Review – Courtyard Corpse by Sherry Lodge #MysteryMonday #cozy #4paws @sherrylodge2017
Synopsis
Fashionista Cassie Hall’s skills as a concierge (and amateur detective) at the upscale Parkstone Manor in Bethesda, Maryland, are being sorely tested. After discovering the dead body of professional golfer and resident millionaire, Kip Ace, in the Parkstone’s courtyard, Cassie is soon overwhelmed with residents’ worries about the crime. When the detective in charge (and Cassie’s long-term boyfriend) slams a 24-hour lockdown on the ritzy residence, Cassie must maintain calm among the residents as she sorts through their possible motives for murdering the golf pro––which have piled up quicker than rent checks on the 1st of the month. Mysterious power outages, a missing lease, and a wine cellar fiasco are just par for the course. Can Cassie find the holes in the residents’ alibis and catch the killer before it’s too late?
Review
This is the first book in a new series about a concierge who solves crimes.
Cassie moved to Maryland to be with her boyfriend of 15 years (who has yet to pop the question) and for now is working as a concierge for an upscale apartment building. Apparently she has a talent with fashion because throughout the book she mentions having picked out something for a resident or offering fashion advice.
The victim is a resident of the building (of course) and a famous golfer that Cassie sort of has a crush on, or so it seems. The building is on lock down for 24 hours per the building’s rules and that makes for an interesting situation because the killer is among them but who could it be?
This may be the first in the series but it seemed like there was information that would have been disclosed in a previous book. I got the impression that Cassie was a pro at solving mysteries based on some of her comments, but it didn’t seem that way from her actions. Plus it seemed like she was in a competition with her boyfriend (who is a police detective) to see who could solve the crime first. And of course like with all cozies, she rushes into situations not thinking about her safety but trying to be the winner in solving the crime. When will these characters ever learn?! LOL
I thought the mystery portion was very well written because I was totally surprised at the ending and the murderer reveal. There were clues that would have pointed you in this character’s direction but I didn’t put them together until they were revealed.
The residents of Parkstone Manor are very intriguing. Each one added a little something to the story to round it out.
The story has some funny bits too and I actually thought it was humorous that Eric and Cassie tried to keep their relationship a secret. They were found out fairly quickly.
We give it 4 paws up!
