Book 81, 2023

[chez_jae]

Downward Death by Stella Bixby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I finished an ebook last night--Downward Death by Stella Bixby. It's the first book in her "Magical Mane" cozy mystery series. Main character is Ellie Vanderwick, whose hair responds to her emotions by changing color and/or texture.

About all Ellie has going for her is her pet pig, Penelope, and her VW bus, Mona. She's between jobs and on the verge of living out of Mona again when she receives a letter from a grandmother she never knew. Esme has died, leaving her farm in Iowa to Ellie. With no other choice, Ellie travels to Cliff Haven. It's a delightful small town, and Ellie hopes to make a fresh new start. However, when a dead man is found in her cornfield everyone suspects Ellie, the newcomer, of committing the crime. Ellie is determined to clear her name. If only she can keep her hair under control.

This was a fun story, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. But...why did so many people act so suspiciously and/or foolishly? One murder would have been plenty for a small farming community, but by the time all was said and done several people had been murdered. Why did one character take the fall for another? How was Ellie so utterly duped by multiple characters? What I liked most were the characterizations, the fact that the love interest isn't in law enforcement, Ellie's tenacity, and the quick pace.

Favorite line: "I've gone to church here since the Sunday after I was born."

The story had plenty of drawbacks, but I found it entertaining. Four stars.


1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? Yes, she works in a diner.
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No, she does not.
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) No, huzzah!
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? No, she has a pig
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? N/A - Ellie doesn't have any friends.
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Yes
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes, her mother is absent (and presumed dead)
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? No
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes