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Asking For Murder (Advice Column Mysteries)

Roberta Isleib
Berkley (2008)
ISBN 9780425223314
Reviewed by Allison King for RebeccasReads (2/09)

One of the best genres written these days are murder mysteries. Roberta Isleib, author of “Asking for Murder,” writes a gripping who-dun-it that makes you ponder all the twists and turns of the mystery. This book is the third book of the “An Advice Column Mystery” series that Isleib has written, but the first of hers for me to read. She writes in what I call simple talk. No big words, no complex thoughts or hard to understand plots that could make the story drag.  I look forward to reading more of her books.

The series main character is Dr. Rebecca Butterman who finds her friend Annabelle, a fellow therapist, badly beaten and near death. Rebecca wants to help find answers to who wanted to cause her friend harm, but no one wants her nosing around. From strange patients to an estranged sister, the suspect list begins to grow. A clue to solving the crime may lie in the sand play therapy that Annabelle uses in her sessions with clients. It is up to Dr. Butterman to get into the sand and see what suspects she can find to help her friend before it’s too late!

I love these women-sleuth type books that make you want to get in to the book and be a sleuth too! The plot is very simple and easy to follow, but it leaves you wondering ‘who’ the actual attacker is until the very end. Rebecca is a strong and intelligent woman who doesn’t quite have her life ‘all together.’ I think that is why we love her so much: she is one of us.  The few advice columns that are put in throughout the book, really don’t add to the story, but do give you a bit of insight into Rebecca’s state of mind as she responds to the questions.

If the first two books of the series are like this one, I can’t wait to read them. Having not read the other books, I had no problem jumping into the storyline without knowing the characters background. So, if you’re looking for a cozy mystery to cuddle up with after a hard day, I would recommend “Asking for Murder.”

 

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