Christina Hamlett has been a Guest Blogger here several times, giving us some good advice regarding writing. She is the author of 44 books, 264 stage plays, former actress, and 'squillions' of articles on the craft of writing. And more! Her most recent book, A Little Larceny in Lynmouth, was published in mid-May of this year. It's Book 1 in a cozy mystery series.
We've probably all heard the term 'cozy mystery' but do you know the actual meaning? It's not telling us this is a book that you can get comfy cozy in your favorite chair and enjoy reading. A cozy mystery is 'crime fiction where sex, violence, and cursing are kept to a minimum, and often happens offstage' leaving much to the imagination.' That's the official description, but yes, you can get comfy cozy and enjoy reading it, too. One of the cozy mystery writers we all know was Agatha Christie, author of the Miss Marple series. The Nancy Drew series also fits the genre.
A Little Larceny in Lynmouth takes place in the village of Lynmouth on the Devon coast of England. Rochelle Reid, also known by the nickname of 'Rocky,' has lost her job at an import firm in London. Needing a change of scenery and new employment, she lands in Lynmouth. She finds accommodation in a large home that has been turned into small flats for several people. Three days after Rocky arrives, her landlady, Mrs. Gladfelte, dies after eating chocolates laced with poison. Sergeant Mallory, an inept policeman is to head the investigation.
Meanwhile, Rochelle, or Rocky, regales the reader with her conception of each of the renters in Mrs. Galdfelte's large house. A retired man who is a widower, a woman madly in love with her married boss, another woman who is dating a very important man who works for an MP, a man whose occupation is to model, but only his hands. There is a good-looking man who Rocky is attracted to except for one thing--he is a fishmonger, learning the trade from his uncle.
Rochelle finds a part time job in a small shop that sells antiques and what-nots. When she is at the house where she lives, she continues to get to know her housemates through casual meetings, and the nightly gathering in the living room for sherry and discussion of the murder, for murder it must be for who would knowingly eat poisoned chocolates?
Rochelle frequents a local pub and becomes friends with the bartender. She confides in him as she can't reveal her suspicions to any of the people in the house.
As in all good mysteries, new bits and pieces pop up related to the murder and about the people who live in the house. Red herrings and a bit of romance keep the reader turning pages. We are kept hanging until all is resolved, and Rocky's life takes another turn, as well.
And yes, she becomes attracted to the handsome fishmonger, even though she fights the whole idea. The supporting cast of characters becomes more and more interesting as time goes on, while Rocky is trying her best to figure out the how and why of the murder they are all suspected of--by each other. Besides all that is going on in Lynmouth, Rocky's past employment problems catch up with her.
Finally, we learn what happened to poor Mrs. Gladfelte and more about the tenants in her house.
A Little Larceny in Lynmouth fits the description of a cozy mystery. There is a crime, and sex, violence, and cursing are kept to a minimum. Ms. Hamlett also offers a bit of romance and a good splash of humor from Rocky as she narrates the story. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to Book 2 in the series after reading the initial chapters included at the back of Book 1.
You can order A Little Larceny in Lynmouth on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, either for your Kindle or as a paperback.
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