The Refuge

by: Sue Henry

Published by: NAL

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

The sixty-four year old Alaskan, Maxie McNabb, has been on the road in her RV with her dachshund Stretch for nine months. Shortly after her return home, Maxie receives a telephone call from Hawaii. A friend, Karen Bailey suffered an accident and she's out of commission for awhile. Karen is moving and needs Maxie to help pack up her house.

Maxie heads to Hawaii and into a mystery. A burglar attempts to break into Karen's home, the plumbing is sabotaged, Maxie overhears a conversation that leads her to believe Karen has her own secrets, and Jerry, the plumber's helper is kidnapped.

Some bad dudes want something and they'll stop at nothing, even murder, to get what they want. It's up to Maxie to solve the mystery.

I love Maxie. She's a bright, independent, high-energy senior who gives the reader a glimpse of the glorious world through her eyes. The plot sizzles, the cast of characters is well-developed and after reading The Refuge, I want more of Sue Henry's loveable Maxie. No, what I really want is to be Maxie.

Armchair Interviews says: The Refuge is a cozy mystery at its best.