Paint the Town Dead

It is National Date Nut Bread Day!  It has some sugar in it to make it a little sweet (but not too sweet).  There are many different recipes available online if you would like to try and make it.  You can also substitute the dates (if you do not like them).  I am making progress on our tree (I even got my mother to help)!  The last of the Christmas cards are going out (I am running so far behind this year).  Are you ready?  I bet we will all be ready for a break come December 26!

Paint the Town Dead by Sybil Johnson is the second book in An Aurora Anderson Mystery series.  Aurora “Rory” Anderson lives in Vista Beach, California.  Rory designs websites and apps.  She recently did work for the new hotel in town called Akaw.  Unfortunately, some people in town are not happy with the new hotel, and they are taking drastic actions.  One of those actions is a brick through Rory’s front window.  Similar incidents happened to council members of Vista Beach.  Rory is hoping to put the incident behind her as she gets ready for The Ocean Painting Society’s inaugural convention.  Rory enjoys toll painting and her mother, Arika Anderson will have a booth at the convention.  Her mother owns Arika’s Scrap ‘n Paint.  Rory is looking forward to the convention.  There are classes, shopping (of course), and connecting with other painters.

Rory is happy to see her childhood friend, Jasmine Halliday is at the convention.  Jasmine is doing the bookkeeping for the convention manager, Nixie Mohr (I bet she got picked on in school).  Jasmine suffers from narcolepsy and has a cataplectic attack after greeting Rory in the hotel lobby (it is not Rory’s fault).  She soon recovers and they go on to enjoy the convention.  However, while taking a class, Jasmine collapses.  This time she does not recover.  The police are willing to write it off an accident, but Rory is not so sure.  Rory decides to investigate and find out what happened to her friend.  If Jasmine was murdered, who would want to harm her? 

Paint the Town Dead had interesting characters, was easy to read, and contained a good mystery.  The author did a great job with the mystery (and with misdirection).  Paint the TownDead is a light, fun cozy mystery.  I read Paint the Town Dead without having enjoyed the first book in the series.  I think it would have been helpful if I had read the first book.  It would have given me a better understanding of the characters (background information), relationships, and the first case (it is referenced in this book).  One thing I did not like was Rory’s obsession with Detective Martin Green.  It was a little over the top for a person who had one date and then never went out again (it was just strange).  I give Paint the Town Dead 4 out of 5 stars.  I am going to go back and read the first book in the series as soon as I get an opportunity (and look forward to reading the next book in the series). 

The first book in the Aurora Anderson Mystery series is Fatal Brushstroke (which is currently $.99).  I received a complimentary copy of Paint the Town Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.  Christmas is almost here!  I could use a few more days to get ready!  There are cookies to bake (the others are all gone), presents to wrap (or stuff in gift bags), and trees to finish!  No wonder I have a migraine!  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader