Title: A Hush at Midnight

Author:  Marlene M. Bell

Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

When talented pastry chef Laura Harris relocates to East Texas, she is delighted at the prospect of visiting her cherished friend, Hattie Stenburg, at her impressive and historically significant estate. However, when the elderly widow is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Laura is suddenly a prime suspect in Hattie’s murder. In an unexpected turn of events, Laura must play amateur sleuth to prove her innocence and avenge her beloved mentor’s death.

With its American Civil War ancestry, the Stenburg Estate encapsulates the unique heritage of Texas. Moreover, Hattie, who is in her nineties, carries her own special history: she was a WW2 ferry pilot in her younger years. Bell’s prose is rich with sensory descriptions, creating a truly immersive atmosphere in this whodunit murder mystery. From the vanilla-orange scent of Japanese honeysuckle lingering over the aged barn to the delicate fragrance of Hattie’s Southern Kiss perfume, the author is gifted at using description, metaphor, and imagery to paint a visual picture of the Texan landscape.

Hattie’s dramatic and unexpected death at the beginning of the novel sets the stage for a carefully crafted and ingenious plot. The author introduces a colorful array of characters: from the shifty groundskeeper, Jordan, to Hattie’s brusque carer, Nicole, there are plenty of suspects, which drives the plot forward at a steady pace.

The dialogue is sharp and focused, holding the reader’s attention throughout. For example, when Detective Adams relentlessly questions Laura, applying his commanding, no-nonsense approach, his attempts to catch her out at every turn is riveting.

A slow burning romance between the main character, Laura, and handsome lawyer, Brett, adds an extra dimension to the plot, which builds tension and keeps the reader hooked. This subplot introduces an element of romantic suspense into the narrative. Unlike Laura’s ex-boyfriend, Brett is caring, kind, and protective, and their evolving relationship introduces a “will they/won’t they” scenario, enhancing the reader’s identification with Laura.

It could be argued that the “cast of characters” at the start of the novel is superfluous, as there was sufficient detail throughout to explain their various idiosyncrasies. It also made the plot seem unnecessarily complicated, when, in reality, despite containing a substantial number of characters, it was easy to keep up with who everyone was throughout the book.

Various incidents, such as telephone threats, attacks on her best friend’s bakery, and someone tampering with her car keep the reader guessing right up until the end. Bell’s strength in the cozy mystery genre is her ability to weave the underlying themes of love, loss, and family drama into the narrative, so that it works on many different levels, creating an overall tapestry of suspense, heartfelt emotion, and drama.

The stunning backdrop of East Texas creates an atmospheric setting for this multilayered novel. Perfect for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with plenty of heart and quirky characters, this book will keep the reader enthralled until the very last page.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.