FACE THE MUSIC Business is humming at Dodie O’Dell’s Windjammer Restaurant, where she offers theme menus connected to the Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions. This June, the theatre is collaborating with the neighboring Creston Players to stage Bye Bye Birdie under the stars—their first musical! There’s a contest in the play to pick a fan to receive rock idol Conrad Birdie’s last … Conrad Birdie’s last kiss before he ships off for the Army, so Dodie plans a contest to pick the food for a pre-show picnic.
But before the show opens, Ruby, the rehearsal accompanist, is found dead in her car. Why would anyone murder the crusty old gal who loved to sneak a smoke and a nip between wisecracks? Once again, the resourceful restaurant manager must play the part of amateur sleuth, accompanied by Police Chief Bill Thompson, who also happens to be her beau. Confronted with a chorus of suspects, she’ll need to stay composed to catch the killer—or it’ll be bye bye Dodie…
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When you finish reading a story and all you can say is OH MY GOD you know it’s GOOD! Never a dull moment in this one.
I absolutely loved this book! The play production enhanced the plot and made for twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I love it when the main character has a unsuspecting sidekick to aid in their investigation, even if nobody else sees it. The romance was sweet without being too much. I loved all the characters.
JUST IN TIME by Suzanne Trauth is the 4th book in the A Dodie O’Dell Mystery series.
It’s a story of the adventures of Dodie O’Dell, manager of the Windjammer Restaurant, juggling her “regular” job which includes not only her regular duties but also coordinating the contest meals, the concession stand for the musical and keeping her boss, Henry, happy and the new sous chef who seems to be exuberantly happy all the time reeled in
There is a combined production of the Etonville Little Theatre’s (know at the ELT) and the neighboring Creston Players to doing an amateur productions of Bye Bye Birdie. The musical is to be staged in Etonville, which is a big deal for the whole town. Dodie devises a plan to connect with the musical by convincing Henry, the owner of Windjammer, to having contests through planned menus at the restaurant that will pick the food for a pre-show picnic by popularity. The meals and the contest are a big hit in – thanks in part to the enthusiastic new sous chef, Wilson – a recent culinary school graduate from Haiti.
When the rehearsal accompanist, Ruby Passonata who is part of the Creston Players, dies in her car along the side of the road from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning, the show takes somewhat of a tail spin trying to find her replacement at such short notice so close to the show’s opening. The show seems to be saved with Alex Milken, musical director, steps in and says he will take on that role along with his own.
When Dodie starts hearing so many conflicting statements from what she had seen and heard from Ruby herself in their short time together, it makes her wonder that maybe Ruby didn’t just accidently die. Was it a case of her death having some help? Was she MURDERED? With the help of her beau, Etonville Police Chef Bill Thompson (former NFL running back), and BFF Lola Tripper, and Pauli (BFF Carol’s son – Carol owns the local rumor center the Snippet Salon), Dodie finds many details of Ruby’s previous life – including that she was a child musical prodigy – and clues point to the facts she was indeed murdered. Now they just have to find out by who!
Reading JUST IN TIME trying to solve the crime and proving who did it make this book a page turner in a well-executed cozy mystery that will have pulling for Dodie – not only for her crime solving talents but also in the romantic interest with Bill, falling in love with Wilson and his joy for living and listening for the legendary whistle of Penny Ossining because the show must go on. Although it’s the fourth book in the series, I had no trouble as a first time reader of this series, in jumping in learning who was who and staying up to speed at all. I highly recommend this book to those that love cozy mysteries that keep you on your toes keeping you guessing and second guess up to the very end with a touch of romance. You won’t be disappointed!
JUST IN TIME by Suzanne Trauth
The Fourth Dodie O’Dell Mystery
Dodie O’Dell is smoothing things over at the Windjammer as the exuberant new sous chef settles in, bringing new recipes and breaking things with equal abandon. Though somewhat chaotic in the restaurant, chaos is quite the norm for the Etonville Little Theater. This time the group is teaming up with the Creston Players for an outdoor production of Bye Bye Birdie. Despite a few love triangles, rehearsals are going smoothly, thanks in part to Ruby, the accompanist brought in by the Players. The septuagenarian may be brusque, smoke like a chimney, and tipple from a flask, but she’s practically a musical genius. Nothing runs smoothly for long for the ELT, however, and just before opening night Ruby is found dead in her car. Was it a heart attack, drunk driving, or murder? The only thing known for sure is that the show must go on!
It’s great to be back with the gang from the ELT and the Windjammer. I love the addition of Wilson who merrily enjoys his life and work and is always there when you need him. The angst of teenage romance as well as middle aged romance makes an appearance as Dodie and the Chief solidify their relationship. Indeed, the many faces of love color this fourth Dodie O’Dell Mystery. What do you do for love? And what happens when love is thwarted?
A victim whose life was as mysterious as her death is the center of this quick reading mystery. Dodie pretty much played by the rules in this book, though I did gasp out loud at one move she made which was so wrong as to be unbelievable as well as unconscionable to me. I still do like her though. The rest of the ensemble is well developed and even the small roles add ambience and character to the mystery.
JUST IN TIME captures the love, laughter, and dismay that is all a part of community theater. I want to visit Etonville, eat at the Windjammer, and watch a production of the Etonville Little Theater.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.