by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of A Composition in Murder. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

It isn’t easy earning a living as a portrait artist in Halo, Georgia, which explains why twenty-six year old Cherry Tucker is teaching art classes for senior citizens at the Halo House retirement community. Her need for a steady paycheck is also how she finds herself dragged in as a witness to the signing of a new will by 90-year-old Belvia Brakeman, the owner of Meemaw’s Tea and the renowned Queen of Sweet Tea. Belvia has ulterior motives in summoning Cherry, as the latter’s reputation of sticking her nose in Halo’s criminal activities has Belvia wanting to enlist those very talents. Belvia had been about to sign over control of her business to her daughter Della Brakeman just before she was killed in a hit-and-run, making Belvia suspicious that someone within her company wanted that power instead.

With a brother in jail and herself dating the accident’s investigating deputy, for perhaps the first time in her life, Cherry intended to mind her own beeswax and behave. Unfortunately, the sudden death of Belvia awakens all of Cherry’s Matlock feelings, not to mention the heaping of guilt she feels for failing to help Belvia while alive. What Cherry soon discovers is that Halo House resembles a fraternity more than a retirement community, abounding with drug use, paid companionship, and gossipers more than willing to dish and stick their own noses into the investigation. The posh exterior of Halo House glosses over a surfeit of criminal activities, and Cherry’s geriatric doppelgänger seems all too willing to throw herself into the mix. The going-ons at Meemaw’s Tea aren’t running much smoother. When Cherry manages to get herself in through the door as a purported assistant, she learns that the family was jockeying for positions of power, Belvia’s surviving daughter isn’t exactly gliding into her mother’s footsteps as the CEO, and the future of the company is in jeopardy.

As lively as the investigation becomes, it doesn’t compare to the chaos that ensues in the background of Cherry’s life. Her family’s death grip hold on grudges forces Cherry to keep her relationship with Deputy Luke Harper a secret, and the thought of raising a family with their generations-old rivals is terrifying. Just as horrific is the news that Cherry’s roommate/best friend/ex-husband has begun dating her nemesis Shawna Branson. As what began as a way for Todd to manipulate Shawna has become something more. Cherry may act impulsively and in denial about her feelings, but an admirable maturity is slowly creeping in and forcing her to make a decision about her future relationships. Full of lively humor and a lead character determined to make up for her perceived failures, this sixth in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series continues to build on earlier plots while expanding on this definitively Southern mystery.

This book was published by Henery Press. To learn more about their books check out their website: henerypress.com.

To enter to win a copy of A Composition in Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “composition,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 19, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

A Composition in Murder

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.