Murder at the Bad Girl’s Bar and Grill

by: N.M. Kelby

Published by: Shaye Arehart Books

Reviewed by Beth Yarwood

In the small Florida town of Laguna Key, things are not usual. The Bad Girl’s Bar and Grill local bar is owned by former horror scream queen, Danni Keene. The one and only security guard (whose main job is to watch over Sophie, the blind daughter of Laguna Key founder, Mr. Whit) failed out of the FBI Academy.

The dead bodies start piling up at the very beginning of the story, wasting no time. The brother of the homeless man found dead behind Danni’s bar is a circus clown—but not that kind of clown, the old-fashioned, more dramatic kind of clown, complete with puppets–and lots of merriment for the town. Then there’s the lounge singer hired by Danni (a Barry Manilow impersonator), and also the vandalism against the bar.

This book reminded me of a good Jimmy Buffet song. It was laid back, fun and truly took me to Florida. The book is very fast-paced, with never a dull moment. There are enough twists and turns to keep you interested, but not so many as to make it hard to follow. The resolution is satisfying, and plausible.

I enjoyed this book because I found the characters interesting and engaging, the location was described very well, but not overly so, and the mystery was fun.

I hope author Kelby writes more about the citizens of Laguna Key, I’ll be waiting in line to revisit my new friends!

Armchair Interviews agrees.