Leave Tomorrow Behind-Judy Clemens

Leave Tomorrow Behind Judy Clemens Poisoned Pen, Dec 3 2013, $24.95 ISBN 9781464202049 Bucks County, Pennsylvania veterinarian Carla Beaumont insures the safety of the animals at the annual 4-H county fair. Assisting the vet with her endeavor is her friend dairy farmer Stella Crowne who arrives with her fiancé Nick, an MS sufferer. Stella hopes the fair will allow her a respite from Nick’s pushy sister Miranda demanding to host the wedding of the century for them. Following a concert starring country-western performer Rikki Raines, Stella watches the female singer and Mr. Gregg argue. Since Stella also exchanged heated words with Gregg over his daughter’s animal entries, she commiserates with Raines. Not much later, Stella uncovers Raines’ corpse in a pile of manure. Not trusting the police to conduct a thorough investigation especially since their not so subtle inclination is to go after the person who found the body and having solved homicide cases before (see Different Paths); Stella makes inquiries into the murder of the singer. The latest Crowne amateur sleuth (see THE DAY WILL COME) is an engaging whodunit as eccentric Stella remains an extremely opinionated judge and executioner based on her first impressions. Her snap judgments often lead her into mistaken conclusions and fabulous red herrings for readers. Miranda adds comic relief at the same Stella being Stella (with a nod to Manny) works the case her way. Harriet Klausner