Rest in Peace

Title: REST IN PEACE
Author: Francis Devine
Publisher: Barbour Books
April 2011
ISBN: 978-1602603974
Genre: Inspirational/mystery

Victoria Storm is taking her dog, Buster, into the pet store for his shots, but Buster seems hesitate to go in. When Victoria finally lures the dog in, they find the store in disarray, the parrot screeching, and, back in the store room, the owner of the store dead. The police are saying he died by an accident. But the parrot is repeating. “No. Get out.” Could they possibly be the store owner’s last words?

Since the police aren’t considering the pet store a crime scene, Vickie and some of her senior friends (who board with Vickie) decide to go to the shop and look for clues—because to them, the parrot’s words are proof enough of foul play. When searching the place, they find part of the word ‘unnel’ and they believe they are referring to the tunnels found Miss Aggie’s former home.

Miss Aggie and the deceased daughter believe that the murder might be related to a crime that happened years earlier. Could that be true? If so, why were they killing him after so much time passed? And could the senior’s find the real killer before someone else dies?

REST IN PEACE is the first novel I read by Ms. Devine, though I believe this one is the third book in her Misadventure of Miss Aggie Mystery series. So this book stands alone, though the romance that I assumed was introduced in book one was in the final stages of the relationship before the wedding.

Some of the events seemed rather contrived, and it did seem that everyone jumped to conclusions without proof, but all in all, it was a good, quick read and it held my attention. If you are looking for a good cozy mystery, then REST IN PEACE would be a good book to consider. 256 pages. $10.99.