, a fun, enjoyable book. Loved the map at the end!
December 20, 2021
I have to be honest, I took this book out of the library based solely on the cover illustration. The dog playing with the model railroad is funny. Unfortunately the book itself does not live up to the promise of the cover.
August 13, 2021
Phee and Marshall are getting married! But not before she solves the murder of Wilbur Maines, a train enthusiast who wasn't good to anyone, especially his wife Roxanne, a friend of Phee's mom Harriett. Harriet firmly believes that Roxanne didn't do it and enlists Phee, her dog, and the ever patient Marshall in her quest to find the truth. Cozy readers know there will be more than one suspect but this series shines in its characters and setting. Phee's book club, Marshall, and the rest, are all people I'd like to spend time with (as is Phee of course). It's light, it's fun, and it's got enough twists to keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This will be a great entry to the series if it's new to you.
August 9, 2021
This is the eighth in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series. I always enjoy my trip to Surprise, AZ.
Who would have thought being in the Railroad club would get you killed?
Sophie is summoned early one morning when one of the Library Club ladies thinks she sees an arm in the model train exhibit. Turns out to be the body of Sun City West's railroad club president, Wilbur Maines. A tap shoe, screw driver and some type of glue are at the crime scene.
Turns out Wilbur was not a good husband nor well liked. Roxanne, his wife becomes the primary suspect. Harriet, Phee’s mother, refuses to accept Roxanne had anything to do with the murder. She convinces Phee to look into the case.
This is a well-written & well-plotted story. I enjoyed the twists and turns, humor, and reveal. I enjoy the characters even if some are over the top. This series gives me a break from the real world and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.
Who would have thought being in the Railroad club would get you killed?
Sophie is summoned early one morning when one of the Library Club ladies thinks she sees an arm in the model train exhibit. Turns out to be the body of Sun City West's railroad club president, Wilbur Maines. A tap shoe, screw driver and some type of glue are at the crime scene.
Turns out Wilbur was not a good husband nor well liked. Roxanne, his wife becomes the primary suspect. Harriet, Phee’s mother, refuses to accept Roxanne had anything to do with the murder. She convinces Phee to look into the case.
This is a well-written & well-plotted story. I enjoyed the twists and turns, humor, and reveal. I enjoy the characters even if some are over the top. This series gives me a break from the real world and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.
August 8, 2021
Book 8 in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series. A new mystery in this series means all sorts of new drama from the retired crowd in Sun City West. We meet two new activity groups - miniature railroad enthusiasts and a tap dancing group.
The head of the railroad group is found dead by one of Harriet’s book club friends. Phee gets called out in the early morning to help.
Nate and Marshall help the Posse investigate. The timeline of the investigation is pretty realistic as the book covers weeks.
There are some funny moments and roll your eyes moments when the book club starts Operation Agatha. This is a fun and well-plotted mystery. The authors always seem to have unique ideas that make reading a story that involves a bunch of senior citizens enjoyable to read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.
The head of the railroad group is found dead by one of Harriet’s book club friends. Phee gets called out in the early morning to help.
Nate and Marshall help the Posse investigate. The timeline of the investigation is pretty realistic as the book covers weeks.
There are some funny moments and roll your eyes moments when the book club starts Operation Agatha. This is a fun and well-plotted mystery. The authors always seem to have unique ideas that make reading a story that involves a bunch of senior citizens enjoyable to read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.
August 8, 2021
Railroaded 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton is the 8th. book in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series. This is a another well-written storyline with Phee and her cohorts solving a murder mystery. I really enjoy these characters. They make reading the cozy mystery so much fun! I am looking forward to more stories from J.C. Eaton.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
July 15, 2021
I always enjoy this series. My parents live in Surprise so I am familiar with a lot of the places mentioned in the book. It is a fun series. There was a lot less of Phee's mother but at times too much of her mother's friends. I wasn't entirely a surprise but it was enjoyable.
August 26, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Railroaded 4 Murder by JC Eaton is a tap-dancing, costume-wearing, great sleuthing time. I laughed so much.
Will Phee figure out who killed Wilbur before Roxanne spends the rest of her life in jail? And what about Operation Agatha?
Phee & Harriet
Phee and Marshall are planning their wedding and are truly happy. Well, until one of Harriet's friends finds a dead body. Harriet decides that they have to save the widow, who has obviously been framed. Of course, the book club ladies, along with Herb and his pinocle buddies, are helping too. But that isn't enough for Harriet. She needs Phee to get involved too.
Phee is the nice, pleasant-mannered, bookkeeping daughter, that gives up a ton of time to keep her mother out of trouble. Although, most of the time, Phee couldn't stop Harriet or the dog at all. I like Phee and adore the crowd that she keeps around her. Harriet is hilarious, seriously that woman hasn't slowed down much, and all the clubs that she attends in Sun West are filled with the best characters. They make me laugh out loud often.
The Mystery
The mystery moves around from a cheating spouse to members of the railroad club to people the victim knew years before his retirement. Nate and Marshall are working on other cases too. Honestly, I figured out who did it, but for the life of me, I never saw the motive coming.
Five Stars
My rating for Railroaded 4 Murder by JC Eaton is five stars. I love the wackiness of the characters, Streetman the Chiweenie, who wants love and treats but can cause an unscheduled incident anywhere, and the actual mysteries which keep me guessing. I highly recommend this series. If you love a good cozy, this is the series for you.
The Sophie Kimball Mystery Series
Prize: (3) Railroaded 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery) by J.C. Eaton (U.S. Only)
Will Phee figure out who killed Wilbur before Roxanne spends the rest of her life in jail? And what about Operation Agatha?
Phee & Harriet
Phee and Marshall are planning their wedding and are truly happy. Well, until one of Harriet's friends finds a dead body. Harriet decides that they have to save the widow, who has obviously been framed. Of course, the book club ladies, along with Herb and his pinocle buddies, are helping too. But that isn't enough for Harriet. She needs Phee to get involved too.
Phee is the nice, pleasant-mannered, bookkeeping daughter, that gives up a ton of time to keep her mother out of trouble. Although, most of the time, Phee couldn't stop Harriet or the dog at all. I like Phee and adore the crowd that she keeps around her. Harriet is hilarious, seriously that woman hasn't slowed down much, and all the clubs that she attends in Sun West are filled with the best characters. They make me laugh out loud often.
The Mystery
The mystery moves around from a cheating spouse to members of the railroad club to people the victim knew years before his retirement. Nate and Marshall are working on other cases too. Honestly, I figured out who did it, but for the life of me, I never saw the motive coming.Five Stars
My rating for Railroaded 4 Murder by JC Eaton is five stars. I love the wackiness of the characters, Streetman the Chiweenie, who wants love and treats but can cause an unscheduled incident anywhere, and the actual mysteries which keep me guessing. I highly recommend this series. If you love a good cozy, this is the series for you.
The Sophie Kimball Mystery Series
Prize: (3) Railroaded 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery) by J.C. Eaton (U.S. Only)
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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
June 13, 2021
Phee Kimball is finally marrying Marshall and plans are in full gear. When the husband of her Mother’s best friend is murdered, Phee needs to balance wedding plans with sleuthing. After all, Phee’s mother insists the police are on the wrong trail when the police target her BFF Roxanne as their prime suspect.
Harriet knows Roxanne would never have killed her husband, even if he was a philanderer. Now Phee has to finger the guilty party before she can walk down he aisle and start her life as a married woman….or be buried in her wedding dress.
I love this series, who has a small dog and can’t relate to Streetman? And a Mother who thinks the world of their daughter and her capabilities? Not only are the whodunits always good, the husband and wife team have developed characters that you like and want to see what’s next for them on the personal level too. This and their Wine Trail Mystery series are two of my MUST read series from this team and each one is better than the one before!
Harriet knows Roxanne would never have killed her husband, even if he was a philanderer. Now Phee has to finger the guilty party before she can walk down he aisle and start her life as a married woman….or be buried in her wedding dress.
I love this series, who has a small dog and can’t relate to Streetman? And a Mother who thinks the world of their daughter and her capabilities? Not only are the whodunits always good, the husband and wife team have developed characters that you like and want to see what’s next for them on the personal level too. This and their Wine Trail Mystery series are two of my MUST read series from this team and each one is better than the one before!
June 22, 2021
The stuff about Phee's impending wedding is a side issue and will not affect anyone who starts with this book in the series. The constants are some real characters living in the retirement community (including Phee's mother and aunt) and the PI firm where Phee is the accountant and her intended is an investigator as well as partner. The plot centers around an aged Lothario who is found murdered at the model train exhibit he was working on and all of the likely suspects, including his wife (nobody but the cops think she did it). Great fun! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
July 2, 2021
The eighth in the series deliveres a fun mystery with colorful quirky characters. Lots of humor and who wouldn't love Streetman! Phee Kimball while trying to plan her wedding to Marshall, needs to figure out who murdered Roxanne's husband. Lots of fun! Be sure to read this! A favorite series of many! Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2021
I stumbled across this series a couple of years ago and found it highly entertaining. When I had a chance to read Railroaded 4 Murder, I couldn't pass it up. This latest book in the series was as fun and as enjoyable as the others in the series for me. The characters were still the same quirky people I've come to know and Streetman was just as neurotic as ever. I really loved this book and cannot wait for it to sit on the shelf next to the others in the series.
June 13, 2021
Another fun and engrossing story featuring Phee, her quirky mother and friends.
Streetman is becoming one of my fav neurotic dogs and Cecilia is a great characters.
The story is full of humor as usual, I was happy to catch up with the characters and had a lot of fun.
The mystery is solid, complex and kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Streetman is becoming one of my fav neurotic dogs and Cecilia is a great characters.
The story is full of humor as usual, I was happy to catch up with the characters and had a lot of fun.
The mystery is solid, complex and kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
April 16, 2023
I loved it! 😍 The book club was up to their old tricks (trying to solve a murder and just making it worse 😉) and that lead to A LOT of laughter. 😂 I really liked the model trains and the little towns they built are so cool. 😎 I had no clue as to who the killer was 😞 but the reveal was pretty good. 😊 CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK TO COME OUT!!!!!!!
June 28, 2021
This was my first venture into J.C Eaton series but it won’t be the last. I picked up just fine not having read the others. Train clubs, deceit, mystery with the wedding as a side note This cozy was a great read.
January 13, 2022
https://openbooksociety.com/article/r...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
What a great time we had in Sun City West with Harriet Plunkett, the ringleader – ah, organizer – of the Booked 4 Murder book club ladies! This is another delightfully fun mystery that includes a slew of sleuthing seniors, a neurotic dog, and Harriet’s daughter, Sophie “Phee” Kimball. This can be enjoyed as a standalone or within the series. There is humor throughout, including a scene that almost turned into ROFL, some scary moments, and a mystery that kept me guessing.
Phee and her fiancé, Marshall, will be married in three months, and Harriet wants her Chiweenie, Streetman, to be their ringbearer. Never mind that the pup has a few little behavior problems and the wedding day should be all about Phee and Marshall. When Phee moved here from Minnesota a couple years ago to work for Nate, a detective she used to work with in the Mankato PD, she knew what living near Harriet would be like. She hadn’t planned on Harriet’s insistence on getting involved with every murder in the area.
A new client of the private investigations firm Marshall and Phee work for is Roxanne, who wants confirmation of her husband Walter’s affair. It is someone Harriet and her friends felt would one day kill her philandering hubby. Early the next morning, Harriet called Phee; her friend Cecelia thinks she found a body in the railroad park. After climbing through the exhibit, Phee found the body. It was Walter. One item lying next to him was a tap shoe, and Roxanne is an avid member of two tap dance clubs. Oopsie.
Harriet and her friends want to keep Roxanne from being “railroaded for murder”, so she came up with “Operation Agatha”. Three of the ladies would infiltrate one of the tap clubs, and the other three would visit the model railroad clubs. Two of the three women were unable to attend the first model railroad club meeting, so Phee joined Harriet, primarily to keep her out of trouble. When Harriet goes sniffing for a killer, trouble – and laughs – are a certainty!
The railroad park and the Model Railroad club provided a very interesting backdrop for the novel. Kudos to the authors for a great locale and group. Who would have guessed it was such a hotbed of drama and gossip? Despite being married, Walter worked his way through some of the women in the club.
Descriptions of the characters are excellent! I can picture the current hair colors of the ladies, the creative clothing combinations of Aunt Ina, and even sweet Cecelia. Their colloquialisms are from wherever in the country they migrated from combined with their favorite TV or novel detectives. Marshall, a PI and partner in the firm, Phee, the accountant, and their boss Nate, are usually voices of sanity, but with this crowd, it can be a challenge! After the crimes Phee has unwillingly helped her mother with, they would like her to get her own PI license, but numbers make far more sense to her.
One thing I found very useful was the list of names and brief details of the characters. Even though necessary background is included for them within the story, the roster is a great help when first seeing the book club ladies again. Streetman’s Walking Map was a fun addition.
The more they learn about Walter, the more sympathy I had for Roxanne and the longer the suspect list grew. I had much empathy for Cecelia. From finding Walter’s body, finding a clue that set off a funny chain of events, and doing solo tap routines in the spring fling in costumes she was uncomfortable wearing, she didn’t have an easy time. As happens in real life, the murder is not solved in a week or less. Jury selection for Roxanne’s trial was underway when the real killer was discovered. The end was surprising and satisfactory, with all loose threads tied up. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
What a great time we had in Sun City West with Harriet Plunkett, the ringleader – ah, organizer – of the Booked 4 Murder book club ladies! This is another delightfully fun mystery that includes a slew of sleuthing seniors, a neurotic dog, and Harriet’s daughter, Sophie “Phee” Kimball. This can be enjoyed as a standalone or within the series. There is humor throughout, including a scene that almost turned into ROFL, some scary moments, and a mystery that kept me guessing.
Phee and her fiancé, Marshall, will be married in three months, and Harriet wants her Chiweenie, Streetman, to be their ringbearer. Never mind that the pup has a few little behavior problems and the wedding day should be all about Phee and Marshall. When Phee moved here from Minnesota a couple years ago to work for Nate, a detective she used to work with in the Mankato PD, she knew what living near Harriet would be like. She hadn’t planned on Harriet’s insistence on getting involved with every murder in the area.
A new client of the private investigations firm Marshall and Phee work for is Roxanne, who wants confirmation of her husband Walter’s affair. It is someone Harriet and her friends felt would one day kill her philandering hubby. Early the next morning, Harriet called Phee; her friend Cecelia thinks she found a body in the railroad park. After climbing through the exhibit, Phee found the body. It was Walter. One item lying next to him was a tap shoe, and Roxanne is an avid member of two tap dance clubs. Oopsie.
Harriet and her friends want to keep Roxanne from being “railroaded for murder”, so she came up with “Operation Agatha”. Three of the ladies would infiltrate one of the tap clubs, and the other three would visit the model railroad clubs. Two of the three women were unable to attend the first model railroad club meeting, so Phee joined Harriet, primarily to keep her out of trouble. When Harriet goes sniffing for a killer, trouble – and laughs – are a certainty!
The railroad park and the Model Railroad club provided a very interesting backdrop for the novel. Kudos to the authors for a great locale and group. Who would have guessed it was such a hotbed of drama and gossip? Despite being married, Walter worked his way through some of the women in the club.
Descriptions of the characters are excellent! I can picture the current hair colors of the ladies, the creative clothing combinations of Aunt Ina, and even sweet Cecelia. Their colloquialisms are from wherever in the country they migrated from combined with their favorite TV or novel detectives. Marshall, a PI and partner in the firm, Phee, the accountant, and their boss Nate, are usually voices of sanity, but with this crowd, it can be a challenge! After the crimes Phee has unwillingly helped her mother with, they would like her to get her own PI license, but numbers make far more sense to her.
One thing I found very useful was the list of names and brief details of the characters. Even though necessary background is included for them within the story, the roster is a great help when first seeing the book club ladies again. Streetman’s Walking Map was a fun addition.
The more they learn about Walter, the more sympathy I had for Roxanne and the longer the suspect list grew. I had much empathy for Cecelia. From finding Walter’s body, finding a clue that set off a funny chain of events, and doing solo tap routines in the spring fling in costumes she was uncomfortable wearing, she didn’t have an easy time. As happens in real life, the murder is not solved in a week or less. Jury selection for Roxanne’s trial was underway when the real killer was discovered. The end was surprising and satisfactory, with all loose threads tied up. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!
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