Review: Cold as Ice by Julie Mulhern

Ellison Russell's life is in a bit of an uproar. Detective Anarchy Jones and Ellison's mother both wish she would break her habit of finding bodies. But more than that, there's a problem with the bank that is her daughter's legacy. And Grace has taken up with a boy that Ellison doesn't really feel comfortable with her seeing. He might be of the right social strata, but there is something about him that strikes her as untrustworthy. Julie Mulhern weaves these things together into the sixth Country Club Murders mystery.

I enjoy Ellison Russell and her passionate affair with Mr. Coffee. She is smart, but still makes mistakes, so very human. And she has a lovely, snarky sense of humor. The interplay of Ellison with her teenaged daughter Grace is believable. It stands along with her relationship with her own mother. It's nice to have the 3 generations interact. I like the ways that they ultimately show concern for each other.

The setting being the 1970s makes things interesting as well. No cell phones for one thing. The country club society almost becomes a character in itself. It certainly affects how characters react to things.

The mystery is well done. Ellison has her close calls which have Anarchy up in arms. Ellison isn't unperturbed, just the opposite. She tries to manage things with a minimum of upset, but there's only so much you can do when you find a body.

Julie Mulhern manages to balance the interpersonal interactions with the mystery. There is also just the right amount of sarcasm and humor. I enjoyed the sixth outing in The Country Club Murders and look forward to reading more in this series. I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy a good cozy with humor, you will most likely enjoy this one. Cold as Ice by Julie Mulhern is due to be released October 17, 2017 by Henery Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This in no way affects my freely given review.

Review: Send in the Clowns by Julie Mulhern

Going to a haunted house venue isn't exactly Ellison Russell's idea of fun, Still, she is drawn there when her daughter doesn't come home on time. And being in the 1970s, neither had a cell phone.

It's even less her idea of fun when a clown stumbles forward and dies on her, literally. Who killed Brooks Harney? And why? Will she find  out before she becomes the next victim of the killer clown?

This is book 4 in The Country Club Murders series. It's the first one that I've read, though. Early on in the book, Ellison is found musing, "I'm not sure what it says about me that I have a homicide detective's home number memorized..." My guess would be that she has found bodies before and that this will probably not be the last one she finds as well.

Ellison has a good sense of humor that is evident in her thoughts and conversations with other characters in the mystery. She feels that Mr. Coffee and her father are the only two men who haven't let her down. And still, she finds herself in a little bit of a love triangle. At one point her date is hauled off for questioning in the case by the Detective Anarchy Jones. Both men would like to see her stay out of the mess, but she keeps getting drawn back in.

Romance is more of a subplot to the murder. Ellison's best friend is also dating someone new. And there is a further subplot of someone stealing and selling antiques.

It might sound like there is a lot going on. Honestly, though, it's really the right amount. The author pulls it all together seamlessly. I really enjoyed the book and all of its parts. I especially enjoyed Ellison's sense of humor and independence.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The mystery is well written and well paced. You can guess along with the rest of them who did it before the revealing. There is just the right amount of romance and subplot. And Ellison has a good relationship with her daughter that reminds me a little of the relationship Claire Malloy has with her daughter in the Joan Hess books. This novel can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, even though it is the fourth book in the series. I did go out and buy the first book when I finished this one. Send in the Clowns became available October 25, 2016 from Henery Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.