Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Review: Gertrude, Gumshoe: Slam Is Murder by Robin Merrill





About the Book


Genre
Cozy Mystery

Format
E-Book

Publisher
New Creation Publishing

Release Date
July 14, 2017

Synopsis from Goodreads:

There just isn't enough crime in Mattawooptock, so Gertrude has to convince Calvin to go to the big city—Portland, where she will go undercover as the newest slam poet on the scene. But have any actual crimes been committed, or is this just Gertrude's wild imagination at work?The Gertrude, Gumshoe Books in Book 1: Introducing Gertrude, GumshoeBook 2: Gertrude, Murder at the Thrift StoreBook 3: Gertrude, Gumshoe and the VardSale VillainBook 4: Gertrude, Slam Is MurderBook 5: Gertrude, Gunslinger CityBook 6: Gertrude, Gumshoe and the Clearwater CurseGertrude in South Dakota Book 1: Gertrude, S'more MurderGertrude in South Dakota Book 2: Gertrude, Haunted HotelGertrude in South Dakota Book 3: Gertrude, Cowboy ShootGertrude also makes an appearance in The Prima Donna.

My Review

Crime has been quiet in Gertrude’s world and that’s not good for her new career as a private investigator.  She takes to reading the newspaper for some cases she can solve in the big city of Portland.  She learns that a couple of slam poets died.  She finds it suspicious, even though no one else does.

Gertrude convinces her neighbor, Calvin, to accompany her in the investigation.  After all, she needs someone to drive, and she doesn’t have a driver’s license yet.  Calvin reluctantly agrees and they go off on a madcap adventure to find a killer.  Of course, they don’t even know if there really is a killer or if Gertrude read too much into a newspaper article. 

As always, Gertrude is her wacky self and keeps you laughing.  She gets into the craziest situations and takes her strait-laced neighbor, Calvin, right along with her.  Gertrude is a senior citizen who uses a walker but doesn’t let that stop her.  She does what she wants, when she wants and always seems to convince people to help her along the way.

The mystery is intriguing, and the characters are well written.  Very funny dialogue. I always enjoy seeing what nutty situations Gertrude gets herself into next.  A quick read, with quite a bit of laughter.  It made me smile.

This is book #4 in the series.  Each case is solved within each book, but I think readers will appreciate it more by starting with the first book. 



For reading challenges:
Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge 2025
Cloak & Dagger 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.




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