Book 26, 2024

Mixing Up Murder by Emmie Lyn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I finished reading Mixing Up Murder by Emmie Lyn last night. It's the first in the "Little Dog Diner" cozy mystery series. The main character is Danielle "Dani" Mackenzie, who runs the Little Dog Diner in the small town of Misty Harbor.

To support her BFF, Lily, Dani accompanies her to the funeral for her estranged husband, Ray, whom Lily had served with divorce papers. Only, Ray faked his funeral. Now, however, he's really dead, bludgeoned to death in the diner while Dani and Lily were in Dani's apartment next door. Lily dips out, leaving her at the top of the suspect list. Dani knows her friend wouldn't have killed Ray, and she wonders if the diamond earring she found in Ray's (first) casket had anything to do with it. Soon Dani, with the help of her grandmother, Rose, and Pip, Ray's terrier, is asking questions and following leads. At least it gives her something to do while the diner is closed. Dani's investigation uncovers some shady real estate deals that Ray was involved in. Lily claims to know nothing about it, but Dani isn't quite sure she can trust her friend. She's also not sure what to think when Luke, her former crush, returns to town to help his father.

I enjoyed this story. The characterizations were good, and the plot was well-paced. However, it was fraught with too many things that were confusing. ( Spoilers )

Favorite lines:
♦ If this day got any crazier it would qualify for free tickets at the nearest zoo.
♦ One perfectly plucked eyebrow shot up as if I'd just suggested that she eat a bowl of week-old lobster carcasses.

Very good overall. Would have earned a solid four, but I'm knocking a point off for all of the inconsistencies.

( Trope Test )