Title: Shopping Can Be Deadly (A Discount Detective Mystery)
Author: Charlotte Stuart
Genre: Mystery
Book Blurb:
A shooter shatters the suburban calm in a mall . . .
Single mom, Cameron Chandler, an investigator with Penny-wise Investigations, a discount detective agency conveniently located in a suburban mall, is approaching her office when gunshots echo off the mall walls, and she sees a young man collapse just a few feet away. Chaos breaks out in the packed mall as people try to escape. Cameron kneels beside the gunshot victim and is grabbed from behind by a man she fears is the shooter. As he forcibly drags her toward the mall exit, she suddenly realizes who he is—Gary, a man who once saved her life. Once outside, Gary admits that he was the shooter's target. He and three associates had engaged in what they thought was a legitimate but secret operation only to find themselves caught in a quagmire of government intrigue and covert manipulation. She agrees to help by taking care of his dog while he investigates why someone is trying to eliminate them. After Cameron agrees to foster Gary's large dog Bandit, someone shows up at Penny-wise with a description of Bandit, claiming that he wants them to locate “his” dog and Cameron realizes that she and her family could be in danger. Next, a woman claiming to be with the FBI wants to talk with Cameron about Gary, but her boss at Penny-Wise decides it's time the agency steps in to investigate what's going on.
My Review:
Shots fired in a mall put not only Cameron’s life in jeopardy but her family’s as well. Working for Penny-Wise Investigations has its perks, but single mom Cameron Chandler never expected a shooting in the mall where her office resides. A man grabs her and forcefully drags her outside. This is no stranger, though. It’s her friend, Gary, and he explains the dilemma he’s in. Government covert ops turn deadly, and he’s got to root out who wants him dead and why. She agrees to care for Gary’s dog, not realizing the canine makes her and her family a target. Cameron decides enough is enough and dons her investigating cap. What she discovers leads her on a path most deadly. Can she figure out what’s going on before she becomes the next target?
Shopping Can Be Deadly is the perfect blend of sleuthing, suburbia, and spy mystery. From the start, I connected with Cameron and the mall shooting started the action with a bang. The plot moved at a terrific pace with plenty of cloak and dagger intrigue. I whipped through the pages trying to solve the mystery before Cameron did. The full cast of characters kept me invested in the story. The dueling dogs added some comic relief to the story. Charlotte Stuart is a brilliant mystery writer and her ability to write an original mystery with flair is uncanny. The characters are well-written and engaging. The suspense propelled the plot forward with ease. I read this in two sittings. Absolutely brilliant from start to finish.
My Rating: 5 stars
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Author Biography:
Charlotte Stuart, PhD, began her career in academia. She taught communications and public address and coached an award-winning intercollegiate debate team. She and her husband took a year off to cruise the Canadian Pacific Coast in their sailboat.
Determined to extend their life on the water, they built a fishing boat and went commercial fishing in Alaska. This decision, labeled “crazy” by colleagues, gave her the opportunity to experience lifestyles and locations very different from her urban roots. Stories of time spent on the water, exploring unpopulated areas, and meeting people who live in remote villages often find their way into her writing.
After fishing for nine years, she returned to a career in management consulting. Charlotte lives and writes on Vashon Island in Washington State’s Puget Sound and spends time each day entertained by herons, seals, eagles and other wildlife.
Social Media Links:
Website https://charlottestuart.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/quirkymysteries
Reviewed by: Mrs. N