Book 35, 2023
Deal Gone Dead by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I finished reading Deal Gone Dead, by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, last night. It's the first in the "Lily Sprayberry" series of cozy mysteries, featuring realtor Lily Sprayberry.
When Lily shows up at Myrtle Redbecker's home for a meeting, she finds her client dead on the kitchen floor. Not only was Myrtle cantankerous, but she was also in the midst of a property line dispute, and there was also a rumor of money hidden somewhere on her property. Anything could have been a motive. Fortunately for Lily, Myrtle had placed her property in a trust with instructions for the sale to go through whether she was living or deceased. However, someone doesn't want that property being sold. Soon Lily is receiving threats, much to the consternation of Sheriff Dylan Roberts, Lily's ex-boyfriend. While Lily goes ahead with accepting bids on Myrtle's property, another person is killed. Now it's not just Lily's livelihood on the line, it's also her life.
Cute cozy mystery. I liked Lily's occupation; it's different than the run of the mill librarian, innkeeper, shopkeeper. Her BFF Belle is a fun and hilarious foil, but I am tired of not just the 'romantic interest is in law enforcement' trope, but also the fact that the romantic interest is an ex whom everyone keeps trying to push the mc into reconnecting with. She's an adult; let her make her own decisions! The characters were done well, the plot flowed smoothly, and I was pleased to figure things out before Lily did.
As for the property line dispute, I have two words: Adverse Possession
Favorite lines:
♦ I feared the dentist more than clowns.
♦ "You're so scared my daddy couldn't drive a watermelon seed up your behind with a sledgehammer."
A fun start to this series--four stars.
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's a realtor
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No, she does not
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) Yes, Dylan is the sheriff
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? Yes, she gets a puppy
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No, not really
6. Did the mc find the body? Yes, she did
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 disapproving and overbearing
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? No, she doesn't
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes, she's child-free