Customer Reviews

Murder Is the Pits (A Daffodils Mystery)

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Using her mother's name as a pseudonym may seem strange, but Linda Tuck-Jenkins, a/k/a Mary Clay, chose this route because her DAFFODILS murder mysteries series is a change of pace from her first book, STARPEOPLE: THE SIRIAN REDEMPTION. Although Tuck-Jenkins originally followed a career path in mathematics and economics, she never forgot her love of mysteries which began with Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew mysteries. Although her mysteries feature divorced women, Tuck-Jenkins is a happily hitched woman.

Only Mary Clay could find humor in the recent Florida hurricanes. But when the DAFFODILS (Divorced and Finally Free of Deceitful Licentious Scum), Leigh, Ruthie, and Penny Sue are reunited and ensconced in Penny Sue's father's condo. Originally brought together to testify against mafia types described in the BIKE WEEK BLUES, the ladies seem to be a magnet for murder. True to form, a neighbor tumbles off his deck, but this is no accident. Penny Sue begins receiving anonymous roses, and the DAFFODILS meet an unlikely odd couple in the persons of Guthrie, a reformed hippie, and his hunky mate, Timothy:

"Timothy had changed into a tank top and running shorts. I had to admit the man was a fine specimen of humanity. Penny Sue obviously agreed, since she was swigging wine with her eyes fixed on his muscular thighs. Considering the oppressive heat - the heat index had to be 103̊--I was Afraid she might burst into flames."

Mary Clay has done it again! She has produced a hilarious pre-menopausal combination of divorced women who band together in thick and thin. The combination of Leigh's level-headedness, Penny Sue's sashays and wine guzzling, with Ruthie's forays into the New Age spirit world is enough to brighten any reader's day. The women splash money and daffodil symbols around to raise funds for hurricane relief and climb into race cars to gain national attention, all the while protecting themselves from Russian and Italian mafia. Clay's own particular brand of the psychology of human nature reflected in the DAFFODILS will have the readers rolling in the aisles. A triumph!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Leigh, Ruthie and Penny Sue reunited in New Smyrna Beach for the third time; are preparing to give depositions in the trial of the drug smugglers they routed in the first Daffodils (Divorced and Finally Free of Deceitful Licentious Scum) mystery - The Turtle Mound Murders.

Aging hippie and neighbor Guthrie (Fred) Fribble shows up on their doorstep, brimming with local gossip and news. It seems that another, rather elderly neighbor, known as Nana, is in the hospital after a home invasion robbery scared her into a heart attack. He also notifies them that there's a Category 3 hurricane potentially heading towards Florida. The ladies quickly make preparations to weather proof the condo. Later Guthrie returns sporting a frozen chicken atop the Ace bandage on his knee to beg for shelter and company during the storm. "Publix ran out of ice" he says to explain the poultry. He injured his knee when he heard a strange noise outside his condo and fell while attempting to investigate. Further investigation links the strange noises with other odd events, including Nana's heart attack and several deaths. Coincidence? Or is someone out to silence the Daffodils?

To perk up their spirits, the Daffodils and friend Chris agree to participate in a charity racing event, that will raise money for less fortunate hurricane victims. This event has to be postponed when the second storm in as many days is announced to be bearing down on Florida. The ladies evacuate to a luxury hotel on higher ground. But there are strange men lurking around the hotel, so they have to plot a quick escape. Eventually they make it safely to race day only to find out that the other teams aren't all interested in just the racing...

The best so far of the Daffodils books. The author has really fleshed out her characters, and by the third book they are as familiar as old friends. Leigh's levelheadedness, Penny Sue's flirtatious nature and Ruthie's New Age slightly flaky spirituality make them the ideal team. The character interactions, the gentle teasing and feminine in-jokes add to their appeal and invite the reader to imagine themselves as part of the sisterhood. It will be interesting to see what predicament Mary Clay is going to put the Daffodils in next.

"Murder in the Pits" was another great mystery from Mary Clay. I have throughly enjoyed the "daffodils" since the first book, "Turtle Mound Murder". (which I bought in the gift shop at the Riverview Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach!!)I have visited New Smyrna Beach FL on many occasions, and reading about the various places the girls visit, brings back nice memories of the area, I was hooked on the Daffodils!! My favorite character in the latest mystery is Guthrie. A bit weird and goofy but, a guy with a big heart and willing to help the girls with anything!! I look forward to the next in the series and hope that Guthrie will continue to be a part of the daffodil mysteries.

In the 3rd book in the DAFFODILS Mystery series, long-time friends and sorority sisters Ruthie, Leigh, and Penny Sue find themselves in New Smyrna Beach awaiting the upcoming trial of a drug smuggling ring. They have been told to be ready to testify, and the three friends settle in for a visit while hoping that they do not have to testify in the case. While staying in Penny Sue's daddy's condo after her divorce, Leigh has been awaiting her divorce settlement and looking to purchase a unit in the complex. She is joined by Ruthie and Penny Sue, and soon after their arrival, a hurricane starts to threaten the Florida coastline.

Packing in supplies, the three hunker down waiting for the storm to pass. When an elderly woman's condo is broken into and she has a heart attack, Leigh's neighbor, Guthrie Fribble, comes to warn Leigh and her friends. Concerned about the coming storm, Guthrie stays with the ladies during storms and helps in their investigation when strange things start to occur. Brand new aluminum pipes and storm shutters are found rusted and broken, a family dog and elderly neighbor are found dead with "glitter" all over the carpet in the condo, and the ladies are followed by a black Taurus. When a brand-new neighbor is shot before their eyes, the DAFFODILS wonder if their drug smugglers could be out to get them. Working hard to stay afloat during hurricane season and dodging bullets from unknown enemies, the DAFFODILS use their wits and good spirits to discover who is trying to silence them for good.


I loved this book! It was funny, heart-warming, and zany all at once. The DAFFODILS share a common bond like many women...they were friends in their younger years and grew apart with marriages, jobs, and children. They are reunited after their divorces, and find that they are able to renew their friendship with little thought to the time that has passed. In this installment, they endured hurricanes, murder attempts, and dead bodies, and found a way to laugh and work together through it all. I love the fact that two of their most important supplies during a hurricane turned out to be wine (but any alcoholic beverage probably would do!) and chocolate. Truly, women after my own heart! The mystery had me guessing until the end with its many twists and turns, and I was kept breathless with the anticipation of each new hurricane. This is a wonderful book about the power of friendship and the strength of human character in the face of adversity, combined with a twisting mystery that will leave you guessing until the very end.

The first book in the series is called "The Turtle Mound Murder". Enjoy!

Do yourself and your heart a favor...Read Mary Clay's DAFFODILS Mystery series all 3 in order, The Turtle Mound Murder, Bike Week Blues and Murder is the Pits. (aka Linda Tuck-Jenkins) Mary Clay's DAFFODILS Mystery Series of Sassy, Smart, Sexy, Southern Sorority Sisters will have you falling in love with Leigh, Ruthie Jo and Penny Sue as they bring on tears of joyous laughter and you think you'll emulate Ruthie Jo and "almost wet your pants". These lovely ladies will have all who have either experienced perimenopause/menopause symtoms (or those who had to deal with us) begging for more from Mary Clay an engaging, witty, sassy, smart Southern Sorority SisterThe Turtle Mound Murder (A Daffodils Mystery) Bike Week Blues (A Daffodils Mystery)Murder Is the Pits (A Daffodils Mystery)

Read the first three and loved them. Are there any more? If not, why not? Murder is the Pits doesn't seem to be a finale of any sort and just left me wanting more. Did the author pass away like another favorite, Anne George?

I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 Daffodil mysteries and hope that "Murder is the Pits" isn't the last one. I have visited New Smyrna Beach several times and enjoy feeling part of the story as I can picture myself in the settings. The author does a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life and, in this novel; she expands on them and adds some new ones. It's delightful.

This was a really easy and fun read. Not as good as the first two books but still a fun read. The race was just a nuisance and did not fit with the rest of the story. Love the characters and their antics. Hopefully another book is in the making.