Staying Cool

STAYING COOL is a light, charming summer read; the charaters are well-developed, the plot moves along nicely, and the author provides witty insights into life after 40. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

One woman's search for reingaging with life, five years after her husband's death. Has an engrossing mystery, wonderful characters and a bit of a love story to with a bon fide HEA. I loved it and am now going to start on her other book, Making Waves.

What a good book! I bought it in an airport bookshop, thinking it looked like good summer reading fare, and it was, but richer than that, too. It's very well written, with wit, a likable main character, an absorbing plot and a satisfying conclusion. It also explores issues of loss and family history that readers can relate to. A very pleasant surprise.

This is a pleasant, light romance, masquerading as a mystery. The mystery is not very convincing, but there is a surprise at the end that actually works. The protagonist is likable, reminds me of many people who are unsure of themselves, but mask it with a manner of assurance. I get the feeling that the author is sheltered, not really very experienced, idealistic, and doesn't know as much as she pretends about gangs, violence, and racism. The whole story is a little naive, but well-intentioned, and easy/pleasant to read.

The District Attorney had put together an iron clad case against Jesus Ramon Garcia, accused of murdering Natasha Ivanova, matchmaker to Southern California's rich. Though having some doubts, middle aged Ellen Santiago Laws votes with her peers on the jury and helps convicts Jesus of first degree murder. Having a chance to realize what she did, Ellen wonders if she did the right thing by meekly submitting to her fellow jurors. She begins to look into the life of Natasha, who turns out not to be the paragon painted by the DA. Soon, she realizes that she must join the fancy matchmaking service if she is to get an insider's look. She learn how hazardous to one's health dating through an agency can be for someone in their forties. Worse yet, Susan's inquiries have reached the ears of someone who has a stake in seeing that Jesus remains convicted. STAYING COOL is a cool novel that blends an identity crisis with a humorous mystery. Susan is every baby boomer as she desperately seeks herself while coping with aging in a society that does not trust anyone over fifty-one. The story line is jocular and personal thanks to the antics and wit of the lead character. The mystery is fun, but clearly overshadowed by its amateur sleuth, making the book not for those who enjoy a grave serious who-done-it. Hopefully, Catherine Todd will provide more novels starring sensational Susan. Harriet Klausner