The writing duo Lee Hollis has done it again. Although not my favorite series from them, the plots are always fun with depth to them and hold my attention. Poppy Harmon and friends Iris and Violet make up the Desert Flower Detective Agency with an assist from handsome Matt, an actor and former boyfriend of Poppy's daughter Heather. Since no one wanted to utilize a detective agency made up of senior citizens, which Poppy, Iris, and Violet are, Matt became the public face of the agency. His acting career seems to be taking off but he genuinely seems to enjoy hanging out with the senior ladies and lending a hand or utilizing his acting skills when needed.
All are a bit stunned, however, when Poppy's old acting nemesis, Serena, shows up and wants to hire them. Poppy more than the rest since she'd found Serena a venomous rival and had said Serena was one of the only people in Hollywood that she genuinely despised. But, seems Serena is getting married .... again .... and wants Poppy to look into her potential new husband's background before the wedding takes place. Reluctantly, Poppy agrees to take the case. That's when things get really, umm, well, interesting doesn't quite cover it. I won't detail the plot more than to simply say it's way more complex than the book blurb might have you think. And, of course, there is a murder or two to be solved.
So, is Serena on the level? She's sure flirty, even with young Matt. It's a bit of a whirl-wind romance and wedding, true, but is she genuinely unaware of Ned's wealth and the rumors that swirl around him? How do Violet's pool shark skills come in handy? What's going on with Sam, Poppy's boyfriend? Is Ned the nice guy he appears on the surface? Would Serena marry him if he was poor? Who was that unknown man? Friend or foe?
Why....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. Despite a slow to me start, this one grabbed my full attention as it went on. I must also confess that I didn't quite see the dramatic ending coming. You'll enjoy guessing along, especially with all the movie talk and name dropping, mostly from Serena. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for letting me drop in and enjoy the sleuthing, not to mention the twist in Poppy's personal life.
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