Murder in Plein Airi by Karen Leigh Charles

 Murder in Plein Air

Book Summary

Becca Flynn, an artist-turned private investigator, never dreamed underwear could cause an uproar. But that’s what happens when her best friend, Pix, opens a lingerie boutique in quaint Bayleys Landing. The too-hot-for Main Street undies infuriate the staid residents, and making matters worse, a tabloid TV show invades the town to cover the controversy. Shockwaves rumble along the quiet lanes when one of the Hollywood team is murdered. But when Pix’s life is threatened, Becca begins to draw abstract clues into a portrait of a killer lurking in plain sight. She will have to work fast to put the case to rest--before Pix becomes the town's next unsuspecting victim.

My Thoughts

Murder in Plein Air by Karen Leigh Charles is the debut of A Becca Flynn Mysteries.  Becca Flynn is a private investigator, photographer, and artist. Her best friend, Treasure aka Pix has opened a lingerie boutique in Bayleys Landing which has turned out to be controversial.  Lingerie Exposed has come to town to shoot an episode featuring Pix’s shop, Treasure’s Trove of Lingerie.  Pix has dinner with the handsome cameraman, Nick Rizzo who ends up dead the next day.  Pix ends up n the suspect list as well as her admirer, Chuck.  Pix asks Becca to use her PI skills to uncover the truth. 

I had mixed feelings about Murder in Plein Air.  I found it easy to read with good pacing.  The dialogue could be a bit much at times.  The author is a descriptive writer which allows readers to visualize the scenes, but I felt that there were times when the descriptions were a little too detailed.  The mystery was straightforward.  There was a limited suspect pool.  It is easy to identify the killer (might as well be a neon arrow pointing at the person).  It is a cinch to deduce why the person committed the crime.  It was mentioned quite a few times.  I was not a fan of Detective Daniel James Daily with his inappropriate comments.  The excuse provided for them is not acceptable.  I had mixed feelings about Pix.  I enjoyed her enthusiasm for vintage lingerie (some of them are exquisite with handmade lace and embroidery).  She sees nothing wrong with flirting with every male near her age.  There is mild foul language.  I was not sure what to think about the ghost element.  Becca’s cats were adorable.  I can tell the author is a cat lover. I enjoyed the descriptions of Bayleys Landing with its charming Victorian buildings.  Murder in Plein Air is a colorful cozy with pretty paintings, enflaming lingerie, a killed cameraman, contented cats, a gentle ghost, and a prying PI.

Murder in Plein Air is available from Amazon*.  You can follow Karen Leigh Charles on Amazon and receive an email when she has a new book release.  Just because a book did not appeal to me, does not mean it would not appeal to you.  You can download a sample to judge for yourself.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will share my thoughts on The Schoolmistress by Maggie Sullivan tomorrow.  It is the second book in Our Street at War series.  I hope that you have an enjoyable day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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