Into the Fire

Karin Kaufman, Queen of the Cozy Mystery, has added Book 11 Still as Death to the Juniper Grove Mystery Series. 

Mystery author Rachel Stowe and her good friend and neighbor Julia are attending the Juniper Grove crafts fair meeting at Eve Coleman's home when at 7:10 PM the lights go out. Eve hollers at her husband to check the breaker box but gets no response from him. After a few moments, Rachel volunteers to check the box but forgets her phone with its flashlight as she makes her way through the dark kitchen to find the box. Realizing she can't see the breakers, she spots the light on down the hall and walks toward the library calling out to Mr. Coleman who, perched on his chair by the fireplace, doesn't answer her. When she gets closer, she discovers he's dead with an object protruding from his chest. 

Shortly after finding him, the lights come on and following that the other members rush into the library with one of their group immediately making accusations at Rachel. Seeing the potential for a problem, she quickly studies the scene making mental notes. Tossing off the accusatory remarks, she realizes this obvious murder is outside her fiancé's jurisdiction and creates a genuine fiasco with the sheriff who will be in charge of the investigation.

After each one of them gives a statement, it's clear the sheriff is focused on Rachel.

Rachel's fiancé, Police Chief James Gilroy, has to mind his manners because the doofus sheriff outranks him. However, James keeps Rachel hidden and moving until their Juniper Grove "gang" of mystery sleuths, that now includes Chief Gilroy, can solve the "whodunnit" of this murder. Since there are other factors which allow the Chief to continue his investigation, between him and the gang, they finally bring their investigation to a satisfying close but not before continued frustrations, smokescreens, and the interference of the annoying sheriff.

Smattered with pre-wedding jitters, Rachel's surprising contact from the last person she expected to hear from, and the ill-timed criticisms of her eating habits by her friend Julia, Still as Death presents another good addition to the Juniper Grove Mystery Series. If you love cozy mysteries, you simply must read the Queen's work. Personally, cozy mysteries are not my favorite genre and probably rank up there with women's fiction in my "don't prefer" category. However, I wouldn't miss a single one of Karin Kaufman's Juniper Grove mysteries.

Lord, you know all that Karin's been through and going through. Please continue to show her your mercy, grace, and inspiration, and keep her safe from all harm. Bless her with your divine touch. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.