Death of A Tart [Paperback]

Kate Borden (Author)

Book Description

Series: Peggy Jean Turner Mysteries | Publication Date: March 2, 2004

As mayor of the broke New England town of Cobb's Landing, Peggy Jean Turner is thrilled with the idea of creating "Colonial Williamsburg in Cobb's Landing." All goes swimmingly, until the town tart turns up dead--and Peggy must risk everything to solve the crime.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (March 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425194892
• ISBN-13: 978-0425194898
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine New England amateur sleuth cozy., March 2, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death of A Tart (Paperback)

The town of Cobb's Landing New England is on the downhill slide thanks to a lack of money to keep the place running at peak capacity. Mayor Peggy Jean Turner (P.J.) has no money to give the teachers a much needed raise or to update the equipment in the police department. Max heroically rides into town, buys the bank and offers a brilliant idea to fill the town coffers.

He wants to turn the town into a colonial village, a New England Williamsburg. Max is so enthusiastic and such a positive speaker that the residents unanimously adopt his ideas. Of course Max is a business man first so he makes the residents take out loans to cover their share of the renovations. When Selma runs into P.J. at the post office, she says she has something to tell her about Max and they should meet that night by the town cemetery. Selma doesn't show and the next day her body is found at the unused water mill. Believing she was murdered, P.J. starts her own investigation and finds herself at the mercy of an insane killer.

DEATH OF A TART is an upbeat whimsical tale of small town living wrapped around a murder mystery. Just like an official police investigation, P.J. slowly connects the clues until she figures out who the perpetrator is. The townsfolk are a jolly lot as they see prosperity coming their way after years of trying to make ends meet. Though why P.J. and not the police investigated the crime is a myteery, fans will appreciate the talent of Kate Borden, who provides a fine New England amateur sleuth cozy.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute new series, April 21, 2006

By 

Coppertop (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of A Tart (Paperback)

I really was unsure of this book when I picked it up, but it was definitely worth the read. Its got great characters and a fun, fast-paced plot. And Ian is a simplpy a dream-boat - sure hope he and Peggy continue on in the next book!

I will agree with one of the other reviewers that I thought the whole "Colonial village" thing went off too smoothly. I was also expecting it to crash on their heads - I was glad it didn't, but still. I actually can see why the town would go along though...Max is a smooth talker and added to that the town desperately needed something...people will believe anything if they want it to be true badly enough. And the Missy character...what was her point exactly? Will she be back to cause more trouble? She just kind of disappeared mid-story.

Anyway, I recommend this book and look forward to more that I hope can live up and then surpass this one. But a good solid first mystery.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light, Homey Début, July 14, 2006

By 

L Smith "acozylover" (Macomb, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Death of A Tart (Paperback)

In the 1st book in the Peggy Jean Turner Mystery series, we meet the mayor of Cobb's Landing, New England, Peggy Jean Turner. Being the mayor of a small town might seem like a big thing, but in a town that is losing revenue and a good tax base, it is a highly unglamorous position. Peggy Jean (P.J.) has recently lost her husband, and while still reeling from his death, she continues to run their hardware store and raise their son. She finds it difficult to keep everyone happy, however, when the teachers threaten to strike if they are not given a raise, and the police complain about the lack of running vehicles. P.J. knows she cannot raise taxes in her already struggling town, and desperately looks for a way to increase revenue. And then, newcomer, Max, shows up in town and buys the bank. He speaks to P.J. about changing the town into a tourist attraction, and capitalize on the old style and old fashioned ways of the New England town. Things are looking up for Peggy Jean and Cobb's Landing, until one of the town's most despised citizens is found dead on the town's landmark...a beautiful old waterwheel. It was quickly discovered that P.J. was going to meet with the victim that evening, and all eyes turn to their bewildered mayor. P.J. must move fast to find the killer, before she is thrown into jail before she gets to see the revival of her beloved hometown.


This is a fun, light cozy series and I really enjoy the characters, the mysteries, and the setting. The only thing that I didn't care for was the nicknames (P.J. for a mayor's name seemed too casual), and the name "Lovey" for her best friend was a bit silly for me. Otherwise, I loved the storyline, and was intrigued by the character of Max who seems like he is hiding something. If you like small town cozies, give this series a try.

The next book in the series is called "Death of a Trickster". Enjoy!