Monday, April 28, 2025

Review: Gertrude, Gumshoe: Murder at the Thrift Store by Robin Merrill

 


About the Book


Genre
Cozy Mystery

Format
E-Book

Publisher
New Creation Books

Release Date
December 30, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"Don't call me elderly!" Gertrude is still feeling confident after her first gumshoe victory. So when she finds a murder victim at her local thrift store, she is excited to tell the Sheriff's Department everything she's learned at the scene of the crime. Unsurprisingly, they don't listen. So Gertrude must solve the mystery herself. And the only way she can figure to do this is to go undercover--as the Mattawooptock Thrifty-Help's newest team member. Anyone who knows Gertrude knows this probably isn't the best idea. She'll probably get fired. Or arrested. Or worse. (This is Book 2 of the Gertrude, Gumshoe Cozy Mystery Series)

My Review

Gertrude, Gumshoe is back for another murder mystery in the second book of the series.  This time, Gertrude is doing her Christmas shopping at the local thrift store. As she browses, she discovers a dead body.  Gertrude is immediately on alert and begins to search for clues.  

She’s eager to share her findings with the police, but they aren’t so eager to listen to her.  Her reputation proceeds her - elderly meddlesome woman.  Not that Gertrude agrees with this assessment of her character.  However, she does figure out a way to continue investigating.  She gets a job at the thrift shop, but nobody is impressed with her lack of sales skills.  Gertrude doesn’t care.  She’s there for one reason and one reason only - to find a killer.

Gertrude is an ornery amateur sleuth.  She’s demanding, argumentative, grouchy and, yet, I found her lovable.  In her own way :) Gertrude may show signs of being a cantankerous, old fool but she, also, shows signs of being a caring, helpful person.  There are many layers to Gertrude’s personality.

In this story, she immediately jumps into the murder mystery with no ulterior motive than to simply find the person who committed the crime.  The police, her co-works and even her neighbor have had their fill of dealing with Gertrude.  However, she has no plans of walking away from her investigation.

This is a fast-paced story that made me LOL.  I find this series to be so relaxing and delightful.  This is only the second book in the series.  I don’t think you have to read the first one, but I think you’d want to.  It gives you a chance to meet and get to know Gertrude and her world (which happens to be a trailer filled with cats).  A most enjoyable read for me.



For reading challenges:

Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2025
Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge 2025
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2025
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2025



I borrowed this one from the Kobo Plus library.  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


5 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good read.

    Have a fabulous day and week, Yvonne. Scritches to the kitties. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the title.. sounds like a nice cozy read.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the premise and I'm always looking for a book that makes me laugh. I'll have to look up this one and the first book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have a client who sounds a lot like her, only she wouldn't be getting involved in investigations.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog! I always love reading comments and getting to know my readers!

After some careful consideration, I've decided to become an award-free blog. Although I appreciate and am honored by each and every award I've received, your comments and friendship are enough award for me. Thank you all so much for your thoughtfulness.

Due to way too many spam comments, I disabled the Anonymous User comments. We'll see if this works, otherwise I'll have to go back to word verification.