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The Desert Hedge Murders

Patricia Stoltey
Five Star (ME) (2009)
ISBN 9781594147852
Reviewed by Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads (10/09)

"Desert Hedge Murders" is a fun book.  I realize that saying a murder novel is fun seems a bit odd.  However, the story line is truly well written.  Most mystery novels have a young, attractive hero or heroine that somehow manages to save the day.

This story is a bit different.  The characters in the book are all senior citizens and active seniors at that!  A group of ladies that are in their golden years still travel, still love football and make it a point to get out and live life.  This alone would have made the story interesting but the author did so much more than just remind the reader that we don’t have to get old just because we age.

The women go to Nevada on a vacation only to find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation.  As if that isn’t bad enough, another murder happens and of course the old gals can’t help but investigate it for themselves.  Our heroine is the daughter of one of the ladies in the group and a 60-something former member of the FBI and former judge; just enough experience to know what to do and to get into a bit of trouble.  Her brother is a sensitive and picks up on his mother and sister’s situation.  Along with his father, he leaves Florida in a poorly thought out plan to get to Nevada and help.  Their adventure alone was an amusing depiction of Murphy’s Law.

What I truly enjoyed about the novel was although the author gives quite a bit of detail and information, this was not a book that was quickly figured out.  The mystery was intriguing and delightful.  This book does keep you guessing. 
The only problem I had with the story was when the author switched between first and third person.  The story is initially told from Sylvia’s (the main character) perspective but switches to a narration when her brother is the focus.  This became a bit of an annoyance but one that was necessary to keep the story flowing. 


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