Book 45, 2020

[chez_jae]

Traitorous Toys by Mildred Abbott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I started reading Traitorous Toys, by Mildred Abbott, last night, and I finished it this morning. This is the second installment in the "Cozy Corgi" mystery series. Main character is Winifred "Fred" Page, proud new owner of the Cozy Corgi bookstore and proud dog mom to Watson.

It's Christmastime in Estes Park, but Fred's bookstore won't open until January. However, she's busy getting things ready, along with help from her friend, Katie. Later, when Fred and Katie are doing some holiday shopping, Katie finds the owner of the toy store, Declan Diamond, on the floor. He's been strangled with garland, but Fred and Katie manage to free him. As he's whisked off to the hospital, Officer Green, who seems to harbor an irrational loathing for Fred, arrests Katie on suspicion of attempted murder. Eager to clear her friend's name, Fred begins to question other shop owners in the neighborhood. She learns that Declan was a shameless womanizer who often cheated on his wife. Fred also observes said wife in a passionate kiss with...her brother-in-law. It seems there was no shortage of suspects or motives, and there's still hope that Declan will recover and tell his side of the story. However, the killer finishes the job in the hospital, and now it's up to Fred, with Watson's help, to find out who murdered Declan.

What a fun story! Just what a cozy should be. It was exciting and funny and charming all at once. Fred is still flabbergasted that two men are interested in her (I still stand by my assertion that her perfect partner is Katie), scrambling to get her shop open, wallowing in family bonding for the holiday, all while navigating a subtle investigation. Pacing was good, characterizations great, and the humor made me laugh out loud several times.

Favorite lines:
♦ "You know you're a baker at heart when murder doesn't bother you as much as prepackaged scones."
♦ Katie and I got bored during our shopping spree and decided to strangle the owner of the toyshop to liven up the holidays.
♦ "Being a poopetrator comes with a hundred-dollar fine."
♦ "That man has had so many affairs he might as well run for political office!"
♦ "You mock all you want, but there are forces out there that none of us are prepared to deal with. Don't come crying to me when you get cursed."
♦ Life was going to be wonderful. Endless caffeine, endless pastries, and endless books.
♦ "So you found a glove, huh? Just one? Was this killer doing the moonwalk at the same time as the strangling?"
♦ "Who would ever think Christmas decorations that could double for murder weapons you might find in a game of Clue would ever lead to litigation?"

Delightful! Five stars!