"Fun, interesting new mystery." Dead in a Dumpster by @blblair100 #mystery #review
Cover links to Amazon.com
Death in a Dumpster
Leah Norwood Mystery #1
Written by B. L. Blair
Genre(s): Mystery
When Leah Norwood finds the body of Isabel Meeks in the dumpster behind her store, she can't believe the police consider her a suspect. Sure, she didn't liked Isabel, but then again, neither did anyone else. Isabel had a condescending attitude and a bad reputation. As manager of the antique store, Patina, she had made a lot of enemies.
There is Patina's assistant manager, the handsome and charming Trent. Isabel was blackmailing him. There is Patina's owner, the aloof and influential Anthony Thorpe. Isabel was smuggling drugs through his store. And there is the entire drug dealing Cantono family. Isabel had lost a box containing heroin from one of their shipments. That is just to name a few and didn't even include the stranger who was seen arguing with Isabel just hours before her death.
The police have too many suspects and too many soft alibis. Leah needs to prove to the sexy new chief of police that she had nothing to do with Isabel's death. Leah loves a good mystery. Can she find the killer before the police charge her with murder?
There is Patina's assistant manager, the handsome and charming Trent. Isabel was blackmailing him. There is Patina's owner, the aloof and influential Anthony Thorpe. Isabel was smuggling drugs through his store. And there is the entire drug dealing Cantono family. Isabel had lost a box containing heroin from one of their shipments. That is just to name a few and didn't even include the stranger who was seen arguing with Isabel just hours before her death.
The police have too many suspects and too many soft alibis. Leah needs to prove to the sexy new chief of police that she had nothing to do with Isabel's death. Leah loves a good mystery. Can she find the killer before the police charge her with murder?
Raindancer22's Review
Fun, interesting new mystery
Leah is the owner of a small boutique, which sells fragrances and lotions designed by her best friend. She loves her job, except for Isabel, the manager of the store next door. So when Leah finds Isabel dead in the dumpster behind their stores, the police immediately suspect her of committing the murder. In order to clear her name and satisfy her curiosity, Leah begins her own investigation—much to the chagrin of the attractive new police chief.
I wouldn’t necessarily classify this mystery as a cozy mystery, but it’s not really a thriller either. It’s an enjoyable story without being either too gruesome or too sappy. Leah is a fun character to follow; she puts herself in danger but is never reckless, which I appreciate. And the romance was sweet without being cloying or taking over too much of the story.
I did start to lose the threads of the plot toward the end, as the mystery started to drug dealing side plots, but the ending pulled it together in a (mostly) satisfactory way. It’s not mind-blowing, but it’s definitely an enjoyable read.
Leah is the owner of a small boutique, which sells fragrances and lotions designed by her best friend. She loves her job, except for Isabel, the manager of the store next door. So when Leah finds Isabel dead in the dumpster behind their stores, the police immediately suspect her of committing the murder. In order to clear her name and satisfy her curiosity, Leah begins her own investigation—much to the chagrin of the attractive new police chief.
I wouldn’t necessarily classify this mystery as a cozy mystery, but it’s not really a thriller either. It’s an enjoyable story without being either too gruesome or too sappy. Leah is a fun character to follow; she puts herself in danger but is never reckless, which I appreciate. And the romance was sweet without being cloying or taking over too much of the story.
I did start to lose the threads of the plot toward the end, as the mystery started to drug dealing side plots, but the ending pulled it together in a (mostly) satisfactory way. It’s not mind-blowing, but it’s definitely an enjoyable read.
Disclaimer: Book provided by the author free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
