Book 77, 2022
Death Takes Priority by Jean Flowers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Yesterday at work, I finished reading Death Takes Priority by Jean Flowers. It's the first in the "Postmistress" cozy mystery series, featuring main character (and Postmistress!) Cassie Miller.
Cassie left her managerial job in a Boston post office to return to North Ashcot to care for her dying aunt. When her aunt passed and her fiance dumped her, Cassie decided to stay and take on the position as Postmistress in her small hometown. Life is slower, and things are going smoothly, until the day Cassie opens the post office and discovers that someone has broken in and stolen the phone books that were slated to be delivered to local residents. When someone is murdered shortly thereafter, Cassie thinks the crimes may be related. She has no plans to get involved, but the man she'd just agreed to go to lunch with is taken into custody in regards to the murder, and the victim's sister is asking Cassie to look into things. While she doesn't consider herself a sleuth, Cassie does begin asking questions, and when someone slashes her Jeep's tires, she realizes she may be getting close to the killer, and that the killer may be closing in on her.
This was an enjoyable story. I liked the setting, the characterizations, the pacing, and all the plot twists. Cassie is genuine and affable--someone you'd like as a friend.
Favorite lines:
♦ "Are you saying you think there's a serial phone book thief loose out in the boonies?"
♦ I'd been blessed with fair skin that reddened easily, whether I was embarrassed or just thought I might be embarrassed in the future.
♦ I'd gone from near-zero personal interactions last week to a record high this week. At this rate, the town would have to hire more gossipers, just to take care of my news.
♦ I felt I had more loose ends than a tailor's shop.
♦ It was clear that I couldn't be trusted with even a little free time.
Very good, four stars.
Since it's the firt in a series, it's getting my
1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? No, she works in a post office
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No, she doesn't
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) No--woo!
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? No, no pets
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No, her BFF Linda is level-headed.
6. Did the mc find the body? No
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Yes, she did.
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes, her mother is absent.
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? No
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes, she is child-free
More "no" answers than "yes" ones, which pleases me!