Book Review: New Year's Eve Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

New Year's Eve Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Leslie Meier
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Lucy Stone # 12
Kensington, Nov 2005, $22.00, 256 pp.

On the day before Christmas Eve, the Stones of Tinker’s Cove, Maine, receive a letter from the college that their daughter Elizabeth attends stating that since their income went up last year, they owe $10,000 that previously would have been covered by a scholarship. The problem is that this year the Stone’s income has dramatically dropped due to the economy; they don’t have a clue how they are going to raise the money.

Elizabeth entered a contest sponsored by Jolie magazine that won her and her mother along with five other mother-daughter duos complete makeovers. Elizabeth tells her that all the contestants will be judged and the winner will win $10,000 which makes Lucy want to win more than ever. While they are receiving their makeover, the fashion editor is murdered and Elizabeth is hospitalized when she becomes ill. The causes of the death and the illness are anthrax. Lucy is determined to find out who sent it to the office so that they can figure out how the editor and her daughter came in contact with it. That decision almost gets her killed by a terrorist organization though not the kind one usually reads about in the papers.

Fans who appreciate the Jessica Fletcher books and Miss Marple stories will love this fine cozy amateur sleuth mystery. Leslie Meier modernizes the heroine, who is a likeable, believable and understandable character. The jealousies, uncertainties and in fighting between the workers at the magazine give the audience plenty of suspects who wanted the fashion editor dead. Leslie Meir has written a charming holiday mystery that readers will love for its’ humor and originality.

Harriet Klausner

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

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