by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this review on how to enter to win a copy of Just You Wait. There is also a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy.
Love is flowing through the house at 302 Grace Street, but unfortunately it’s not flowing very smoothly. Reluctant psychic Camden is marrying his fiancée Ellin in one month, but plans for the dresses, cake, and even number of bridesmaids remain unfinished. Ellin loves Camden, but she detests his career, friends, and current residence. In the meantime, private detective David continues to propose to his fellow boarder Kary, but their inability to communicate is standing in their way. And jazz piano player Charlie thinks that his girlfriend, his band’s singer Taffy, is straying, and asks David to prove it. 
The normally unemployed detective has a surprising number of cases to keep him busy. Aging and imperialistic actress Viola Mitchell has recently been reported missing, and her connection to the Parkland Little Theater catches David’s interest. Both Camden and Kary have joined its production of My Fair Lady, so if something shady is going on David wants to know. With Camden’s psychic help, David locates her—buried in her own basement. Another case arrives in the form of fluttery Folly, the owner of BeautiQueen Cosmetics, who hires David to locate the missing business partner who disappeared with a good share of the company funds.
This plot unpredictability is what makes this story enjoyable, but it has many other strengths. The damaged residents of the Grace Street house succeed in being supportive of one another, making Ellin’s demands that Camden sell the house create a palpable sense of jeopardy.
The author has fun with the eccentric characters, but never at the expense of the plot. She explores the intricacies involved in the cosmetic industry, making the elements involved fascinating. This mix of scientific technology, community-theater dramatics, and diverse characters blends into a compelling novel that successfully ties together the plots into a satisfying and very surprising conclusion.
To enter to win a copy of Just You Wait, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Wait,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 7, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
Click on this link to purchase this book and you will be supporting an indie bookstore & a portion goes to help support KRL.
Wow! Yet another new-to-me book and author. Thank you for the introduction, review and give-a-way!
Sandy in So. California
This sounds like such a treasure – new to me author – and a good plot. Would love to win this.
This book sounds intriguing~a new author to me but not for long. Thank you for the contest! woodrumbetty@gmail.com
We have a winner
Lorie Ham, KRL Publisher