by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either a print or kindle copy of Easter Escapade, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

It’s a quiet spring break morning in the Donovan-Zimmerman household. Zoe and Zak are pleased that Scooter is back indefinitely returning their little family back to normal, Levi and Ellie have moved in while renovations of the boathouse commence, and excitement is at an all time high because any day now Ellie should be delivering little Eli into the world.

However, as it is in Ashton Falls, peace is too often interrupted. Zoe heads out with a platoon of animals for an early morning jog down by the lake and comes across a pile of clothes neatly folded on the beach. She sees movement out on the lake, and with a closer look, notices someone swimming dragging with them a body. Removing her own clothes she leaps into the frigid waters to provide assistance. Between the two of them the lifeless body is brought to shore….

Enter Lani Pope, who with her boyfriend Luke Austin, has come to Ashton Falls for a vacation. As she and Zoe wait for Sheriff Salinger to arrive, the two discover they have something unique in common, an adeptness for investigating suspicious deaths…ok, murders! Discovering the victim’s ID they learn the dead man is Charles Rossi, an acquaintance of Zimmerman Academy teacher Ethan Carlton and a historian from Boston here to research material on the history of Ashton Falls. Zoe and Lani strike up a great friendship as the two of them join forces to uncover the truth about a Russian immigrant and rumors of hidden artifacts from Tzar Nicholas II’s court, but a clear cut motive is difficult to establish and a suspect list is still ‘to be determined.’ This one is going to be hard to solve.

This twenty-fourth book in my favorite Zoe Donovan Mystery series is extra exciting as it brings in kindred spirit Kailani “Lani” Pope and Luke Austin from the popular series Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery in the first ever crossover episode.

As a big fan I am thrilled that the Zoe crew is back for another absorbing tale that weaves in a hundred year old mystery, encrypted clues, royal Russian artifacts, and twists and turns that kept me engaged with my own “Whodunit?” Newbies will not be left hanging since enough background is provided for them to get to know the characters and understand family dynamics to thoroughly enjoy Kathi Daley’s clever plot that as usual has an exciting reveal typically with someone in peril, of course.

This installment is not very long; it can be finished in one or two sittings, but it is not short on entertainment. Zoe’s intuition, dubbed ’Zodar,’ leads her to various locals and locales helping lock down a motive and narrow down the suspect list, as well as uncover the final “I Got It!” solution. We are also treated to Kathi Daley’s signature style that invites us to witness the loving and supportive relationships in the Donovan-Zimmerman-Denton family. It’s why these characters are so popular!

Kathi Daley knows what many of us “cozy-holics” crave…a treat for our book club gatherings or family brunches. She includes several recipes from her own file (Salmon Wheels, Crab & Artichoke Dip, Potato Salad, and Fudge Sundae Pie), but she has also selected a few delicious delights from her fans (Meatball/Cranberry Appetizer, Key Lime Cake, Bohemian Coffee Cake, and Boiled Shrimp). Join her Recipe Club on Facebook from which she often makes an ‘all call’ for recipes, and have an opportunity to be choose to be featured in one of her books.

Keep an eye out for Zoe and Zak heading off to Hawaii to assist in Lani’s murder investigation in Murder at Waters Edge from the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series! Release date is May 22.

Easter Escapade earns 5/5 Cryptic Journals and Hidden Treasures!

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To enter to win either a print or kindle copy of Easter Escapade, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “easter,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 13, 2017. U.S. residents only for the print copy. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address. PLEASE STATE IN ENTRY WHETHER YOU WANT PRINT OR KINDLE.

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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

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.