Suzanne Trauth

Just in Time is the fourth entry in the Dodie O’Dell mystery series, and I think I would have benefitted from reading earlier novels given the large list of characters in the story. (At times, I struggled to keep everyone straight.) This was a likable and readable cozy mystery with plenty of plot twists and red herrings that engaged me after a slow build to the story. This isn't a fast paced plot, but if you like your stories with a quiet buildup, a good storyline and plenty of quirky, engaging characters, this is the perfect read to while the weekend away.

I'll give this one three-and-a-half stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.… (mais)

Dodie O'Dell is manager of the Windjammer Restaurant in Etonville, New Jersey. Their restaurant is near by the Etonville Little Theatre, and each time the ELT puts on a play, the Windjammer coordinates their menus to fit. Right now they're planning on running Dracula, and Dodie is looking forward to it, visiting the theatre and her friends. She's as surprised as everyone that the man chosen to play the famous count is from out of town and living with his wife in what the locals consider a haunted house. When Dodie meets Carlos Villiarios, she's not sure what to make of him. He's mysterious, tall, dark, and fits the role perfectly.

She's also looking forward to Halloween, when she can wear her specially chosen costume for her fiancé, Bill, who also happens to be police chief in their little town. The costume's a hit, and Dodie can start planning her wedding, but something inside her is keeping her from making the plans with her wedding planner, her best friend Lola.

But the theatre has problems of its own, with accidents and lights failing, and her friend Lola is worried that the show won't go on. But it does; and things seem to settle down. Then there's a costume party at Carlos's home, with his wife Bella reading fortunes to keep the fun going, and during the party Dodie notices a man dressed as the Grim Reaper standing in a corner. He meets eyes with Carlos, and then seems to disappear from sight.

When a body is found in the cemetery later that night, it turns out to be the man in the Grim Reaper costume. Now Dodie has questions about what's going on. She knows that Carlos knew the man even if he denies it; she saw him but it seems no one else did; and why doesn't anyone know anything about Carlos's past? Dodie has a mystery on her hands, and even when Bill tells her to leave it alone, she can't. But will looking into the mystery put her in danger?...

I know it's not even near Halloween, but I do so like Ms. Trauth's books that I wanted to read this latest one, and I wasn't disappointed. I began this book in the dentist's office (I was there for a cleaning, but my husband was getting a crown, so...) and it was so enjoyable that I hated to put it down until I got home. Oh, well...

I love the characters in this town. They're like a family to each other, watching each other's backs and even the Banger sisters are a hoot, hearing a snippet of something and running with it like they're running with the bulls in Pamplona. These are people you'd like to spend time with, given the chance.

Dodie is an intelligent woman who likes the puzzle of a mystery, and even though she's the manager of a restaurant, she'd rather be taking those pieces and putting them together. The problem she has is trying to keep everything she's doing from Bill; but she doesn't hide information that she gleans. She gives every bit of it to him when she discovers it, which shows they're more or less a team, and I like that.

As to the mystery, it was done nicely; and even though I figured out what was going on a lot earlier than Dodie (I read a lot of mysteries) I relished watching her take each little thread she found and weave it slowly together, along with the others, to give her a tapestry of what she was looking for.

And what she discovered wasn't what she expected to find -- nor me. There was an intriguing twist toward the end that even I didn't expect, and I found it fascinating. When everything came together and the murderer was discovered, it was definitely a surprise; and then there was even one more surprise that was given to the reader that leaves us looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.… (mais)

Dodie O'Dell has taken to the Jersey shore with her boyfriend Bill for a much needed vacation, however the reappearance of her old boyfriend and the arrival of the Etonville Community Theater contingent entered in the New Jersey Shore theater festival are not giving the couple a lot of privacy. When Bill's gold BMW is stolen, he goes into police chief mode and Dodie finds she has more time on her hands than she wants. Her old boyfriend is suspected of killing his former partner, so Dodie decides to use her free time to solve the murder.

There were a great number of clues that made this mystery fun to solve as well as the characters that interacted so well together. It was good to see Dodie resolve her issues with her past well as begin to move forward.… (mais)

Restaurant manager Dodie O’Dell has found her niche in the cozy New Jersey town of Etonville, creating menus that make a delicious double-act with the community theater’s productions. Now she’s ready for a vacation at the Jersey Shore town she called home before a hurricane hit. Sun, salty air, and seagulls make for a nostalgic escape from regular life—until a contingent from Etonville arrives to compete in a Jersey Shore theater festival.

Roped into helping her former boss cater the event, Dodie also gets a visit from her old flame, Jackson, who’s hoping to revive his charter boat business and is looking for a place to crash. Before Dodie can tell him that ship has sailed, Jackson’s partner is found murdered on his boat. Dodie knows her ex is a mooch, but she’s sure he’s no killer. But as she follows a trail of evidence that leads into her own past, Dodie stumbles on a dangerous conspiracy theory that could bring the festival to a shocking finale…

I haven't read the rest of this series, but I feel like I was able to enjoy this one well enough on its own. The characters all seem very well-developed and the plot was entertaining and fun.

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*… (mais)