by Sandra Murphy

Here is a mystery novel that has a little something for the music lover, antique lover and even for those who like pet rats. At the end of this review is a chance to not only win a copy of the book, but also some French Silk or French Roast coffee to enjoy with it.

The first book, Dipped, Stripped, and Dead introduced Dyce Dare, divorced mom to toddler E, best friend of Ben and daughter of the two oddest people to own a murder mystery book store. She supports herself and E by dumpster diving for furniture to refinish. When sales are down, pancakes are on the menu daily.

In an inopportune moment, Dyce agrees to refinish and French polish a piano for her police detective boyfriend Cas. The removal of the first of many layers of pink paint from the piano leads to the discovery of an old letter and a nest of baby white rats. Unable to sell them to a pet store as snake food, she decides to raise them.

When Ben and E come back from a bike ride with a big black alley cat they’ve rescued, things start to get interesting. Dyce investigates the letter because she believes it led to the murder of two people. Her questions take her to an old family in town, the country club tea with her mother, ex-husband and his new wife and to the library archives.

The mystery is good, the murderer unexpected, and characters believable. The banter between Dyce and Ben is quick and fun and shows a long friendship. The introduction of Nick, Cas’ cousin is a welcome addition to the cast.

For a quick, enjoyable read, you get a mystery, a lesson on the care and feeding of baby rats and a how-to for French polishing a piano. All but the piano are recommended.

To enter to win a copy of French Polished Murder & a 1/2 lb of French Silk or 1/2 lb of French Roast coffee from Classical Coffee, simply email KRL at life@kingsriverlife.com with the subject line “French”, or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 21, 2012. U.S. residents only.

To purchase some of this great coffee, check out Classical Coffee Company online where you can find coffee recipes as well coffee store!

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her new one Bananas Foster.