All That Glitters Isn't Old

June 15, 2023
The reappearance of a former resident throws some Avalon Bay denizens into a confusing mess of murder and mayhem. Whitney Dagner has returned to Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California, to help her grandparents, who brought her up after both her parents took off. Her brother, Nick, her grandmother Goldy, and her grandfather Pops all help with her gift shop, Dame of the Sea, and Whit is happily dating police diver Felix Ramirez. When Goldy insists Whit join her at the funeral of a woman whose son Goldy had dated 50 years ago, trouble is on the horizon--what else could it mean that Pops has refused to go? Darren Milner is attending his mother's funeral with Jericho, his male romantic partner, whose presence makes Whit realize that Goldy had been helping Darren keep his sexuality a secret back when it "could have gotten you beat up, ostracized, and sometimes even killed." Strangely, in the middle of the funeral, a car races up and knocks the coffin to the ground. The driver, Elsie Jacobs, who was once engaged to Darren, creates a nasty scene. Later, when Jericho falls to his death from a catwalk at the Casino, where a documentary Darren has made about the island is premiering, it's clear it was no accident. This isn't Whit's first rodeo. Realizing she has to investigate Jericho's death to keep Goldy happy, she calls on some friends who are eager to help. Both Darren and Jericho have been involved in some dicey deals over the years, and their arrival on Catalina Island leads to an influx of tough-looking men who want answers to questions Whit's clueless about. An underwater cave, a maniacal Elsie, and a raft of hidden secrets are just a few of the things Whit investigates on her journey to solving the murder and placating Goldy. Fun characters keep a meandering plot from overwhelming the essential mystery.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2023

This is a delightful destination cozy mystery full of well-crafted twists and turns. Whitney Dagner is reluctantly on the case again in picturesque Catalina. While attending a funeral with her grandmother Goldy, Whitney discovers that the deceased is the mother of Goldy's former flame, Darren. She learns that their relationship was a ruse to fool his parents who would not have approved of his sexuality. Darren returns for the funeral and to debut his documentary film and the new love of his life, Jericho. The premiere is canceled when Jericho's dead body is discovered and Darren is the prime suspect. Goldy believes he's innocent and insists that Whitney and her ragtag "Scooby Gang" investigate to clear Darren's name. What Whitney unearths is a treasure trove of long-buried family secrets, fraud, smuggled goods, and a whole host of sketchy characters with plenty of motive. VERDICT Whitney may be the amateur sleuth, but Goldy certainly calls the shots in this third book of the series (following Something Fishy This Way Comes). Perfect for cozy fans who enjoy a solid narrative, adventure, and a dash of romance.--Linsey Milillo

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.