Who would murder kind, well-liked Tarver Elementary PTA member Sam Helmstetter? Some of the residents of Rynwood, Wisconsin think Yvonne Ganassi, Beth Kennedy’s newest bookstore employee, is to blame. However, Beth and her best friend Marina are convinced Yvonne is innocent and are determined to find the real killer before others are harmed, unless the murderer stops them first.

For the most part, Beth is a likeable character. At the beginning of the book she comes across as a pushover, afraid to speak up for herself. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see her stand up for her friends and for what she believes in several times as the story progresses. When it comes to the investigation into Sam’s murder, Beth is intelligent and logically questions and eliminates suspects. As a divorced mother of two children, she balances the investigation with raising her children, running her store, attending PTA meetings, and planning Thanksgiving for a critical mother and other family members. While she is very busy, Beth still comes across as a realistic character and not an unbelievable “superwoman”. Few details are shared about Beth’s boyfriend Evan, although it’s possible there is more information about him in the first book of the series. It’s clear Evan doesn’t approve of Beth’s investigating, and he sometimes comes across as condescending towards Beth, but he wins me over in a very touching scene with Beth’s daughter Jenna.

On the other hand, I am not sure what to make of Beth’s friend Marina. On the positive side, Marina is a loyal friend and a devoted wife and mother. She is often amusing, but her behavior is more suited to a dreamy teenager or a stage actress instead of an average mother of a college-aged daughter. Marina often quotes Shakespeare or speaks in a way to mimic the bard; other times, she speaks in an affected Southern accent. What really detracted from the book for me was Marina’s habit of making a game out of everything, including dividing the murders suspects that need to be questioned between herself and Beth. While sometimes funny, Marina’s behavior is just a little too over the top to be a realistic, relatable character. After some of Marina and Beth’s exchanges, I was left confused and bewildered, searching for the point of their conversation instead of being able to focus on the story.

What I do appreciate about the book are the portions revolving around Beth’s bookstore and her children. Fitting in with the PTA theme, Beth’s shop is a children’s bookstore. There are several scenes taking place there and the shop is central to the story, not just a gimmick. There are also several enjoyable scenes with Beth and her children Jenna and Oliver, so we get to know her as a mother and not just an amateur sleuth.

I like most of the characters enough that I would like to read further adventures with Beth and her friends (and rivals!) in the PTA. If Beth holds on to her resolve to stand up for herself and Marina can retain her quirky charm, but lose the immaturity, this will be an interesting series to follow. Fans of Denise Swanson or Valerie Wolzien may want to give this series a try.

~ Christine K.