Monday, October 15, 2012

A Small Hill To Die On-Elizabeth J. Duncan

A Small Hill To Die On


Elizabeth J. Duncan

Minotaur, Oct 30 2012, $24.99

ISBN: 9781250008244



The Nailz chain of nail bars and tanning salons owner Mai Grimstead opens up a new spa in Llanelen, Wales. She and her family move into Ty Brith Hall. Asian Mai informs her competitors Penny Brannigan and Victoria Hopkirk, owners of Llanelen Spa, of her grand opening as a courtesy.



While Victoria is away, Penny notices that Mai seems to be making much more money than her yet has many fewer customers. On a wintry stroll, Penny finds the corpse of a teenager whose snakeskin manicure she recognizes. Though her boyfriend Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies tells her not to get involved, Penny investigates the homicide.,



The latest Penny Brannigan Welsh cozy (see A Killer's Christmas in Wales) is an engaging mystery though the Canadian expatriate protagonist’s reason for investigating is weak and improbable. Still the storyline is fun especially the reaction of the townsfolk to the Vietnamese family residing in their town as Penny knows first-hand as she is a somewhat accepted outsider.



Harriet Klausner

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