Lee Wessex had been one of the organizers for last year's Fourth of July celebration. He had disappeared when it was over, presumably with all the money the event had raised for charity, his wife's jewelry, and the contents from his investment firm's bank accounts. Now his body has been found in a storage shed - he never left town at all.

More bodies fall - one of them on Annike. And she helps calm and reliable Sheriff Owen Sarkisian catch the culprit while putting on a festival Upper River Gulch will never forget. The suspects are varied. It seems a lot of people had motives to get rid of Wessex. And a lot of them have other secrets as well.

There are trained (but yapping) dogs, marching toothbrushes, and red herrings galore in this comical mystery.

It is book four in the Events Unlimited series - a funny, clever and cozy read. Annike is a delightful heroine. She's a forty-year-old widow, making it on her own. Her career takes some interesting turns. And her personal life is going well. She's ready for remarriage and has a guy who loves her. She's just having trouble getting him to the altar.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly, and I haven't yet read the earlier volumes. I plan on learning more about Annika, slightly nutty members of Scourge (the Service Club of Upper River Gulch Environs), and the sexy sheriff who is earning his master's degree in psychology.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
August 17, 2009