Title: A Girl’s Best Friend
Author: Annalisa Russo
Genre: Historical Mystery, Romantic Mystery
Book Blurb:
Freelance writer Retta Delaney thinks she finally has it all: her dream job at Popular Magazine, a home of her own—well, hers and the bank’s—and a sexy new neighbor, commercial artist Sam Parnetti. But their budding attraction is complicated when a fortune turns up via the mailman. Delivery of that small packet sets a terrifying clock in motion. Their romance might have to take a back seat to stay one step ahead of danger as the past snakes out, elusive and sinister, to threaten everyone connected to the package. A long-hidden family secret spirals to an unavoidable reality, complicating the growing affection between Retta and Sam. The couple, with a group of close friends, must put personal agendas aside to form an alliance against a malevolent enemy and the elusive truth. The winner takes all—but it’s hard to get answers when all the suspects are dead.
My Review:
1920’s. Retta has waited her whole life for this moment. She’s a freelance writer for Popular Magazine, has just moved into her first home, not to mention a virile next-door neighbor, Sam. Just as she’s getting settled, she receives a package from her recently deceased aunt. Inside she discovers a compact filled with loose diamonds. Diamonds from her rather destitute aunt? A mystery to unravel, that’s for sure. But who should she share her secret with? The more she tries to uncover where the diamonds came from and why her late aunt gave them to her, the more danger Retta places herself in. Someone is after the diamonds and will stop at nothing to take them from Retta, even if it means killing her in the process.
A Girl’s Best Friend is a roaring good time of a historical mystery with a suspenseful plot, a unique set of characters and even a romance. The plot is well-developed with a few twists I didn’t expect. The mystery unraveled slowly, almost like a Miss Marple mystery. The characters are unique in the fact they exuded the time period (1920’s) through their slang and dialogue. I felt transported to the roaring twenties and even picked up a few turns of phrase I didn’t know before. The romance between Sam and Retta was so much fun to read. The attraction is there right away but it takes awhile for them to get together. The pacing of the story moves at a nice easy pace which I really enjoyed.
If you’re looking to dive into the 1920’s for a delightful mystery, pick this book up today. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-girls-best-friend-annalisa-russo/1129284846?ean=9781509221691
Author Biography:
Annalisa Russo is a Midwest girl who grew up in an overpopulated, first-generation Italian family in the burbs of Chicago, the setting for her historical romance novels based in the 20th century. Rags to Rubies, her first stand-alone book, was published in 2012. Annalisa’s first series, The Cavelli Angel Saga, was recently completed with the release of Angel Boy, the fourth book of the series which chronicles the lives of Italian immigrants in the 1920’s and 30’s. Angel Lost, Angel Found, third in the series, was a finalist in the IDA-International Digital Award 2016 for historical romance. Her newest projects include a holiday book and a stand-alone book, A Girl's Best Friend, both due out by end of 2017. Along with a passion for reading and writing, Annalisa enjoys gardening, cooking for company, and frequently invents reasons for traveling. The mother of two grown children, she inherited a narcissistic tabby named Buster who really runs the show.
Social Media Links:
Website http://www.annalisarusso.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RussoAuthor
Reviewed by: Mrs. N