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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the funniest sleuths of the year, August 11, 2009
This review is from: Pretty is as Pretty Dies (A Myrtle Clover Mystery) (Paperback)
Not only does Elizabeth Spann Craig have one of the most amusing covers of the year for her cozy mystery, but she also has one of the funniest stories and characters. It's going to be hard for anyone to beat Myrtle Clover in Pretty is as Pretty Dies.
Talk about feisty! Nothing is going to slow down Myrtle. Her son, Red, might be the Police Chief of Bradley, North Carolina, but Myrtle isn't going to allow him to put her out to pasture at the age of eighty-five. There are laugh aloud scenes as the two of them spar. And, it only takes the murder of the most disliked woman in town to set Myrtle and Red at each other.
Myrtle was already mad at Red for signing her up for the United Methodist Women's group since he thought she was bored. She took her anger out by placing giant gnomes all over her yard, where her son could see them out the window of his house. Then, she stomped down the street to the Methodist church. Once Myrtle found the body of Parke Stockard at the church altar, she had a new purpose in life. Myrtle was determined to find the killer in the small town of 1,500, before her son and the state police. Now, she just needed a sidekick as all those other detectives had.
It seems as if everyone in Bradley had a reason to hate the realtor/developer, including Myrtle. She lost some of her valuable newspaper column space to the "wicked" newcomer. And, despite Red's best intentions to send Myrtle on wild goose chases, Myrtle needed to prove to her son that she was still sharp, and get back at him for his high-handed treatment.
It's easy to guess the killer in Pretty is as Pretty Dies, but who really cares? Myrtle Clover is a hoot. She's a special character, and it's fun to read about her war with her son. I haven't even touched on her daughter-in-law, and the French foreign exchange student. But, I hope Myrtle and her family will be back in future mysteries. She's a gem, a terrific addition to the cozy mystery field. If you're looking for an amusing treat, pick up Pretty is as Pretty Dies.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty is as Pretty Dies, August 16, 2009
This review is from: Pretty is as Pretty Dies (A Myrtle Clover Mystery) (Paperback)
Police chief of Bradley, NC Red Clover doesn't want his octogenarian mother, Myrtle to get bored and continue to write nasty letters to the Charlotte Observer or interfering in his police work again so he volunteers for the United Methodist Women's Circle and Altar Guild at church. Furious, Myrtle drags out her huge garden gnome collection and displays then in her front yard, something she does to not only let Red, but the whole town as well know that her son has done something to displease her.
On her first meeting at the church Myrtle discovers the body of beautiful, but widely disliked, Parke Stockard and this sets in motion her detecting and deducting skills. Without her knowing it, Red and the state police officer send her out on false clues to keep her from interfering with their real work.
Oblivious to their devious red herrings, Myrtle manages to rake in a couple of clues from these treks, but she keeps most of her findings to herself. She wants to solve the crime and hand the murderer to Red with every question neatly tied together to show him that she's not a worn out retired English teacher who has to fill her time with bingo, soaps, and church work.
This second Myrtle Clover Mystery is filled with chuckles as Myrtle spars with her son, his wife, the French exchange student, and the members of the United Methodist Women, Altar Guild and a book club that she thinks is a waste of time.
I highly recommend this fun read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An amusing cozy, January 20, 2012
Myrtle Clover is a crusty octogenarian with plenty of curiosity and spunk. When widely hated Parke Stockard ends up "popped-over-the-head dead" in tiny Bradley, North Carolina, old Myrtle can't resist snooping around for clues. She's a funny character who can drive her poor policeman son to distraction; she knows when to act like a dotty old lady, but she is sharp. Pretty Is As Pretty Dies is a witty, well-constructed cozy mystery that will keep readers smiling.
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