Death and Honesty: Martha's Vineyard Mysteries

by: Cynthia Riggs

Published by: Minotaur

Reviewed by Shawn Remfrey

I love a book with a 92 year old that has more energy than I do. Victoria Trumbull is the star of the Martha’s Vineyard mystery books. In her 8th book, she charms us with wit, courage, and a wink.

In Death and Honesty, a dead body is found in one of Victoria’s neighbor’s homes. Once it is officially pronounced murder, Victoria is on the case. When more bodies start turning up, it becomes a little more difficult to figure out whom the murderer may be. It also comes to light that the town assessors have been skimming tax money, which adds another mystery for vivacious Victoria to solve. When her old friend and nemesis, Emery, shows up, things become even more complicated.

I don’t read a lot of cozy mysteries, but I’ve heard several people discuss Cynthia Riggs, and decided it was time to take the plunge. I’m glad I did. I wasn’t overjoyed and intrigued, but I did find the characters spunky and interesting. The plotline is like nothing I’ve ever read before, and the mysteries are fresh ideas. My only problem is that the writing left a little to be desired. It just didn’t have that extra flair that really caught my attention and sucked me right in.

I do plan to read the rest of the series, mainly because I love some of the characters so much. I wonder if Cynthia designed Victoria Trumbull after herself. I love the life still humming through her. It’s inspiring to see the way that she handles other people. You can actually feel the energy pulse around her. A few of the other characters really had that lifelike quality as well, which I greatly enjoyed. Sadly, not all of them did. A few of them were humdrum and left me feeling as if they really pulled down the book a notch.

Armchair Interviews says: An enjoyable series.

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