About the Book
Aunt Fran is missing. Those words echoed throughout the town, worrying family and friends. So, Lilly Millenovanovich, a mystery writer, decides to help the authorities find her aunt. The Barton police have very few leads and Lilly is between novels with time on her hands. Her search becomes a hazardous journey in Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes. Thrown into awkward situations is familiar to Lilly Millenovanovich, like hiding in a stranger’s bedroom closet and discovering a naked man cuffed to the bed. Though events sometimes turn dangerous Lilly continues her sleuthing and recruits Mona, her cousin and best friend, to assist in the search.
Complications erupt, making their quest almost impossible. A chain of store robberies, the unusual behavior of Aunt Fran’s husband, and death threats from the mob are just a few. No matter where the search takes them, Lilly sees one common element – Ron Kinecki, known by women in town as Slick Dick Ron. He’s the owner of Repo Ron’s Used Cars, but might be selling more than automobiles.
As luck would have it, not all eyes watching Lilly intend harm. Her eccentric neighbor, Kooky Colonel Crockett, proves to be a helpful witness as he stands guard over the neighborhood. Aunt Sadie, the bold matriarch of Lilly’s family, who may tip the bottle once too often, executes strong will and bold opinions to keep Lilly on a straight path. Even an anonymous emailer feeds Lilly clues.
Before it’s over, Lilly must face more trouble than she can manage alone. Still, with friends and family to lend their support, everything turns out well in the end. Certainly, it doesn’t happen without a murder or two, but then all is back to normal. At least until the next mystery hits town.
My Review
This is the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series and it's off to a great start! It’s filled with some of the most eccentric characters I’ve seen in awhile. Most of them are from Lilly’s very own family. LOL
It all starts when her Aunt Fran disappears and her family panics. Lilly decides to lend a helping hand in locating her aunt. She gets hit with a few obstacles along the way in her search, including her cop boyfriend who wants her to stay out of it, a crazy neighbor who thinks Lilly’s dog is wild game, her interfering adoptive mother, and her Aunt Fran’s husband’s odd behavior. It all equals one madcap adventure.
The characters were all very vivid and entertaining. I adored Lilly’s friendship with her cousin Mona and their camaraderie in locating their aunt. I did not want to put this book down until I knew what the outcome would be. It’s a bit of a cross between chick lit and cozy mystery. Reading this book gave me several hours of fun. If the rest of the series is this good, Kathryn Long has a winner on her hands.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for the blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
About This Author
Kathryn Long is a recently retired school teacher who has enjoyed writing mysteries for several years. Credits include mystery shorts, “Betrayal in an Envelope” and “A Good Man”, both published by The Piker Press. Long has ventured into self-publishing the cozy Lilly M. mystery series with titles Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes and Gangs, Illegals, and a Rose Tattoo, as well as a series of YA novels, Cinderella Geek, Not So Snow White and Alice in Realityland under the pen name Jennkrist. Dying to Dream is her latest mystery gone to print with indie publisher, Mainly Murder Press. Future publications include a romantic suspense novel titled A Deadly Deed Grows, which will be coming out next year with The Wild Rose Press.
Links
Website: www.kathrynlong.webs.com
Blog: www.kjlong-teacherwriter.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/authorkathryn.long
Twitter: https://twitter.com/klteacherwriter
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4203129.Kathryn_Long
Purchase Links
E-Book Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 2 - Brooke Blogs - Interview, Giveaway
December 3 - According to Squenn - Review
December 4 - Queen of All She Reads – Review, Giveaway
December 5 - Books-n-Kisses - Review, Giveaway
December 6 - Darla King Series - Review
December 8 - Socrates' Book Review Blog - Review, Giveaway
December 9 - readalot blog - Review, Giveaway
December 10 - StoreyBook Reviews - Review, Giveaway
December 11 - rantin' ravin' and reading - Review, Interview, Giveaway
December 12 - Dr. Pepper Diva - Review, Giveaway
