Good Reads: A Muddied Murder

A Muddied Murder by Wendy Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Muddied Murder is the first book in the A Greenhouse Mystery series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Megan, a former attorney, has returned to her small hometown to take over her father's failed organic farm and to live with her grandmother. She is frustrated in her attempts to get her farm store and cafe opened by an overzealous city inspector and the local historical society. When said inspector is found murdered in her barn Megan is the prime suspect.

First novels in a series are always tricky because the author has to introduce new characters and locations to the reader and still tell the story. It is done nicely in A Muddied Murder; I enjoyed the mystery without getting bogged down in the details.

Megan is my kind of female main character; she's a competent adult, intelligent and kind. The other characters were interesting and well developed.

The mystery is not overly complicated nor too simple. Just right.

I recommend this novel and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Dying Brand

Dying Brand: An Allison Campbell Mystery by Wendy Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dying Brand is the third book in the Allison Campbell mystery series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Allison Campbell, an image consultant, is surprised to hear that her ex boyfriend has been murdered during an apparent drug deal gone wrong. She is horrified when photos of their love making, that she was not aware of, are mailed to her friends and relatives. With her professional and family relationships endangered, she is determined to investigate the murder.

Wendy Tyson writes deliciously complex plots that keep me interested from beginning to end. There are also several sub plots involving secondary characters which add to the book's depth.

I did have a problem with the relationship between Allison, her ex mother in law, Mia, and her ex husband, Jason. Despite their protestations of love neither Mia or Jason seem to trust Allison. Neither relationship seemed promising or convincing to me.

Overall, I highly recommend Dying Brand and I look forward to reading future books in this series.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Deadly Assets

Deadly Assets by Wendy Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Deadly Assets is the second book in the Allison Campbell Mystery series. It is a very well written and professionally edited mystery novel with a touch of romance.

Once again Allison Campbell, image consultant, becomes involved in solving a mystery in order to save her assistant from prosecution and her business' reputation. Two of her clients have gone missing at the same time. As she becomes involved in seeking the truth about their disappearances she finds herself involved in murders, family drama and the Russian mafia.

Wendy Tyson's mysteries have a definite Gothic feel about them. These books are not light hearted reading, but tackle some of the darkness that can surround families, business and the justice system. This mystery had me guessing up until the end.

My one complaint is that the romances between the heroine and her ex husband, and the one between her mother in law and her assistant, don't ring true to me. There is a definite coldness in the writing about these relationships.

Deadly Assets can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend that you read the series in order to fully understand this book's nuances.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.