The tranquil shores of Chautauqua, New York’s quiet lakeside community finds its easy-going, slightly conservative way of life rocked by tragedy and scandal at the height of summer, its busiest season. Socialite Connie de Palma’s body is discovered in a gorge. Her alleged cause of death, which the police seem satisfied with, raises a lot of eyebrows—especially for Mimi Goldman, a reporter and infamous amateur detective known by locals. Determined to find the truth about what happened to her neighbor, Mimi launches her own investigation. She has her work cut out for her, sifting through an ever-growing list of possible suspects: from Connie’s third husband, Eddie, to her daughter’s newest romantic partner. Leaving no stone unturned, Mimi rifles through the gorgeous socialite’s extensive connections, enemies, and relationships—inviting more danger that threatens to halt the investigation in its tracks before the truth is brought to light.
CROOKED PATHS is an excellent entry in the Mimi Goldman Chautatqua Mysteries series that doesn’t require previous reading but will certainly encourage checking in with Mimi’s other adventures. Rich in history and picturesque views, Chautauqua creates the perfect backdrop for a cozy mystery, and author Deb Pines’ extensive research adds a depth to the story’s world as well as the case itself that’s uniquely intertwined. A laidback resort community with ties to presidents and some brilliant minds of history; where everyone pretty much knows everyone else’s business. Where one crime in the middle of tourist season is one too many, and the ripple effect is far reaching, surprisingly dangerous, and tangled up in secrets that are locked behind the doors of the town’s quaint cottages.
The rogue’s gallery of suspects—of which there are plenty, wearing relatively innocuous, ordinary faces—casts a wide net of suspicion with many possibilities. And a heavy dose of clever misdirection, which is always enjoyable in the most deftly written mysteries. Pines’ Chautauqua is populated with quirky, fun personalities and resourceful, wise cracking sidekicks, like Mimi’s 94 year old “wheelman” Sylvia. Mimi herself is both compassionate and feisty, a multifaceted character whose prior experience influences the turns of the narrative and keeps the story grounded. She has a deep love for her family and friends that coincides with her determination, curiosity, and passion for detective work, for the truth. Its characters like Mimi who give a series longevity and endless potential, so it’s no mystery why this is her seventh entry.
Perfectly paced with clear, descriptive prose and a sharp sense of humor, Deb Pines creates the right amount of tension in CROOKED PATHS to keep the pages turning, and injects suspense around every corner. The conflict never abates, though it’s balanced with meaningful interactions between characters, emotional stakes, and breezy, slice-of-life vignettes in Chautauqua, making it an enjoyable read to the very last page.
~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader