The premise of Freezer Burn being a sharp-eyed, middle-aged woman leaving behind her house cleaning days for a new career as an investigator of insurance fraud-slash-marital infidelity cases really caught my attention. Not just that whole unique combination, but also some protagonist features that I really haven't encountered before. Most of the time our literary hero of the mystery genre is a seasoned veteran of the police force stepping out on his own, or a highly intelligent fresh-out-of-criminology class, twenty-something female (Miss Marple notwithstanding). The cleverly named Peri Minneopa (now one of my favorite character names) uses her eye for detail and strong will to team up with her boyfriend Skip (often against his wishes) in a case she stumbles into involving a character (Benny) whose quirks only she really seems to understand.

The flow of the story seemed to give me an idea of the thought process in the holistic, multitasking mind typical of the female psyche vs. the compartmentalized mind of a male (the latter of which I am very familiar with). While Peri is doing her day job of filling out insurance investigation paperwork, she also thinking of what a suspect on Benny's case said, planning a date with Skip, and worried about her biological time clock all at once; and I think the author presented it clearly enough that my mind was multitasking with her.

The characters were interesting, although some of the sideline people seemed to have come out of the hammerspace to bring in a new clue or plot detail then disappeared. There were also a few moments that seemed a bit too convenient in order to move the plot along, but not really enough to push me out of the story. These and the need for a copyeditor (to run through the book again are what pushed my rating down to 4 stars.

I've also read a few other reviews criticizing the character for not being smart enough to use ... well, a very feminine item that is also a plot device so I won't explain exactly what it is. But, regarding the criticism, I know many people (myself included) who are very intelligent in a number of fields, but something common (particularly common sense) is something that seems to evade their grasp.

Ultimately I found Freezer Burn an enjoyable and often humorous read that kept me guessing what the conclusion would be almost up to the last couple chapters. As this was the first in a series, I will certainly be looking forward to joining the Peri Minneopa Mysteries again soon. ( )

Freezer Burn is a delightful mystery set in Orange County, California.

The book opens with a great hook: Peri Minneopa is a former housecleaner turned PI. When Benny Needles, the son of a former client, needs her help to locate a treasured Dean Martin item, Peri finds a lot more than she bargained for. As she hunts for the item in the back of Benny's freezer, she finds a severed hand wearing a pricy jewel. Whose hand and whose ring? Benny swears his innocence and Peri wants to believe him.

Peri's "friendship" with Benny, an interesting Dean Martin fanatic, makes it impossible for her to stay out of this quirky murder investigation, even though her involvement frustrates her detective boyfriend, Skip, and places her own life in danger.

Peri is also working on her own PI cases, which provides another source of frustration and anxiety for Skip. Her current case, tailing a suspected philanderer, thrusts her into even more danger than her meddling in the murder investigation.

Peri is a likable character, wise and funny, with a penchant for dirty martini's. Her relationship with her boyfriend, Skip and her best friend, Blanche, are endearing. Freezer Burn is a witty and entertaining read. The pace is quick and the plot is clever. As Peri tries to help locate the body to which the severed hand belongs, the suspense (and humor) builds.

It can be difficult to successfully mix humor and mystery; the author does it well. Peri is a great lead character with an inquisitive nature. She adds a lighthearted element to every tense situation. Freezer Burn also delivers quite an unexpected ending. ( )