Cut, Crop and Die: A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery

by: Joanna Slan Campbell

Published by: Midnight Ink

Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart

Poor Kiki! It was bad enough that her two-timing husband George went and got himself killed in the first Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Paper, Scissors, Death, (PSD) but now someone is messing with her new -ound livelihood as scrapbooker extraordinaire at St. Louis’ Time in a Bottle.

In this second installment, Kiki; her boss, Dodi; and newest team member, Bama are hosting a crop at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. When Yvonne Gardener, the latest scrapbooking star in the metro area, succumbs to a rare allergy, all eyes are cast on those who had access to the afternoon edibles.

Campbell Slan brings back the characters from the first book that I fell in love with. First there’s her daughter Anya–a good kid who is rather spoiled, but not too much. Then there’s Kiki’s mother-in-law, Sheila, who is having a heck of a time trying to kill the mole invasion in her pristine lawn, as well as manage Kiki’s love life. Detective Detweiler, the love interest and lead investigator in Paper, Scissors, Death, is trying to hide a big, big secret and is breaking Kiki’s heart. Kik’s former maid and dog-sitting buddy, Mert, sounds more like a country hick than I remembered. Then there’s Gracie, Kiki and Anya’s beloved horse of a dog.

Kiki meets more than one man, including a felon, who wants to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart. After George and Detweiler did her dirty, Kiki isn’t as trusting as she used to be. Still, she isn’t ready to become a nun yet.

Cut, Crop and Die is a fun way to spend an afternoon watching it snow or at the beach. The red herrings are well placed and surprises await on every page.

Armchair Interviews says: A wonderful 5-star cozy mystery with characters you’ll grow to love.

Author’s Web site: http://www.JoannAslan.com