shelleyrae's review
3.0
Quiet Anchorage is a debut cozy mystery for Ed Lynskey in the tradition of Anne George's Southern Sisters series. In the small American town of Quiet Anchorage, sisters Isabel and Alma Trumbo enjoy sipping iced tea, reading mystery novels, watching 'stories' and completing the odd crossword or two but these two spry septuagenarians are incensed when their niece, Megan, is accused of the murder of her fiance and set out to prove Sheriff Fox wrong and unmask the real killer.
With just enough misdirection to keep the reader off balance, this mystery is well thought out and engaging. Through a combination of clever investigation and a little luck, the sisters identify several possible suspects including the arrogant Sheriff seeking reelection and his rival deputy.
Alma and Isabel bicker good naturedly and have a cynical wisdom afforded by age. The pair are very likable protagonists being forthright and slightly eccentric. Sammi Jo is a good foil for the two, the brawn behind the brains almost. The book is also populated by the quintessential small town characters like the 'Benchwarmers' that add to the appeal of the story by grounding it firmly in a community.
The novel's gentle momentum and sense of humor has an undeniable charm. I noticed that Lynskey often misused prepositions and punctuation was a bit hit and miss but these were minor issues.
Quiet Anchorage is a delightful cozy mystery that I enjoyed. Lynskey is planning on creating a series based on the lively Alma and Isabel Trumbo and their newly incorporated investigation agency so keep an eye out for more titles.
With just enough misdirection to keep the reader off balance, this mystery is well thought out and engaging. Through a combination of clever investigation and a little luck, the sisters identify several possible suspects including the arrogant Sheriff seeking reelection and his rival deputy.
Alma and Isabel bicker good naturedly and have a cynical wisdom afforded by age. The pair are very likable protagonists being forthright and slightly eccentric. Sammi Jo is a good foil for the two, the brawn behind the brains almost. The book is also populated by the quintessential small town characters like the 'Benchwarmers' that add to the appeal of the story by grounding it firmly in a community.
The novel's gentle momentum and sense of humor has an undeniable charm. I noticed that Lynskey often misused prepositions and punctuation was a bit hit and miss but these were minor issues.
Quiet Anchorage is a delightful cozy mystery that I enjoyed. Lynskey is planning on creating a series based on the lively Alma and Isabel Trumbo and their newly incorporated investigation agency so keep an eye out for more titles.
avidreadergirl1's review
4.0
It's like a mixture of Jane Marple and Nancy Drew, who both happen to be the first detectives I encountered in books. Long live the Trumbo sisters and their friends. I now have to shop for the following installments in the series.
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