Borrowing Death

Despite what my Mother thinks, it is Thursday (she keeps saying it is Friday).  It was a close call, but I got my Mother to her test (she tried to cancel).  Now I can work on her birthday celebration!  I am currently baking her chocolate chip cookies (and peanut butter for the dogs) while working on reviews (they do not write themselves). Tomorrow I will bake the special Grandmabertie Cake (involves white cake mix, walnuts, and vanilla) and wrap her gifts.  Do have special traditions for birthdays?  Does you family go all out for your birthday?  Everyone deserves to have a special day on their birthday (gifts, dinner, hoopla)!

Borrowing Death by Cathy Pegau is the second book in A Charlotte Brody Mystery novel series. Charlotte Brody is a reporter in Cordova, Alaska working at the Cordova Daily Times (how can they have enough news for a daily paper). She also does freelance articles for The Modern Woman Review in New York.  Charlotte is experiencing her first winter in Alaska, and it is extremely cold.  A fire breaks out at Fiske’s store, and Charlotte rushes over to get the story.  When the fire is put out they find the body of Lyle Fiske (store owner).  After he is examined by Dr. Michael Brody (Charlotte’s brother as well as the local doctor and coroner), it is determined that Lyle was stabbed.  The fire was set to cover the crime (the arsonist botched the job).  Charlotte is quick to insert herself into the investigation.  Deputy Marshall James Eddington is dating Charlotte, and he does not want Charlotte sticking her nose into the investigation.  But Charlotte is stubborn, tenacious, and curious. She runs around town talking to various people (as well as some late night snooping) to find the culprit.  Charlotte is also stirring up trouble with her editorial on prohibition (she is against it).  The local temperance society ladies are not happy with her point-of-view.  Trouble is brewing for Charlotte, and she had better be careful or she will get burned!

Borrowing Death was just okay (satisfactory).  Charlotte has her strengths and her weaknesses (men seem to be a big weakness for her).  I like the she is independent and has her own voice (point-of-view).  But Charlotte reminds me of a dog with a bone when she is in pursuit of information (story or investigating a crime).  I found some information (about Charlotte’s past boyfriend and personal issues) repeated a few times which is unnecessary (we did not need to keep rehashing it).  Charlotte’s personal life seemed to dominate Borrowing Death (her past one with Richard and current romance with James).  I liked the mystery (it had depth), though it was easy to figure out the killer.  The murder happened too early in the book and the pace of the novel was extremely slow.  I give Borrowing Death 3 out of 5 stars.  I was hoping that this book would be better than the first one in the series.  I was disappointed (yet again).  I will not be continuing with the series.  This book just did not hold my interest (I was bored).

The first book in A Charlotte Brody Mystery series is Murder on the Last Frontier.  I received a complimentary copy of Borrowing Death from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.  The opinions and comments expressed are strictly my own.

I hope all of you are having a great day!  You deserve it.  I am off to finish up a few things before cooking dinner.  I am currently enjoying Address to Die For by Mary Feliz (enjoying it so far).  I will be back tomorrow with another review.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader