Tamara Berryโs Murder Runs in the Family is the perfect book for the beach, the airplane, or to unwind after a stressful week. Girl power, turtles, and a cozy mysteryโwhatโs not to like?
Amber Winslow just fled her PI job because her partner/boyfriend, Bones, treated her like a secretary and refused to sign the paperwork that would allow her to receive her own investigator’s license. Because her family already thinks sheโs a screw-up, she decides to seek sanctuary somewhere different: in Phoenix’s Seven Ponds, a retirement community where her estranged grandmother, Jade, resides.ย
Jade had been booted from Amberโs strait-laced motherโs life long ago, and Amberโs never met the woman. When she does, she finds that not only is she glamorous and free-spirited, but sheโs part of the true crime podcast she and Bones used to listen to religiously. A half dozen Seven Ponds seniors are involved in its production.
Not long after Amberโs arrival, podcast member George Vincent (a.k.a. โthe Admiralโ) is found dead in the retirement communityโs recording studio. Not only that, but a ring valued in the millions is missing, with the Admiral’s heirs none too happy. The powers that be fixate on Jade as the prime suspect, and sheโs eventually arrested for his murder.
Ousted from Jadeโs condo and on her own in Seven Ponds, Amber gets to know the posse associated with the podcast. She’s taken in by Chanel, Jade’s BFF and She of All Things Fancy. Amber’s most intimate relationship, however, is with the Admiralโs ancient (and constipated) tortoise, whom Amber whimsically names โTatiana,โ to match the dancing hula girl Bones kept on his dashboard as a good luck charm. Tatiana goes where Amber goes; and the two chase down leads to solve the mystery of the Admiralโs death and the missing ring.
This cozy mystery is a slow burn at first. It takes some time before Jade is charged with murder and Amber is left to her own devices. That’s fine. Itโs like going to party featuring a silent auctionโso long as youโre in good company, you donโt mind it if the auction is delayed. Here, thereโs plenty of humor and color to keep one entertained before the mystery-solving officially commences.
Once Amber is actively on the case, the red herrings and minor characters keep the action rolling. This mystery is light, humorous, and with well-executed twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end and satisfied with the resolution. There’s also a minor hint of romance but not an actual B-story, which is refreshingโnot every mystery needs a romance for additional depth. If there’s any romance here, it involves a tortoise.
Murder Runs in the Family has a misleading title. Neither Amber nor her grandmother (or anyone else in the family tree) has committed such a crime; theyโre not even grifters. In fact, theyโre pretty nice people. Meet them on April 29, which is the book’s release date (Poisoned Pen Press).
Sarah Reida only reviews books she overall recommends. A writer of dark comedy thrillers, she is in the process of revising her sophomore novel. Her debut, Neighborhood Watch, received a Kirkus Star and was honored as an Amazon editorial pick as one of the Best Books of the Year So Far 2024. Join Sarahโs elite group of Instagram followers here.
