This ´cozy crime caper´ is Scottish writer Donna Moore´s second novel. See my review of her debut, Go to Helena Handbasket
“The contessa came back into the living room and glided to the window. She looked down at the imposing gravel driveway of the very smart, very exclusive, country house hotel with its view of Loch Lomond.”
Excellent surroundings – but will the first impressions last?
Two invaluable gold dogs are displayed at a Glasgow museum, and the main characters of this fantastic story, Contessa Letitzia di Ponzo and her sister Signora Teodora Grisiola, former tarts, now conwomen, see the dogs as a nice route to a very comfortable retirement.
The problem is that all and sundry want those dogs: a Scottish born-and-bred idealistic young Buddhist, a former employee of the museum, two thugs who work at a crematorium, plus a vindictive Australian. I have probably forgotten a handful, but I am sure you get the drift.
By coincidence they all plan to steal the dogs on one and the same Saturday evening, and Glasgow can turn from order to chaos. How will the handsome Chief Constable McEnteggart solve all these simultaneous mysteries – while looking good on the screen? No more about all the devious twists and turns: curl up in your best armchair with the book – be ready to forget all about real life and recession and have a laugh!
Donna was kind enough to send me this ARC, but from this week you can buy it fresh from the printing press.
Read for the 2010 Cozy Mystery Challenge
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13 kommentarer:
Sounds like the perfect antidote to life's troubles Dorte - much like the first one. But which cover do you have? I can't decide which one I like best (which will determine from which online store I purchase it from).
It's a joy of a book. Very funny and a fairly accurate look at British life too.
Good post.
Sounds like an exciting story! I love Scottish settings, too.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Dorte - Thanks for this review. This does, indeed, sound like a wonderful cozy! I have just added it to my TBR list. It really does sound terrific : )
I really like the top cover on this one, the bottom cover I'm not too keen on. Thanks Dorte, this sounds like a terrific book.
P.S. Please be sure to visit and join in with my 1st Blogoversary Book Giveaway.
So hard to pull off humor and she does it so well.
Bernadette: I love both covers, but my ARC is the top one.
Paul: yes, if you mean the way people are being taken in by seemingly wealthy conwomen - but then many Danes would fall for it too!
Elizabeth: I think you´d enjoy the tough, independent sisters a lot.
Margot: do you know Donna´s blog? She has the most hilarious posts, e.g. when she wrote a story that broke every known crime fiction rule.
Tracy: I think both covers are great for cozy mysteries. (I´ll be over in a second).
Patti: yes, her characters are wonderful.
Thank you Dorte! What a lovely review. I'm not sure my mum would agree with you on the cosy part, mind you :o) I, however, am happy for you to describe it any way you like, I'm just absolutely chuffed that you enjoyed it.
Donna, it was a pleasure, and if my mother could read English, I would send it on to her. I am sure she would appreciate your humour.
This sounds great! I also like both covers, but prefer the second. *sigh* ...yet another I would like to add to my TBR list!
Since I browsed through the list of authors/books provided at the "cozy challenge" I joined, I'm thinking now that "cozy" is a little broader category than I originally thought.
Kelly: I know that readers apply different definitions, some broader than others. I tend to include almost anything that is light and funny, and by that definition there are many out there.
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