Molded 4 Murder

Dollycas’s Thoughts

The Gertrudes return with a hot case for Sophie “Phee” Kimball. Items are going missing from resident’s rooms at The Lillian, a luxury senior residence, and they want her to investigate. After receiving a list of the “stolen” items, Phee decides it is a case she can handle without bothering Marshall or Nate. They are busy with a new case that may involve her mother, Harriet. Harriet has joined the ceramics group at Sun City West and one of the instructors has been murdered and was found holding a slip of paper that bore Harriet’s name. When Harriet finds out she demands Phee join the investigation and find the killer immediately. That is not going to be easy but Phee goes to great lengths to fulfill her mother’s wishes.

This was a very captivating cozy.

Phee again is pulled away from bookkeeping duties for two investigations that may tie together. She finds herself trekking around in the desert looking for clues with her Aunt Ina as her sidekick along with trips to The Lillian, and always at her mother’s beck and call, all in a quest to find who killed Quentin Dussler and why.

I really enjoy catching up with these characters. The crew at Williams Investigations is really starting to gel. Augusta keeps the office running and adds her own two cents when necessary. Phee handles the books and jumps in to investigate as needed, more often than not, as this series continues. Nate and Marshall, the actual licensed investigators, handle the cases but know they couldn’t do it without the ladies’ help. I love that the relationship between Marshall and Phee is progressing nicely. Then we have Harriet. She is a treasure. She tries to micromanage Phee’s life but Phee and now Marshall have figured out how to handle Harriet. Gertie, Trudy, and the other seniors bring their own shenanigans to the story too. The authors have created characters with depth and unique making it very easy to keep everyone straight.

Speaking of unique, the mystery this time was full of twists and took a very unexpected path as the motivation for the murder was delved into. Our sleuths really had to dig deep to find out what was going on. Red herrings, yes, there are a few. We are also treated to some very exciting moments. I really liked that Aunt Ina played a bigger role. The story was so well-plotted. I never would have solved this one on my own. It was a complete surprise. These authors also know where to add the humor in perfect amounts. Laughter in all the right places to keep things cozy while letting the drama shine to give readers a great mystery.

These characters are relatable, their journey this time was so entertaining. I also loved that we traveled to more places in Arizona. Molded 4 Murder is a terrific addition to this series. Each new book in this series becomes my new favorite. J.C. Eaton never disappoints. I am excited by the little cliffhanger – Dressed Up 4 Murder comes out on February 25, 2020.

Molded 4 Murder is the 5th instalment in the “Sophie Kimball Mystery” series. I really enjoy this series and have bought all of them in paperback.

A view to a kiln …

Sophie “Phee” Kimball enjoys working as a bookkeeper for a private investigator. If only her mother Harriet could enjoy her retirement at Sun City West in Arizona—instead of constantly getting involved with retirees being prematurely put out to pasture. This time Quentin Dussler, a prominent member of the clay sculpting club, was found dead, clutching a piece of paper scrawled with Phee’s mother’s name.

Terrified she’s been targeted by assassins, Harriet begs Phee to investigate. What Phee uncovers is a complicated scheme that only the most diabolical of murderers would ever devise. And as she chisels away at confusing clues and potential suspects, Phee unearths something far more precious and valuable than she could imagine. Eager for answers, she takes a bold step—placing herself in the crosshairs of a stonefaced killer …

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour, too with Harriet and the rest of her crew from the Sun City Retirement Community.

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

This series gets better and better with each book! Phee needs to become a investigator and the book club girls need to start getting credit for all their contributions.

Phee Kimbell enjoys working as a bookkeeper for a PI, but when two sweet senior ladies come asking for Phee to do a little investigation work of her own. The ladies brought Phee a list of items that the residents of a luxurious senior citizen’s retirement home believe have been stolen from their apartments. Most items on the list are items that were most likely misplace like a can of tuna or yarn. However, one resident is missing a vase that was made by local sculptor Quentin Dussler. Dussler was recently found dead in his studio. Are the theft really thefts or are they tied to Dussler’s murder? Can Phee help solve what happened to the missing items without getting pulled into the murder investigation?

This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery or part of the series. This is book five in the series but my first book and I had no problems understand the storyline. The storyline is well plotted and moves at a steady pace. The mystery has several clues and red herrings to keep the reader engaged in their own investigation of the mysteries. This is a realistic but entertaining read. The characters are smart, likable, and well developed. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans, and I plan on reading more of this series in the future.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

MOLDED 4 MURDER is the fifth in the Sophie Kimball series by J. C. Eaton. While it isn’t necessary to read the earlier books in the series as each mystery stand alone, readers might still prefer to get to know the characters and how they relate to Sophie, Phee to her friends, from the beginning. This gives the reader the opportunity to watch the relationships grow. It also gives the reader the opportunity to watch as Phee begins to expand her work activities from being the bookkeeper for a detective agency to doing some of the investigative work..
In this latest outing, Phee’s mother has joined the pottery club at her senior citizen’s development and is enjoying spending time creating in clay. Her enjoyment is interrupted when the instructor for the class is found murdered with a scrap of paper containing her name and the name of her friend clasped in his grasp. Her mother and friends immediately jump to the conclusion that it’s a hit list, and some mildly humorous panic sets in. Of course, they are all urging Phee to solve the mystery for their piece of mind.
From her point of view, Phee has learned in the past these senior citizens are a font of information, it’s just a matter of weeding through to pick out what’s important from what has no bearing on the current case. There is an added element in this book because there is a second murder that takes place in a luxurious senior citizen’s high rise. Phee comes into contact with a number of these residents as well, and it’s very entertaining to listen to the conclusions drawn by the various residents.
As Phee continues to investigate, she is drawn to the high desert where she makes a series of discoveries, although she still doesn’t understand their significance. As she continues to investigate, Phee solves not only the question of who the murderer is but several other minor issues along the way. Throughout the book, the reader can sit back, relax, and read how Phee reaches the conclusion she does. If the reader likes to solve mysteries, then there is ample opportunity for that to happen as well with a good assortment of clues and red herrings.
All around, this is a light-hearted read that is thoroughly entertaining. It can be picked up and read in short bursts if that is what is preferred, but is also entertaining enough to hold the reader’s interest over a longer period of time if so desired. If you are looking for a book that will allow you to relax for one hour or several, this might just be the one for you. My thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance digital read copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fifth in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series, this outrageously funny, intriguing, cozy mystery is the best in the series to date. It is fun to watch Phee (Sophie) and her mother Harriet drive each other to distraction and see Aunt Ina have a bigger part in this investigation than usual. The mystery is more complex than I anticipated! From The Lillian in Sun City West to Punkin Center and Tonto National Forest, Phee sees much more of Arizona than the average resident. The authors have taken the best of this elegant resort city, added Midwest charm, senior flair, and international crime with ties to Arizona for a fabulous romp through the desert!

Harriet and friend Lucinda’s current artistic endeavor includes learning how to craft things from clay at the clay club in Sun City West. Harriet insists that Phee, who left Mankato, Minnesota a couple years ago and now lives in Glendale, and her boyfriend and private investigator Marshall attend the Creations in Clay event in late June, still a few weeks away. Phee, Marshall, and Nate, their boss and owner of Williams Investigations all worked at the police department in Mankato. Former detectives Nate and Marshall stay busy as PI’s and are content with what they do. Phee does what she did in Mankato, keeping the books. Thanks to Harriet and her friends in the Booked 4 Murder book club, Phee gets pulled into more cases – and trouble – than imaginable.

When Phee was coming to visit her mother a couple years earlier, she met the “Gertrudes”, sisters Gertie and Trudy on the flight. They reside at The Lillian, a luxury senior residence. They called Phee one day, as someone was going into people’s apartments and taking things. Most missing items were of little monetary value yet going into their homes and taking away their privacy is critical. Phee agreed to meet with the residence director, as the residents are concerned of retaliation from the staff if she knows who is concerned.

While she talked with the Gertrudes, the sheriff’s office asked Nate’s consult on a homicide in Sun City West, who then asked Phee to meet Nate at her mother’s home. The dead man was a gifted clay artisan, found in his garage studio. He was holding a note with two names on it: Harriet’s and Lucinda’s. The ladies knew who Quentin was but had never bought anything from him. Harriet is a wreck and wants Nate, Phee, and Marshall to find out whodunit fast – as a possible hit list is not her favorite place to be.

The far-reaching, devious tentacles are amazing. I could never have come up with the full solution for this mystery! Sure, I had a few pieces put together, but certainly nothing like the entire scope of crimes. The novel ends with surprises and potential changes for Phee and is very satisfying. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries, laugh-out-loud humor, eye-rolling, senior (NOT senile) characters, and a bit of romance. You won’t be disappointed!

From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Sophie (Phee)Kimball is an accountant for a firm of private investigators. She just can’t help getting involved in more than she should.
Two little old ladies she knows think something is going on at the retirement home they live in. When a murder gets added to the mix the whole firm must investigate.
This is a very humourous mystery, with fabulous characters. It’s nice to have a heroine in her forties who is getting lots of help from the older generation.
There is a nice little bit of romance as part of the back story that connects the rest of the series. You can read this as a stand alone but if you intend to read the series I would recommend reading them in order.
A lovely light-hearted murder/mystery.
Good fun.