Synopsis

Freelance writer Alex Vlodnachek hasn’t had a vacation in ages. So when her sister invites her—and pup Lucy—for a girls’ get-away to Miami, it’s too tempting to resist.

Big sister Annie wants Alex to savor a little fun in the sun at her South Beach condo. Redhead Alex just wants to escape complications at home, enjoy a little R&R and find an industrial-sized bottle of sunscreen. But trouble is hot on her heels—along with a few stray friends and relatives.

On the eve of the condo association’s hotly contested election, everything in the luxury high-rise is going haywire. But board president and social butterfly Leslie McQueen seems curiously absent amidst the chaos. Along with a good chunk of the association’s cash.

When several of Annie’s friends are left holding the bag, Alex jumps in to help—and discovers the tony condo tower offers no shortage of shady characters, murder, and mayhem.

But when her brother, Nick, arrives—with their irrepressible grandmother, Baba, and Alex’s pal Trip, in tow—is the gang riding to the rescue? Or plunging Alex into more hot water?

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Review

There is something about this series that draws me in each time.  Perhaps it is the family dynamics, maybe it is the mystery, or maybe it is Baba – the Russian grandmother that loves to make goulash for the family.  Whatever it is, I am definitely a fan of the series.

This installment takes us to South Beach Miami where something is amiss with the HOA board where Annie has a penthouse.  Annie brings Alex and Lucy (the pup) for a bit of a vacation and to help figure out what is going on.  They don’t expect to stumble across the death and mystery that ensues of who killed Leslie McQueen.

I stayed up way too late finishing this book.  That is the good (and bad) thing about an eReader is that it tells you how much more time is left in the book.  So when I see I only have 20 minutes, of course I’m going to finish the book before turning out the light.  The mystery moves along at a nice pace and while there are a few clues that might tip off who the murderer is, it wasn’t obvious, at least not to me.  There were several possibilities and as the truth was revealed it was quite fascinating to see how all of the pieces fit together.

I was amazed at the deviousness of Leslie McQueen.  It is no wonder she ended up dead!  I was tickled at some of the other tenants in the building and of course the dogs.  One is named Mrs. Pickles, that just cracked me up.

I was glad to see Gabby make an appearance (Nick’s ex) and she was quite useful with her criminal know-how.  We didn’t see much of Ian, but then they were out of town and he was back home.  I hope that Alex and Ian are able to come to terms in future books and resume their relationship.

If you are looking for a fun cozy series to read, then check this one out.  We give it five paws up.

About the Author

Dana Dratch writes and the fast, funny “Red Herring” mysteries — featuring redheaded coffeeholic and reluctant sleuth Alex Vlodnachek. CONFESSIONS OF A RED HERRING, SEEING RED, and her new mystery, RED HOT, are available now from Kensington Books.

Dana’s currently working on a fresh pot of coffee — and her next Alex Vlodnachek mystery adventure.

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