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In the first book in the Shady Hoosier Detective Agency series, .com/articles/18/NW1800114.php>Ghost Busting Mystery, author Daisy Pettles introduced cozy mystery fans to a couple of senior sleuths from small-town Indiana. And in the follow-up, Baby Daddy Mystery, they’re back on the case, tracking down cheating spouses and maybe even a murderer.
The story finds the residents of Knobby Waters caught up in some serious spring fever. Ruby Jane “RJ” Waskom and her eccentric pal, Veenie, are busy spying on cheating spouses when they’re hired by bank president Avonelle Apple to investigate a letter that she received from a woman claiming to be the mother of Avonelle’s late husband’s children. But a pretty straightforward investigation takes a troubling turn when the detecting duo finds Avonelle’s son, dentist and notorious ladies’ man Bromley Apple, dead on the mistress’s front porch. And that begins a whole new investigation into the mysterious ways of these small town folks.
In their second adventure, these crime-fighting golden girls are back to their entertaining antics. RJ and Veenie make a lovable pair—the kind that readers will be happy to join on another case. Veenie’s personality is every bit as over-the-top as her fashion sense: an outspoken little old lady in a neon poncho. And RJ is more no-nonsense: tough, determined, and fiercely loyal. They play off each other well, and their different personalities make them a memorable (and amusing) team.
The mystery, however, isn’t exactly the focus of the novel. Sure, RJ and Veenie find themselves involved in all kinds of cases involving cheating troublemakers, blackmail, and shady business dealings. But all of those cases aren’t nearly as interesting as the characters themselves. They’re simply a good excuse for sending the duo on another crazy adventure.
Along the way, they catch up with some regular characters and meet a bunch of new ones—most of whom are every bit as eccentric as they are. This small town is definitely populated with quirky characters—even more so during the amorous months of spring. Admittedly, everyone here seems a little bit too caught up in the private activities of themselves and others—which means that Veenie spends the novel spouting cringe-worthy allusions and euphemisms. But, thanks to the wild ways of the people of Knobby Waters, this series is jam-packed with laugh-out-loud wackiness.
If you enjoy comedy with a side of whodunit, you’ll enjoy the fast-paced fun of the latest book in the Shady Hoosier Detective Agency series. The mystery may not be especially gripping, but the small-town characters more than make up for it.
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