The Fruitcake Murders by Ace Collins

Title: The Fruitcake Murders

Author: Ace Collins

Pages: 320

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     As Christmas 1946 draws near, thirty-something marine officer-turned-homicide detective Lane Walker has his hands full. Three men with seemingly no relationship to each other have been murdered, including the powerful District Attorney. The only connection between the crimes? The weapons: twenty-year-old unopened fruitcake tins manufactured by a company that is no longer in business.

     While some foods may be to die for, fruitcake isn’t one of them! This heaping helping of murder will be no easy task for Walker, and he certainly doesn’t need the determined and feisty Tiffany Clayton, the political reporter for The Chicago Herald, getting in the way.

     Employing witty dialogue and historical accuracy, The Fruitcake Murders offers equal parts murder, mystery, and mayhem in a perplexing whodunit set in the days just after World War II.

My review:

     An incredibly well crafted cozy mystery!

     I was fascinated with the variety of personalities in the three main characters: Lane Walker, Tiffany Clayton, and Bret Garner. There was some overlapping of traits amongst them as well as many differences. I especially liked the way Tiffany was able to put both of the men in their places at times. It was apparent to me that even though there was friction between each pair there was a lot of respect also.

     The mystery itself was so well developed and slowly unfolded that I was quickly caught up in it. I was feverishly trying to sort the clues out so I could solve the case before the unveiling of the solution. There were a number of humorous situations and verbal put downs interspersed throughout the story.

     I was captivated by all of the details about life in 1946 that were included. I really enjoyed the description of how cars were started at that time. I wish my parents were still alive so I could have them read it and confirm the accuracy of it.

     I found this to be a very enjoyable mystery. I am highly recommending it and it gets a 5 star rating from me.