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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Skeletons in the Attic - Judy Penz Sheluk

Skeletons in the Attic by Judy Penz Sheluk

First Paragraph(s):

I'd been sitting in the reception area of Hampton & Associates for the better part of an hour when Leith Hampton finally charged in through the main door, his face flushed, a faint scent of sandalwood cologne wafting into the room.  He held an overstuffed black briefcase in each hand and muttered an apology about a tough morning in court before barking out a flurry of instructions to a harried-looking associate.  A tail-wagging goldendoodle appeared out of nowhere, and I realized the dog had been sleeping under the receptionist's desk.
     Leith nodded towards his office, a signal for me to go in and take a seat, then followed me, plopping both briefcases on his desk.  He leaned down to pat the dog and pulled a biscuit out of his pants pocket.  'Atticus,' he said, not looking up.  'My personal therapy dog.  Some days, he's the only thing that keep me sane.'

My Thoughts:

I met Judy at one of those 'author speed dating' events last year, held at the Malice Domestic Convention.  We talked a bit before we were inundated with authors sharing 2 minutes about their books.  I saw her again at this year's Malice Convention and remembered that I wanted to try one of her books.  I'm finally making good on that desire, mostly because she has just had the second book in this 'Marketville Mystery' series published.  That book is called Past & Present and I hope to read it before long.  It's a tough job to try as many mystery series as possible and then keep up with them - someone has to do it though - ha!

Skeletons in the Attic had a perfect name for another entry into my R.I.P. XIII reading list and I did enjoy it.  Callie Barnstable, who's also named 'Calamity Doris', has inherited a house from her father.  The book begins with Callie in her father's lawyer's office learning some very unexpected things about her Dad, not the least of which is what he wanted her to do for the next year.  She knows that her mother left them when she was a young girl.  What she didn't know was that her father was trying to find out what happened to his missing wife.  Callie goes to Marketville to check out the house and discovers a literal 'skeleton in the attic'.  As she meets neighbors and makes a few friends, she's investigating both her parents and their parents as well.  Will she solve the mystery?  Well, you'll have to read this fun series beginner for the answer.  The ending was surprising, though a little abrupt.  I'm hoping we learn more in the next book and I'll be picking up that one before long.

Blurb:

Calamity (Callie) Barnstable isn’t surprised to learn she’s the sole beneficiary of her late father’s estate, though she is shocked to discover she has inherited a house in the town of Marketville—a house she didn’t know he had. However, there are conditions attached to Callie’s inheritance: she must move to Marketville, live in the house, and solve her mother’s murder.

Callie’s not keen on dredging up a thirty-year-old mystery, but if she doesn’t do it, there’s a scheming psychic named Misty Rivers who hopes to expose the Barnstable family secrets herself. Determined to thwart Misty and fulfill her father’s wishes, Callie accepts the challenge. But is she ready to face the skeletons hidden in the attic?



13 comments:

  1. I hope the next book answers your questions and is just as good as the first, Kay.

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    1. Hi Mary! Hope you check both the books out :-) thanks for reading the review and taking the time to comment.

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    2. Thanks Mary! I think it very likely will. I'm definitely going to be reading #2.

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  2. Thank you so much for this great review, Kay. Such a nice thing to wake up to. Past & Present is getting great reviews (4.8 av. on Goodreads). It does pick up where Skeletons leaves off, although you may not get all the answers you are looking for. It can also be read as a standalone. Hope your readers check it out and thank you for the review.

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    1. I'm glad to know that #2 picks up where #1 leaves off, Judy. Can't wait to try it! Also, thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, I hope everyone will be intrigued - bet they will!

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  3. I hadn't heard of this book or author before, and I do find both intriguing! And I am putting forth my best effort towards the tough job you mention--reading as many mystery series as possible--by adding this one to my list...

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    1. I know, Catherine - ha! Yes, we have tough jobs as librarians and ex-librarians - LOL! Judy is such a nice lady. Glad you'll add this to your long, long list. ;-)

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  4. I've never heard of this author before, but now I'm intrigued! I'll have to give this series a go. Sounds like one I'd like.

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  5. I love that title for a mystery. This sounds like a lot of fun. And author speed dating sounds like a lot of fun too. I hope someday I have the opportunity to take part in something like that.

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    1. Yes, that author speed dating is fun and a bit overwhelming. You get used to it though after experiencing it more than once. Ha!

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  6. I hadn't heard of this series so thank you for featuring it. I'm always on the look out for more mysteries to add to my list :)

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!