Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder

"Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder", by Sara Rosett, is another of the Ellie Avery Mystery series. In this one, Ellie Avery and her husband, Air Force pilot Mitch get bad news at his family reunion. His boss, Col. Pershall, was just murdered and cousin Dan was shot at. With an anti-war group setting off dry ice bombs, and husband Mitch a target for the killer, Ellie is once again drawn into solving the case. Rosett writes with a light touch that makes this one of those very enjoyable murder mysteries. Her main character, Ellie, is a mother, wife and professional organizer and has a side business called "Everything in its Place". She is pretty much a normal officer's wife, being involved in the officer's wife club and children activities and around Robins AFB in Georgia. Building a business, being a stay-at-home mom for Livvy, age 4 and Nathan, age 2, and dealing with the stress of being a military wife keeps this book moving along. Add to this a murder mystery, and this is the 30 something's version of Murder, She Wrote. As a bonus, throughout the book are tips for organizing from "Everything in its Place". All this makes for a cute, fast , and enjoyable read.

At Taylor Air Force Base in North Dawkins, Georgia, everyone is stunned by the strangulation murder of popular Squadron Commander Colonel Lewis Pershall who was at an off base golf course at the time he was killed. His stunned wife Denise realizes the Sheriff's department investigating her spouse' s homicide believe her to be the prime suspect. She asks Ellie Avery, wife of a member of her late husband's squadron, to investigate because she knows Ellie has a reputation as a successful amateur sleuth (see Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder). Ellie makes inquires that lead her to learn someone is threatening her husband Mitch and their cousin although Mitch hid it from her; that culprit sent them strange squadron coins. Also an air force widow sent hostile menacing letters to the victim. As accidents seem to follow Mitch, Ellie looks closely at other officers who envied and loathed Pershall. The fifth Ellie Avery military homeland amateur sleuth tale is a great whodunit that deftly balances an intelligent strong investigation, increasingly dangerous incidents targeting Mitch, and life on the CONUS air force base. The cast is superb as the Avery family reunion showcases dependents and other civilians on a base while the inquiry is top rate as Avery uncovers three suspects with two having easy access. Fans will appreciate drinking mint juleps alongside of Ellie while seeking who is causing mayhem and murder. Harriet Klausner