Book Review: Death, Guns, and Sticky Buns

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Death, Guns, and Sticky Buns     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Valerie S. Malmont
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Tori Miracle # 3
Dell, Mar 2000, $5.99, 320 pp.

As a favor to a friend, New Yorker Tori Miracle agrees to temporarily edit the newspaper of Lickin, Pennsylvania, a town renowned for its sticky buns. Tori becomes involved with local police chief Garnet Gachenaeur and sublets her Manhattan apartment while seeing if she can be contented with small town living. Due to a miscommunication, Garnet fails to realize what Tori did. He accepts an assignment in Costa Rica.

Tori agrees to have the newspaper sponsor the local college’s Civil War reenactment. However, someone kills Congressman (R) Mack Macmillian with a Civil War weapon that should have contained blanks. Because of Tori’s reputation as a sleuth after solving two homicides, the college president asks the transplanted New Yorker to investigate the latest murder. Tori makes inquiries even after the police arrest a suspect because she thinks a killer is still free.

The latest Tori Miracle mystery will appeal to fans that enjoy a cozy that stars a quirky delightful character. Besides the lead pastry, DEATH, GUNS, AND STICKY BUNS brings Lickin Creek vividly alive through the antics of the support cast and Tori’s raised eyebrow reaction to them. The fast-paced and humorous story line provides the audience with a glimpse of Pennsylvania Dutch small town living. As with the previous tales in this warm series, Valerie S. Malmont leaves her readers with a satisfied feeling as if they just devoured a sticky bun.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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