Review

For fans of:  Joanne Fluke

Retired schoolteacher Phyllis Newsom is busier than usual this holiday season.  Not only does she have to come up with a prize-worthy recipe to enter in the paper’s Christmas cookie contest, but she’s also agreed to throw her friend a bridal shower on Christmas Eve and to then host the wedding itself just a week later.  So when Georgia Hallerbee shows up at Phyllis’ door asking if she’ll allow her house to be part of the town’s Jingle Bell Tour, the request understandably gives her pause.  It’s an honor to be asked, though, so against her better judgment, Phyllis agrees to participate. 

Phyllis and her housemates go all out with the decorations and are quite proud of the results.  Unfortunately, however, before the Tour can even reach the house, Phyllis hears a crash outside, and opens the front door to find a bleeding and unconscious Georgia on her porch.  It appears that someone struck the woman over the head with one of Phyllis’ ceramic gingerbread men – but why?  And why choose Phyllis’ porch as the site of the attack?  When Georgia dies in the hospital without ever regaining consciousness – and without being able to tell the police anything about the identity of her assailant – Phyllis knows that she and her friends have to help catch the killer before he or she can strike again. 

The Gingerbread Bump-off is Livia J. Washburn’s sixth Fresh-Baked Mystery.  There’s not a lot of action to be found in this tale (which make sense, given that most of its characters are well past the age of retirement), but the plot is solid and the mystery is cleverly constructed, with clues deployed in all the right places.  The pace is brisk, the narrative voice is strong, and the host of delicious-sounding recipes Washburn’s included at the end of the book will have you itching to get started on those Christmas cookies.

If you’ve read my reviews of Washburn’s last two books, Killer Crab Cakes and The Pumpkin Muffin Murder, you know I’ve never been all that fond of Phyllis as a heroine; stodgy and judgmental, she hasn’t historically been someone with whom I’d ever voluntarily spend time, let alone someone for whom I would root.  The Gingerbread Bump-off, however, finds Phyllis a changed woman.  Now, don’t get me wrong – she’s still a little stuffy and a lot meddlesome, but her developing romance with the laid-back and gentlemanly Sam has helped bring out a softer side of Phyllis than we’ve ever seen before.  Her interactions here with Sam are girlish and sweet, and the childlike glee with which she tackles the decoration of her house for the holidays is downright endearing.

For their part, the rest of the cast is solid, as well.  Sam makes for a fantastic sidekick and co-conspirator, and each and every one of the murder suspects Washburn introduces is nicely developed and has their own unique motive, means, and opportunity.

Bottom line?  Check out The Gingerbread Bump-off by Livia J. Washburn.  It’s a solid entrant in a solid series, and if you’re looking for a light read to help get you into the holiday spirit, it’s a good place to start.

Reviewed by Kat