A Perilous Pal
Friend For Hire, Book #2
Laura Bradford
5 Stars
Synosis:
Entrepreneur Emma Westlake has found that starting a business can be murder in this new Friend for Hire Mystery by USA Today bestselling author Laura Bradford.
Emma Westlake, proprietor of A Friend for Hire, finds a heart-wrenching email from a prospective client in her inbox. The email is from Kim Felder, a woman struggling with empty-nest syndrome and an out of left field divorce. Emma is determined to help get this woman in a better headspace. She suggests that Kim draft a bucket list of things she has always wanted to do in life but has not because of the time she has devoted to being the best mom and wife she could be.
Together, they fill that list (baking classes, traveling, dancing in the middle of the street for no reason) with Kim adding in some hilarious items about getting even with her ex. All laughter ends though, when Kim’s ex winds up dead via one of the “funny” ideas Kim proposed. Now, Kim is the lone suspect in the murder with Emma the only person who can prove otherwise. (Amazon)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Emma is running her “Friend For Hire” business and she has no lack of potential clients. She meets with Kim, who has gotten divorced after a lengthy marriage, and who feels like her life is over. They start a bucket list of things the client would like to do, including ways to kill her husband. When her husband is murdered, the client is eventually arrested for the crime. Emma and her “partners in crime” Dottie, her elderly friend, and Stephanie, a client that has become a friend, are working with Emma to figure out the culprit.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there watching all the action taking place. I liked the fact that the author made mention of her other books that she has written. The mystery was well plotted and the ending surprised me. And I liked the fact that Emma did not take unnecessary chances.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This book is a good continuation of a great series and I cannot wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
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