1st in Series
Setting - California
Publisher: BGM Press
Publication Date: November 30, 2023
Print length: 227 pages
Digital ASIN: B0CNBGWSCK
From
my vantage point standing behind the future bride and groom, I heard Xander
when he suggested, “Maybe we should push the wedding out only by a day—to
Saturday.”
“But
we don’t have the venue. Remember, that’s why we had to take Friday night.” Misty’s
head drooped.
“Oh,
right,” said Xander. “But if we cut it down to just family and close friends,
we could do it here, in the backyard. The food will keep for a day and the
flowers should be fine.”
Misty’s
eyes brightened as her head swung up to look at him. “Oh, you’re a genius. I
never wanted a big wedding. That was all Mom.” She took a deep, settling breath
and smiled through her tears. “I’m almost glad we can’t get to our rooms. It
wouldn’t feel right to start the festivities today with . . .” She gestured
toward the dead body upstairs. “With that.” Grabbing Xander’s hand, she said
brightly, “Let’s hurry with those calls. After we get everything sorted, I’d
love to go forest bathing.” She closed her eyes and sighed in anticipatory
contentment. “I’ve heard that can really help you relax. I so need some
tranquility right now.”
Opening
her eyes, Misty tugged Xander toward the front door.
The
police chief must have been standing on the other side of them since she became
visible, shaking her head when the couple walked off, completely oblivious to
the rest of us.
“Forest
bathing.” I scoffed. “What a bunch of new age crap. Only millennials and Gen
Zers would think taking a walk in the woods is some sort of cure-all
mindfulness exercise.”
Despite
the chaos, the chief’s eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement at my comment.
“What?”
I grumbled.
“Mindfulness
exercise?” Her eyebrows rose. “Now who’s using psychobabble?”
Deciding
to ignore her, I cleared my throat. “Next on their agenda must be harvesting
wild mushrooms or baking vegan edibles.” I snorted as I thought of another
absurd behavior. “Or eating kale.”
She let me enjoy myself for a moment before her eyes turned serious. “Don’t leave town either.”
River and Creaks is the first book in veteran author Marc Jedel’s new cozy mystery series, the Redwood Country Mysteries, and with its fun characters and intriguing murder, it’s a definite winner. Great characterizations, snappy dialogue, the protagonist’s entertaining inner monologue, and a mysterious death in the first chapter immediately hooked me.
Andy Shirley is a recent widower, novice innkeeper, and, of necessity, an amateur sleuth. He’s still well within the grip of grief over his wife’s sudden death the previous year, and the idea of purchasing and running a B&B was really her dream, not his. I felt he was torn by trying to make a go of her vision for their future, turning around and selling the inn without taking too much of a loss, and completely withdrawing from life. (He says his plan is to become a recluse.) The death of a young guest is discovered within minutes of him taking possession of the place, and as the day progresses, things get even more complicated. He’s completely unprepared to manage his new business, although not without some skills in minor maintenance. But even his planned maintenance activities hit snags at every turn, and I was reminded of the 1986 Tom Hanks film, The Money Pit, by the plethora of mishaps. His cantankerous attitude also hits a sour note with the local tradespeople, and he finds himself on the outs with a few of the locals.
The plot features more than one mystery, and Andy’s amateur sleuthing trying to save his inn from a reputation as a place of death uncovers key pieces of information. The story has a couple of twists that kept things interesting and me reading well into the night. But, even with my dedication, I still didn’t catch on to whodunnit until the reveal.
I recommend RIVERS AND CREAKS to cozy mystery readers looking for a great new series, especially those who enjoy humor and a clever plot.
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