Customer Reviews

Gunfight at Grace Gulch (Dressed for Death Mystery Series #1) (Heartsong Presents Mysteries #10)

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If you want to get lost in a fun book with a tantalizing mystery thrown in Gunfight at Grace Gulch by Darlene Franklin is for you. And, guess what, it's a contemporary with historical flavor! The reenactment of a land dispute that occurred over a hundred years ago takes place in the fictional present day Oklahoma town of Grace Gulch. The phony gunfight, brainchild of theater director Audie Howe, attracts hundreds of tourists, an especially good thing for heroine Cici Wilde who owns a vintage clothing store where folks purchase reproductions of authentic duds to help them get into the spirit.

When plans go awry during the staged gunfight, Cici and Audie combine efforts to bring an artful murderer to justice. In addition to the coziness of this mystery, Franklin prefaces most chapters with excerpts from letters written in 1891 by Robert Grace, the founder of Grace Gulch. The letters explain a lot of the history of the town and give readers a glimpse into the past. The characters are colorful and the story fast-paced, bonuses for this reader. So, hitch up your crinolines and don your prairie bonnets for a delightful read.

Cici Wilde is the owner of a vintage clothing store in Grace Gulch, Oklahoma. Due to the historical reenactment of the land rush that caused the feud between the Grace family and the Gaynor family, business is good because everyone wants a costume. When Bob Grace beat Dick Gaynor to the land, it was the beginning of hard feelings that have lasted until the present day. The reenactment features a gun battle, and Penn Hardy, playing the part of Dick Gaynor, is fatally shot. The sheriff who doesn't know dollars from doughnuts, tries to pin the murder on Cord Grace, Cici's special friend, or on Dina, her younger sister. Cici knows neither of them could have done something so terrible. With the help of Audie Howe, who is strongly attracted to her, Cici sets out to find the real killer--if he doesn't find her first. I loved the setting and the reenactment twist. Believable plot, well developed characters, and lots of humor. If you like cozies, you'll love Gunfight at Grace Gulch.

Every girl likes to play dress-up and CiCi Wilde is no exception. In fact, she owns a vintage clothing store and runs around town in her merchandise. The annual reenactment of the Oklahoma landrun and gunfight between the Graces and Gaynors is one of her largest business days. But when one of the actors is actually killed, the script seems rewritten. With CiCi's friends and families as the main suspects. So, donning a new costume, she sets out to find the culprit before she is history.

Darlene Franklin's cozy mystery is fun, entertaining, and educational. Join in with the Wilde sister's as they concoct a daring plan to catch the murderer.