Laugh out loud antics and scenes. Who knew putting together a giant sized jig-saw puzzle could be both so challenging and hilarious, not to mention filled with obstacles like vandalism and break-ins. As an Alaskan fairly accustomed to the earth moving beneath my feet, I had to chuckle out loud when the excuse of an earthquake was used to hide one of the efforts to halt the puzzle's construction. Toss in a second, long-cold case investigation that Marshall and Nate are dealing with and Sophie/Phee's mind is whirling. There's rarely a dull moment here in this largely dialogue driven plot and, if there is, it's a set up to an even more hilarious scheme or moment. Long time readers, never fear. Streetman gets lots of space.
I adore this series. While the characters are quirky and, oh, so opinionated, they somehow always come across as individuals that we'd like, albeit probably in small doses for many. Life in the retirement village of Sun City West in Arizona is certainly never dull. True, perhaps not good for ones blood pressure but never dull, especially if Phee's mother is around. Poor Phee. She seems to always be on the alert for the next phone call from her mother and whatever it may bring, which often involves not just her but Marshall and Nate's investigative company. Marshall, Phee's husband, seems to be a bit of a calm, amused voice of calm in the middle of what can often be described as chaos, the perfect balance for Phee's often fretful reactions. I mean, she's a woman who finds calm in the ordered realm of numbers, ie doing the firm's billing and accounting. Friend and office assistant Augusta seems to be fairly well grounded, too, but she has her moments, not to mention goofy theories. I guess when you word for a detective agency that this goes with the territory. Computer guru Rolo, a master hacker, er, computer investigator, always adds a bit of humor along with info that moves things along or throws up stop signs on some of the more outlandish theories. There are many, many other characters who pop in regularly so let's just say, while there are times they may tend to blend together during the fast paced scenes, they always bring something to the story, even Paul the fishing fanatic. As a group, they might make your head spin but, somehow, you'll enjoy every moment of time you spend with them.
.So, who killed Samantha? Why is someone trying to make sure that the jig-saw puzzle is never completed? Who'd care? Well, aside from the attention loving group involved from Sun City West? Who broke into the library in an effort to wreck what progress had been made on the over 4000 piece puzzle? Does Phee's mother have a plan to find out? Of course she does. Many, one of which involves, no lie, ghosts. Don't ask. Read. Can't forget Streetman, of course. That dog can get in more fixes than you can count, so will he be helpful or just a distraction? Or, knowing Streetman, downright destructive? And, oh, more than enough teasers. Trust me. I've only hit some high points. Lots more to keep you laughing and turning pages. Thanks #BeyondThePagePublishing for allowing me this early peek into the chaos surrounding Phee at pretty much any given time. Good thing she has that nice, cool pool to relax in.
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