The house next door explodes in a gasoline-fueled blaze, sending psychologist Estela Nogales and an eclectic collection of neighbors racing to fight the flames. Once the fire is quelled, residents of the village of Arroyo Loco must conduct their own investigation to find the arsonist living among them. What begins as speculation over coffee becomes a more urgent and dangerous search when a body … body is discovered, another neighbor turns up missing, and a shocking secret is revealed. Too often joined by Estela’s irrepressible border collies, residents must negotiate the rules of a dysfunctional homeowners’ association (aren’t they all?) as they try to solve the mysteries before anyone else falls victim.
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When you want a light-hearted, entertaining mystery, pick up one of Cherie O’Boyle’s Estela Nogales series. Anyone who has ever been a member of a large group will appreciate the quirky characters in the homeowners association in this small community as they alternate between squabbling and supporting each other. The pets are not always well-behaved, and neither are their owners, which leads to a lot of chuckles along the way to solving the central mystery.
Arroyo Loco is a small mountain village in
California. The village has its own homeowners
association.
Estela Nogales lives in this village. Estela is a
clinical psychologist employed at a near by
university’s counseling center. She lives with
her two border collies, Shiner and Scout who are
retired therapy dogs and herders. Both dogs add
to the story.
Upon walking toward home, Estela and some
neighbors realize that Will and Janet Rosenblum’s
house is on fire.
Later it is discovered that there is a burnt
unidentifiable dead body in a back room.
Whose body is it? Was the person dead before
the fire or because of the fire? Where is Janet
Rosenblum? Was it arson? Who would set the
house on fire?
Everyone in the homeowners association has a
grudge against Will. He is not only outspoken
but cantankerous so there a lot of suspects with
motives.
The neighborhood decides to investigate with
Estela taking the lead. She discovers hidden
trails behind the houses, a hidden cave, booby
traps and mysterious photos left in a neighbors
mailbox.
This book was a fresh, well written and creative
murder plot. There is drama, intrigue mixed with
suspense and unexpected twists and turns.
The tension was thick with thrills, chills plus dubious
behavior on every page from the first to the last.
A fast paced, highly recommended Read.
I volunteered to read Fire at Will’s. Thanks to the author
via The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.
Fire at Will’s by Cherie O’Boyle is the first in the Estela Nogales mystery series and is set in a small community that is very diverse.
Estela lives in Arroyo Loco where the HOA has some strange rules for their meetings (no eye rolling)and the HOA convenes for members to express their feelings after the fire. I liked Estela and found her to be the calm amidst the storm of her neighbors. Her neighbors are odd and often snarky with each other; but they pull together to solve the mystery of the fire at Will’s house. Who was the body inside the house that burned down? Why would someone commit arson? Is there something else going on their community that someone needs to cover up? Ms. O’Boyle’s descriptive narrative painted a clear picture of Arroyo Loco and her characters. With plenty of twists and some revealing photographs the story will keep most readers engaged as Estela and her friends try to solve the mystery.
It described life in a small town, with problems that they were trying to solve, although the first thoughts turned out to be wrong, and it had an interesting ending.
An easy read!
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. Like with most books of this type I kept thinking the main character should not be getting involved in trying to solve the crime since the police usually reach the solution on their own. But then we wouldn’t have these great stories to read!
For a cozy book it does have cursing. Otherwise, really good.
This book kept me guessing. I liked the references for watching out for one another–building community.
Enjoyed!
The whole premise just did not work. Too many unlikeable characters.
So-so mystery. Trite characters. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was terrible.
Entertaining light reading. Original plot with interesting heroine and witty writing.
Interesting characters and quick to read
I truly enjoyed this book, and have looked forward to the arrival of each new book by this author. The characters are well developed and engaging, as is the neighborhood and the surrounding countryside. LOVE the dogs!
Surprise ending.