Mrs. Malory and Death By Water (Mrs. Malory Mystery)

Sheila Malory has her suspicions when her old friend Leonora dies suddenly from drinking contaminated water. Leonora's death benefits too many people at just the right time. Even Sheila benefits, if you can call it that, when she inherits all of Leonora's books and papers. Who has time for that when she has her own "big event" to prepare for? But Leonora's death seems too convenient and Sheila Malory can't help but investigate.Sheila Malory's adventures are always fun to read. Death by Water has a few flaws--clues turn up when conveniently needed and the ending didn't satisfy me--but you can't help but like Mrs. Malory. Also recommended--Dorothy Martin series by Jeanne Dams and the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton.

Once again, Holt does not let us down. She could write a book with no mystery at all, and still keep us interested!

Leonora Stavely was one of the first female journalist who became known by taking daring chances in all the hot spots of the world. Now, nearing eighty she has retired to a small cottage living the life of an eccentric recluse. She doesn't see very many people and is more than happy living with her animals for companionship. One of the few people who she stays in touch with her is Sheila Mallory who she has known since she was a child.When Lenora dies, E. Coli is found in her bloodstream and the Environmental Agency said that there was something that got into the water supply. When Sheila looks closely at the stream that is allegedly the source of the contamination she sees no dead animals or vegetation. Knowing that her friend was getting ready to write her memoirs, Sheila strongly believes her friend was murdered. She just has to find a way to find out who and then try to prove it, no easy task since Leonora had plenty of enemies who would have benefited from her death.Fans of British cozies will definitely want to read Mrs. Mallory AND DEATH BY WATER. The latest installment in this long running series is full of surprising twists and shocking turns. In trying to solve the who-done-it, Sheila gives the reader some fascinating insights into village life in England. Hazel Holt always has a fascinating story to tell and she does it very well.Harriet Klausner