Written by Joan Hess
SUMMARY:
Released in 2012 by St. Martin’s Press, the 291-page Deader Home & Gardens presents Joan Hess’ eighteenth entry in her “Claire Malloy” murder-mystery series. After returning from their Egyptian honeymoon in Mummy Dearest, newlyweds Claire Malloy and Farberville’s Deputy Police Chief, Pete Rosen, are now actively house-hunting. Per Claire’s first-person perspective, increasingly tight quarters inside their cramped duplex while raising a self-involved teenage daughter, Caron, means finding the home of her dreams far sooner than later.
Discovering her ideal mini-mansion in secluded Hollow Valley, Claire is perturbed that her realtor, Angela Delmond, inexplicably vanishes during their walkthrough tour. Mirroring what Angela had said, the home Claire so badly desires isn’t exactly what it seems, given her odd potential neighbors. In addition to a missing realtor, Claire’s amateur sleuthing determines other ominous incidents are linked to this same home. What’s even more unnerving is its connection to the odd descendants of the neighborhood’s namesake family and their prosperous tree farm.
Several months before, the home’s prior owner, Winston Hollow, had perished in an apparent fishing mishap. Once contacted by Claire, Winston’s boyfriend and heir, Terry Kennedy, arrives from Key West to discuss the house’s potential sale with her. Yet, Terry soon becomes another fatality. Claire suspiciously realizes he probably won’t be the last to fall, either, as someone is willing to kill to preserve family secrets.
With a horde of conniving Hollow relatives stonewalling her, Claire must ferret a foul scent emanating somewhere in Hollow Valley’s quaint countryside. No matter where the sordid truth leads Claire, she reckons there is at least one homicidal maniac waiting for her.
Note: This title is also available in paperback and digital formats.
REVIEW:
For Joan Hess fans, this routine “Claire Malloy” whodunnit isn’t likely to disappoint anyone. Unlike Claire’s ultra-clichéd Southern in-laws depicted in Death by the Light of the Moon, Hess wisely grounds the Hollow clan’s shades of zaniness to a slightly more grounded ‘it-only-happens-in-fiction’ level. Bolstered by the protagonist’s down-to-earth spunk and congenial humor, Deader Homes & Gardens makes for a delightfully satisfying read.
Though it isn’t a must-have, Claire Malloy’s latest caper makes a fine cozy mystery option at the library.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
The author dedicates Deader Home & Gardens to her young grandchildren.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
