Gunfight at Grace Gulch (A Dressed For Death Mystery Book 1)
(Christian Cozy Mystery)
Forget Me Not Romances
A Division of Winged Publications (February 28, 2015)
Paperback: 216 pages

Synopsis

The feud between the Graces and the Gaynors is still going strong more than a century after its inception in the 1891 Oklahoma land run. Newspaper editor Penn Hardy is murdered during the reenactment of the most famous gunfight in the history of Grace Gulch, Oklahoma. Cici Wilde, owner of a vintage clothing store, feels compelled to investigate when police suspect people close to her. She soon discovers her talent for sleuthing equals her flare for wearing period clothing. Theater director Audie Howe never expected the reenactment to end in a real murder. He cares too much for the future of the Magda Grace Mallory Theater – and the charming Cici Wilde – to let her face danger alone. Cici and Audie take a dangerous gamble to nail the killer – and lay their lives on the line.

Excerpt

The gigantic black hands on the town clock atop our municipal building inched toward twelve o’clock. Audie put a cell phone to his ear.

Cord and Penn, reprising their roles as Bob Grace and Dick Gaynor, burst through the saloon doors, shouting insults.

My heart stuttered a bit, worried for Cord. Penn sounded really angry.

“You can’t get away with it. You’re a scoundrel and a cheat.” Penn’s face was set into deep lines, hatred aging him prematurely.

“I’m not a cheat. I arrived first, fair and square.

You have to accept it.”

Tension twisted my shoulders. I held my breath.

“That’s what you think!” Penn pulled out a Colt and fired.

A flash of light—popping sounds—two men fell to the ground.

Review

What a delightful Christian cozy! There were so many things I enjoyed about this series – the letters from one of the founders of the town to his fiance at the beginning of each chapter, that faith was a strong part of the main character’s lives, and the historic clothing (and not just from the “wild west”) to name a few.

I thought the characters had some depth to them for a first book (and I’m sure more to follow) and the small town feel makes me want to move there (or somewhere similar!) to experience it first hand. The love triangle between Cord, Audie and CiCi causes a little tension but not much.

The mystery was well thought out, there were some clues and the suspects are identified for you, but I didn’t guess the killer until he/she was revealed.

I enjoyed this book and will be seeking out the next few in the series. We give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over forty books and has written more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont.

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