Review: Pinned 4 Murder

PINNED 4 MURDER by J.C. Eaton

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, #13 in series

5*****

Blurb: When a dead body shows up in the pin return at Sun City West’s bowling alley, it’s only the beginning of a tumultuous league season for this retirement community . . . With a killer in their midst and a high-tech developer threatening to overhaul their beloved bowling alley, the seniors of Sun City West turn to amateur sleuth Sophie “Phee” Kimball to strike back at both culprits. She’s been recruited by her mother’s friends before, but this time Phee finds herself pulled in two directions when one of the book club ladies gets tangled in the clutches of a dangerous cyber-scammer who pretends to be the love of her life. Phee’s investigation grows even more complicated when the bowling alley is sabotaged and a flimflammer is found dead in the nearby bushes. With the league tournament in limbo and one of the seniors pegged as the likely murder suspect, Phee will have to cut the cord on the cyber-criminal and pin the killer—before they can strike again . . .

Thoughts: This is the thirteenth book in the Sophie Kimball series. Though I haven’t read others in the series, you can bet I’m going to be looking for them. The author had enough details that I didn’t feel left behind with jumping in. The characters are a hoot, especially Phee’s mother and her chaos-causing dog Streetman.

The story takes place in Glendale, AZ in one of the “senior” areas—Sun City West. The board of directors wants to update the activity center/bowling alley in order to attract a younger crowd, but the seniors want nothing to do with the upgrades. It’s their center. What follows are murders, sabotaged areas, and shenanigans, including cyber-scams with a good friend. Phee’s mother ropes her and her PI husband and his company into investigating what’s going on. But it’s never that simple.

This was a fun story – especially the scene with Streetman in the bowling alley. I laughed at the ensuing chaos. And the description of what was happening with Gloria and her scammer was all too real, and something that occurs much too often. Realistic characters and situations make for good reading.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.